click on the card to see its meaning

Major Arcana

The Fool - click on card to select it
The Magician - click on card to select it The High Priestess - click on card to select it The Empress - click on card to select it The Emperor - click on card to select it The Hierophant - click on card to select it The Lovers - click on card to select it The Chariot - click on card to select it
Strength - click on card to select it The Hermit - click on card to select it Wheel of Fortune - click on card to select it Justice - click on card to select it Hanged Man - click on card to select it Death - click on card to select it Temperance - click on card to select it
The Devil - click on card to select it The Tower - click on card to select it The Star - click on card to select it The Moon - click on card to select it The Sun - click on card to select it Judgement - click on card to select it The World - click on card to select it

Minor Arcana

Ace of Wands - click on card to select it2 of Wands - click on card to select it3 of Wands - click on card to select it4 of Wands - click on card to select it5 of Wands - click on card to select it6 of Wands - click on card to select it7 of Wands - click on card to select it
8 of Wands - click on card to select it9 of Wands - click on card to select it10 of Wands - click on card to select itPage of Wands - click on card to select itKnight of Wands - click on card to select itQueen of Wands - click on card to select itKing of Wands - click on card to select it
Ace of Cups - click on card to select it2 of Cups - click on card to select it3 of Cups - click on card to select it4 of Cups - click on card to select it5 of Cups - click on card to select it6 of Cups - click on card to select it7 of Cups - click on card to select it
8 of Cups - click on card to select it9 of Cups - click on card to select it10 of Cups - click on card to select itPage of Cups - click on card to select itKnight of Cups - click on card to select itQueen of Cups - click on card to select itKing of Cups - click on card to select it
Ace of Swords - click on card to select it2 of Swords - click on card to select it3 of Swords - click on card to select it4 of Swords - click on card to select it5 of Swords - click on card to select it6 of Swords - click on card to select it7 of Swords - click on card to select it
8 of Swords - click on card to select it9 of Swords - click on card to select it10 of Swords - click on card to select itPage of Swords - click on card to select itKnight of Swords - click on card to select itQueen of Swords - click on card to select itKing of Swords - click on card to select it
Ace of Pentacles - click on card to select it2 of Pentacles - click on card to select it3 of Pentacles - click on card to select it4 of Pentacles - click on card to select it5 of Pentacles - click on card to select it6 of Pentacles - click on card to select it7 of Pentacles - click on card to select it
8 of Pentacles - click on card to select it9 of Pentacles - click on card to select it10 of Pentacles - click on card to select itPage of Pentacles - click on card to select itKnight of Pentacles - click on card to select itQueen of Pentacles - click on card to select itKing of Pentacles - click on card to select it

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Tarot Card Meanings

5 - The Hierophant

The Hierophant

A Hierophant is one who interprets secret knowledge. In the tarot, he represents official learning. His realm is the structured groups (classes) and the rules of these groups. He stands for institutions and their values.

Historically, this may have referred to the priesthood. After all, the church took great steps to ensure only priests could read so they became the interpreters for the bible. Only priests could read the "word of God". Initially, people were happy to let them do this, I mean - talking to god - scary thought. In all the legends, talking to the gods through the oracles and so on was a dangerous activity. Let's leave it up to them while we get on with our worldly pursuits.

But is this really the way we want it to be? The institutions become corrupt and controlling (The Inquisition tortured and executed people who dared question the church's interpretations). All modern religions deriving from Abraham are paternalistic and oppress women to varying degrees. Ultimately, we need to accept responsibility for our own spirituality.

So, if we interpret the Hierophant as representing secret doctrines, it works better for us as it allows us to choose our own way.

In readings, The Hierophant stands for churches, doctrines and education in general. It can mean conforming to the rules or questioning them depending on the context. You could be struggling in a situation that stifles innovation or you may need to focus and follow the rules for a while.

Reversed, it means unorthodoxy, original ideas but also gullibility. Tradition can be seen as a standard by which to judge new ideas. Casting tradition aside makes it hard for us to find our way. There are many people who, having had a dogma rammed down their throats, rebel only to find a new, potentially extremist, dogma or cult.

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Illustrations from the Universal Waite Tarot deck, also known as the Rider Waite Tarot, are reproduced by permission of US Games Systems Inc, Stamford, CT 06902 USA. Copyright 1990 by US Games Systems Inc. Further reproduction is prohibited. The Universal Waite Tarot deck is a registered trademark of US Games Systems Inc www.usgamesinc.com