Today’s episode on the Hierophant was a bit of a shorter one but still packed full of all sorts of information for you. See the Hierophant or Pope card represents an aspect of the divine masculine that is underrepresented in our culture. The 5th card in the high arcana is the ritual companion to the High Priestess, an archetype that is underrepresented and often overlayed with religious iconography.
In this new age that we are living in, where so many people are expanding their ideas of faith and healing their relationships with divinity, we are seeing a shift in the meaning and artwork displayed with this card. In some decks, the Hierophant and the High Priestess are almost reflections of each other. Both on their thrones, wearing papal-styled crowns, holding symbols of knowledge, seated between the temple pillars. (please go listen to ep 7 on the High Priestess for a breakdown of the pillars and all they represent)
And in other decks you see a step forward, artists are tapping into our changing ideas around religion. Instead of a High Priest figure… we have cards representing the concept of faith. The idea of connecting with something ethereal. Personally, I find this very exciting. The themes that come forward in reading where the Hierophant is pulled are personal, layered and beautiful.
So who is the Hierophant? In our Rider Waite Smith and Thoth decks, he represents the High Priest, as he is celebrated in esoteric traditions. The partner to the High Priestess, whose sacred role is to hold space and be a grounding force for the High Priestess. His job is one of passive support. This role is something that our patriarchal society downplays and has tried to erase. Instead, the idea of power over is forced down the throats of our brothers and sons cutting them off from the full expression of the divine masculine.
Expressions of the divine masculine
- gentle teacher
- compassionate witness
- calm grounding presence
- the soft voice of reason
- safe harbour in a storm
In contemporary decks, we are starting to see this idea expand
- our inherent inner wisdom
- how we relate to our faith
- a need for personal reflection
- connecting to our soul path
- importance of spiritual balance
So my lovies, I want to challenge you to look beyond your initial impressions of this card. Especially if it is coming up in the readings you are doing for yourself. What is your relationship to the Divine Masculine, and what aspects of his gentle nature do you resonate with the most? What is your relationship between spirituality and faith? Both the cultural expression of it and your personal understanding….what comes up for you?
I would love to hear about how you are working with this card. Are you feeling the same shifts in its energy and expression that I am?
Don’t forget to pop over to YouTube, where you can take a look at some Hierophant cards with me.
Jodi Anne 