THE HIEROPHANT

• EDUCATION
• BELIEF SYSTEMS
• CONFORMITY
• GROUP IDENTIFICATION

• Actions
• Opposing Cards
• Reinforcing Cards
• Description

ACTIONS

• EDUCATION
• pursuing knowledge
• becoming informed
• increasing understanding
• studying and learning
• seeking a deeper meaning
• finding out more

• BELIEF SYSTEMS
• sharing a cultural heritage
• learning a religious tradition
• honoring ritual and ceremony
• identifying a world view
• following a discipline
• knowing where to put your faith

• CONFORMITY
• following the rules
• taking an orthodox approach
• staying within conventional bounds
• adapting to the system
• fitting in
• going along with the program
• doing what's expected
• being part of the Establishment

• GROUP IDENTIFICATION
• being committed to a cause
• devoting energy to a group
• joining an organization
• working as part of a team
• feeling loyal to others
• being in an institutionalized setting

OPPOSING CARDS: Some Possibilities

• Fool - being "crazy" and unorthodox
• Lovers - personal beliefs
• Two of Wands - diverging from the crowd, being a pioneer
• Seven of Swords - being a lone wolf
• Two of Pentacles - being flexible, changing with the times

REINFORCING CARDS: Some Possibilities

• Emperor - following rules
• Three of Cups - focusing on the group
• Three of Pentacles - working in a team or group
• Eight of Pentacles - learning, studying
• Ten of Pentacles - conforming, following rules, conservative

DESCRIPTION

The Hierophant represents such official learning, especially in groups. A Hierophant is someone who interprets secret knowledge. On Card 5 we see a religious figure in a formal church setting. He is wearing the elaborate vestments of his office. His task is to bring the two initiates into the church so they can take up their appointed roles.

The Hierophant represents all of these because his realm is structured groups with rules and assigned roles. Such environments emphasize belief systems - facts, rules, procedures, and ritual. Members are rewarded for following conventions. They develop a group identity. The Hierophant is one of three cards that focuses on the group.

The Hierophant often represents learning with experts or knowledgeable teachers. This card also stands for institutions and their values. The Hierophant is a symbol of the need to conform to rules or fixed situations. His appearance in a reading can show that you are struggling with a force that is not innovative, free-spirited or individual. Groups can be enriching or stifling, depending on circumstances. Sometimes we need to follow a program or embrace tradition, other times, we need to trust ourselves.

• TAROT CARDS
• TAROT CARDS MAJOR ARCANA
• Tarot cards, major arcana: the fool;
• Tarot cards, major arcana: the magician;
• Tarot cards, major arcana: the high priestess;
• Tarot cards, major arcana: the empress;
• Tarot cards, major arcana: the emperor;
• Tarot cards, major arcana: the hierophant;
• Tarot cards, major arcana: the lovers;
• Tarot cards, major arcana: the chariot;
• Tarot cards, major arcana: strength;
• Tarot cards, major arcana: the hermit;
• Tarot cards, major arcana: wheel of fortune;
• Tarot cards, major arcana: justice;
• Tarot cards, major arcana: the hanged man;
• Tarot cards, major arcana: death;
• Tarot cards, major arcana: temperance;
• Tarot cards, major arcana: the devil;
• Tarot cards, major arcana: the tower;
• Tarot cards, major arcana: the star;
• Tarot cards, major arcana: the moon;
• Tarot cards, major arcana: the sun;
• Tarot cards, major arcana: judgement;
• Tarot cards, major arcana: the world;