The Symbolism of the Hierophant in the Tarot

The Hierophant (V) is the fifth card of the Major Arcana in the Tarot. It represents the face of institutionalised, conventional religion and dogma, rather than the private, magical experiences of the mystery religions. He is certainly not the prince of occult doctrine. He is rather the summa totius theologiae, [the sum of all theology]. So the Hierophant is not the male equivalent of the High Priestess. Is the Hierophant even needed? It is argued that if one is to follow a spiritual path, teachers and guidance are needed - but the problem is where to look? How do you know the institution is going to help you and not hold you back? This is the first card with hierarchy represented and the Hierophant is the head of this hierarchy shown above his disciples and even on a throne! Notice, however, that he blocks the view beyond the pillars completely, no one is allowed to "see" what is beyond. The Hierophant is thus performing an identical role, symbolically, to the Devil! He is preventing the "unentitled" from "passing the portal". He is acting as The Gatekeeper. The problem of course is that he judges entitlement. His theology is all from books , none is first hand direct experience [revelation] and the Hierophant makes the decision on whether people are fit to be told the secrets his religion claims to possess. Beneath the Hierophant there may be two acolytes and their presence symbolises how knowledge is transferred - essentially preaching - but he stands in front of a mundane temple, a church or mosque, ashram or synagogue and there is no view. As Lunaea Weatherstone says "can the soul ever be constrained from what it seeks? The spirit may find human religion too confining when it commands rather than persuades… Only give your trust to teachers who are worthy of that great responsibility".
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CREDITS

PAINTINGS AND DRAWINGS
Jan van Eyck – The Madonna with Canon van der Paele and saint George
Coat of arms of pope Pius IX by John Woodward
A papal tiara adorned with sapphires, rubies, emeralds and other gems. St. Peter's Basilica, Vatican City – Matthias Kabel.
The family of Osiris. Osiris on a lapis lazuli pillar in the middle, flanked by Horus on the left and Isis on the right (22nd dynasty, Louvre, Paris)
John Knox preaching before the Lords of the Congregation, 10th June, 1559

VIDEO EFFECTS AND FOOTAGE

Free Stock Video - Tarot Cards Being Flipped Over
https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=Fs-XxsCNzSY

El Papa Joven. T1 Cap5, PíoXIII, discurso a los cardenales (parte2)
https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=Iy4_IMTfaEI

Pilgrimage to the Mahabodhi Temple
https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=mp7pVnwhigA

Rome, Italy | Vatican City | 4k
https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=4F53GALZlFU

Free Stock Videos - Hindu Temple and Hindu Religion ( No Copyright Video )
https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=CLcwwsiRkPI

MUSIC

00:00 Destination Unknown - Ugonna Onyekwe
01:35 Holiday Brass Ensemble - Doug Maxwell_Media Right Productions

03:50 Quiet by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 licence. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Artist: http://audionautix.com/

06:07 Laid Back Guitars by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 licence. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1100181
Artist: http://incompetech.com/

10:08 End of the Era by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 licence. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1100452
Artist: http://incompetech.com/

12:54 Destination Unknown - Ugonna Onyekwe