Hierophant as a Woman (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 a Woman

If the Hierophant appears in a Tarot spread as a woman, that means that this person is a spiritual guide, traditionalist, and moral compass. She embodies the essence of established systems and teachings, guiding others to find their path within the bounds of a particular tradition or belief system. Her wisdom is derived from time-tested philosophies, making her a reliable resource for ethical or spiritual dilemmas.

For physical characteristics, the Hierophant as a woman represents someone who is graceful and composed; her eyes are comforting, her voice melodic, she tastes like herbal tea, and she smells of incense and old scriptures. Her gaze radiates a warmth that puts people at ease, inviting them to share their concerns and questions openly. Her touch is gentle, and a taste of her herbal tea is like a sip of ancient wisdom; calming and enlightening. When she walks into a room, it’s as if the air itself becomes saturated with the scent of sandalwood incense and old parchment, symbolizing her connection to age-old wisdom.

For emotional characteristics, the Hierophant as a woman represents someone who is emotionally stable, nurturing, and wise. She offers emotional support rooted in the ethical or spiritual systems she adheres to, giving people a framework for understanding their own feelings and challenges. She is unflappable in the face of emotional turbulence, serving as a grounding force for those who seek her counsel.

Astrologically, the Hierophant as a woman represents someone who is likely to have strong Taurus or Jupiter placements, emphasizing practicality and wisdom. A Taurus Sun or Moon could make her a patient and deliberate communicator, while a prominent Jupiter—perhaps in Sagittarius or Pisces—amplifies her wisdom and moral integrity. These placements also indicate her tendency to hold traditional views and serve as a teacher or moral compass to others.

For careers, the Hierophant can represent a woman who works as a religious leader, educator, or moral philosopher. She thrives in environments where she can provide guidance and share wisdom, such as a church, a classroom, or even an ethics think tank. Her vocational choices reflect her deeply ingrained belief in the importance of moral or spiritual guidelines for a fulfilling life.

The Hierophant as a woman represents someone who makes you feel guided and morally anchored. Her presence has the capacity to make the chaos of the world seem manageable, as she offers time-tested frameworks for understanding complex issues. She inspires you to ponder on your own values, ethics, and belief systems, encouraging you to cultivate your inner compass.

Hierophant Reversed as a Woman

If the Hierophant reversed appears in a Tarot spread as a woman, that means that this person is rebellious, unconventional, or possibly dogmatic. She challenges established norms and traditions, either for the sake of innovation or due to her own rigid interpretation of spiritual or moral law. She can be a catalyst for change, but her methods and ideas may not always be well-received or constructive.

For physical characteristics, the Hierophant reversed as a woman represents someone who is unpredictable and eclectic; her eyes are restless, her voice is inconsistent, she tastes sharp, and she may smell of mixed fragrances clashing. Her gaze darts around the room, rarely making sustained eye contact, as if constantly searching for the next radical idea or confrontation. Her voice can vary from a gentle murmur to a loud exclamation in the span of a single conversation, reflecting her inner emotional turbulence. Her touch might feel abrupt, while a taste of her presence could remind you of strong spices or astringent flavors, unexpected and intense. As for scent, her aroma consists of a conflicting blend of perfumes, essential oils, or incense, which can feel disorienting.

For emotional characteristics, the Hierophant reversed as a woman represents someone who is emotionally confused or overly rigid. She may struggle with internal contradictions, torn between her desire for freedom and her adherence to a specific, dogmatic set of beliefs. This emotional inconsistency makes her both compelling and difficult to understand, or even trust.

Astrologically, the Hierophant reversed as a woman represents someone who is likely to have challenging Taurus or Jupiter aspects, indicating a break from tradition or misuse of teachings. For example, a Taurus Sun square Jupiter could indicate an internal tension between her natural inclination toward stability (Taurus) and an excessive or misguided sense of freedom (Jupiter). Other difficult aspects, like squares or oppositions involving Uranus, may underline her rebelliousness or erratic behavior.

For careers, the Hierophant reversed can represent a woman who works as a discredited spiritual advisor, a failed academic, or a divisive social commentator. She may have started with good intentions, aiming to bring fresh perspectives into traditional fields, but her controversial or extreme views could result in professional disrepute or failure. Her career path may be fraught with controversies and frequent shifts as she seeks to find the right platform for her unconventional ideas.

The Hierophant reversed as a woman represents someone who makes you feel unsettled or ideologically challenged. Her presence can be disruptive, forcing you to question your deeply-held beliefs and values. However, this disruption may not necessarily lead to growth or enlightenment, but rather leave you with a sense of confusion or moral ambiguity.

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.