The Hierophant (V)

Meanings according to Rider-Waite:

ASTROLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Sun in Sagittarius: preacher, teacher, religious figure.

THE HIEROPHANT The Hierophant personifies the world of faith and the deepest trust, founded upon the steadfastness of chosen values. In ancient times he was considered one of the three guardian angels of the Tarot, ensuring a favourable outcome to any undertaking. There is profound meaning in this, because trust in general — and our trust in ourselves in particular — serves as the foundation of faith in life and in the future. Beyond that, this card symbolises the path of ethics and virtue, that is, those moral principles by which our life plans are determined.

From the book: Hajo Banzhaf. THE TAROT HANDBOOK. Translated from the German by E. Kolesov. Publisher: Centre for Astrological Research, 1999.

5 — THE HIEROPHANT Taurus The Fifth ARCANUM is called THE HIEROPHANT (other names — THE POPE, THE PRIEST, THE HIGH PRIEST) and symbolises the high priests of the pagan or Christian Mystery Schools. THE HIEROPHANT is depicted wearing a tiara, holding in his left hand a triple cross crowned with a terrestrial globe. Before the priest two acolytes are frozen on their knees, and his right hand bestows upon them "the ecclesiastical sign of esotericism". The back of the papal throne is fashioned in the form of two columns — celestial and terrestrial. This card symbolises the initiator (the master of the mystery of life), or, according to Pythagoras, the spiritual physician. The illusory Universe, in this case, is symbolised by two figures (polarities) — kneeling before the throne upon which sits the initiated one, who has raised his consciousness to the level of spiritual understanding and reality. THE HIEROPHANT — the highest Egyptian priest — embodies the righteousness of man in the highest sense of the word. Mythologically, the role of the king is that of an intermediary, conveying to the people not his own will but a certain objective will. But unlike the mission of THE PRIESTESS, who passively transmits rhythms, THE HIEROPHANT symbolises the principle of activity, being the creator of a new path. The moral problem of THE HIEROPHANT consists in heeding the inner voice and being righteous not only in the fulfilment of his task, like THE EMPEROR, but also in relation to himself. His immediate task lies in this: while obeying himself and his own — even the most natural and correct — impulses, not to become deaf to those around him, constantly measuring their desires against his own. On Crowley's card, THE HIEROPHANT is depicted holding the symbol of the trinity, and below is portrayed his feminine nature, with a sword-thought in her hand, who rules him from within. The staff in THE HIEROPHANT'S hand (a cross with three crossbars, or three intersecting circles — the emblem of Roerich) — implies a new incarnation. Behind THE HIEROPHANT'S head is depicted a five-petalled lotus, inscribed within a five-pointed star — a symbol of active participation in cosmic creativity. From behind THE HIEROPHANT'S back peers an enraged bull (the symbol of Taurus) — a symbol of powerful creative potential, as well as of passions and desires, to which THE HIEROPHANT astrologically corresponds. Taurus is the most "earthly" sign, which is corrected by matter through its rigid frameworks; therefore he can "rise" only by embodying unshakeable righteousness upon his path.

Upright position the card THE HIEROPHANT signifies good counsel, sometimes instruction, a striving for knowledge. Benevolence and social accord. True Faith (the denomination being unimportant). Depending upon the surrounding cards, it may presage a marital bond, firm friendship, a return to old traditions. In the psychological sphere, THE HIEROPHANT is a symbol of tolerance and forbearance, the transmission of one's knowledge to others, as well as the active use of the experience and knowledge of others. THE HIEROPHANT teaches trust and strength. If you are able to perceive deep meaning in the simple and material, then this card has had a hand in it. Higher meaning resides in everything — such is the teaching. This is a person able to learn from the mistakes of others. He is devoted to some idea and serves it with inspiration, bringing its positive results to people.

Reversed position the card THE HIEROPHANT is a symbol of slander, disgrace, dubious counsel that brings harm both to yourself and to those around you. Likewise false facts, chiefly concerning material affairs. The reversed position of the card may also mean excessive freedom of conduct, disregard for the rules of good taste, a false outlook on life, eccentricity that brings harm, and sometimes needless kindness toward people unworthy of it (kindness and foolishness are not one and the same). In a family spread it may signify indolence and daydreaming. And if in the upright position it is an impending marriage, then in the reversed it means the planned marriage will not take place. On the psychological level it speaks of excessive kindness and generosity, when kindness becomes irritating and generosity reaches the point of folly. Undue impressionability and vulnerability, inconvenience and discomfort — all of this is a manifestation of the reversed HIEROPHANT. The reversed position of the card may give you this disheartening counsel: — trust in providence — for henceforth all is in the hands of the Gods.

"The genius of good is on thy right hand, and the genius of evil on thy left. And their voice can be heard only by thy conscience. It also will give thee in due time the needful counsel." Papus