The Hierophant- Education and Religion
Posted By Amanda on May 2, 2009
Today on the Tarot for Fun Radio show on Blog Talk Radio (Saturday 2nd May) at 10pm GMT (5pm EST) we are going to be talking about the Hierophant card.
The Hierophant
Here we see a richly dressed figure seated between two stone pillars with a papal crown and sceptre, offering a blessing (the hand gesture) to the two figures in front of him.
As with all the cards from the Rider Waite tarot deck, this card is rich in symbolism. Some of it can be directly related to conventional religions- in particular Christianity- and some of the symbols pre-date modern religions.
I have created a short video, which explains some of the symbolism that we find in the Hierophant card.
This is a card which talks to us about traditions, conventions and beliefs, especially around the areas of structured education, organised religion and Spirituality.
It may be that someone is considering taking a course of structured education. The Hierophant can come up as a teacher, guide or mentor in some way. Maybe you are seeking guidance from someone else or perhaps you are the guide for another person.
In the highest sense, this is someone who guides us to find our own answers and to come to our own solutions, although in practice, it will often be someone who is telling us what we should think and how we should act and live our lives.
The video below gives some of the meanings of the card in both the upright and reversed positions.
When the Hierophant refers to you or to the person you are reading for, it can be asking you to take a really good look at your beliefs, particularly those which have come as a result of your education, culture, background and any organised religion that you may have grown up with.
Much of that can serve us very positively and can serve as a springboard for safe exploration of new ideas. However, some of it can be very restrictive and may no longer be serving us in our adult life.
The Hierophant is encouraging you to look objectively at these things and to build your own belief system, to look at your own spirituality and to create and live by your own set of rules.
The Hierophant can come up for someone when they are feeling restricted by the traditional ideas, beliefs, teachings and maybe dogma of the family, culture or community that they grew up with and need to find their own way, yet may be very afraid to do so,out of fear of great punishment.
I would be very interested on your thoughts on this fascinating card.
With abundant blessings.
Amanda Goldston
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