Week VI | The Heirophant | Class

[mol]

Here is the next card...for the weekend!

http://www.mysticwicks.com/img/tarot/riderwaite_heirophant.gif

Commence discussion!

[Dagda Moon~Lily]

Okay, I must admit, I've been working on him lately and know that the keywords are: Belief system, group identification, and education. This card represents intiations. (I have such a hard time remember this one....but I think I will be fine now with him!) ;)


Dagda

[Shatav]

Okay, here we go...

I'll get the posts rolling with one observation: three crosses down his sash, the holy trinity. (I'm sure we can already surmise he's some sort of Holy Christian? in high power.) He understands all the facets of the trinity in all it's forms.

Next...

[Rosabelle]

Originally posted by Shatav

I'll get the posts rolling with one observation: three crosses down his sash, the holy trinity. (I'm sure we can already surmise he's some sort of Holy Christian? in high power.) He understands all the facets of the trinity in all it's forms.

Next...
yeh, i noticed that!!! :) the stalf (please, someone tell me how to spell that!) which he is holding, at the top looks like one of the druidic runes, but i bet there is nothing to do with it.
there are two monks at the bottom on the card facing the person. i suppose this also shows a christian aspect of the card. i dont understand, why are there christian things on a Tarot card. i thought Tarot was just Pagan (i'm probebly wrong again, but dont think i'm stupid please :) just explain to me because my small brain is new to all this)
The sign he is making with his right hand looks similar to my Brownie and Guide sign, which was a little group i went to when i was little (it is supposed to be linked to a church, but most of us were Athiests, hehe)
accept, we has 3 fingers up, not 2. I couldnt help but notice the spelling of Hierophant, has that got anything to do with hierachy??
There are 2 pillars either side him and they are made of stone or marble (well...........something hard).
As well as there being 3 crosses, there are three....things which look like pins coming out of the top of his headdress. Is that linked with the Trinity too?
Wow! i think this is the longest description i have done for the Tarot lessons :)
Rosabelle

[Polaris]

MM
sorry i have missed about 3 weeks(stupid me-i may be a star but not a very bright one!)well, here it goes:::

right-he has also 2 clums but i dont think they are v. significant. there are two people bowing to him and at the bottom there are 2 crossed keys, maybe meaning paths and/or answers. he is wearing a royal red and he has a staff-type thing which has 3 parrallel lines on it, and that is a symbol used instead of the traditional christian cross. he has the 3 crosses-the holy trinity-and they may also be linked to the staff. this is a kind of difficult one, as it is kind of non-descript. it doesnt really say any thing to me.

poem time:

father,son, holy ghost
3 crosses, 3 the most
2 to bow and 2 to cross
the paths and answers of the lost
1 to rule them one to wave
one to see the end of days.
see the staff and see the crown
see the pillars see the ground
see the red and see the white
see the day and see the night.

(the first bit sounds very tolkiny(as in JRR tolkien)- you know the lord of the rings bit-but the other bit sound just like me.comments please!)

yours shining

Polaris

[eaglewolf]

Rosabelle, it is " staff " ~ you asked ;).

Hierophant

1. An ancient Greek priest who interpreted sacred mysteries, especially the priest of the Eleusinian mysteries.

2. An interpreter of sacred mysteries or arcane knowledge.

3. One who explains or makes a commentary.

If that helps any... or is even relevant ;).

~ew

[Rosabelle]

Originally posted by Rosabelle
I couldnt help but notice the spelling of Hierophant, has that got anything to do with hierachy??

i am still wondering this. anyone got any answer for it??
oh and thankyou for the spelling correction eaglewolf!:) much appreciated!:)
Rosabelle

[Semele]

The wird hierophant belonged to the high priest of the greek Eleusinian mysteries. I think it has a lot to do with hiearchy Rosy!!

The keys at his feet may represent the inner and outer ways or the sun and moon or God and Goddess...etc.

The idea of trinity is represented several times througout the major arcana by the positioning of the characters. One in the center and two below, kneeling of worshiping if you will. This could be the traditional Christian motiff of trinity or even the id/ego/superego from Freud, or the conscious/unconscious /superconscious..maid / mother / crone...the list is endless.

Inreadings, for me, this card represents religion or church doctrine...education in general.

