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Today we will look at a very deep card filled with multifaceted philosophical symbolism - this is the Hierophant of the Thoth Tarot. It’s hard to imagine how difficult this illustration must have been for Frieda Harris, because Arkan’s ideas are very complex and multifaceted. To be honest, it was with the Fifth Arcana that I had the most problems during my initial study of the deck. But now, several years later, the image has become more clear to me.
General description of the map, plot
So, what does Arcanum Hierophant Crowley look like? So, the main character - the High Priest - sits in the center of the map, surrounded by elephants. What do elephants have to do with it? - you ask. I answer: according to Crowley, it is here that the elephants have the nature of Taurus, and Taurus, as is known, is the astrological correspondence of this card. By the way, the Hierophant himself sits on a bull, which also reminds us of materiality. Behind the Priest's head is a window secured with nine nails. Nail - the association is also not accidental, but I will talk about it later, when we move directly to symbolism. Around the Hierophant we see four cherubs (Crowley calls them “kerubim”. In front of him there is a complex symbol: a hexagram, inside of which a pentagram is drawn, inside the pentagram there is a dancing little boy. In front of the Priest stands a woman with a sword in her hands. If you look closely at the window - on a snake lies on it, and a small dove is drawn next to it. The background of the card is a dark blue starry night. The Hierophant holds a staff with three rings in his hands.
Symbolism of the card
Now let’s move on to the most difficult part and find out what Crowley wanted to say with such multifaceted symbolism of the Hierophant of the Tarot Thoth.
| Symbol | Meaning |
| Bull and elephants | Astrological correspondence of Taurus |
| Cherubim | Sanctuary Guardians |
| Transparent window | The Hierophant's task is to connect the microcosm with the macrocosm |
| Nine nails on the window | A reference to the Kabbalistic correspondence - the letter Vav, which means "nail" |
| Hexagram | Macrocosm symbol |
| Pentagram | Microcosm symbol |
| Dancing male child | Symbol of the New Aeon - the Aeon of the Horus-Child |
| Woman with a sword | The Scarlet Woman in the hierarchy of the New Aeon, also an image of Venus |
| Snake and dove | Love |
| Dark blue star background | A reference to the goddess of the night sky, Nut, from whose womb all phenomena are born |
| Three intertwined rings on a wand | Symbol of the Three Aeons |
Main meaning of the card
What can be said about the main meaning of the Hierophant Tarot card of Thoth? I think the key words for it look like this: the power of faith, the search for truth, the connection of the divine with the human, the interaction of the macrocosm with the microcosm, trust, spiritual teacher (mentor), virtue, expansion of consciousness, spirituality.
Shadow manifestation of the card
The shadow of the Arcana is expressed in dogmatism, religious fanaticism, arrogant complacency, and boasting of one's own knowledge.
The meaning of the Hierophant card on the psychological plane
On the psychological plane, Crowley's Fifth Arcana can mean a person's faith in God, meaningfulness of one's existence, paying close attention to the spiritual side of life, broadening one's horizons, and being passionate about some religious or esoteric teaching.
The meaning of the card in love and relationships
Hierophant Crowley in a relationship can mean: deep trust of partners in each other, a harmonious union, highly spiritual relationships, awareness of the value and significance of one’s other half, as well as the conclusion of an official marriage, sometimes literally a wedding.
What does Arcanum mean in professional activities?
Meaningful actions, following your beliefs, teaching someone, gaining knowledge, higher education, faith in your own abilities, money, which comes second after self-realization. Although in a negative environment, the Hierophant may well report using his knowledge for selfish interests. Professions of the card - teacher, spiritual mentor, guru, clergyman, church worker, teaching esotericist, in the shadow manifestation - sectarian, sect leader.
The meaning of the card in health matters
In general, the Arcanum Hierophant of the Thoth Tarot does not speak of good health - it rather reports the enormous strength of spirit that a person possesses. Sometimes it is this strength of spirit and the belief that everything will work out that leads to the cure of even the most difficult and sometimes incurable diseases. This card also includes a situation when a person believes that his recovery is the merit of God, to whom he has prayed for a long time.
There are many card decks for fortune telling in the world. But the deck of the mystifier, esotericist and occultist Aleister Crowley, called the “Tarot of Thoth,” stands out especially among them.
It is filled with very deep symbolism, so it is simply impossible to ignore it. It is worth noting right away that the Thoth Tarot has a slightly different card meaning from the Rider-Waite deck, but at the same time it works no worse in fortune telling.
Main features of the Thoth Tarot
Today, Thoth Tarot cards have many ardent adherents and admirers.
Over the many years of its existence, this deck of cards has gained trust among those who like to tell fortunes, thanks to its simplicity, understandability and accessibility. It is very easy to work with her and tune in to the same wavelength in order to get the necessary answers to the most necessary questions.
The deck was created by a truly unique tandem - the great esotericist Alex Crowley and artist Frieda Harris, who helped give the cards some mystery and symbolism.
Together they slightly changed the structure of the usual Tarot deck and developed their own method of fortune telling, naming the new deck after the ancient Egyptian deity Thoth, who personified wisdom.
Among the key features of the Thoth deck, the following should be noted:
- the arcana in the deck are arranged in accordance with the suits, but only 3 of them correspond to the classic version (Swords, Wands and Cups), and the suit of Pentacles was replaced by Disks, representing the Earth;
- the beginning of the deck is the zero arcanum called “The Fool”, which occupies the last place among the Major Arcana in the traditional Rider-Waite Tarot;
- the names of some of the Major Arcana changed: Temperance became Art, Justice was replaced by Regulation, Strength was replaced by Lust, the place of Judgment was taken by Aeon, and the map of the World was replaced by the Universe;
- The usual structure of court cards also changed: Princes replaced Knights, Princesses replaced Pages, and Knights took the place of Kings;
- the numbering of the deck starts from zero, on which the lasso with the image of the Jester is located, the eighth place here is occupied by Regulation, and the eleventh by Lust.
