‘The Hierophant’: Complete Rider Waite Smith (RWS) Meanings
“Key V: The Hierophant”, from the Rider Waite Smith tarot deck.
The Hierophant at a Glance (RWS Deck)
Keywords: Tradition, Conformity, Institutions, Belief Systems, Spiritual Guidance, Education
Reversed Keywords: Rebellion, Unorthodoxy, Challenging Dogma, Freedom, Personal Beliefs
Zodiac Sign: Taurus
Element: Earth
Yes/No: Yes (but follow the rules)
A.E Waite’s Hierophant Card
A.E Waite’s Hierophant card shows a religious figure, often identified with the Pope, seated between two pillars, similar to The High Priestess.
He wears a triple crown and holds a papal cross, symbols of his office and authority. His right hand is raised in a sign of benediction over two acolytes who kneel before him, representing the transmission of sacred knowledge from teacher to student.
The crossed keys at his feet are the keys to the kingdom of heaven, symbolising his role as a guide to the mysteries.
Unlike the intuitive wisdom of The High Priestess, The Hierophant represents the outer, structured, and institutionalised path to the Divine.
Waite’s Divinatory Meanings of The Hierophant
In his 1911 book, The Pictorial Key to the Tarot, A.E. Waite gives the divinatory meanings for The Hierophant as follows:
"Marriage, alliance, captivity, servitude; by another account, mercy and goodness; inspiration; the man to whom the Querent has recourse. Reversed: Society, good understanding, concord, over-kindness, weakness."
‘The Hierophant’ Upright (Modern Meanings)
In Life Areas
‘The Hierophant’ Upright, Rider Waite Smith tarot deck.
Generally: Joining a club, following a family tradition, getting a library card, adhering to a prescribed diet, following a structured plan.
In a Love Context: A formal marriage ceremony, meeting your partner's parents, a relationship that follows societal expectations, a couple who shares the same religious beliefs.
In a Money/Career Context: A job in the civil service, a university, or a large corporation; getting a professional certification; following the company handbook to the letter.
In an Intellectual Context: Enrolling in a university degree, studying under a respected teacher, writing an academic paper with proper citations, adhering to a specific philosophical tradition.
In a Spiritual Context: Joining a church or a temple, following a specific dogma or creed, receiving guidance from a priest or guru, formal religious rites.
In Common Spread Positions
As Advice: Follow the established path. Seek expert guidance. Conform to the rules. Trust in tradition.
As (Ultimate) Outcome: Conformity and acceptance within a group: a successful graduation, a marriage, joining an organisation.
As Obstacles: Rigid dogma or bureaucracy: progress is blocked by an outdated tradition, a stubborn teacher, or a refusal to think for yourself.
As Hidden Energy: An untapped resource in tradition: a conventional path or a wise teacher is available but not being considered.
As Resources/Alliances: Help from an institution or an expert: a university, a church, a mentor, or a wise elder.
‘The Hierophant’ Reversed (modern Meanings)
In Life Areas
‘The Hierophant’ Reversed, Rider Waite Smith tarot deck.
Generally: Challenging a family tradition, ignoring social conventions, a personal and unconventional approach to life, breaking the rules.
In a Love Context: Choosing not to get married, a relationship that defies societal norms, rejecting your family's expectations for your love life.
In a Money/Career Context: Leaving a corporate job to start your own business, a rebellious approach to your work, challenging the status quo in your industry.
In an Intellectual Context: Being a self-taught expert, challenging an established scientific theory, a preference for personal experience over book learning.
In a Spiritual Context: Leaving a religion you were raised in, creating your own spiritual practice, a rejection of all dogma, a corrupt guru exposed.
In Common Spread Positions
As Advice: Challenge the status quo. Forge your own understanding. Break the rules. Question authority.
As (Ultimate) Outcome: Freedom or rebellion: successfully breaking away from a restrictive situation, or an unconventional approach leading to failure.
As Obstacles: Your own rebellious nature or a corrupt institution: a refusal to follow any rules is holding you back.
As Hidden Energy: A hidden threat of rebellion: someone is secretly working against the established order.
As Resources/Alliances: Help from unconventional thinking: breaking the rules or challenging an outdated authority is your path forward.
Journal Prompts for Personal Reflection
Where in my life am I conforming to a tradition or belief system that has become a hindrance?
What established institution or teacher could provide the guidance I need right now?
Is my desire for freedom helping me, or is it a form of self-sabotage?
The RWS Hierophant in Key Card Combinations
Combinations with Major Arcana
The Hierophant & The Lovers
The Hierophant (↑) & The Lovers (↑): A traditional marriage. A choice that aligns with your values. A relationship blessed by family.
The Hierophant (↓) & The Lovers (↑): An unconventional relationship. A choice that goes against tradition. Following your heart instead of the rules.
The Hierophant (↑) & The Lovers (↓): Staying in a relationship out of duty. A choice that conflicts with your beliefs. A traditional but disharmonious partnership.
The Hierophant (↓) & The Lovers (↓): A rebellious but poor choice. Rejecting all advice and creating disharmony. An unconventional and unhappy relationship.
The Hierophant & The Devil
The Hierophant (↑) & The Devil (↑): A corrupt religious institution. A charismatic but manipulative guru. Bondage to a rigid belief system.
The Hierophant (↓) & The Devil (↑): Breaking free from a cult. A rebellion against a toxic tradition. Rejecting a manipulative teacher.
The Hierophant (↑) & The Devil (↓): A traditional institution helping you overcome addiction. Finding freedom through spiritual discipline. A belief system that frees you from bondage.
The Hierophant (↓) & The Devil (↓): A chaotic and self-destructive rebellion. Swapping one addiction for another. Rejecting all rules and finding no freedom.
Combinations with the Suit of Cups
The Hierophant & The Ace of Cups
The Hierophant (↑) & The Ace of Cups (↑): Spiritual fulfilment through a traditional institution. An institution showing great compassion. A new love that fits with your beliefs.
The Hierophant (↓) & The Ace of Cups (↑): Mystical experiences from an unconventional spiritual path. Finding compassion outside of traditional structures. A new love that challenges your belief system.
The Hierophant (↑) & The Ace of Cups (↓): A spiritually dead religious tradition. Repressed emotions within a traditional setting. A legitimate spiritual teacher whose culture you do not share.
The Hierophant (↓) & The Ace of Cups (↓): An emotionally abusive spiritual leader. A false spiritual order promoting materialism. A rebellious phase that leads to emotional emptiness.
Frequently Asked Questions about The Hierophant
Is The Hierophant always a religious figure? No. While he often represents a priest, guru, or other religious teacher, The Hierophant can represent any institution or person that teaches a traditional body of knowledge: a university, a professional body, a corporate mentor, or a family patriarch.
Why is the card called The Hierophant and not The Pope? In older decks like the Tarot de Marseille, this card is explicitly named "The Pope" (Le Pape). Waite's choice to rename it "The Hierophant," a Greek term for a priest who interprets sacred mysteries, was a deliberate move. It was intended to broaden the card's meaning beyond a specific Catholic context and align it with the more universal philosophy of the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn.