He is kind of like the priest or preacher...helping us to find our way to "heaven" or salvation. We may view him as a friend that we trust completely, or we may view him as an opressor who judges us and looks down on our sinful ways. The way we react to his image and presence is the key to his interpretation.

Semele

[Wildwood]

Me again

Goodness I have been busy tonight.

I guess, I'll bring up the Arthurian stuff.

The Hierophant is Taliesin.
This figure was a child who accidentally splashed himself with
a potion of knowledge that the great witch Ceridwen had been
brewing for her son. She eventually ate him and then gave
birth to him as Taliesin. He was supposed to be a bard.
Thus he is smart and has bardic links associated with all
the knowledge that they imparted.
In the Rider-Waite deck I get the feeling that the
Hierophant is the keeper of secre mysteries, whereas the
imagery in my deck is less establishment (although that
said the order of bards, was rigidly establishment but that
doesn't really come through in the picture).

Taliesin is sitting outside with his harp in his lap surrounded
by children who are all reaching out to him in one way or
another. He appears to be their teacher.
There is again a lot of greenary in the image and to the left
side of him (looking at him) there seems to be several
rock statutes sitting on a miniture waterfall pouring through
a hole in the rock. One of the
statutes looks at lot like the horned god, possibly even Pan.
They other statues remind me a bit of the statutes at
Easter Island.

I see this card with a very slight conflict, Taliesin is imparting
his knowledge in an outside classroom, teaching the children
freely, and with a patient expression on his face. Yet I imagine
that the bards had a fierce hierarchy, and organisational
structure which had to be adhered to. So perhaps this card
represents the fact that with knowledge comes a necessity
for discipline and organisation

According to Anna-Marie ferguson the harp is replacing the
keys which are usually on the hierophant card (I notice them
on the Rider-Waite version) which represent the
keys to the underworld. This also seems to me to be a reference
to the ability of music to unlock emotion and hearts.

Phew, I'm tired out now.

See you soon.

Wildwood

[Dagda Moon~Lily]

:)

Ps: I also have a couple other decks.....if anyone would like to see any of them, I'll gladly scan them up....just pick a card! The decks I have are: Arthurian Legend, Robin Wood, Rider Waite, Witch's Tarot, Tarot Classic, Dragon Tarot, and the Cosmic Tribe Tarot (<---this one is graphic so I will not post them, but I will send them via e-mail to any one wishing to pre-view them).
Just let me know!


:D

[BrightStar]

Hi all!
In The Witches' Tarot there is no Hierophant!It's The High Priest instead.He's an older fella,with long white hair and a flowing white beard in a white robe.We view him from profile.In his hands is an athame and we see a pair of hands holding a chalice as if the wine is about to be blessed.A purple curtain is behind with parts of a blue orb at top and bottom.
I see him as great learning.Also as very balanced and in touch with Goddess energy.
The booklet says"The Querent brings great energy to a project,although others may be needed to organize.
I see The Hierophant as shown here as Great Wisdom.One whom seekers come to question.I don't see the 2 men as monks at all,there to finely dressed,most likely nobles.His robe of red I see as action.He's not one to rely on words alone.
Peace and Love
Rain BrightStar

[BrightStar]

Hi all!
Semele,when are you going to give us a really cool explanation for this card.I love the explanations you do!Write them down by hand in my Tarot notebook.
Peace and Love
Rain BrightStar

[Semele]

Well hhhhmmmmm... lets see. Let me point out the theme of three people or figures in this card. Also seen in some of the previous cards as well as some yet to come. I think this is an important symbol representing a number of things. For me, I like to think of it as the father, mother, and child. There are several different things it could symbolize. Make up your own mind what you feel the message here is.

This card, no doubt, stands for church or doctrine, maybe even dogma. But I tend to view this card as more of a guide here to help us find our own ways through spirituality, rather than tell us what is right. Note this cards similarity to the High Priestess. The pillars are present although not black and ahite, but grey. To me this is a mixture of both black and white. Also there is no veil present in this card leading me to think that there is a way to learn what you need to know with the combination of both conscious and subconscious. Often, for me, he symbolizes the presence of someone or something in your life that is there to help you discover something, we just have to recognize it as such.

Well that's my input and now I will share some key words and description from Joan Bunning.

