Card of the Week: The Hierophant

“Instead of pressuring me to conform, he invited me to consider his counsel, steeped in wisdom and traditions, and to consciously choose my actions”

- Author: Winifred Tannetta Costello

Sometimes referred to as the Pope, the Hierophant rules all three worlds: physical, etheric, and astral. He brings order, assurance, answers, and abundance into our lives. Both the Hierophant and High Priestess are seated between two pillars that represent intuition and facts, matter and spirit. Symbolizing royalty and respect, both are dressed in robes and seated on the throne. These spiritual figures hold power and understanding and are eager to share it with those seeking certain knowledge. We must remember, however, sacred knowledge and practices must be respected and valued by those who wish to learn about them. The Hierophant also represents marriage and contracts.

If you see this card during your reading, know that work is being done both in the spiritual and physical realms to bring you into better harmony.

Upright

Past: You could have given a problem to your guides/universe and let the chips fall where they may. And in doing so, your guides brought order to this issue in your life. It turned out better than you expected, and now you feel more confident about your soul trusting in the divine. In the past, you might have had trouble trusting in the spiritual realm but due to past seemingly magical moments, your faith is renewed.

Present: Your guides are bringing you blessings and answers in both astral and physical realms. The current energy is asking you to pause and wait for further guidance and instructions. Perhaps you are training for a new job or learning new skills. Perhaps you are speaking to elders more and learning from them. Now may not be the right time to neglect your spiritual counsel (or ever, for that matter).

Your spirit guides could feel like you are ignoring their messages, which could be causing a spiritual block. Make sure your space is frequently cleansed and that you work on giving your third eye a break.

Future: Divine intervention is about to show up and show out in your life right now. The Hierophant in this position reminds me of Moses parting the Red Sea. Depending on the timing of your reading, expect things to shake up and move around over the next few weeks or months. The result will be beautiful and you will find more space for those things and people you truly care about. A commitment could also be on the horizon. Be careful to read contracts and agreements carefully because you don't want to be tied down by something that doesn't align with your path. Of course, it's not the end of the world, but it can set you back.

Reversed

*Disclaimer: Reading tarot cards in reverse is totally up to the reader. There are many who choose not to. There is no right way to do it; go with your intuition. For some readers, a reverse means that the energy of that card cannot manifest into reality due to a block. So if you are someone who chooses to not read reversed cards you may skip this part, however if you are that reader, keep reading!

Remember to always be authentic with your spiritual practices.*

The Hierophant in the reversed position represents throwing out the rulebook and doing things your own way. Traditional practices might seem like a hassle right now. You want to go against the grain in the hopes of getting better and faster results. Your spiritual or religious practices may be questioned and you may discover new ones during this time. A reversed Hierophant reminds us that it's alright to shake things up while seeking what is better for us. However, remember that the Hierophant also speaks to balancing the physical and spiritual. Make sure you are not sacrificing one for the other. You may find it difficult to remain grounded during this time, so create more time in your schedule to do that.

Advice

The symbol for the subconscious and conscious mind is a pair of crossed keys at the feet of the Hierophant in many decks. Making the best decision requires listening to both. During this time, you are also encouraged to trust your own intuition and guidance. After all, it is your journey and no one else's. It doesn't matter whether they are a leader or a teacher.

You might be trying too hard to get everything right in your religious and spiritual practice, but the Hierophant in the advice position reminds you that there is no one right way to walk your spiritual path. Yes, you should seek help and insight from others but remember that your gut feeling and intuition will never steer you wrong.

Symone Smith, @aquaacunt