It should also be noted that in Crowley’s deck, the Minor Arcana do not have particularly clear depictions of the plot, but they have an equally original appearance and significant meaning.
Most of the images in the Thoth deck contain a significant number of symbols from astrology, esotericism and alchemy. The color palette is also of particular importance in the deck.
In connection with it, any images, symbols, signs, colors and figures on absolutely every card have a special symbolism and purpose. Thanks to all of the above, this card deck requires very careful consideration and deep study.
Only in this case will she reveal all her secrets and will “work” in any fortune-telling with full dedication. Below we will take a closer look at the cards included in the Major Arcana category of the Thoth Tarot.
Fool
Looking at the image of the Thoth Tarot card called “The Fool”, you can see a tramp literally moving towards the edge of a cliff through the air.
Next to him on the map is a rather large and muscular tiger, which probably accompanies the tramp on his journey. But it also seems that she is biting his leg, as if warning him of some danger.
The main character of the card represents several archetypes at once:
- the pagan Green Man, personifying spring;
- Dionysus, god of ecstasy, inspiration and natural forces;
- Egyptian Harpocrates or god of silence;
- Parsifal, who set off on a long journey for the Holy Grail.
In addition to all of the above, the tramp on the map is often personified with the Holy Spirit, since two more characters on the map are located in close proximity to him - the Butterfly and the Dove. The solar disk, the Crocodile and the turns of the spiral are clearly visible on the map.
The Hierophant archetype is one of the key ones in the Tarot system. This is due to the fact that the Hierophant is the first card that symbolizes a person’s self-identification in the world, the separation of “I” from those around him, the awareness of differences and boundaries. The term “hierophant” itself is of Greek origin and is translated as “one who teaches sacred things” (hieros = sacred, phantes = teaching).
The jester is a fetus in the womb; child unborn. The magician is a playing baby. The High Priestess and the Empress are two female images: an idealized, distant mother and a nurturing, close mother. The Emperor is a male, paternal image - power, control. The Hierophant is not associated with any external authority. This is the Logos card. It manifests and conveys a moment of self-awareness, self-identification. This is a moment of separation that has been reflected in many ancient myths. This is a sacrifice, dividing the world into two parts, etc. That is why this Arcana is one of the key ones.
According to T. Michelsen, within the framework of the development of the human personality, this Arcanum means the period when the child learns what is right and wrong, becomes acquainted with the concepts of morality and moral values. He is going to school. For the first time he is faced with the fact that in addition to the material world there is another world - the spiritual. He encounters other teachers (besides his parents) and begins to form his own value system.
If we consider the Path of our mythical Hero, then the Hierophant appears here as a kind of mentor, a teacher who prepares the Hero for the journey, even if he (the Hero) does not yet realize his destiny. This mentor does not actively intervene or help the Hero, but only teaches him or sometimes appears at the right moment. There are many such examples in ancient myths (for example, the centaur Chiron), as well as in fairy tales and fantasy works (Merlin, Gandalf, etc.).
In the very first decks, the Arcanum was called Papa (Pope). This is a priest, a priest, endowed with the highest spiritual authority. This is not only external spiritual power, but, above all, also internal, which is the fundamental difference between the Hierophant and the previously discussed Emperor. If the power of the Emperor extends to the material world, to a certain territory marked by borders, to a certain people living in this territory, then the power of the Hierophant, first of all, is power over the spiritual world of his charges. And this power does not know territorial boundaries. She is beyond any material limitations.
The Visconti-Sforza deck depicts the Hierophant as a wise, experienced man in years. On his head is a papal headdress - the so-called tiara (similar to that of the High Priestess). In his left hand he holds a staff topped with a cross. The Pope's right hand is raised and his fingers are folded in a gesture of blessing. But this gesture also points us to the sky, upward, which speaks of the one on whose behalf the Pope acts. He embodies in his person the highest, divine power and will on this earth. In addition, this gesture means that part of the Secret is open, it is visible and obvious (extended fingers); the other part is hidden, it is invisible, transcendental (folded fingers). Under the feet of the Hierophant there is a trapezoidal base (like the previously discussed Pope, Empress and Emperor depicted on this deck).
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Visconti-Sforza |
On the first mystical deck - the Marseille Tarot - the Hierophant represents exoteric dogma, morality. Two columns (of the same color) are depicted behind the figure of the Hierophant. That is, the opposites are actually taken out of attention, in contrast to the Arcanum of the High Priestess, in which she is depicted sitting between two different columns, being, as it were, a conductor, a sensual and passive element. A similar picture can be seen in Tarot Classic.
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Classic |
Tarot Classic |
Marseille |
And on the Marseille Tarot, and on the Tarot Classic, and on the so-called Classic Tarot on the Arcana of the Hierophant, in addition to the main, large figure (actually, the Hierophant), there are also two minor figures. These are the servants or disciples to whom the Hierophant addresses, preaching to them through himself and through his Logos the Higher Will.
The Hierophant's headdress on these cards is again the papal tiara, indicating the extension of his power to the three worlds - heavenly, earthly, underground, and to the three components of the human personality - body, soul and spirit. In addition, in his left hand is a staff with a triple cross.
The inscriptions in the left margin on the Classic deck card read: ISPIRAZIONE (Italian) - inspiration; INSPIRATION (English) - inspiration, encouragement, insight, inspiration; INSPIRATION (French) - inspiration, insight, verve; EINGEBUNG (German) - inspiration.
