A Guide to The Hierophant Tarot Card: Upright & Reversed

See what this Major Arcana card spells out for your health and well-being

A symbol of authority, convention, and tradition, The Hierophant can have some powerful implications in a tarot reading. Sometimes called The Pope, The Teacher, or The High Priest, this 5th card of the Major Arcana calls us to either lean on traditional wisdom and practices or to take the more unconventional path—it all depends on whether it’s upright or reversed. We’ll take you through all the different meanings and interpretations, so you can know exactly what this card means for you and your future.

Things You Should Know

  • The Hierophant upright represents convention and encourages you to do things by the book.
  • The Hierophant reversed encourages you to step away from convention and embrace what feels right.
  • The Hierophant doesn’t give a “yes” or “no” answer—instead, it suggests asking a trusted loved one or friend for advice.
Section 1 of 7:

The Hierophant Tarot Meaning

  1. This card placement is all about embracing the beliefs and structures that already exist in the world rather than breaking away and forging your own beliefs. [1] This card can also symbolize embracing spiritual beliefs and incorporating regular spiritual practices into your life (such as setting aside time for prayer). The Hierophant can even represent the importance of deepening your education (and working with a skilled mentor as you do so). [2]
    • Upright keywords: Spiritual beliefs, tradition, structure, conformity
    • Associated zodiac sign: Taurus
    • Associated planet: Venus
    • Associated element: Earth
    • Did you know? The Hierophant exists as a masculine complement to The High Priestess, another Major Arcana card.
    • In a yes or no reading, the Hierophant card actually doesn’t carry a concrete “yes” or “no” answer. Rather, it encourages you to ask a trusted loved one or friend for advice. [3]
  2. In a given reading, the reversed Hierophant encourages you to take a step back from some of the established structures in your life, such as your religion/spiritual beliefs. Consider this placement as a green light to break away from your established beliefs and start exploring solutions that feel more authentic to you. [4]
    • Reversed keywords: Nonconformity, freedom, spiritual independence, personal values
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Section 2 of 7:

The Hierophant in Love

  1. The upright Hierophant is all about adding commitment into your relationships. Naturally, this can look different depending on the type of relationship that you’re in.
    • If you’re single: A new partnership may be on the horizon—and you and your future partner will be on the same page when it comes to personal values and priorities.
    • If you’re in a relationship: Open your mind to the possibility of further commitment in your partnership, like moving in together or getting engaged.
    • If you’re part of a fling: If you’re in an unlabeled type of relationship (like a friends-with-benefits situation), this card might be a nudge to put a clearer label on your partnership.
  2. If the upright Hierophant is about commitment, then the reversed Hierophant is all about breaking the mold in your relationships. This can manifest in different ways:
    • If you’re single: You might not feel much of a desire or need to be in a relationship at all.
    • If you’re in a long-term relationship: Marriage might not be a priority for you as you look to the future of your partnership.
    • If you’re in an existing relationship: You might go against the grain when it comes to stereotypical gender roles (e.g., who makes more money in the relationship, who does what around the household, etc.).
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Section 3 of 7:

The Hierophant in Career

  1. The upright Hierophant urges you to be careful when it comes to your career, and to exercise caution when it comes to your long-term career plans. Go with the flow when it comes to the parameters and structure that already exist in your workplace, and don’t try to push against the status quo. [5]
    • Tip: There’s a time and place to push back against management when you disagree with something, or take a major plunge when it comes to your investments. Play it safe, and you’ll see improvements in the future.
  2. If you see the reversed Hierophant in a reading, it might indicate that you’re feeling smothered in your workplace environment (like in a group project). In the near future, you might also feel the need to push back against the advice and guidance of a mentor.
    • Tip: Do some self-reflection to learn a little about what your values and priorities are. It might help to analyze what sorts of things upset and anger you the most, along with the things you’d prefer to have in your life (e.g., inner peace, relaxation, happiness, etc.). [6]
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Section 4 of 7:

