I hope everyone had a lovely Valentine’s week. It’s now time to switch to a very different energy. This week, you’ll be working with
The Hierophant.
The Hierophant is considered to be a wise, holy man who dispenses advice based on experience and spiritual learning. However, this card also represents large institutions, like governments, political parties, and religious organizations.
Quite often, people involved with large institutions consider themselves traditionalists. Synonyms for this word include: conservative, right-wing, and orthodox. Because of this,
The Hierophant is sometimes viewed as one who would dispense only traditional advice and when this card shows up in a reading, many counsel against actions that might seem unusual, like quitting a six-figure job to write mystery novels or choosing a life without children. However,
The Hierophant isn’t as one-dimensional as some teach. While
The Hierophant might dispense traditional advice when he (or she) deems it necessary, he can just as easily suggest you step off a well-traveled road and find your own path, no matter how unique.
In readings that include numerous cards, it’s easy to figure out the advice
The Hierophant offers. If this card is surrounded by other cards that offer positive female energy, think about what a hip woman in a spiritual leadership position would say. What would a female rabbi advise you to do if you were in an abusive relationship? I image her counsel would include the word "leave"; more traditional people might advise you to stay and find a way to make the relationship work. Would a woman wearing the robes of a
Unitarian Universalist minister condemn you for being gay, or would she help you understand your path so you can walk it proudly?
If
The Hierophant is part of a spread with cards that carry positive male energy, imagine getting advice from a Zen master, like
Thich Nhat Hahn. Hahn is a wonderful example of a person who saw first-hand the horrors of war, which occurred because of traditional political thinking. However, instead of letting anger consume him as he watched his country be torn apart, he sagaciously chose to walk a path of peace, helping rebuild Vietnam, while offering wisdom to people around the world. While the war Hahn experienced was created by those operating under the influence of traditional
Hierophant thinking, this Zen master chose to work with higher
Hierophant energy.
In readings, when
The Hierophant is surrounded by cards more negative in meaning, does this mean that you need to make your decisions based on societal expectations? No! Even when
The Hierophant is surrounded by cards that you wouldn’t associate with expansive thinking, this doesn’t mean that he is telling you to follow tradition. This could mean only that you’re surrounded by tradition and to truly follow your path, you must break away from the norm.
The Hierophant only offers traditional advice when this course of action is what you truly need to take.
These days, when far too many governments are being run by corporations or thugs, or when religious leaders condemn all but a small handful they consider to be righteous, it only seems fitting that
The Hierophant would appear. What do you think
The Hierophant is saying? Does he agree with those who want to maintain the status quo and support those who have plenty while discarding those in need? Or, has
The Hierophant appeared with the advice that there is a better way to govern, believe, and live?
While each of you must determine the actions that you think will best serve your Life and its individual purpose, as
The Hierophant of this blog, I have no reservations in suggesting that you live authentically, while also doing whatever you can to change the status quo. As I’ve said before, we’re all connected to each other, so until you live as if each decision you make affects everyone else, then you’re not living the highest energy of
The Hierophant.
This week, look into the beauty that is you and determine how to live your highest truth, wisely and consciously - not only for a week, but for the rest of this lifetime and more.
Namaste!
Today, for some reason, I couldn't WAIT to get this week's tarot insight! And, as per usual, I wasn't disappointed....and, I resonate to this card alot, as the Heirophant and its correspondance to the #5 in Numerology relates to my birthpath #5. The Heirophant can also be known as the wise teacher or even the Wise Woman Shaman, in my eyes. As a lover of exchanging information, I love the fact that this card represents (in terms of combining Tarot with Numerology) my birthpath, and aptly describes my interests, goals and aspirations.
Today, my own personal tarot cards were a reminder for me to "know what I know", and not being dogmatic about it (a more 'negative' aspect of the Heirophant, IMHO) but to claim that wisdom and to speak my truth (oh, I did that!!) though some may not want to hear it. This card reminded me that its ok, we won't always get that approval from others, esp. if we speak our truth that they aren't ready/willing to hear. However, listening to our own wisdom is imperative to imparting that upon others, esp. if we want to do that in a respectful manner.
This card has been a gentle and loving reminder. Thank you!
Blessings,
Mari Lynn
Thanks for your very insightful words.
I also think that The Hierophant can be viewed as a Wise Woman Shaman. While The Hierophant's energy is usually viewed as being male, it also represents wise female counsel. This is why I included examples of women working in spiritual leadership positions in the blog entry.
We truly must always speak our truth, but be respectful of others. We don't have to all agree, but we do need to find a way to live together in harmony!
Thanks so much for responding to this posting.
Ellen