On the Dürer deck, the classic symbolism of the Arcana is preserved. The Hierophant (or Pope) is seated on a throne, in his left hand he holds a staff topped with a triple cross, but his right hand holds a pouch. Two mini-columns this time are made as the sides of the back of the papal throne. There are also three candles burning behind his right shoulder. A dog lies at the Hierophant's feet. The motto inscribed on the base of the throne, translated from Latin, means: “Wisdom cannot be improvised: virtue cannot be invented.”
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Durer |
On the Hierophant Waite Arcana and some later decks (Loginov, Illuminati) there are two keys. They symbolize the first Pope, Saint Peter, to whom Jesus, according to the Gospel tradition, said: “And I will give you the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven; and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven” (Matthew 16:19). Because of these symbolic keys, Peter became in popular legend the gatekeeper at the gates of heaven, and the keys themselves began to be depicted on the papal coat of arms. The columns are a little closer (in comparison with the considered Tarot Claasic and Tarot de Marseille cards) to the figure of the Hierophant, but they are still behind him and are identical in appearance. This can also be observed in the Arcana of the G.O.M deck under consideration. and Loginova.
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Arthur Edward Waite |
G.O.M. |
Mirror of Fate |
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Klyueva |
Loginova |
Golden (Gilded) |
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Illuminati |
Russian (Magical) |
Age of Aquarius |
Waite himself describes the Hierophant of his deck as follows: “His head is crowned with a triple crown, and he himself sits between two columns, but these are not the columns of the Temple, guarded by the High Priestess. In his left hand he holds a scepter with a top in the form of a triple cross, while his right hand is raised in the well-known blessing gesture, which is also called an esoteric sign, distinguishing between the manifested and hidden parts of the teaching. (In this regard, it is quite remarkable that the High Priestess does not make any gestures.) At his feet, keys are folded crosswise and two clergymen in surplices kneel. He is usually called the Pope, which is a particular manifestation of the more general concept he symbolizes. This is the power of external religion, while the High Priestess (Popesses), first of all, represents the esoteric, hidden power...
It is rather a summa totius theologiae [total sum of theology] transformed into an extremely rigid form. However, the Hierophant also symbolizes everything that is righteous and sacred from the manifested side. As such, he is a conductor of grace, belonging, in contrast to the world of Nature, to the world of human institutions, and also a conductor to the salvation of the soul of all humanity as a whole. This is the embodiment of order and the head of a recognized hierarchy, which serves as a reflection of another, higher hierarchical order. But it may also happen that the pontiff forgets the true value of his symbolic status and begins to act as if he rightfully belongs to everything that his gesture means or his symbol represents. This is not philosophy, as was mistakenly believed, except from the theological side. This is not inspiration. And this is not a religion, although it is one of the ways of expressing it.”
Banzhaf speaks about the Hierophant Arcanum as follows: “The Priest personifies the world of faith and deepest trust, based on the steadfastness of chosen values. In ancient times, he was considered one of the three guardian angels in the Tarot, who ensured a favorable outcome for any business. This has a deep meaning, because trust in general and our trust in ourselves in particular serve as the basis for faith in life, in the future. In addition, this card symbolizes the path of ethics and virtue, that is, those moral principles that determine our life plans.”
The archetype of this Arcana, according to Banzhaf, is the saint; meaning in general - understanding, trust, confidence, good advice, guardian angel; the goal is inner self-confidence, faith in a higher purpose.
On the pagan decks Mirror of Fate and Age of Aquarius, this card in Russian is called the High Priest. Moreover, if in the first of them he is depicted quite traditionally, with the exception of perhaps the staff, which is not crowned with a cross, but is more reminiscent of a caduceus, then the High Priest of the Tarot Age of Aquarius looks more like a formidable lord of the elements (Magician in the traditional sense), and not a bearer of spiritual authorities.
On the deck G.O.M. the columns, although depicted not different from each other, are even placed in front of the figure of the Hierophant by the authors, which is also not entirely clear from the point of view of reflecting his archetype.
The Hierophant of Loginov, the Illuminati and the Russian (Magical) Tarot is depicted in accordance with Waitean traditions, preserving the basic symbolism of the Arthur Waite deck.
It would be interesting for a psychologist to correlate the Hierophant card with the superego. This is a substance that carries a certain dogma, a law that is not subject to criticism or doubt.
Problems of family, blood, culture and the relationship between ego and superego run through this card as a kind of leitmotif. This aspect is well demonstrated in the erotic Tarot of Manara, which, in relation to the Arcanum of the Hierophant, depicts a moment of awkwardness, of being caught.
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Manara |
Unlike the Magician, the Hierophant is guided by time-tested rules and proclaims them to other people. Therefore, he himself must bear enormous moral responsibility, despite the fact that he proclaims the words of the sermon in the name of the Higher Will.
In the New Aeon, the meaning, meaning and attributes of this Arcanum have changed quite seriously (unlike, for example, the Emperor card, which was mentioned earlier), which is reflected in the Thoth deck. Crowley changes the symbolism of the card radically. This is no longer the Pope of the Aeon of Osiris.
The card depicts the Hierophant. His throne is supported by elephants, and he himself sits on a bull (Taurus). According to another version, this is a sacrificial bull - the oldest symbol of the destruction of instinctuality, unconsciousness and animality in oneself. That is, the discovery of the Logos within oneself, the sacrifice of instinct for the sake of gaining self-awareness. This, as mentioned above, is a very important and key point. Knowledge of a word, a Name in Magic is tantamount to having power over one or another spirit, entity.
