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T.5 The Hierophant

Activity

V. The Hierophant

Name: The Hierophant
Hebrew Letter/Meanings: Vau (ו) / Nail, Hearing
Element/Planet/Zodiac: Venus / Taurus
Name of Path: Triumphal
Type: Stabilizing Formative (-) Extreme
Connecting Sefirot: Wisdom (2) & Chesed (4)


Tidbits: The Hierophant offers the benediction (blessing) of Divine Love (Spirit, the Dove) with his right hand over two disciples. He is the gatekeeper to the inner truth in one direction and the purveyor of the techniques to enter the gate in the other. Notice the scarlet indicating his role as a structure and connection to Understanding. He facilitates the discussion with the Higher Self, transforming our inner truth into practical actions. Sometimes, that process is painful and requires several rebirths.

  1. A rebirth from doing whatever we want to be obedient to natural laws.
  2. A rebirth from pursuing personal gratification to genuine altruism.
  3. A rebirth from fearing loss, pain, and suffering to surrendering to being cleaned out by difficulties to make space for new and wonderful things.

If the Emperor is “The Man.” Then the Hierophant is the structure that gives “The Man” its power. This can be a necessary, effective, and beautiful thing. It can also be corrupt, out-of-touch, and a force that crushes innovation in favor of the stability of doctrine.,

Reference Note:

Spend time with each of the Trumps to generate your “tarot encyclopedia” notecard for each.

Working with the Trumps is slightly different because they represent forces of subjective experience instead of forms and objective structure. The symbolism in the cards is more complex, subtle, and profound. For this reason, we will slow down the presentation pace to only one Trump per page.

You are encouraged to only engage with one Trump per day.

In case it’s still helpful, here is the recommended process.

  1. Look at the image on the card and examine its details.
  2. Read the page in the companion book for that card.
  3. Read the description provided here.
  4. OPTIONAL: Read other descriptions of that card online or in other books.
  5. Reflect on the questions posed.
  6. Write down the details of the image that have meaning to you and the 2 or 3 interpretations (perhaps 1 heavenly, 1 upright earthly, and 1 reversed earthly) that resonate most strongly for you.
  7. Reflect on whatever correspondences you can find, such as relationships to other cards, astrological associations, and anything else. Include notes on anything specific that stands out.

    Feel free to write down your own interpretations based on what comes to you!