Tarot cards are definitely not your normal deck of cards. For the uninitiated, Tarot is a way to understand what you will be experiencing in the near future, and understanding each card is essential to getting the most from a reading.

1) What to Know about the Hierophant Card

The Hierophant is part of the major arcana. Each card in the major arcana is stronger than any card in the minor arcana, and as a result, it is given more thought at any particular reading.

Visually, The Hierophant, also called The Pope, is a religious official with his hand held high, as if granting a blessing. Two stone pillars appear in the background. He holds a staff in one of his hands, and he is clearly sitting on a throne.

This card represents a person such as a spokesman, especially one that speaks in front of or to a large group of people. A Hierophant is a person that represents much knowledge that is hidden of various aspects that the everyday person is not aware of. It is the number 5 on the list of Tarot cards.

When you see this card and know how to read it you will, right off the bat, see the presence of a religious figure that is in a formal church setting.

The card can represent an individual that may be part of a religious group or they hand out responsibilities in their local church. Schools, clubs, teams, companies, and societies can be the groups as well, as it does not have to be religious in nature.

The Hierophant card in the Tarot deck represents all of these things since that person has to feel like they belong to a group that has some sort of structure.

They have to feel like they belong and are not an outsider.

In some readings, the Hierophant often will represent an intelligent teacher or a person that studies with other experts that are in their field. This card symbolizes the need to follow the rules at all times.

The card does not represent a free spirit or someone that goes against the rules. A person like this does not change their ways and because of this they stay within the restrictions of their comfort zone.

The Hierophant card also represents education. In this capacity, the card stands for looking for new knowledge, becoming well-spoken, increasing the ability to understand things, studying, learning, looking for a deeper connotation, and discovering things in general.

The card also shows that an individual likes to share cultural customs, learn spiritual traditions, honors rituals and ceremonies, follows regimens, and is aware of where to put your faith.

Very similar to the Emperor card, this card will symbolize the following of rules, taking traditional approaches, staying within boundaries, adapting to new systems, fitting in, staying with an agenda, doing what is expected of them, and being in the norm.

Further, the card also represents being dedicated to a cause, devoting energy to the group, being part of a club, working as a team, being loyal to others, and being in a setting that is institutional.

There are several cards that might reinforce these ideas in a reading. The Emperor, the Three of Cups, the Three of Pentacles, the Eight of Pentacles, and the Ten of Pentacles may all lead you to similar conclusions.

2) Cards that Mean the Opposite of the Hierophant

As we have already talked about, the Hierophant card represents a person who has traditional values and does things by the book. In no way does this card represent a person that is carefree and against the norm.

There are some Tarot cards that mean the opposite of what the Hierophant card means. They are the:

a) Fool card

This card represents a person that is very foolish in several ways. This person does not have boundaries and does things in a different way.

b) Lovers card

This card has to do with personal beliefs, which means that this type of person will do as they please.

c) Two of Wands card

This card represents a person who likes to be alone and would rather be alone than part of a group or crowd.

d) Seven of Swords card

This card is very similar to the Two of Wands card.

e) Two of Pentacles card

This card signifies flexibility and at times irresponsibility. This person may be late much of the time and at the last minute change appointments that were scheduled.