Hierophant as External Influences (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 External Influences

If you are asking about external influences, and you draw the Hierophant, it means that traditional values, established norms, or institutional influences are significantly shaping your current path or decisions. This suggests that your situation is being guided or constrained by the expectations and rules of the society or community you belong to. It’s a call to consider how much these external standards align with your personal values and whether they support or hinder your growth.

The Hierophant as external influences can represent people such as spiritual leaders, mentors who adhere to traditional values, or authoritative figures within established institutions influencing your life. These individuals may offer wisdom and guidance based on long-standing traditions and practices. While their advice can provide a sense of direction and stability, it’s important to discern which aspects resonate with your own beliefs and which may require a more personalized approach.

If you are asking about a romantic relationship, the Hierophant as external influences means that conventional expectations or societal norms are playing a crucial role in the development or challenges within the relationship. This can manifest as pressure to conform to certain relationship milestones, behaviors, or roles dictated by cultural or family expectations. Navigating these influences requires open communication with your partner to ensure that your relationship reflects your mutual values rather than external dictates.

If you are asking about an ex, the Hierophant in the external influences position means that societal or cultural expectations might be influencing your perceptions or actions regarding the past relationship. These influences could be shaping your feelings about what the relationship represented or why it ended, possibly imposing a sense of failure or regret based on external standards. Reflecting on these influences can help you to understand your own needs and desires more clearly, separate from societal expectations.

If you are asking about a friend or family member, the Hierophant in the external influences position means that their adherence to traditional values or societal norms is impacting your relationship with them. Their commitment to these principles may create tension if your views diverge, especially in areas such as lifestyle choices, beliefs, or priorities. Finding common ground or agreeing to respect differences can help to maintain a harmonious relationship despite these disparities.

If you are asking about career and financial matters, the Hierophant in the external influences position means that traditional approaches, established systems, or mentorship within your field are guiding your career decisions and financial planning. This influence suggests that adhering to proven strategies and seeking advice from experienced professionals can provide a solid foundation for success. However, it’s also worth considering how innovation and personal vision can be integrated within these frameworks to fully realize your potential.

Hierophant Reversed as External Influences

If you are asking about external influences, and you draw the Hierophant reversed, it means that there is a challenge to conventional wisdom, traditional values, or an institutional structure in your current situation. This suggests a period of questioning and reevaluation, where you or those around you may feel compelled to break away from the norms and expectations that have previously guided your actions. It’s an indication that following a path less trodden or adopting unconventional methods could be beneficial or necessary to achieve your goals.

The Hierophant reversed as external influences can represent people such as non-conformists, individuals challenging societal norms, or those encouraging you to question established systems and beliefs. These influences might come from mentors who advocate for thinking outside the box, friends who live by their own rules, or public figures who inspire you to question the status quo. Their presence in your life serves as a catalyst for personal growth and self-discovery, pushing you to explore beliefs and values that resonate more deeply with your true self.

If you are asking about a romantic relationship, the Hierophant reversed as external influences means that there is a push against traditional relationship models or expectations, urging you to find your own path. This could manifest in choosing to define your relationship in a way that differs from societal norms or family expectations, such as eschewing marriage for a more fluid partnership, or embracing non-monogamy. The key is to communicate openly and honestly with your partner to ensure that your relationship structure aligns with the needs and values of all involved.

If you are asking about an ex, the Hierophant reversed in the external influences position means that the breaking of traditional bonds or expectations is influencing your perspective on the relationship. This reflection could lead to a deeper understanding of why the relationship did not conform to conventional expectations and may provide a sense of closure or a new direction for personal growth. It’s a reminder that not all relationships fit into a traditional mold, and sometimes breaking away from these expectations is necessary for true happiness.

If you are asking about a friend or family member, the Hierophant reversed in the external influences position means that their rejection of conventional values or norms is affecting your dynamics with them. This could create tension if your values clash, or it might inspire you to reconsider your own beliefs and attitudes. Embracing this opportunity for open dialogue and mutual understanding can strengthen your relationship, allowing both parties to grow and learn from each other’s perspectives.

If you are asking about career and financial matters, the Hierophant reversed in the external influences position means that innovative approaches or questioning established career paths and financial strategies are necessary for progress. This might involve exploring new industries, starting your own business, or investing in unconventional ways. The presence of this card encourages you to trust your instincts and to be bold in making decisions that reflect your unique vision and values, rather than adhering strictly to traditional routes to success.

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.