Enjoy

Semele

ACTIONS

getting an education
pursuing knowledge
becoming informed
increasing understanding
studying and learning
seeking a deeper meaning
finding out more

having a belief system
sharing a cultural heritage
learning a religious tradition
honoring ritual and ceremony
identifying a world view
following a discipline
knowing where to put your faith

conforming
following the rules
taking an orthodox approach
staying within conventional bounds
adapting to the system
fitting in
going along with the program
doing what's expected
being part of the Establishment

identifying with a group
being committed to a cause
devoting energy to a group
joining an organization
working as part of a team
feeling loyal to others
being in an institutionalized setting


DESCRIPTION

Except in rare cases, every human grows and develops within a culture. We learn by living with others. The Hierophant represents such official learning, especially in groups. A Hierophant is someone who interprets secret knowledge. On Card 5 we see a religious figure in a formal church setting. He is wearing the elaborate vestments of his office. His task is to bring the two initiates into the church so they can take up their appointed roles.

Besides churches, there are schools, clubs, teams, companies, and societies. The Hierophant represents all of these because his realm is structured groups with rules and assigned roles. Such environments emphasize belief systems - facts, rules, procedures, and ritual. Members are rewarded for following conventions. They develop a group identity. The Hierophant is one of three cards that focuses on the group. (The 3 of Cups and the 3 of Pentacles are the others.)

In readings, the Hierophant often represents learning with experts or knowledgeable teachers. This card also stands for institutions and their values. The Hierophant is a symbol of the need to conform to rules or fixed situations. His appearance in a reading can show that you are struggling with a force that is not innovative, free-spirited or individual. Groups can be enriching or stifling, depending on circumstances. Sometimes we need to follow a program or embrace tradition, other times, we need to trust ourselves.

[Jazzmine]

Since yesterday I have been trying to catch up with these classes. SORRY!!!! Better late than never. Anyway,
along with BrightStar, I have the Witches Tarot, and The High Priest to me represents the teacher. If I were in a coven the High Priestess and High Priest would be giving the knowledge to their students, right? Anyway, to me the silver robe he and the female who is holding the chalice(I think that it would be the High Priestess), stands for a kind of purity. His long silver hair and beard show a lot of wisdom also. This is one of my most favorite cards. I just love him.

[Tigerwallah]

Rosabell, I did a little research on the word Hierophant to see it's origins, and they are definately Pagan. According to Merriam Webster Dictionary, a Hierophant is a Grecian High Preist who is concerned with the Eleusinian Mysteries. I reaserch Eleusinian and found out that it was a word relating to the mysteries and worship of Demeter and Persephone. Any similarities to the Christian religion, are (in my opinion) due to the fact that many Pagan symbols were adapted by Christianity - it was easier to convert the people if you didn't change things too much. Someone mentioned the three crosses being symbolic of the trinity, well many pagan religions had a trinity or trine as well - being "Mother, Father, and Son" that was later changed to "Father, Son, and Holy Spirit." The Holy Spirit thing was a non-entity added to usurp the position of the Goddess. Hope this was helpful.

[Illyandra]

The Hierophant to me represents the reasons I quit walking the strict fundie christian paths taught me by my Mother and Grandparents.....

Organized religion...Dogma...the catholic hierarchy of the church. He is an austure religious leader....waited on by his lessers, but he has the look of having no true spiritual enlightenment whatsoever! He is an icon, a celebrity, a household name; and thinks himself better than all and closest to Diety than anyone else.

He parades around in the trappings of his station, the mantle he wears shouts to all who sees him of his piousness, yet he fails to leave his vestments behind for nary a second because it makes him vulnerable and takes him out of the spotlight. He physically dons his spirituality and holiness when he puts on his robes.

Remeber sometimes the garments do make the man...LOL!

I see conceit and pride, function but not true participation, authority that must be recognized at all times.

This is a very annoying card for me....to be blunt it symbolizes illusions.

[Dagda Moon~Lily]

Since I know you....I totally agree with your interpretation!

Great insight!

[Tigerwallah]

Jeez, does that sound familiar. I was raised Catholic, and you?

[Illyandra]

... because Dad was and he even forced Mom to convert before they were married, but my older sister was the only one to be baptized. We never saw the inside of a church until I was a teenager and my Dad had left my mother. That is one reason for not wanting much to do with organized religion....

the other reasons I will post in the forum 'New Pagans' because it will be way too long to post here! :D

[Dagda Moon~Lily]

~*BUMP*~