”“Wisdom is a great prophet, faith is a great warrior, knowledge is a great sage, and virtue is a great priest.”

Matshona Dhliwayo

Seeking traditional knowledge, mentorship, embracing societal norms, influence;

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Overview

Previously referred to as The Pope, The Hierophant represents a power even The Emperor yields to. This is authority beyond the self: the power of enlightenment, tradition, and collective belief. It can appear as a community, a spiritual system, a religious institution, or any organized structure of shared values.

If you are currently immersed in a traditional spiritual system, this card may indicate the need to step outside of it and discover a broader, more personal truth. It asks you to examine whether your beliefs are inherited or chosen. Break the bond if it no longer serves you, and begin creating your own reality.

If you are agnostic or spiritually unanchored, The Hierophant can suggest seeking out a mentor—someone whose wisdom has been tested by experience. If you have already carved your beliefs from stone and built your inner world deliberately, this card may be calling you to become that mentor for others.

A more Modern Perspective

This in the broadest sense The Hierophant presents the questions: are we conforming to the systems that society expects us to, or are we living a rogue existence? Are the structures and routines we’ve built for ourselves only benefitting us, or are they contributing to the greater good? Are we living by example, or are we the example of what not to be?

Symbolism

Between two stone pillars sits a man in red robes with white sashes. At the base of his stone throne lie two crossed keys, flanked by two acolytes kneeling at his feet. One hand is raised in benediction, while the other holds a staff crossed three times. His crown is tiered, symbolizing layered authority and spiritual hierarchy.

Deciphering The Hierophant

Beliefs

The Hierophant appears when you are either aligning with a belief system or preparing to break free from one. It is time to consciously choose the spiritual structure that resonates with you and to surround yourself with people who share those principles. In some cases, it indicates that your practice has become so deeply ingrained that it now dictates the structure of your life.

Immunity through power

This card also represents untouchable authorities such as religion, law, politics, and social institutions. These systems may be attempting to define your reality for you. While rebellion can be tempting, caution is advised—this power runs deep, and understanding it is wiser than blindly resisting it.

Outgrowing a structure

On a spiritual level, The Hierophant can indicate limitation through rigidity or the need to broaden your horizons. If you have reached the peak of what your current belief system can offer, it may be time to guide others rather than continue climbing yourself. At its core, this card represents the structures of power in our lives—those imposed upon us, and those we consciously create.

Imprisonment or Institutionalized

Due to the nature of the structures that the Hierophant symbolizes, it can symbolize institutions at large. This could be anything from hospitalization, imprisonment or confinement of some sort. The Hierophant in modern readings has a weird filex in also being a Doctor— they advise you on how to improve your wellness just as the pope advises the masses on how to improve their relationship with the Christian God.

If Justice and The Hanged Man are involved in a reading with The Hierophant it is a strong indicator of incarceration. With the Eight of Swords, there’s nothing keeping you stuck aside from your own mind.

Influence on the Suits

During a reading, pay attention to the majority of the cards that are present. Depending on the number of Tarot cards of each suite, the meaning of the card can take a different shape.

If The Hierophant is accompanied by a lot of Cups; the loyalties you have to the spiritual structure in your life is deep and can revolve around someone or some-entity. Question the benefits of this structure, and if it’s still relevant to your ideals.

With a lot of wands, The Hierophant cautions you to slow down. A structured approach will yield greater rewards than impulsive action.

If pentacles are present; you are creating new structures and habits in your materials and career which will prove beneficial to you.

Swords in a reading with The Hierophant can indicate that you are currently questioning the systems currently in place around you and are dissatisfied with the state of things. Change starts with one, and it starts from within. Practice what you preach.

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The Hierophant Reversed

”We can spend our lives letting the world tell us who we are. Sane or insane. Saints or sex addicts. Heroes or victims. Letting history tell us how good or bad we are. Letting our past decide our future. Or we can decide for ourselves. And maybe it’s our job to invent something better.”

Chuck Palahniuk

rebellion against dogma, questioning authority, or outdated structures, sometimes hinting at abuse of power or rigid thinking. 

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In the Reversed position, you can turn the meaning of The Hierophant upside down and inside out, or it can be perceived as something else. Reversed cards can be read a few different ways. If you want to know the source of the concept of why this card is defined the way it is, check out the article “Reading Reversals” in Chapter 6 of this knowledge base.

If you simply want to know the reason and not the method of deciphering, here are some possible ways to read the card in reversed.

Deciphering The Hierophant Reversed

Misunderstood

You march to the beat of your own drum, that’s pretty obvious. So obvious in fact that society kinda tilts its head at you, and so do your peers. Despite your frequent attempts for people to get on your level, your words often fall on deaf ears.

