Card Type: Major Arcana
Card Number: 5
Star Sign: Taurus
Planet: Venus
Element: Earth
Other Names: Pope, Teacher of Wisdom, High Priest
Key Meaning: Leadership
The Hierophant Tarot card signifies you are ready to adopt a leadership role, perhaps in work or the community.
A to Z: List of Tarot Cards
Hierophant Keywords
🥰 Upright: Leadership, education, religion, teaching
🥰 Reversed: Breaking with tradition, thinking for yourself
The Hierophant Tarot Card Description
This description is based on the Rider Waite Tarot Deck. A man dressed as a cleric or pope, sits on a throne. He is the point of contact between humans and God. He acts as a medium and translator of sacred mysteries. The word hierophant meant priest in ancient Greek. Specifically, he is the chief priest of the Eleusinian mysteries. Two priests kneel before him, seeking guidance. The Hierophant raises a hand, perhaps in benediction but it could equally mean ‘hey, talk slower’. He does have a slightly amused expression on his face.
The Hierophant, like the Emperor, is a figure of power and authority. However, the Hierophant’s power is more of a spiritual nature. Where the Emperor could be CEO of a large company, the Hierophant is more likely to be a spiritual leader, author, teacher, mentor, or community activist. He inspires others to do better and act better. This card is strongly linked to education, and passing on knowledge.
This card can also represent traditional forms of religion, turning to the Bible and church for knowledge and comfort.
What Zodiac Sign is The Hierophant Tarot Card?
Taurus is the star sign assigned to the Hierophant card. Taurus is the sign of tradition and time-honored values. The Taurus glyph is a bull, and like the bull, the Hierophant can be bullish about his beliefs. He is a rock in uncertain times, providing stability and reassurance.
Venus is the planet assigned to the Hierophant, as it rules Taurus. Venus is the planet of love, beauty and attraction. In such a way, the Hierophant tries to raise our spirit to see beauty in the world, and to find the potential within ourselves.
In astrology, Taurus rules the second house of money and possessions, as well as the spiritual values they represent.
The Hierophant card corresponds to the element Earth.
Romance: What does The Hierophant Mean when You Ask About Love?
When the Hierophant Tarot card turns up in a love reading, the meaning will depend on your question. For example, if you asked:
💖 Will I find love? This card represents marriage, so the answer is yes. It can also mean marrying someone from your own culture, or an arranged marriage.
💖 Does he or she like me? They see you as someone with traditional, wholesome values.
💖 What is the future of our relationship? You will marry, or if you are married, your marriage will endure.
This card can also mean:
💖 Your partner supports your spiritual path and desire to serve a higher purpose.
💖 Your relationship is supported by shared values. You both want the same things from life.
CAREER: What does This Card Signify when You Ask About Work?
If your question relates to work, business, career or study and you receive the Hierophant, then here is your guidance:
⭕Education is strongly associated with this card. It represents higher education, receiving good grades and passing with honors at graduation. It can also mean being accepted into a college fraternity.
⭕You need to follow the rules to succeed in your career.
⭕Being a member of an exclusive club can advance your prospects at this time.
⭕You are ready to lead, inspire and uplift other people. As Nietzsche said, “one repays a teacher badly who remains only a pupil.” Teaching is the essential profession that makes all other professions possible.
⭕Take charge in a community project and don’t wait for someone else to fix a problem.
⭕If you are studying spiritual arts, this card represents communication from Higher Powers. Consider focusing on mediumship, trance or psychic healing.
Careers associated with this card include: Guru, mentor, teacher, writer, religious leader, translator, activist, charity worker and fundraiser.
If you are considering hiring a candidate and this card appears, it means:
Go ahead if you need someone who is honest and happy to abide by the rules. This candidate is capable of understanding the big picture and breaking the message down into appealing bite-size pieces for an audience. This person can be a real evangelist!
MONEY: What is the Meaning of The Hierophant Tarot Card in a Money Reading?
If you asked the Tarot about money and finances, and you receive the Hierophant, it can mean:
💲 You are more comfortable earning money in a traditional manner, perhaps as an employee, rather than an entrepreneur.
💲 How you make your money or spend your time is important. You want to feel like you are making a difference.
💲 You don’t have the stomach for risky investments, like cryptocurrencies. You prefer traditional investments, such as property, pensions and saving plans.
Tarot Card Combination Meanings
“Hierophant combined with The Lovers” – Marrying the right person
“Combined with Judgement” – Spiritual calling
“Hierophant combined with 7 of Swords” – Being untruthful about your beliefs
HEALTH: What does The Hierophant Mean when You Ask About Health?
In a health reading, the Hierophant can signify seeking expert advice, or a second opinion on a medical matter. Rather than ignore a condition, you are advised to have it checked out by a doctor or medical consultant. Don’t rely on the internet for your information.
This card can also mean, trust respected medical experts and large institutions like the World Health Organization (WHO), for your facts about healthcare and vaccines.
This card is also associated with hair loss and baldness (notice the two bald monks at the front of the card).
Health conditions associated with this card include: Sore throat, laryngitis, tonsillitis and adenoids. The Hierophant rules: neck and throat.
YES/NO: Does The Hierophant Mean Yes or No in a Reading?
❓ When you ask a Yes or No question and this Tarot card turns up, then the answer is YES.
TIMING: Does The Hierophant Predict any Particular Timeframe?
🕔 This card is only a timing indication when you specifically asked a timeframe question. For example, if you want to know if something will happen, and when, then you need to draw two separate cards. These are in fact, two separate questions. This is a fundamental principle to understand if you want an accurate tarot reading – and it is core to my teaching in my book Tarot in 5 Minutes.
🕔 The Hierophant Tarot card represents April 21 to May 21. If the card is reversed, timing will be longer – perhaps up to a year later, same date.
Karina’s Timing Method:
I am using a traditional major arcana timing method here, based on the zodiac sign assigned to each card.
What is the Meaning of The Hierophant Tarot Card Reversed?
When the Hierophant is upside down then the news is mostly positive. It can mean:
✔️You break free from a traditional religious or cultural upbringing.
✔️ Your faith is being challenged. Inevitability you develop wisdom from the experience.
✔️ You leave a situation, like a dull job, and chase your dreams.
On the Negative Side:
✔️ Not trusting authorities and experts: conspiracy theories and gullibility.
✔️Joining a cult or drinking the koolaid.
✔️Other keywords associated a reversal include: Misinformation, collective delusion and adulterated teachings.
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Hierophant Symbolism
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Complete List: Tarot Card Meanings
Karina, author of Tarot in 5 Minutes.
