The Hierophant - 5

Learn the traditions of your community

The Hierophant sits facing us, sitting on a large stone throne and between two pillars. He holds a triad scepter and his right hand is raised in blessing of those around him. The two priests at his feet show their devotion and trust in the traditions and knowledge he gives. In meeting the Hierophant, the Fool learns the final of three lesson (like the third leg of a stool) to give him a stable foundation - the triad of the Empress, the Emperor, and finally the Hierophant representing bringing spirit into the mix and balancing the feminine and masculine energy.

Rider-Waite-Smith

Meanings

The Hierophant teaches us to embrace the cultural and spiritual knowledge that come from our collective traditions. He marks the beginning of formal learning of the shared communal mores and rituals.
He shows up as a teacher or mentor, there to help guide us as we dive into learning deeper truths about ourselves and established systems and customs that make our community work.
It is time to embrace your history and traditions and use them to give you the roots and stability to keep you strong as new knowledge and challenges come your way.
Depending on the placement of the Hierophant card it can either be the traditional message to seek out teachers and knowledge, or when reversed or in a negative placement it can be a call to trust yourself and go out on your own path. The Hierophant knows there are times to follow the path and there are times we are called to deviate from it.

Numerology - 5

Fives are adaptable and are often adventurers and risk takers, they are excited for life and can be spontaneous and enthusiastic for change. They approach life wanting to experience all they can before settling into a path and are sometimes considered a late bloomer. Fives are associated with the planet Mercury which influences learning, communication, expression, and how we approach life. The Hierophant card also repeats the number three several times (showing its position as the third of a set of three lessons).

Tarot de Marseille

Symbolism

Two Pillars – showing the duality and balance of life (severity/mercy, good/evil, light/dark). Unlike the High Priestess there is no barrier between the columns, the knowledge is not hidden but flows freely from the Hierophant.

Crossed Keys – echoes the duality of the columns, balance between the conscious and subconscious, some see as St. Peter’s Keys to the Kingdom of Heaven (divine wisdom).

Triple Cross Scepter – the triple cross represents triads (mind-body-spirit, past-present-future, moral-ethical-spiritual, father-son-holy spirit), the Hierophant is bringing in the third piece of spirit.

Hand Sign – right hand raised with two fingers pointed to sky is a Christian sign of benediction or blessing and symbolizes a bridge forming between heaven and earth.

Triple Crown – a representation of the papal tiara, worn by the Catholic pope, shows the triad again and his authority over heaven and earth.

Stone Throne – he sits on a stone throne representing stability, tradition, and established belief systems.

Robes – His robes are tri-colored representing the conscious, subconscious, and superconscious. Red is for passion, a sign of Taurus and show his place in the earthly realm, the white with three crosses represents purity of thought, the blue undergarments showing spiritual transcendence.

Priests – at his feet are two students who are ready to learn. They echo the duality of the columns and have roses and lilies like in the Magician card (Red Roses – passion, power, and activation, with White Lilies – renewal, and innocence. These flowers together show a merging of energies creating clear thought and passion combined with a divine connection.)

The Pasta Tarot

Associations

Earth – the suit of health, wealth, and grounding, represented by the pentacles in tarot. Earth relates to things happening in the tangible realm, your basic needs, finances, work, and physical health.

Venus – the giving and receiving of love and beauty. Using divine feminine energy to create and appreciate art, music, and the loveliness around us.

Taurus – stability, beauty, and love, and a connection with divine cycles of nature.