Hierophant... help

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 20 Feb 2003, and now archived in the Forum Library.

Dark Eyes	20 Feb 2003
hiya all, I would welcome any interpretations on the hierophant card, I find him difficult to deal with at times. In a reading, I get a block when it comes to explaining this card, even though I know in my head what it means. Please, some easy worded interpretations would be very welcome, my inner voice tells me, but it doesn't come out right at all. Also have some trouble with Judgement..... help welcome there also. thank you Cinnamon

cheekyminx	20 Feb 2003
I too struggle with a few cards, but lately I haven't. All you need to do is; relax & know that you can read the cards. Take your time reading the cards, & let the thoughts come to you. I often used to struggle with temperance, the devil & judgement. Each night before bed, look at the card & read the meaning. The cards have similar meanings, but some books will vary with a meaning,so be open to interpreations. The Pope; is a spiritual card. Your being guided in a spiritual way, perhaps you need to seek spiritual guidance. Judgement; accomplishment, achievement, a decision is to be made. My meanings will be different from others on here, but read them all & it is up to you "what you feel' the cards mean.... Good luck!

pozt	20 Feb 2003
:) you might like to do a search on this topic. I know I posted a Q on this matter a long long time ago... or a search on google.com would do fine if you wanted those easy standardised "surface" meanings that you could get in any LWB...

Laurel	20 Feb 2003
The Heirophant.... listen to experience and those with experience work within the organization work to establish and maintain order. the keys to accomplishing what you need are at hand- just do it. ~LAS

HudsonGray	20 Feb 2003
Have you tried doing a meditative journey INTO the card to ask the Hierophant directly about the card? This can unblock it for you. It's a pretty good technique to pick up hidden info or find what's holding you back on something. __________________________________ Oops, spell check!

Francesca	20 Feb 2003
I find the Hierophant difficult too because I see him as lecturing. "This is the way things are and I'm telling you exactly what is." I always look to the surrounding cards to help me with him. He can be a teacher teaching what he knows best in the best way he knows how, or he could represent a control freak. I once did a quick reading to see what was troubling my friend when she went home to visit her family. The Hierophant, the Emporer and I think the King of Swords came up. Controling! THe Hierophant often reminds me of my dad who isn't a control freak but does believe he is absolutely right on every front. He's also a Southern Baptist Borned Again Christian. I love him but he makes me crazy.

Trogon	20 Feb 2003
Hi Cinnamon and welcome to the Forums. :D The Hierophant... hmmmm..... I don't usually think of him as representing a teacher. This is a facet of this card I'll have to think about some more. The "Teacher" idea is more one I have in relation to the Hermit. Though I guess it depends on what you think of with the word Teacher. The Hermit is more of a spiritual guide I guess... while the Hierophant is more of religious teacher. The difference being that the Hierophant will teach you the rules you're supposed to live by... all the "shoulds", "ought tos" and "shants". In other words, the Hierophant will tell you how you ought to live your life, whereas the Hermit will teach you how to find your own path. However, when I see the Hierophant, I think of a person who either prefers the ritual, the dogma of organized religion or has a need for that sort of thing in his life. She or he wants or needs to conform to the rules of society or religion. So, yes... I can see the teaching aspect here as well. It may also relate to a person who has a need to gain the approval of his or her peers or society. Of course this can all be a positive or a negative thing. Organized religion can be a spiritual thing for many people and give them guidance which may be needed. On the other hand is the blind following of dogma against one's own best interests, or those of society... The Hierophant at his most negative makes me think of somebody like the Rev. Jim Jones who led his followers into abuse, child abuse, sexual abuse, and eventually murder and mass suicide. The Hierophant reversed (if you use reversals); Unorthodox thinking or behavior. Thinking for yourself and finding your own spiritual path. Turning your back on the dogma and rituals of organized religion. On the negative side is the person who becomes rebellious towards society and her peers. Being bogged down by superstition. For Judgement... I guess I'll try to be a little briefer here and just quote from my journal; Awakening, becoming conscioius of the purpose in one's life. The Person is called to make an important change. This may be in some relatively mundane matter, or a major life or spiritual change. Striving for perfection. Awakening from dreams or illusions. Judgement reversed; Obstacles in the way of the awakening. The person is making excuses to avoid the change which is called for or needed. They may not know how to accept the change or know what to do. Unable to see a situation clearly. Illusions getting in the way. Fear of change or commitment. (Note; The above notes may contain quotes from "A Complete Guide to the Tarot" by Eden Gray, or "The Mystical Tarot" by Rosemary Ellen Guiley.) I hope this helps you out in some little way.

