Connecting with Our Inner Spiritual Leader with the Hierophant

The Hierophant is a fascinating card, and one of the most controversial for modern practitioners of the art of Tarot. Oftentimes, those of us who align with alternative spiritual practices have an immense amount of contraction surrounding the imagery in The Hierophant card, because it looks very much like a Bishop or Pope from the Roman Empire and Christianity. In fact, even in the most well known and widely used Rider-Waite-Smith deck, the imagery is full of Christian iconography and biblical symbolism. 

For many, this card can stir up some trauma surrounding religious indoctrination during childhood, or even issues with authority figures who use their power to control people and disguise their rules as morals. 

While it’s true the imagery in The Hierophant card does take inspiration from mainstream religious symbolism, the meaning behind this card has changed and shifted over the years, The Hierophant is a potent reminder that you are your own spiritual mentor. Like The Hierophant, you possess the ability to communicate directly with the Divine. 

The History of The Hierophant 

The earliest Tarot decks that we have copies of today are mostly from the Renaissance era and almost all of them have origins in Italy. Of course, even earlier versions of Tarot-like divination decks and cartomancy as a practice can be traced back much further and are believed to have come to Europe from the Middle East and Asia. 

Even so, the Tarot as we know it today originated in Italy and other parts of Europe during the Renaissance period and a lot of the imagery and art originates from that time period, where Catholicism was the primary religion, or at least the religion of the ruling powers. Many of the decks from this time period picture characters such as the Pope. The Hierophant is a perfect example of this, and to this day resembles a Pope-like figure. 

The name, The Hierophant, came from Antoine Court de Gebelin who said that it was the distinction given to the highest priests in the Eleusinian Mysteries of the Ancient Greeks. 

The Hierophant’s Associations

The Hierophant is ruled by the sign of Taurus. It is all about bringing  spiritual energy back down to earth. As expected, the element that the Hierophant is most connected with is Earth. 

The secret metaphysical name of The Hierophant is the Magus of the Eternal Gods. He has also been referred to as the High Priest as a counterpart to the High Priestess. 

The Hierophant is the fifth card in Tarot, so the numerology association is also the number five. The number five in numerology has to do with creation and destruction. 

Symbolism in the Hierophant Card

The Hierophant imagery in the Rider-Waite-Smith deck is full of both religious and metaphysical symbolism. Once again we see the powerful overriding color of red as very prominent in this card, pointing to power and leadership, as well as grey which symbolizes age, wisdom, and experience. Some believe the grey pillars symbolize freedom and law or obedience and disobedience. 

Beginning at the top of the card, we see the Hierophant crowned in the Papal Tiara. This headdress is also known as the triregnum which speaks to the three areas of rulership - pastor, teacher, and priest. 

In his hand, the Hierophant holds a scepter like Papal Cross which is a symbol of the highest position in the church. It is often believed that the symbolism here is close to the Papal Tiara, and the bars are also representative of the Holy Trinity. I align most with the belief that they symbolize the earth, the heavens, and the afterlife. 

The crossed keys at the feet of The Hierophant once again have to do with power on earth and in the heavens, as well as mastery of the spiritual. They are reflective of the keys of heaven given to St. Peter by Christ in the Christian faith. 

Also at the feet of the Hierophant are two men dressed in roses and lilies. The roses and lilies appear throughout the Rider-Waite-Smith tarot and once again represent purity and love. The men represent supplicants or followers of the religious teachings of the Hierophant. 

Modern Interpretations and Meanings of the Hierophant 

When The Hierophant comes up in a reading, it is important to remember that this doesn’t necessarily mean that you need to seek out a spiritual teacher or elder, although that can be an incredible learning experience. If a mentor type person appears in your life around the same time that The Hierophant comes up, it may be an interesting idea to explore that. Obviously, as with anything in life, trust your gut and your own intuition first and foremost. If a spiritual guide type person ever suggests you do something that doesn’t resonate with you, trust that. 

Sometimes when this card comes up it can foreshadow a time of immense learning. Perhaps you will go back to school, or maybe a new passion or hobby will arise that takes a lot of your attention. 

Really, it is a call towards higher learning. This card is asking you to get educated, especially about your spirituality.