This can be situationally, or terminally. There is just something about you that is meant to stay a mystery. Remember, if there are people in the world dedicated to misunderstanding you— there’s no use wasting your breath on them.

Inefficient Routines

There is a need to restructure your routines in life. This doesn’t mean you have to wake up with the sun, or go to bed with the moon— but consistency is necessary.

This is especially true if you are pursuing your own dreams, and trying to break free from structures. It will take a mountain of discipline to keep your success in your eye of sight. Make a schedule and stick to it, if only to prove to yourself that you are moving those mountains instead of succumbing to them.

Mental Imprisonment

The Hierophant upright can symbolize physical imprisonment, and in the reversed it can symbolize mental imprisonment. You may not be able to escape your reputation, or mistakes. They follow you everywhere you go. The card in this position tells you to keep showing up regardless of what people say. The only way to re-make your image is to outlive you the people tarnishing your reputation. Don’t bother sucking up to them, they’ll be silenced by your success.

If Justice reversed, with The Seven of Swords and The Ten of Swords appear in the reading it could indicate that you the scapegoat for someone else’s crimes. Whether this is someone lying on your name, or falsely accusing you of something. If the King of Swords also shows up in this reading, it indicates that you will be facing legal trouble as a result.

If The Devil appears in a reading with The Hierophant reversed, it’s a strong indicator you are suffering from either an addiction or mental illness, and refusing to disclose it due to the fear of Rehabilitation. Conversely, with the Eight of Swords also present, this could present as an issue of pride, and being perceived as undesirable in a time of need.

Controlling Leader

There maybe a mob against you, and there is someone preaching to the choir to keep it fired up. A controlling leader is attempting to keep you suppressed by using others to keep you oppressed. They could be hiding behind a smile or pretending to be your friend, but your nature will always dupe them. You maybe perceived as uncontrollable or that you cannot be manipulated.

Hierarchy issues

The problem with the hierarchy is that there is none. There seems to be, but the person in charge makes everyone seem like they have a position of power in their structure. The reality is no one has any sway. Seniority, loyalty, or longevity does not persuade the iron fist of the leader in your life.

Find peace in calmer, more just waters. Especially if Justice reversed is touching the Hierophant Reversed, and the Six of swords Appears in a future position.

Relationships

The Hierophant Reversed can present a few ways, and not all of them are pretty. Depending on the surrounding cards, you can decipher the definition it falls under.

The Lovers Reversed, Two of Cups Reversed, The Magician reversed, The Fool Reversed, The World, Death,

Unwilling to commit

There is a player in your dating pool you’ve set your heart on, which will lead to disappointment. This person is noncommittal. They have no interest in anything serious with you, and potentially anyone else. They are having too much fun being single, fighting them will almost always be fruitless.

Unwed

Can you hear wedding bells when you look at them? Perhaps you’ve been hit in the head too hard. This person does not see the same in you. Either the have been married before, they don’t plan on marrying, or they don’t think things are that serious.

Potentially, it’s not a problem with you but with the person you adore. The most likely solution is that they haven’t grown to the point of marrying anyone. They live in a fantasy of finding the one who doesn’t exist, or they are stuck on someone they once dreamt of forever with. It’s not you, it’s some part of your partner that is unhealed.

Untraditional relationship

A house husband, an open relationship or polyamory; there is a chance that you are facing a relationship where the rules are skewed. Perhaps someone is staying home, or you are open to other people involved.

Potentially, this maybe an aspect of your relationship that a partner maybe considering bringing up to you. The surrounding cards would be a good indicator of ow this will work out for you.

Coming out of a serious relationship

If you’re reading about the object of your affection, it could be that there is an opportunity with them that is about to present itself. This person maybe coming out of a serious relationship. If the Wheel of Fortune is present, it could be that you need to wait for the right time and you can have the object of your desires.

Change in Health Regimen

In terms of your health, you maybe slowing down. This is a good time to evaluate your health goals, and your future. Your stamina maybe taking a hit, your hygiene maybe neglected or your simply sedentary in general.

This is a good time to pick up a fitness routine, consider a new diet, or start taking a multivitamin to find yourself in the pinnacle of success. Starting something new is hard, but if you implement it properly you’ll reach your fitness and wellness goals.

Financial Instability

When it comes to your wallet you fly by the seat of your pants. You are not planning for the future, or saving anything. Potentially, you’re not in the position to do so. This is an illusion, there are some luxuries that you can cut out.

Start saving little by little, and you can grown beyond your rainy day fund.