Description
Witch Academy Instructor Note:
Pronounced hai·ruh·fant and was once The Pope card. Arthur Edward Waite renamed the card The Hierophant when the Rider-Waite-Smith deck was developed in 1909 to reflect a broader and more esoteric interpretation. The Tarot de Marseille remains Le Pape (French for The Pope). It often appears when someone enters a spiritual (rather than religious) chapter of their lives where they have a direct connection to spirit and will be sought out for guidance by others.
Overall Concept:
The Hierophant represents tradition, spiritual authority, and shared belief systems. He is the keeper of sacred knowledge, often associated with formal education, religious teachings, and cultural structures.
Modern Interpretation:
This card encourages learning within a structured system or turning to mentors and spiritual guides. It may suggest joining a group, honoring rituals, or exploring belief systems. In modern contexts, it can also challenge you to question inherited traditions and define your own spiritual path.
Traditional Keywords:
Tradition, conformity, spiritual guidance, institutions, teachings, belief systems
Reversal Possibilities:
Rebellion, dogma, unconventional beliefs, misguidance, restriction, hypocrisy