THE HIEROPHANT

V HIEROPHANT

A crowd seeks the words of a wise man at the pulpit. The words he tells them give the people a sense of community, tradition, and moral direction, though only if they conform to the life the hierophant demands. To the people, he is resolute, enlightened, empowered by his Southern conviction. But the hierophant, like the people, is still human, and as his second face suggests, equally privy to his human faults. The hierophant represents embracing the status quo, and seeking the authority of a more experienced person. This card can also suggest joining a new group with pre-established roles and rules. Those rules may be those at a new job, or a living situation. While the temptation to conform and follow the rules may seem like a safe course of action, it may also require compromise on your part. Be mindful, however, that no compromise should leave you in a situation you are uncomfortable with. Even trusted people in your life are still people, whose motives may not always be pure.

Reversed: Even the hierophant can find his conviction constricting. In reverse, this card suggests you may be feeling constrained by the norms and rules in your life. Tradition and structure may be holding you back rather than lifting you up to further enlightenment. If there is a specific authority in your life, this card may suggest further examination into their role in your own personal fulfilment, and whether you are truly getting what you need.