In the right hand of the Hierophant there is a key or a rod crowned with three rings (trinity; the union of the past, present and future; three eras replacing each other - the past era of Isis, the ending era of Osiris, the replacing era of Horus), the left hand with a threefold blessing a gesture that also denotes part of the accessible and part of the hidden, directed downward and forward. The card shows 2 pentagrams, as well as one hexagram. Pentagrams symbolize power through knowledge, access to another level of existence. The hexagram personifies such a basic principle of Sacred Magic as “as above, so below” - a two-way connection between the Architect and the Priest. On the pentagram, in the center of the Hierophant figure, we see a dancing baby (Horus). Instead of two humble servants in the image of the Hierophant of the Thoth Tarot, one can observe the Scarlet Lady with a sword, personifying the heavenly Venus, which rules Taurus. This image is of great significance. Chapter 3, verse 11 of the Book of the Law says, “Let the woman gird herself with a sword before me.” This woman is Venus, and she is now in the New Zone; she is no longer just a vessel for a man, but is armed and warlike. The sword is, first of all, a symbol of thought and division (remember, in the Gospel “I did not bring peace, but a sword”). In one of her hands is the Moon, exalted in the sign of Taurus. The initiatory love affair is also embodied in the idea of a window through which the sanctuary is illuminated. This symbolism develops in the decor of the window, where behind the phallic headdress one can see an open rose with five petals (in fact, the third pentagram). The serpent of redemption (kundalini energy) forms the Hierophant's halo. The symbolic meaning of the snake and dove is associated with the following verse from the “Book of the Law”: “... there is love - and love. There is a dove and there is a serpent" (verse 57, chapter 1)." The window is secured with nine nails (9 is the Kabbalistic number of the Moon, the sphere of Yesod on the Tree of Life).
The pentagram in the symbolism of the Hierophant archetype is of great importance. It’s not for nothing that the “five” is emphasized everywhere here. Analyzing this important point of the Arcanum Hierophant, the largest modern specialist in the field of Tarot Oleg “Aton” Telemsky notes the following: “... Five is the union of two and three - the truth of the earth and the truth of the sky or, according to another version, the male triad and the female dyad. The Principle of Five is the cornerstone of all occult traditions and worldviews. And the pentagram motif is so stable that it penetrated as the main symbol into such an absolutely materialistic state as the Soviet Union.
The pentagram is a symbol of consciousness, word, logos, will. The fifth element of the pentagram - its upper corner - is a rational organizing principle that is born in the conflict of four blind elemental forces. It is the pentagram that is a symbol of power over demons and spirits, that is, unorganized psychic substance.”
The symbolism of the Hierophant is supplemented by Crowley with the four Kerubic elements or cardinal directions, the elements. These are the eagle (Water, west), the angel (Air, east), the bull (Earth, north) and the lion (Fire, south), or rather, their masks. In many Tarot decks, symbols of these kerubic elements were located in the corners of the image of certain cards. Most often these were Arcana X Wheel of Fortune and XXI World (Universe).
The placement of these four animals in older decks is almost uniform: the lion, the symbol of Leo, is placed in the lower right corner; the eagle, the symbol of Scorpio, is in the upper right; a man or angel, the symbol of Aquarius, is in the upper left, and a bull, the symbol of Taurus, is in the lower right. This distribution is quite logical, because it reflects the natural order of the fixed signs in the zodiac.
However, Frieda Harris (the artist who technically depicted the Arcana Tarot of Thoth) breaks this tradition. On the maps of the Hierophant and the Universe, she places the Kerubic animals in a different way. The bull and lion still occupy their traditional corners, but the angel and eagle switch places. Is it possible that Lady Harris had no idea about the order of the signs of the Zodiac and that Crowley would not have paid attention to such an oversight when it came to two such important Arcana? Or perhaps the order of the zodiac signs changed in the Aeon of Horus? According to Lon Milo Duquette, a Thelemite, Initiate, major specialist in Tarot, author of his own deck in the traditions of the New Aeon, it is neither one nor the other. In the New Aeon, it was not the order of the zodiac signs that changed, but the correspondence of the Kerubim symbols.
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Wheel of FortuneXMarseille |
WorldXXIMarseille |
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Wheel of FortuneXRydra-Waite |
WorldXXIRider-Waite |
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FortuneXThoth |
Universe XXI Thoth |
On Arcana X of the Thoth Tarot, as we see from the above image, this symbolism is absent. (Each of these Arcana will be discussed in more detail later in the corresponding chapters - author’s note.)
However, the Great Master Therion himself (Aleister Crowley) gives a comprehensive answer to this question.
“The Beast and the Scarlet Woman correspond to Leo and Scorpio. They are the dual Supreme Servants of the Temple in the New Aeon of Heru-Ra-Ha. (Note that in the 23rd Ether the Eagle-Kerub is Aquarius. Scorpio is the Snake Woman. This is important because in the past the Eagle corresponded to Scorpio.)” (“Vision and Voice”).
Duquette speaks about this as follows: “All this imagery of the New Aeon is beautiful, but one should not lose sight of the fact that the Hierophant is Vav from Yod-He-Vav-He of the Tetragrammaton. He is the six of divine macrocosmic consciousness, to which we must “nail” the five of our earthly, microcosmic consciousness. He is the Prince Charming of the cosmic fairy tale, our Sacred Guardian Angel. The degree of initiation at which knowledge and conversation with the Holy Guardian Angel is achieved is symbolically represented in this card by the union of the pentagram and hexagram. Our microcosmic self is a dancing child inscribed in the pentagram on the macrocosmic chest of the Hierophant. The hexagram covers the entire figure of the Hierophant.”
