Rider Waite Smith, and Thoth
THE HIEROPHANT - MAJOR ARCANUM V
Astrological Association: Taurus
Elemental Association: Earth
Occult Name: The Magus of the Eternal
Hebrew Letter: Vau (nail)
Timing: April 21st to May 20th (the same as the Empress). Is also suggestive of an event occurring 'eventually'.
Kabbalistic Path: Between Chokmah and Chesed
"Vau"
The Hierophant tells you to use discernment when choosing how to proceed in matters of faith, religion, and spirituality. You have organized religions as well as spiritual communities to choose from; or you can utilize your own inner connection to divinity.
The Hierophant to many symbolizes much of what is negative within organized religions. This is not an entirely bad card, but when within a religious context, it isn't necessarily great.
On one hand there is the dogma, as well as the hidden private shame of those within the church who profess for us to live an ideal and orthodox lifestyle. But it isn't only leaders within organized religion who have shames to hide; the not so subtle irony lies within them telling others how to live in a way that they do not. Yet so many follow them by their own free choice.
It leads one to ask themselves why this is, in what do these people lack? Perhaps faith in their own ability to connect with source? Faith in their ability to make the best choices? Why do some need an external media by which to conduct their matters of spirit that they are so willing to trust in virtually anyone?
On the other hand, some leaders within religious circles are there due to sincerity of personal beliefs and through a genuine desire to help. The truth is that it's hard to know who you are putting your faith in, if your connection to the divine is other than that which exists within you.
Ultimately, the Hierophant card represents the linking between mind, body, and spirit. He speaks of how to make your spirituality work for you to manifest the life you desire.
THE HIEROPHANT TAROT CARD DIGNIFIED OR UPRIGHT
* Refers to large organizations, the government, the banking industry, family, and the community.
* May refer to a marriage, more specifically a good marriage or the potential for one.
* You have entered a positive family situation.
* A religious leader, or your own connection to the divine.
* A linking of spirit to the body and/or physical world.
* Advice from a trustworthy source such as a pastor, spiritual leader, counselor, teacher, etc.
* Memory
* Asks you to assess whether your approach to spiritual issues needs a tune-up. Is it time to try something new or implement some new knowledge?
* Developing an interest in historic matters.
* Advises you to do that which your inner wisdom tells you is appropriate under the circumstances.
* Most often the one whose advice you follow should be your own.
* Developing a deep knowledge in spiritual matters.
THE HIEROPHANT TAROT CARD ILL DIGNIFIED OR REVERSED
* May refer to a poor marriage.
* Refers to being too easily convinced or gullible.
* Entering a detrimental family situation.
* More knowledge is required pertaining to how things are done.
* It's time to broaden your horizons on a spiritual level.
* Lack of schooling.
* Being condemned or ostracized by church, family, or community.
* Handing your spiritual power to an external source.
* Lacking in personal identity. Valuing only an identity held within a community or religion.
* The lines have become blurred regarding the right thing to do.
* Allowing yourself to be 'managed' by others within your community.
* A lack of respect for laws, as well as standards pertaining to socially acceptable behavior.
* Having faith in a less than ideal organization or person.
* Lacking a feeling of value within the community.
* Demonstrating a lack of orthodoxy, or operating outside of conventionality.
* Feeling inferior to others within a community or organization.
* You don't share the same fundamental beliefs.
* Lacking faith in an organization or community.
Illustrations from the Rider-Waite Tarot Deck(R), known also as the Rider Tarot and the Waite Tarot, reproduced by permission of U.S. Games Systems, Inc., Stamford, CT 06902 USA. Copyright (c)1971 by U.S. Games Systems, Inc. Further reproduction prohibited. The Rider-Waite Tarot Deck(R) is a registered trademark of U.S. Games Systems, Inc.
Image is a Wikipedia file from a 1909 RWS deck, originally scanned by Holly Voley
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