what does the hierophant mean in tarot?

The Hierophant card symbolizes traditional institutions, spiritual organizations and its core values. The oldest institutions represented on the card are custodians of important knowledge and history.   

You can find the Hierophant in your church, local nonprofits, and government agencies. His structures protect the High Priestess - signifying there is a spiritual and energetic reasoning behind the fundamental rules, laws and regulations in one’s society.

The Hierophant is also known as the Pope or High Priest.

the hierophant at work

When this card appears in a career reading, it means that now is the time to listen to the boss and follow the traditional methods of your workplace or industry. There is no need to challenge established practice, and also appears when your knowledge is necessary to obtain a certification or diploma. Your environment will reward you for prioritizing cooperation, authority and conservatism.

The Hierophant represents someone who can give you wisdom and direction. It can also enter your life as a psychologist, mentor, pastor or spiritual/religious guide who imparts wisdom and is a source of knowledge. 

hierophant as advice

The Hierophant shows that one must give a situation more structure and abide by religious and societal traditions. It suggests that it is better for you to follow social structures that are established.   

When it comes to solving problems, the card asks you to take a more traditional approach. There are many ways to achieve your goal, but the conventional approach works best. If you are struggling to find a solution, it will not be quick or easy, but it is achievable and you can reach it.  

the hierophant in love

The Hierophant tarot card can be a sign that you need to bring back traditional courting customs, neglect unconventional relationship structures and embrace tried and true methods. You or your love interest may be attracted to traditional relationships that are stable and directional.  

This card also appears when both parties create a contract with one another. The contract can be marriage but can also appear in the case of a friends with benefits set up. Just keep in mind at least one person values traditions like marriage and gender roles.

This isn’t a feeling card as much as it is a “thinking“ card. If you are asking how someone feels about you, this persons understands the expectations and boundaries within the relationship. They could be thinking about taking the next level of commitment with you, but you’d need other cards like 2 of Cups, Page of Pentacles or The Justice card to confirm. Otherwise, they see you as the traditional choice in love.

hierophant energy and symbology

Some may find it difficult to separate the Hierophant from certain organized religions or branches of religion that are considered dominant, irrational, or cruel. It may help the reader to imagine the Hierophant as a spiritual guide. One of the downsides to this card is the Hierophant can be dogmatic and stubborn - to the point of disenfranchising some and ostracizing others.

The Hierophant is a master of esoteric wisdom who is knowledgeable and educated in the sages of the spirit. The Priest and the Pope are images of their religion, but the Hierophant has something else.  

He rules with the power of external religion, while the High Priestess triumphs over the genius of the esoteric and withdraws from power. In this way, the Hierophant can be egotistical. As a guardian of religious knowledge, he is bound by tradition and ceremony and obliged to present himself in a way that corresponds to the ideals of the people to whom he preaches.    

hierophant in spiritual work

The Hierophant embodies the usual spiritual beliefs associated with religion and other formal ideologies. If it is shown in a spiritual context, it is a sign that you should incorporate traditional values and some kind of religion into your spiritual practice.

The Hierophant is a tricky card to interpret because there are so many different levels of meaning. In the largest context it represents your relationship to your chosen ideology. In a day to day context, it represents your personal spiritual habits like meditation, praying, yoga. In this way, the hierophant can indicate spiritual hygiene. What practices do you incorporate into your daily life that guides your thoughts, behavior and attitude?

hierophant as a person

Hierophants are generally portrayed as spiritual leaders, mentors, or religious institutions. They can be a mentor or teacher you meet to teach you life lessons. They can also represent a government employee or model citizen. This card can represent a trusted friend or confidant who seems to always know the “right” thing to do.

the hierophant reversed

The Hierophant is a controversial tarot card because of his association with organized religions, hierarchies, and bad dogmas. In its reversal, it signals to sever traditional beliefs that no longer serve you - even if it means leaving a job, divorcing a spouse or breaking up with someone.

Create your own traditions and navigate your experiences to redesign your belief systems. Clearly what your society, parents, religion has told you is true is not helpful. Individualism is encouraged.

The reversed Hierophant may indicate that your relationships are stagnant or that your values do not match.

It also suggests you are bringing unnecessary episodes of rebellion against the traditional, universally accepted ideals and spiritual beliefs that belong to your ancestry.