The Hierophant Tarot Meaning: Upright and Reversed

The Hierophant Keywords 

• Upright: tradition, morality, commitments, education, guidance, institutions, faith
• Reversed: non-conformity, untraditional, confinement, resistance, misalignment

The Hierophant: Description and Symbolism

The Hierophant sits before his disciples, ready to share his teachings. He is a well-respected spiritual leader, symbolized by the three-tiered crown he wears. The triple cross on his scepter refers to the Catholic church’s symbol of the Holy Trinity. The Hierophant is spiritually grounded and strongly connected to the forces above, represented by the crosses he wears from head to toe. 

Before him lie the keys to heaven, symbolizing the knowledge the Hierophant has to offer. The two disciples look up to the Hierophant, hopeful to learn how to progress in their respective spiritual journeys. The red roses and white lilies that the disciples wear symbolize pure love and intentions. The Hierophant raises his right hand in blessing, representing his willingness to connect the spiritual with earthly motives. 

The Hierophant shares good intentions with his disciples in a mutual relationship. The figures sit within a church, symbolizing the spirit within. The Hierophant’s red robe represents the principles he is willing to practice. He doesn’t just speak on his worldly values and spiritual wisdom – he embodies them. 

The earthly themes of Taurus are traditionally associated with the Hierophant in the tarot. As a zodiac sign representing stability, values, and social harmony, Taurean principles parallel the Hierophant’s motive to bring people together through shared traditions. There is a desire to benefit others through sharing common morals and establishing structure within both the Hierophant and the astrological sign of Taurus.

The Hierophant – Upright Meaning

The Hierophant card speaks to the social groups you choose to be a part of. Traditions are passed down through generations, influencing your morals and values. Whether it be the belief system you practice or the school you attend, you are likely a part of a greater system. When this tarot card appears, it suggests the need to give your goals a context within a bigger picture. You will benefit from participating in a cause that is greater than yourself.

When the Hierophant appears, it could also encourage you to find a mentor. Consider which areas you have needed guidance in, and open yourself to higher wisdom. You have a lot of great ideas, but a good mentor could be the missing piece that gives your pursuits a clear direction. 

The Hierophant could also appear as a reminder to have faith. You could have a surface-level attachment to your commitments right now. If this interpretation resonates, consider what community you could surround yourself with to develop a sense of shared purpose.

Love Meaning – The Hierophant Upright

The Hierophant appears as a hopeful sign of long-term commitment in a relationship. As a card themed around morality and stability, you and your partner have shared values and a mutual intention to grow together. Depending on how long you and your partner have been together, this card could nod to marriage potential down the line. 

Single or taken, the Hierophant could appear as encouragement to seek advice in love. If you have been healing from a recent conflict or separation, you will find comfort in hearing another perspective on the matter.

If reading for how someone feels, the Hierophant portrays a potential partner who has unwavering morals. The other person is committed to pursuing a connection that aligns with their values and truth. The Hierophant could also symbolize a partner that you could learn from by understanding their experiences and perspective on a deeper level.

Career and Finance Meaning – The Hierophant Upright

When the Hierophant appears in a career context, you may benefit from seeking a teacher or greater institution to be a part of. Consider what training would deepen your interest in the work you do. By exposing yourself to new perspectives within your field or otherwise, you are likely to strengthen the purpose behind your work.

The Hierophant could also symbolize a mentor or teacher who is already present in your life. You are encouraged to listen to their advice, as it will likely improve your approach.

In both finances and work, the Hierophant nudges you to lean on your community and advisors for clarity. You don’t have to go after your goals alone when there are people who have gone through similar experiences. Trust the guidance that others have to offer you about work and money now.

Health Meaning – The Hierophant Upright

In a health context, the Hierophant encourages you to find a community or institution to participate in to achieve your health goals. Consider taking a class or buying a gym membership. Even if it’s as simple as taking a couple of friends along for an activity, you will thrive in a group setting.

The Hierophant card could also suggest the need to structure your lifestyle. Reflect on the self-care practices and regimens you would like to make time for daily.

Spirituality Meaning – The Hierophant Upright

In a spiritual context, the Hierophant urges you to surround yourself with like-minded people. A group or teacher could offer you helpful guidance to make the most of your spiritual practice. 

This card can also signify renewed or strengthened faith after a meaningful experience.

The Hierophant As Feelings Meaning – Upright 

The Hierophant emphasizes feelings of groundedness and humility. This card represents connecting your emotional desires to a higher purpose. To describe someone else’s feelings, the Hierophant symbolizes someone who feels aligned with their true intentions.

The Hierophant As Actions Meaning – Upright 

The Hierophant card symbolizes actions taken with a well-informed approach. This card can appear as a sign to seek advice before moving forward with a decision.