Dark Eyes	20 Feb 2003
Wow !! Thank you so much everybody, I am rapt with the explanations from each of you. some of the explanations related to every day life experiences are just what I needed, yes they are very helpful. I like to explain a card to a client by using life experience examples, I find this easier, then relate it to the clients life or problem if possible. I feel it is a more personal approach. Wow, Thankyou again so much for such insightful and well thought out responses, life is full of kind wonderful people. love to you all, maybe I will be able to help you all one day too. Regards Cinnamon.

Alex	20 Feb 2003
I went see my major professor on a matter that had kept me going in circles for weeks. The results of my research are inconclusive, so I re-run my analysis over and over to make sure there were no lose ends on my end. My professor listened to me for as long as I needed, then he went over my data analysis with me and in the end he said: "Alex, it is fine the way it is. Just write your discussion and conclusion" That he said that took tones of loads from my shoulders and I run back to my office write all that. He came after me said: "You know, I've been thinking. You don't need a thesis advisor. You need a priest" So that's what the Hierophant also means to me. Someone with authority that has the power to bless your work or your decisions. This person usually represents, or has the power to represent, an "institution" you belong in, or an "institution" you are trying to become part of. As such, I can't see the Hierophant as something that hinders or controls personal freedom. When your mind is with that of the institution, the Hierophant is the door and the path to the fulfillment of your dreams. When your mind is not akin with that of the institution, when you strive to develop your own individuality, the Hierophant can be that closed door between you and what you want. It strikes me that some people tend to see authority with suspicion as a rule, because authority is necessary for society to function properly. So it depends a lot, whether the Hierophant is a problem to be solved or the help at hand, and that is good to remember when we are reading about a problem. Alex.

Butterfly	20 Feb 2003
I often read the Hierophant as someone who can take spiritual beliefs or truths, and translate them into everyday actions and beliefs ie living out (or helping others to live out) their spiritual truths. They are living their spritual beliefs, being completely authentic and souful, rather than slavishly following society. This card makes me incredibly uncomfortable but i seem to be forever tied to it...........

Umbrae	21 Feb 2003
My feelings and thoughts on the Hierophant (or Pope): Work to make a positive difference in our communities. Team building, builds stronger individuals. Have a vision, live the vision. Life, is about balance. There is a conflict and distance between spirituality and materialism. This is the key to many of the difficulties in modern culture, and often underlies our everyday problems. The Hierophant urges us towards a balance, and to not yield to the illusions of ego, and pseudo-intellectualism. Nowadays the Hierophant is about knowledge attained through working and participating in groups and teams, as opposed to knowledge gained though conventional learning institutions, or the church. Indeed, we all learn more when interacting with others as opposed to solitary endeavors. This is a card of group action; especially when directed for a higher purpose. Moreover, mystery and wonder is to be shared, by works that improve the community – and thus, the world. It was the experience of mystery, sometimes mixed with fear, that produced religion. You can travel into fantasy, or search the real world, seeking a place that resonates the mystery...but that place exists in your heart. Never lose your sense of wonder. If you do not believe in miracles, you will never experience one. The above is plagiarized from an unaccredited source.

jmd	21 Feb 2003
HudsonGray made a good suggestion to imaginatively enter the card and ask the Pope/Hierophant about the card itself. Each card is as a snapshot of whole living scenes, so to enter it will certainly give numerous new perspectives. These, however, will also vary as to where and who one is in the scene. At some stage, be the Hierophant, and hear your own words speak to the two accolytes: what do you say, and from what inner guidance are you speaking? For me, this small voice within is very much the guidance/teaching of the Hierophant, ie, the keeper of the sacred. The Pope is not focussed on the structures of the church, but on its spiritual impulse. To be focussed upon the structures becomes often, for me at least, its inversal in the Devil card (ie, V -> XV). To Listen and Hear is, therefore, certainly one possible meaning presented by this card.

Major Tom	21 Feb 2003
Quote: Originally posted by Umbrae The above is plagiarized from an unaccredited source. :laugh: http://www.aeclectic.net/tarot/project/2/ :laugh: Was this the source? If you haven't - do have a look at Umbrae's card and read what he has to say about it. ;) The Heirophant is my soul card - which should give you some clues about me. }) The Heirophant is someone who can believe in things with passion and dedication, inspiring others to work together for a higher purpose. There's some really great insights in this thread. I just wanted to add my two pence. :laugh:

The Hierophant... help thread was originally posted on 20 Feb 2003 in the Using Tarot Cards board, and is now archived in the Forum Library. Read the active threads in Using Tarot Cards, or read more archived threads.