In astrology Taurus is about building a practical and stable life full of comfort, beauty, and security. Taurus also has a need to have a balance between the spiritual and material worlds. They develop beliefs that form a positive sense of self via traditions and values. In tarot, The Hierophant is the card of time-honored values, traditions, and beliefs. He is an authority in matters of faith and divine wisdom.
The Hierophant and Taurus are committed to structure, long standing rituals, and comfort for personal growth and development. In a reading The Hierophant symbolizes ritual, conformity, spiritual advice. Belief systems. Blessings. And, so much more as you will see later in this post.
Taurus is represented by the Hierophant in Tarot.
The Hierophant is known by many names in modern Tarot decks. According to Robert Place, author and tarot historian, the word Hierophant means sacred priest in Greek and the first known tarot deck, the Visconti-Sforza from the 1451, refers to Major Arcana Card V as the Pope. In the late 1700s it was changed to the Hierophant by Court de Gebelin.
I was inspired to write this post while reading about asteroid Chiron in the book Astrology for Yourself by Douglas Bloch & Demetria George. They mentioned that Chiron is depicted as the Hierophant in the Mythic Tarot - He is the the inner spiritual teacher. As usual, I allowed myself to go on a spiral - a Hierophant spiral - because the Hierophant is typically represented by Taurus in Tarot.
Also, I'd like to point out that all the images are from the tarot deck apps created by the Fools Dog. I highly recommend getting a tarot deck app as it is an easy way to browse all the cards of a deck while having the full book contents at your finger tips. It also allows you to do tarot spreads. Currently my phone holds 16 different tarot apps plus a few oracle card decks. One of the things I like to do is to look up the same card in different decks. This allows me to know the card from different perspectives. You'll see what I mean as you explore the many faces of the Hierophant below.
The Mythic Tarot
The Hierophant is Chiron
"Chiron, the Hierophant, implies that the individual will begin to actively seek answers of a philosophical kind. They may emerge as the study of a particular philosophy or system of belief, or as a deep commitment to a quest for meaning in life. The Hierophant may appear as an analyst, psychotherapist, priest, or spiritual mentor."
By Juliet Sharman-Burke & Liz Greene & Tricia Newell
The Vision Quest Tarot
The Hierophant is the Shaman
"The Shaman inside you is capable of merging his intuitive perceptiveness with the wisdom of the Elders. Meditate and find out what really motivates you, what your inner core truly desires. Shift your attention to what is essential. Most essential in your life your own being."
by Gayan Sylvie Winter
The Tabula Mundi Tarot
The Hierophant is the Magus of the Eternal Gods
Zodiacal Trump of Taurus; Venus rules, Moon exalted
"Listen to the guidance of the wise one that holds the keys. Endure and keep silence for in silence you will receive wisdom. Bring down the celestial fire and become an initiated priest of the mysteries. Invoke occult forces and receive teachings. Seek higher purpose"
by M. M. Meleen
The Enchanted Tarot
The Hierophant is the old Man
"Rules and traditions are based on the sincere desire of our predecessors to preserve what was useful in their time. Bit your interests are not always best served by blind obedience. The repression of your right to think freely may result in conformity. Still, in many situations, religious moral values and traditions will comfort and sustain you."
by: Monte Farber & Amy Zerner
The Classic 1910 Tarot
The Hierophant is The Hierophant
"Orthodoxy dictates that you should obey, while freedom of choice dictates that you have the option to disobey! This choice is the gift of the Hierophant. Not all the wealth of Rome or the Vatican City can compel you; only you have the power of free Choice."
By Arthur Edward Waite
The Psychic Tarot
The Hierophant is Wisdom
"When the student is ready, the teacher will appear. This card illustrates that there's a spiritual teacher who's about to influence you or step into your life to impart his or her wisdom. Look around - is there someone in your life who has the acumen, education, knowledge, and ability to integrate spirituality and its laws into the constraints of the physical world?"
by John Holland
The Dark Goddess Tarot
The Hierophant is Cybele
"When Cybele appears look for ways to go beyond the mundane in your everyday tasks. Add meaning through ritual, story, or symbol. Add power and pleasure through scent and music. Nurture a sacred space within yourself during the performance of your duties."
by Ellen Lorenzi-Prince
The Gaian Tarot
The Hierophant is the Teacher
The teacher sits in from of a Western Red Cedar surrounded by five green allies, medicinal herbs that many would pass by as weeds.
Affirmation: "I receive my best spiritual teachings from Nature." by Joanna Powell Colbert
The Guardian Angel Tarot
The Hierophant is Embrace Those Around You
"This card asks you to spend time with those who can help you grow spiritually and emotionally. Look for friendship or assistance from people who have their arms wide open."
By Radleigh Valentine
The Shining Tribe Tarot
The Hierophant is Tradition
"They cast a great circle.
They clear the clogged highways.
They share all the gossip.
They teach all the children."
-by Rachel Pollack
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