“The mind is not a vessel to be filled, but a fire to be kindled.” – Plutarch
In this part of the journey, the Hierophant shows up as an educator and spiritual leader.
The Hierophant in Tarot: A Card of Teaching, Learning & Communication
In the last post, we met The Emperor – who invited us to create structure, order, and stability – to enforce boundaries and step into authority.
Now, the Hierophant challenges us to embody our highest selves through learning, especially learning that involves spiritual matters.
If the Emperor symbolizes the masculine in a display of strength and authority, the Hierophant brings together body and soul – tradition and transcendence.
Our hero now encounters the Hierophant – moving from the external-facing world of the Emperor into a more internal world of learning and esoteric arts. This marks a shift in the Hero’s Journey: from purely earthly experience toward wisdom that is universal – and unseen.
Symbolism of The Hierophant in the Rider–Waite–Smith Deck
In the Rider-Waite-Smith deck, the Hierophant is number five, a number representing the bridge between heaven and earth – change guided by structure.
Starting in the 17th century, tarot decks began calling this card “The Hierophant” instead of “The Pope.” The word Hierophant comes from Greek, meaning one who reveals sacred things. Though the name shifted, the religious symbolism remains visible throughout the card.
The Hierophant sits on a papal throne, and his red cloak symbolizes vital energy – the energy required to teach, to learn, to unify, and to build bridges between heaven and earth.
He is flanked by two pillars, suggesting stability through tradition, and balance between the sacred and the everyday.
His three-cross scepter traditionally represents the Holy Trinity – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. I also like to see these three tiers as earth, air, and fire – different realms of existence held together through wisdom.
The roses symbolize love and devotion, while the lilies represent purity and spiritual intention.
On the tarot card, The Hierophant’s crown forms a triple-tiered shape – again echoing the Trinity – and reinforcing the idea of layered spiritual authority. Here in the video, the triangle shape of the crown I’m wearing echoes the same idea.
The crossed keys are said to symbolize the keys to heaven. In a broader, less religious sense, they represent access – uniting the physical world with spiritual understanding.
His hand is raised in blessing. Some fingers are visible while others are hidden – reminding us that on the spiritual path, some truths are revealed immediately, while others unfold only with time and readiness.
The Hierophant teaches the importance of lifelong learning – not only through formal education, but through spiritual study as well. He invites us to evolve using the tools available to us: wise mentors, sacred texts, courses, traditions, and lived experience.
He encourages morality, integrity, and humility – and reminds us to remain open to teachings that may challenge what we already believe.
The Hierophant in a Tarot Reading
There’s a saying: “When the student is ready, the teacher appears.” This eloquently captures the energy of the Hierophant.
If you’re on a spiritual path and the Hierophant appears in a reading, a teacher – or a teaching – may be entering your life.
The Hierophant asks you to remain open to spiritual experiences and structured learning. He may appear when you’re considering becoming a teacher yourself – whether in a classroom, through courses, mentorship, or sharing wisdom in your own unique way.
This card is often a green light: proceed – and trust that support will appear as you go.
He calls for honesty, unity, communication, and understanding.
And he reminds you to seek knowledge that helps you become a higher version of yourself.
My Personal Journey with The Hierophant
I’ve been learning tarot for over a decade, but in recent years I felt a stronger pull to share it with others. Tarot has helped me immensely – offering clarity and reassurance exactly when I needed it.
I kept thinking: If it’s helped me this much, surely it can help others too.
That’s when the Hierophant began to appear.
Around that time, I enrolled in a tarot certification course in 2023 – committing to deepening my knowledge and practice. It took me a full year to complete. I moved slowly and intentionally, learning traditional meanings while also allowing my intuition to guide me.
Once I made that commitment, I felt incredibly supported – by my spouse, friends, family, and even members of my community who encouraged me and shared their wisdom.
Each time I had questions, a new resource appeared: a teacher, a tool, a course – right when I needed it.
This journey allowed all my multi-passionate gifts: art, music, sound, videography, design, writing, and crafting – to come together under one umbrella.
My heart overflows with gratitude as I continue to grow spiritually and expand my understanding.
Chakra Connection
The Hierophant connects strongly with:
Causal Vortex (Fourth Eye) Chakra – This chakra sits above the Crown Chakra and allows us to tap into universal knowledge. It is a storehouse for what our soul has learned in the past and will learn in the future. Through this chakra, we gain insight that helps us make aligned decisions in the present.
And secondarily with:
- Root Chakra – tradition, stability, grounding
- Crown Chakra – connection to divine or universal truth
- Throat Chakra – teaching, unity, and communication
You can see these connections through the colors on the card and through the Hierophant’s role as a guide between worlds – earthly and spiritual, human and divine.
Your Story + Invitation
The Hierophant represents education, teaching, unity, and communication.
To support your tarot journey, I’ve created a simple Tarot Cheat Sheet with key meanings for every card. You’ll find the link below.
And if you’re standing at your own threshold – ready to leap – a personal tarot reading can bring clarity. Book a 1:1 tarot reading with me, and we can explore the cards as they show up for you in the past, present, and future.
When has The Hierophant shown up for you?
What you are ready to learn will find you.
