The Hierophant holds the symbols of Papal office and at his feet are the crossed keys. As God’s representative on earth, he provides the keys to the kingdom and acts as a bridge between the world of the senses and the inner world of the spirit. The pillars represent the structure of the established church through which he upholds orthodox religion and accepted codes of behaviour.
This stage of the journey is about learning traditional values and morals. The Pope initiates the hero into the meaning of life and explains its secrets according to traditional teachings.
Here is where we develop a philosophy or formula for life and begin to discern the voice of our conscience. Now the hero can develop a moral framework by deepening his capacity for profound thought. But at this stage any ideas or insights will tend to stay bound within a traditional system. These ideas can become distorted into dogma and superstition if the orthodox approach isn’t questioned. The Pope may reveal hidden teachings and provide freedom through knowledge, but unless the hero is willing to seek answers for himself, he will not progress on the journey.
Keywords for The Hierophant:
- Convention
- Divine Law
- Conformity
- External authority
- The Establishment
- Wise counsel
Read the whole series here
First posted: https://jessicadavidson.co.uk/2014/07/17/tarot-heros-journey-the-hierophant/
