Hierophant as Obstacle or Challenge (Upright & Reversed) Tarot Card Meaning

The Hierophant is the card of traditions, education, faith, marriage, and spirituality. He is the male counterpart of the High Priestess. The Hierophant sits between two pillars. At his feet are two people who look to him for guidance and two keys representing the physical and spiritual realms. He presides over ceremony, kindness, charity, and metaphysical guidance.  

The Hierophant is conventional in his outlook on love, and he cherishes the stability of time-tested institutions, like religion, marriage, and childbirth. He serves the world in spiritual attunement by providing his flock of followers with rules and guidance. 

Upright Hierophant as Obstacle or Challenge

If you are asking about an obstacle or challenge, and you draw the Hierophant, it means that traditional values or rigid structures might be hindering your progress. This suggests that you could be held back by a conventional approach or by conforming to established norms that don’t serve your current situation. It may be beneficial to reassess these structures and values, and consider if a more flexible or unconventional approach might help you overcome the obstacle.

The Hierophant as an obstacle or challenge can represent an inflexible authority figure or an adherence to conventional norms that is limiting your growth. This implies that you could be dealing with an authority figure who is imposing rigid rules or expectations, or you may be bound by societal norms that aren’t conducive to your personal development. Overcoming this challenge involves asserting your individuality, challenging limiting beliefs, and being open to alternative perspectives.

If you are asking about a potential relationship, the Hierophant as an obstacle or challenge means that differing belief systems or strict expectations might hinder the development of a deeper connection. This could mean that you and your potential partner have different values or beliefs, or that rigid expectations are causing friction. Building a strong relationship in this situation would require open communication, understanding, and possibly compromise on matters of belief and expectation.

If you are asking about an existing relationship, the Hierophant as an obstacle or challenge means that a lack of flexibility or understanding in matters of tradition and values could create tension between partners. This suggests that rigid beliefs, strict adherence to tradition, or an unwillingness to compromise could be causing disagreements or dissatisfaction. To maintain harmony, both partners need to foster understanding, flexibility, and respect for each other’s values and traditions.

If you are asking about an ex, the Hierophant as an obstacle or challenge means that unresolved issues surrounding belief systems, traditions, or expectations may still be affecting your ability to move on. This could indicate that past disagreements over values or expectations are still lingering, preventing closure. Addressing these issues, understanding the role they played in the relationship, and learning from them can help you move on more effectively.

If you are asking about career and financial matters, the Hierophant as an obstacle or challenge means that strict hierarchies, outdated methods, or an overemphasis on tradition might be holding you back from success. This suggests that rigid organizational structures, traditional methods that no longer serve you, or a resistance to innovation could be hindering your progress. Overcoming this obstacle requires adaptability, creativity, and the courage to challenge the status quo when necessary.

Hierophant Reversed as Obstacle or Challenge

If you are asking about an obstacle or challenge, and you draw the Hierophant reversed, it means that rejecting tradition or authority might be creating difficulties in your situation. This suggests that your issue may stem from a refusal to adhere to established rules, norms, or structures that, although traditional, may have their relevance. To overcome this challenge, it’s important to strike a balance between maintaining your individuality and acknowledging the wisdom inherent in some traditions or authorities.

The Hierophant reversed as an obstacle or challenge can represent a resistance to guidance or an unwillingness to conform that is causing problems. This implies that your desire to buck the system or resist conventional wisdom might be leading to unnecessary difficulties. While it’s crucial to maintain your authenticity, it’s also important to consider whether there are beneficial aspects of guidance or conformity that you’re rejecting to your detriment.

If you are asking about a potential relationship, the Hierophant reversed as an obstacle or challenge means that rebellion against social norms or a disregard for each other’s values could impede a healthy relationship. This could create conflict if one or both partners insist on rejecting societal expectations or disrespecting the other’s values. For the relationship to thrive, it’s important for both parties to respect and value each other’s beliefs, even when they diverge from the norm.

If you are asking about an existing relationship, the Hierophant reversed as an obstacle or challenge means that a lack of respect for each other’s beliefs or traditions could lead to discord between partners. This suggests that the relationship could be strained by disagreements over values, traditions, or societal norms. To maintain harmony, it’s crucial for both partners to cultivate respect and understanding for each other’s individual beliefs and traditions.

If you are asking about an ex, the Hierophant reversed as an obstacle or challenge means that an unwillingness to compromise on matters of tradition or beliefs may have contributed to the end of the relationship and could still be affecting closure. This might mean that you’re still dealing with the fallout of these differences, which could be preventing you from fully moving on. Addressing and learning from these past issues can help you gain closure and grow from the experience.

If you are asking about career and financial matters, the Hierophant reversed as an obstacle or challenge means that breaking away from traditional methods or rejecting established norms might be creating instability or uncertainty in your professional life. This suggests that your desire for non-conformity or innovation might be causing disruption or uncertainty. While innovation and individuality are often beneficial, it’s also important to respect established methods that have proven their effectiveness, striking a balance between tradition and innovation.

Conclusion

For relationships and feelings, The Hierophant is a tricky card. At its best, it represents the highest form of spiritual, platonic love. This is the critical foundation for every great relationship and commitment, but it is not enough in itself. Some relationships are not meant to progress beyond just friends. As much as that can hurt in the moment, know that you are best served by meeting someone who is aligned with you at a soul level. You will have to judge what the Hierophant is trying to tell you by the context of your reading and relationship history. 

If you find yourself needing further clarity in your relationship matters that go beyond reading for yourself, Sibyl offers unlimited tarot readings on love & relationships, as a neutral and objective third party.