The Hierophant – Reversed Meaning

When the Hierophant appears reversed in a tarot reading, it may represent a misaligned structure or code of ethics. A group, tradition, or institution you participate in could feel more confining to you. Consider if you have outgrown the expectations placed upon you. There is no shame in letting go of involvements that no longer align so you can live in your truth more freely.

The reversed Hierophant could suggest a situation in which you desire to carve out a unique path. The social rules and conventions set before you could be restricting you more than they help you grow. Rather than seeking another opinion, this tarot card may be challenging you to make your own judgment call.

Love Meaning – The Hierophant Reversed

When the Hierophant appears reversed in a love context, you could be going through a period where the idea of relationships is unappealing to you. Perhaps you are healing from a recent separation or you have grown content on your own. If the freedom from commitments in love feels liberating and authentic to your focus, you are encouraged to trust the decisions you are making. Otherwise, it may be an appropriate time to ask a friend or loved one for advice on how to handle your deeper feelings.

In a relationship, the Hierophant can symbolize an imbalanced dynamic. You may be going through a conflict with your partner that you have yet to see eye to eye on. When this tarot card appears, it encourages you to reflect on the values you share and what adjustments might be necessary in the relationship.

You may also be having a harder time accepting the advice loved ones are giving you when the reversed Hierophant appears. In this case, you are gently reminded to give yourself alone time to reflect on your true feelings and needs in love.

As someone else’s feelings, the reversed Hierophant represents someone who needs time to reconnect with their true intentions in love.

Career and Finance Meaning – The Hierophant Reversed

In a work context, the reversed Hierophant could suggest that you feel restricted by your current role. Consider how you can foster more creative freedom on the job. It could be time to entertain a new career field or pick up a passion project on the side as an outlet for all of your ideas.

The reversed Hierophant may also represent the desire to follow an untraditional path. Weigh your options to consider if it is worth investing in the road less traveled. You could see more promising results by becoming your own boss. 

Health Meaning – The Hierophant Reversed

The reversed Hierophant in health could suggest that you crave a new form of self-care. Perhaps you have tried a rigid diet or workout routine, only to feel unsatisfied. However you have been showing up for yourself, this card encourages you to trust your own intuition to guide your health decisions.

Spirituality Meaning – The Hierophant Reversed

You may be going through a period in which the spiritual traditions you have followed no longer resonate. When the reversed Hierophant appears, it encourages you to pave your own path to develop a spiritual practice that aligns with your goals. Trust your intuition over fulfilling others’ expectations in the realm of spirituality.

The Hierophant As Feelings Meaning – Reversed 

The reversed Hierophant symbolizes feelings of resistance and confinement. You could be craving freedom from the rules that once bound you to a particular path. Allow your intuition to become a guiding light in this time.

The Hierophant As Actions Meaning – Reversed 

When the Hierophant appears reversed in a tarot reading, it encourages you to reconnect with your long-term goals and values. You could feel like you are going through the motions of what is expected rather than taking control over your own direction. 

Past, Present, and Future Positions

Past Position

In the ‘past’ position, the Hierophant card depicts a structure or commitment that gave you new insights to live by. The knowledge you acquired from a past mentor or situation has given you the wisdom you need to get through a present circumstance. 

Present Position

When the Hierophant depicts the ‘present’ situation, you are encouraged to find a mentor to guide you with sound advice. The present circumstance calls for involvement in a group or system to give you a sense of direction. This card also advises you to open your mind and heart to the knowledge and perspectives of people with more lived experience.

Future Position

In the ‘future’ position, the Hierophant predicts that you will participate in a new tradition, institution, or community. You could also meet a new teacher or mentor who will give you helpful advice about a future situation.

Yes or No Meaning of The Hierophant 

• The Hierophant Upright: Maybe
• The Hierophant Reversed: No

When the Hierophant appears upright in a reading, it gives you a ‘maybe’. You may need to seek advice or guidance to help you achieve a positive outcome.

When reversed, the Hierophant gives you a ‘no’. There is a need to reconsider your involvements to bring them back into alignment with your truth. 

Advice and Message of The Hierophant

The Hierophant card appears as a symbol of seeking guidance and acquiring new knowledge. Consider who you could learn from in your current situation. When this tarot card appears, you are encouraged to make the most of your involvements by seeking wisdom that will give you a newfound faith and grasp on the task at hand.

Summary of The Hierophant Tarot Meaning

As a wise spiritual leader, the Hierophant symbolizes a significant tradition or moral alignment in your life. You could be part of a group or institution that feels authentic to your values and long-term goals. This tarot card often appears as a reminder to open up to the wisdom of those more experienced than you. When reversed, the Hierophant’s appearance advises you to reconsider the meaning of your involvements. So long as you are pursuing commitments that feel authentic to your purpose, you are following the advice of the Hierophant.