According to Crowley, the correspondences of this Arcana are as follows. The Hebrew letter is vav (nail); astrological sign of the Zodiac - Taurus; The Path of the Tree of Life is the 16th, connecting Chokmah (Wisdom) with Chesed (Mercy); colors - red, orange, dark indigo, warm dark olive, thick brown; Gods - Asar, Apis, Shiva (as a sacred bull), Hera, Venus; precious stones - topaz; plant - mallow; aroma - styrax; magical weapons are the work of preparation (for a magical operation).
There is another interesting point regarding the Arcanum in question in connection with the Thoth Tarot deck. The Hierophant depicted by F. Harris in general terms reminds us of a phallic structure. The same symbolism, even more clearly expressed, can be observed in the image of Arcanum XV the Devil (which will be discussed in detail in the corresponding chapter).
Within the framework of this chapter, it is still necessary to note that the Hierophant and the Devil are Arcana opposite each other. The Devil acts as the dark side of the Hierophant, dually balancing him.
Used sources
Lon Milo Duquette. Understanding Aleister Crowley's Thoth Tarot. Weiser Books, 2003. - Translated from English by A. Blaze. ( )
Arthur Edward Waite. An illustrated key to the Tarot. Translation from English I. Alekseeva. - K.: Sofia, 2000. - 88 p. Page 17 - 18.
Banzhaf T., Theler B. Aleister Crowley's Tarot of Thoth. Keywords. - St. Petersburg: IG “Ves” - 2006, 256 p.: ill. - (Your Tarot companion). Page 86 - 87.
Banzhaf H., Akron. Encyclopedia of Arcana Tarot Crowley. Complete interpretation of the cards. - St. Petersburg: IG “Ves”, 2006. - 240 p. with ill. - (Your Tarot companion). Page 47 - 52.
Research - Tarot. Chapter 5. Arcana Hierophant. // Club "Castalia" ( )
Michelsen T. Complete Guide to Tarot / Teresa Michelsen. - Per. from English A. Osipova. - M.: FAIR PRESS, 2006. - 320 pp.: ill. Page 90; 92; 100; 106.
Tarot textbook: Traditions, decks, fortune telling practice. / Alexey Klyuev. - M.: Rostkniga. - 416 p.: ill. - (New techniques). Page 62 - 64; 234 - 236.
Fragment of the lecture by O. Telemsky “Atu V-Hierophant” // Club “Castalia”: Tarot-Marathon, 11/30/2012. ( )
Fragment of the lecture by O. Telemsky “Atu V - Hierophant” // Club “Castalia”: Arcana of the Tarot, lecture No. 9, 01/24/2014 ( )
H. Banzhaf. Self-instruction manual for Tarot. - Translation from German by E. Kolesov. - Chisinau: PE “Start”, 2004. - 184 p. Page 26 - 28.
H. Banzhaf. Tarot and the Hero's Journey. - M.: KSP+, 2002. - 84 p. 17 - 18.
Prediction is a complex, multi-stage process that requires effort and time. Not every magician is able to correctly interpret an ancient deck, which has remained virtually unchanged over the centuries. Maps help to see not only probable future events, but also reveal a complete picture of the future. Its emotional coloring, destined turning events, significant prerequisites. The Hierophant in the Tarot is one of the most complex cards in the ancient deck, symbolizing truth and spiritual insight. Soon, revelations will change the life of the one who turned to the magic deck for advice. How to correctly interpret a powerful lasso?
The Hierophant in the Tarot is one of the most complex cards in the ancient deck.
General meaning of the Hierophant card in Tarot
The structure of the Thoth Tarot deck is created according to a single principle - each symbol complements other magical signs, but individually, the cards carry a certain charge. Of the seventy-eight colorful images of the deck, the prototype of knowledge is personified by the Priest card. An objective person who draws such a symbol from the deck has such traits as honesty and justice. For a person who has grasped the correct views on life, there are no controversial things. In conflicts, the personification of the Hierophant card does not take sides based on personal beliefs. Such a person is able to move on, follow his own path and not look back at the past.
The High Priest points to a person who must realize his every action, otherwise his life loses all meaning. Consistency and prudence are character traits of someone who calls on the help of a magic deck. In layouts 5, the lasso symbolizes ethical issues. What is the deep meaning of life? If you follow the traditional interpretation of the Priest card, the search for truth will lead to an awareness of the eternity of human existence.
Common meaning of the High Priest card in readings for the past, present and future:
- passion for occult sciences and teachings;
- accumulation of important knowledge;
- compliance with ethical standards.
The High Priest allows you to get quick answers in special layouts to one single question. Most often, such a major lasso indicates positive changes in the life of the questioner. The internal forces that lie dormant in the soul will reveal themselves, but only after a person makes certain efforts. The thirst for education can lead to a long journey of following a mentor, a spiritual teacher. The Priest card does not promise simplicity, but it does guarantee the results of the efforts made.
Direct position of the Hierophant card in Tarot
The High Priest indicates a person’s subtle perception of the world around him. His conscience, consciousness, and beliefs are revealed in the reading thanks to the fifth lasso of the Tarot deck. The herald of internal cleansing, the Priest card, promises metamorphoses that are not available to everyone. Obstacles that arise on the path of a developing personality will disappear as if they had never existed. Achieving your goal will be much easier than expected, once you start taking action. Higher powers will patronize the questioner, and luck will become his reliable companion.
If the questioner, who called for the help of fortune-telling cards, does not have the features of the Priest symbol, then the major lasso indicates the person’s immediate environment. To his friend, close relative. A person with clear moral principles will help in acquiring new knowledge and knowledge of hidden truths.