The Hierophant in Money

  1. Don’t try to reinvent the wheel when it comes to your finances. Instead, keep your money safe in a bank account rather than looking for unconventional ways to invest it. When it comes to your day-to-day life, focus on safe and concrete ways to manage your money, like creating a budget.
    • Tip: Take a look at your recent bills and see if you’re paying for things you no longer use, like a streaming service.
  2. The reversed Hierophant card indicates that you’d like to draw outside the lines when it comes to your finances. You’re in the mood for a risky venture, like a night of gambling or investing in something new and unknown. Ultimately, it’s important to strike a healthy balance between your risk-taking gambits and what’s necessary to keep you afloat.
    • Tip: Create a strict budget for yourself if you choose to gamble, and don’t go over it whatsoever (even if you don’t get enough to win).
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Section 5 of 7:

The Hierophant in Health

  1. If you’re concerned about your physical health, the upright Hierophant advises to follow the conventional path of medicine and doctor’s visits as you seek out a solution. Call your doctor to set up an appointment, and commit to following whatever treatment plan they end up suggesting.
    • Tip: From a medical standpoint, it’s always best to get a professional opinion when you aren’t totally sure what’s causing a specific ailment. Many illnesses share similar symptoms, and a doctor has the background and know-how to figure out what’s wrong.
  2. The reversed Hierophant encourages you to think outside of the box when it comes to your medical care and wellness. Let’s say you have recurring migraines, for instance—instead of relying solely on medication, you might schedule an acupuncture appointment to help treat the pain.
    • Tip: While some people have found success with alternative medicine and natural remedies, they aren’t a replacement for professional medical advice. If you’re feeling seriously ill, always see a doctor or get medical assistance as soon as possible.
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Section 6 of 7:

The Hierophant in Spirituality

  1. The upright Hierophant hints that you might be crossing paths with some sort of spiritual mentor (like a pastor, rabbi, etc.). If you don’t currently practice any traditional beliefs, seeing this card could be a sign to incorporate ceremonies and other religious events into your spiritual lifestyle.
    • Tip: Volunteering, journaling, meditating, and joining a spiritual community are all great ways to incorporate more spirituality into your life.
  2. The reversed Hierophant might be shining a light on old spiritual beliefs you’re hanging onto that you don’t really believe in (like your childhood religion). Take some time to research and learn more about different spiritual belief systems and see if any of them resonate with you.
    • Tip: Take a deep dive into your current belief system to see where you stand. Do you agree with the logic of your beliefs, or does it feel like an inaccurate representation of yourself?
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Section 7 of 7:

The Hierophant Tarot Card Appearance & Symbolism

  1. On most iterations of The Hierophant, a Pope-like man sits on a large throne in the center of the card, positioned between two pillars. [7] He often has a multi-tiered crown on his head and he grasps the Papal Cross in his left hand (a cross with three horizontal lines going through it). His right hand features two fingers pointed upwards, with the other two folded and pointed down.
    • The man on this card is meant to resemble an important religious figure, with both the crown and the cross speaking to his authority.
    • The position of the right hand is meant to symbolize a spiritual blessing. [8]
  2. Many versions of this card have a set of two keys along the bottom of the card, crossed into an “X” shape. They can represent both spiritual wisdom and spiritual knowledge and are also symbolic of The Hierophant’s position of power, as well as his unique ability to interpret God’s teachings for others. [9]
    • In some interpretations, the keys symbolize both the physical and spiritual world. [10]
  3. At the base of the card, two people can be seen kneeling in front of The Hierophant—these represent the followers who are meant to learn from The Hierophant so they can ascend to their positions in the church. This speaks to the aspects of mentorship and education that are commonly associated with The Hierophant card.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://astrostyle.com/tarot/tarot-cards/the-hierophant-meaning/
      2. ↑ http://www.learntarot.com/maj05.htm
      3. ↑ https://astrostyle.com/tarot/tarot-cards/the-hierophant-meaning/
      4. ↑ https://astrostyle.com/tarot/tarot-cards/the-hierophant-meaning/
      5. ↑ https://astrostyle.com/tarot/tarot-cards/the-hierophant-meaning/
      6. ↑ https://psychcentral.com/blog/discover-your-values#tips-to-find-your-values
      7. ↑ https://www.sibyltarot.com/2022/09/19/tarot-card-meaning-hierophant-as-a-person/
      8. ↑ https://www.tarotteachings.com/hierophant-tarot-card-meanings.html
      9. ↑ https://www.tarotteachings.com/hierophant-tarot-card-meanings.html
      1. ↑ https://www.sibyltarot.com/2022/09/19/tarot-card-meaning-hierophant-as-a-person/

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