The Hierophant (pronounced HIRE-oh-fent) tarot card appears in the major arcana in tarot decks based on the Latin Tarot (Tarot de Marseilles) such as the Rider-Waite-Smith deck. As with all other cards in traditional tarot decks, the images depicted on the Hierophant are rich with symbolism that suggests the meaning when it appears in a tarot spread.
Meanings of Upright Hierophant Card in a Tarot Reading
The Hierophant card in a reading may have any of the following meetings:
- Seek spiritual council.
- The cards that follow offer spiritual council.
- Find a spiritual teacher or mentor.
- Become a spiritual teacher or mentor for another.
- It's time to study or delve into a spiritual topic that interests you more deeply.
- Seek formal education for a spiritual topic.
- Your spiritual work is not advancing you in a way that will serve your greatest good; try another way.
- A teacher, mentor, or leader that has appeared in your life is the appropriate one for you at this time.
- You need to engage in a spiritual practice or refine your current spiritual practices.
- Seek solace in your religion or spiritual beliefs.
Meanings When the Hierophant Is Reversed in a Spread
When the Hierophant is reversed (upside down) in a reading, it may mean any of the following.
- It is time to listen to your own spiritual council instead of seeking it outside of you.
- A person in your life who you see as a good mentor, teacher, or spiritual leader doesn't serve your current path.
- It's time to look deeply at your religious or cultural learnings and find your own truth within them or outside of them.
- You've given away your personal power and authority to another, and it's time to regain it.
- It's time to develop your own practices and tools instead of learning from others.
- You may experience conflict with people in power.
- Trust your higher guidance that comes from within more than what other people tell you.
- It's time to follow your own path instead of the spiritual path of another.
Symbolism Found on the Hierophant Card
The Hierophant sits on a throne in a temple between two identical pillars set against a stark white background. He wears a three-tiered, golden papal crown and red robes adorned with crosses. His right hand is held in a papal blessing with two fingers extended and two hidden. In his left hand, he holds a golden three-tiered staff terminating in the papal cross.
He is on a lush red carpet with two crossed golden keys at his feet. Standing before him are two worshippers: one wearing a shirt adorned with red roses and the other wearing a shirt adorned with white lilies.
Hierophant Numerology
The Hierophant is the sixth card in the major arcana, but he is marked with the number V (five) because in traditional tarot, the major arcana starts with the Fool, which is 0 (zero).
In numerology, the number 5 is a number of change and growth. It shows a balance of yin and yang (or feminine and masculine) with a slight edge towards yin (feminine). Five often depicts the embarking on an adventure, moving in a new direction. As it relates to the Hierophant's position in the major arcana, it can be seen as a time in which the spiritual adventure the soul is about to begin.
Hierophant's Position in the Major Arcana
As the sixth card in the major arcana, the Hierophant comes after the Emperor (IV) and before the Lovers (VI). This position is significant as he serves as a bridge between the earthly concerns of the Emperor and the more spiritual concerns of the Lovers.
The major arcana depicts a soul's journey, and the Hierophant is the major card in which the soul begins to cross from physical, earthly concerns to those of soul and spirit. When he appears in a spread, his position in the major arcana suggests the querent is moving into a period of spiritual expansion.
Religious Symbolism Found on Hierophant Tarot Card
In other decks, the Hierophant is sometimes known as the Pope or the High Priest. He is a figure of religious authority, and the card depicts many Christian symbols to show this. His papal crown signifies the Christian Trinity, as does his three-tiered cross.
The blessing held in his right hand suggests the spiritual knowledge he shares is partially hidden and partially readily available to anyone (two fingers are hidden and two are extended). The religious supplicants are receiving his blessing. The crossed keys represent the keys to the gates of heaven Jesus presented Saint Peter (Matthew 16:19).
Red and White Colors Prevail
The colors red and white repeat throughout the card: in the flowers on the supplicants' shirts, in the carpet, in the wall color, and in the Hierophant's robes. Red represents love while white represents purity. The red robe is also a symbol of loving authority; it is a common symbol in many of the major arcana cards including the Magician and the Emperor.
Understanding the Upright Hierophant in a Reading
All of these symbols offer clues about what the Hierophant means when he appears in a reading. In readings, the Hierophant suggests a significant time of expansion in spiritual matters. He may also suggest spiritual expansion in various aspects of your life, such as expanding prosperity, a stronger and more loving relationship, or movement into a more spiritually focused career. He may also be suggesting it is time to seek wise spiritual council in order to move forward positively.
Understanding Reversed Hierophant in a Tarot Spread
When he's reversed in a reading, the Hierophant foretells of inauspicious leadership. It may suggest the ego is overcoming more spiritual aspects of yourself and blocking your personal growth. Alternatively, it could imply you are seeking and following teaching from someone who provides unwise, inauthentic, or even false council.
The Hierophant Points to Spiritual Expansion
Although the symbolism on the Hierophant is frankly religious, it's important to understand this card does not point to any specific religion or theology. Rather, it uses religious symbolism to point to expansion into more spiritually guided realms, regardless of your personal religion or belief system.