A predominantly favorable symbol precedes changes for which a person is already ready. Delaying the inevitable is simply unwise and even harmful to the soul. The previous place of work or relationship that has outlived its usefulness must leave, otherwise there will be no free space in the life of the questioner for new knowledge. The fifth lasso of the tarot is by its nature a positive symbol, but sometimes even such a strong magical attribute promises danger and trouble. Reading the layout and an integrated approach to analyzing the combination of cards will ensure the accuracy of the forecast.
The Priest's card promises metamorphoses that are not available to everyone
Reversed position of the Hierophant card
The classic Tarot deck is interpreted according to unspoken but important rules. An experienced magician, when creating a layout: simple or special, must consider not only the proximity of the magic symbols, but also their position. The reversed image of the Priest card indicates future events:
Character of a mean person
A favorable card in reverse symbolizes an unprincipled personality that should be avoided. Such a person only creates the appearance of help and support. The fight against authorities, the challenge to society - such chaos is predicted by the inverted High Priest. Are loved ones worthy of trust and unconditional faith?
Opposition Herald
The complex card of the fifth major arcana indicates radical views that do not necessarily have to be viewed in a negative way. Moral principles that run counter to harsh reality will result in outright protest. Rebellion against routine life and stagnation is the main prediction of the inverted Priest.
Changing orientation
A person's state of mind is expressed in many aspects of life. Sexual orientation, which causes controversial reactions in society, is reflected in the layout by the Hierophant card. An ancient symbol predicts excessive modesty and shame. Anger and aggression await the one who pulled out the inverted High Priest. The choice to exercise freedom is crucial, we must not forget about it.
Difficulties. An inverted symbol promises difficulties in obtaining an education. Problems in work, in obtaining the desired position - negative changes predicted by the Priest should not upset a person.
The Hierophant tarot card is a powerful symbol that is important to read correctly; the entire forecast for upcoming events depends on the meaning of the ancient sign.
Schedule for work and professional life
The Hierophant symbol identified with a person testifies to the decisive desire of the questioner, his readiness to follow his own rules. Responsible steps do not frighten such a person, because those who know the truth have nothing to fear. The 5th lasso indicates a person who is a professional, to whom he devotes a lot of time and effort. In a work scenario, the fifth major lasso symbolizes the institution of education and predicts the importance of acquiring new knowledge.
The Pope card speaks of a reward that the questioner will enjoy very soon
The Pope (an ancient symbol of the Priest) speaks of a reward that the questioner will enjoy very soon. Diploma, certificate, certificate - awards will be proof of a person’s unwavering aspiration and determination. Knowledge without emotions is the truth that the Priest card speaks of in a reading for professional prospects. The forecast regarding work matters is built very carefully and carefully, because each symbol has its own meaning and should be interpreted only after a long study of the entire deck.
The meaning of a certain card from the major arcana promises revelation. The person who draws this symbol from the deck will find his own calling. The joy that the destined is coming true will instill sincere joy in the rebellious soul. The rules that the employee followed will be the key to his professionalism, and this will not go unnoticed by senior management.
Tarot spread for relationships
Interpersonal relationships determine a person’s destiny as much as his aspirations and spiritual values. The powerful symbol of the Thoth Tarot commemorates significant moments that will certainly happen in the future if the Hierophant falls in the relationship chart:
Harmony
Everything in the universe tends towards balance - nature, living beings, and humans. The Priest card in the reading indicates harmonious connections with family and friends. Such moments of balance must be appreciated and enjoyed without looking for a catch. Harmony is short-lived, so the advice of the Hierophant card is to seize the priceless moment.
Confidence
The direct position of the card in the layout for the love component of life indicates the unconditional openness of lovers to each other. In a union, both he and she fill themselves with something new, but do not lose their own integrity. Often the Hierophant card precedes the conclusion of a profitable marriage or the strengthening of an existing family.
Fateful meeting
For single people, personified in the spiritual symbol of the Priest arcana, such a sign in the scenario promises successful coincidences of circumstances. A meeting with your soulmate is already destined for and cannot be avoided. The extremely favorable message of a powerful card should instill joy in the soul and mind of the questioner.
Conflicts
If there are several unfavorable cards in a reading for interpersonal relationships, then a difficult period is expected ahead. The questioner should look at the situation from the outside. How much sincere joy is there in a couple? How much give and take? The Hierophant, surrounded by unpleasant symbols, is not a fatal, negative card. Only a person can maintain truly important relationships.
Bad habits
There is always a lot of selfishness in relationships between people in love, no matter how strong the love is. Bad habits, addictions and breakdowns of the other half can upset, and sometimes bring strong tension and mutual dissatisfaction to the couple. The herald of such unpleasant phenomena is the Hierophant card, associated with the Wheel of Fortune. Difficulties can be overcome if efforts are made to eliminate them.
The success predicted by the Priest card does not promise significant monetary benefits. The prospects provided by fate will require strength and endurance from a person. The person who is inspired by the idea will not look for monetary reward, because spiritual praise will be much more important than material praise. The Pope symbol in the Tarot creates mental forecasts, and anything that can be destroyed or lost is not such a strong card. Wisdom is eternal, knowledge is constant, and momentary victories and successes do not apply to the sign of the Hierophant. A difficult start without money is a necessary start (says the fifth card of the major arcana in the reading for work).
The success predicted by the Priest card does not promise significant monetary benefits
Prototype of the Hierophant card
For ease of interpretation, tarot cards are divided into those that describe a person’s personal qualities or indicate his inner experiences. In layouts for the past, present and future, symbols often appear that make it possible to determine the character traits of the questioner or his close circle. Five of the major arcana is a direct pointer to a wise person. The peculiarity of this sign is that it has no time restrictions. The knowledge that a person should achieve already exists within him. The truth, which is difficult to understand, does not come immediately; for this purpose, special layouts of the Thoth Tarot deck are created.
Combination of Tarot cards and the Hierophant symbol
The combination of cards reveals the most likely picture of the future, which is unclear to the common man. Only experienced magicians can read the unions of ancient symbols and feel their connection. The Hierophant, in combination with other tarot cards, creates unique tandems. The fifth arcanum of the Tarot deck and the Priestess card indicate adherence to rules, violation of which is fraught with consequences. Lovers and the symbol of the Priest promise the creation of new values that are beyond the control of others. A strong lasso and the Chariot portend a search for the meaning of life. The strength reinforced by the Five promises a difficult phase where personal ambitions will become irrelevant. Hierophant Tarot, the meaning of which is difficult to interpret for a novice magician, concerns the most hidden abilities of a person.
A deck of Tarot cards is a unique collection of magical symbols that helps you look into the future. The secrets of future events are revealed only to mentally strong and morally pure people. Magicians who practice prediction on fortune-telling cards can easily interpret the combination of ancient signs. The symbol of the 5th tarot of the major arcana indicates the most important aspect of human life - learning, the assimilation of new knowledge that opens up a completely different world. It is not by chance that a strong sign of the Tarot deck appears in the layout; the card purposefully indicates the need to open the mind to new knowledge.
Mage of Eternity
Zodiac Arcana of Taurus
Ruler - Venus
Exalted planet - Moon
Initial composition: an old man sits between the pillars. He is crowned, holds a scepter in his hand and blesses everyone with a threefold blessing. Four holy animals worship him. The entire image as a whole resembles a pentagram in outline.
Hebrew letter: Vav (nail)
Path of the Tree of Life: 16th, connecting Chokmah (Wisdom) with Chesed (Mercy)
Colors: red; orange; dark indigo; warm dark olive; thick brown.
Raise yourself Virgin to Knowledge and Conversation with your Holy Guardian Angel. Everything else is a trap.
Be strong in the eight branches of yoga, for without them you are not trained for battle.. - "The Book of Thoth"
“I could question you for hours. I have a thousand questions for you, but as soon as I see you, everything flies out of my head! The air around me is teeming with Kabbalah, the Chinese, Eddington and his comrades, and all sorts of mysteries that require your wise and sarcastic explanations.”. — From a letter from Frieda Harris to Aleister Crowley, January 28, 1940.
This card is so rich in symbolism, both traditional and Thelemic, that it is difficult to know where to begin. However, one thing is immediately obvious: this is not the Pope of the Aeon of Osiris. The entire map depicts the sanctuary of the Hierophant of Aeon Horus, and this fellow is not without a certain sex appeal.
Instead of a pale, serious prelate “not of this world” performing some sedate ceremony, we are presented with the exciting image of a daring and self-confident Babylonian king-priest - an initiator in every sense of the word. Instead of obedient servants bowing before the Hierophant of the Aeon of Osiris, in this card the Hierophant is actively supported in his labors by the Scarlet Woman, armed with a sword, the personification of the heavenly Venus, ruler of Taurus: “Let the woman be girded with a sword before me,” commands the Book of the Law. “This woman is the image that Venus has now taken on in the new eon,” Crowley explains. “She is no longer just a vessel for her male complement, but is herself armed and warlike.”
In her other hand is the Moon, exalted in the sign of Taurus. The idea of an initiatory love affair is also clearly emphasized in the symbolism of the window through which the sanctuary is illuminated. Crowley describes it this way:
“This symbolism develops in the decor of the window, where behind the phallic headdress one can see an open rose with five petals. The symbolic meaning of the snake and dove is associated with the following verse from the Book of the Law: “... there is love - and love. There is a dove and there is a serpent" (verse 57, chapter 1)."
The window is secured with nine nails: nine is the number of the ninth sephira, Yesod, the sphere of the Moon. The Hierophant's Sanctuary (like any self-respecting sanctuary) is guarded by four Kerubic animals. I think it is worth considering here one of Lady Harris's supposed mistakes, namely, what at first glance may seem to be a confusion in the arrangement of these four animals.
The four Kerubic animals are symbols of the four fixed signs of the zodiac: Leo (fixed Fire sign, symbolically represented by the lion), Scorpio (fixed Water sign, symbolized by the eagle), Aquarius (fixed Air sign, symbolized by the human or angel). ) and Taurus (a fixed Earth sign, symbolically represented in the form of a bull). In Tarot cards, since the earliest decks, Kerubic animals have traditionally been placed at the corners of the various major arcana (most often the Wheel of Fortune and the World). The placement of these four animals in older decks is almost uniform: the lion, the symbol of Leo, is placed in the lower right corner; the eagle, the symbol of Scorpio, is in the upper right; a man or angel, the symbol of Aquarius, is in the upper left, and a bull, the symbol of Taurus, is in the lower right. This distribution is quite logical, because it reflects the natural order of the fixed signs in the zodiac.
However, Freda Harris breaks this tradition. On the maps of the Hierophant and the Universe, she places the Kerubic animals in a different way. The bull and lion still occupy their traditional corners, but the angel and eagle switch places. Is it possible that Lady Harris had no idea about the order of the signs of the zodiac and that Crowley would not have noticed such an oversight when it came to two such important arcana? Or perhaps the order of the zodiac signs changed in the Aeon of Horus? Neither one nor the other. In the New Aeon, it was not the order of the zodiac signs that changed, but the correspondence of the Kerubim symbols.
In Crowley's vision of the twenty-third Enochian Ether, it is revealed that the emblem of Aquarius, the fixed sign of Air, is now the eagle, and the emblem of Scorpio, the fixed sign of Water, is the angel:
“The Beast and the Scarlet Woman correspond to Leo and Scorpio. They are the dual Supreme Servants of the Temple in the New Aeon of Heru-Ra-Ha. (Note that in the 23rd Ether, Eagle-Kerub is Aquarius. Scorpio is Snake Woman. This is important because in the past Eagle corresponded to Scorpio.).” (“Vision and Voice”).
The Hierophant's throne is supported on both sides by elephants. He himself sits on the bull Taurus. In his right hand he holds a staff crowned with three rings, which symbolize the origin of the Aeon of Horus from the previous Aeons of Isis and Osiris. The Hierophant's left hand is open in a gesture of blessing.
All this imagery of the New Aeon is beautiful, but one should not lose sight of the fact that the Hierophant is Vav from Yod-He-Vav-He, the Tetragrammaton. He is the six of divine macrocosmic consciousness, to which we must “nail” the five of our earthly, microcosmic consciousness. He is the Prince Charming of the cosmic fairy tale, our Sacred Guardian Angel. The degree of initiation at which knowledge and conversation with the Holy Guardian Angel is achieved is symbolically represented in this card by the union of the pentagram and hexagram. Our microcosmic self is a dancing child inscribed in the pentagram on the macrocosmic chest of the Hierophant. The hexagram covers the entire figure of the Hierophant.
Translator's Notes
Arthur Stanley Eddington (1882-1944) - English astrophysicist, researcher of the movements, structure and pulsations of stars, the physics of stellar atmospheres, the structure of stellar systems, etc. In the last years of his life he worked on the creation of a unified physical theory based on quantum mechanics, the general theory of relativity and the theory expansion of the Universe. Crowley was deeply interested in the works of Eddington and some other modern physicists and mathematicians, drew inspiration from them and found parallels and confirmations of his own teaching.
Heru-Ra-Ha - in the system of Thelema, a syncretic deity that combines two aspects of Horus: active (Horus the Elder, Ra-Horakhty, or Ra-Garahuti, lit. “Ra - Horus of the Horizon”, - Lord of the New Aeon, Crowned and Victorious Child) and passive (Horus-pa-herd, Hellenic. Harpocrates, lit. “Horus the child”, according to the Hellenistic tradition interpreted as the personification of silence and mystery; sometimes understood as Ra-Horakhty in a childish form, and sometimes as the son of Ra- Khorakhti). In general, Heru-Ra-Ha represents the Thelemic male Trinity: Heru (Horus) is the Victorious Son, Ra is the fiery Father, Ha is the joyful Spirit.
Lon Milo Duquette. Understanding Aleister Crowley's Thoth Tarot. Weiser Books, 2003.
Translation: Anna Blaze, 2007.
PAN'S ASYLUM Lodge O.T.O.
Aleister Crowley "BOOK OF THOTH"
V. HIEROPHANT
This card corresponds to the letter Vau, whose name means "nail". Nine nails are visible at the top of the card; they hold the window behind the main figure of the painting.
The card correlates with Taurus, so the Hierophant's throne is surrounded by elephants, which have a Taurus nature, and he himself actually sits on a bull. Around him are four animals called Cherubim, one in each corner of the card. These are the guardians of any sanctuary, but here their importance lies primarily in the fact that they point to one specific sacrament, to the main goal and essence of all magical work - the unification of the microcosm with the macrocosm. Therefore, the window is ghostly, and in front of the Manifestation of the Sacrament is visible a hexagram representing the macrocosm. In its center there is a pentagram with a dancing boy. It symbolizes the law of the new Zone of Horus-Child, which replaced the Aeon of the “Dying God”, which ruled the world for two thousand years. In front of the Hierophant is a woman with a sword; in the hierarchy of the new Zon she represents the Scarlet Woman. This symbolism is developed further in the window, where a five-petalled rose in bloom is visible behind the Hierophant's phallic headdress.
The images of the serpent and dove refer to verse 57 of the first chapter of the Book of the Law: “There is love and love. There is a dove and there is a snake."
We will meet this symbol again in trump number XVI.
The background of the entire map is dark blue; it is the color of the starry night Nuit, from whose womb all phenomena are born.
Taurus, the zodiac sign of this card, is itself the Bull Cherub, that is, the Earth element in its strongest and most balanced form.
This sign is ruled by Venus; she is represented by a woman before the Hierophant.
In the chapter III of the Book of the Law (verse 11) it says: “Let the woman gird herself with a sword before me.” This woman is Venus, and she is now in the New Zone; she is no longer just a vessel for a man, but is armed and warlike.
The Moon is exalted in this sign; her influence is represented not only by the female figure, but also by the nine nails.
At present it is impossible to explain this card in all its details, for only the further course of events will show the fate of the new stream of initiation.
Now is the Eon of Horus, the Child. Although the Hierophant's face seems gracious and smiling, and the Child himself seems happy in his immoral innocence, it is difficult to deny that there is something mysterious and even sinister in the expression of the Initiator's face. He seems to be enjoying a very secret joke on someone. There is something distinctly sadistic about this card, and not coincidentally, since its plot originates in the myth of Pasiphae, the prototype of all legends about the Bull gods. These legends have been preserved in religions such as Shaivism, and even (after numerous distortions) in Christianity itself.
The symbolism of the Wand is unusual; the three intersecting rings at its top may represent the three Zones - Isis, Osiris and Horus. The upper ring is marked with the crimson of Horus, and the lower two with the green of Isis and the pale yellow of Osiris. And all these colors are applied over the dark indigo color of Saturn, the Lord of Time. For the rhythm of the Hierophant is such that he moves only at intervals of 2000 years.