Hierophant as Hopes and Fears (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 Hopes and Fears

If you are asking about hopes, and you draw the Hierophant, it means that you’re seeking wisdom, guidance, and the comfort of tradition or conventional values to navigate your current situation. This card suggests a desire to follow a path that is well-trodden and supported by established norms, indicating that you may find solace and success in adhering to traditional methods and wisdom. It encourages you to seek out mentors or guides who can offer you the wisdom of experience, helping you to make decisions that are aligned with your core values and the greater good.

The Hierophant as fears can represent fears of orthodoxy, conventionalism stifling individuality, or being judged by traditional standards. This indicates a tension between the desire to belong or to follow a prescribed path and the fear that such conformity may erase personal uniqueness. It serves as a reminder to balance respect for tradition with the need for personal authenticity, suggesting that true wisdom lies in integrating established values with one’s own individual perspective.

If you are asking about a romantic relationship, the Hierophant in the hopes and fears position means you value shared beliefs and traditions in your relationship, yet fear that too strict adherence to these could suppress personal expression. This card underscores the importance of finding common ground in core values and traditions, while also acknowledging the need for flexibility and space for individual identities within the relationship. It suggests that a harmonious balance between shared values and personal freedom can foster a deep and meaningful partnership.

If you are asking about an ex, the Hierophant in the hopes and fears position means there’s a reflection on the shared values that once brought you together, with a concern that these same values might have ultimately led to separation. This card invites you to consider how alignment or misalignment in core beliefs and traditions played a role in your relationship, offering insights into what you truly value in a partner. It encourages a thoughtful evaluation of how to better align your future relationships with your deepest convictions and desires.

If you are asking about a friend or family member, the Hierophant in the hopes and fears position means you appreciate their moral support and guidance but worry about the pressures of conforming to their expectations. This card highlights the value of wisdom and guidance from those we respect, while also recognizing the importance of maintaining one’s own voice and path. It suggests finding a balance between honoring their influence and staying true to your own journey and beliefs.

If you are asking about career and financial matters, the Hierophant in the hopes and fears position means you’re looking for a career path or financial decisions that align with your values, yet fear being confined by traditional paths that may not fully suit your aspirations. This card indicates a desire for stability and success through conventional means, but also a concern that such paths might limit your potential for personal fulfillment and growth. It encourages you to seek out avenues that offer both security and the opportunity to express your unique talents and values, suggesting that true satisfaction comes from aligning your professional life with your personal convictions.

Hierophant Reversed as Hopes and Fears

If you are asking about hopes, and you draw the Hierophant reversed, it means that you’re seeking freedom from traditional constraints and looking to find your own path or set of beliefs that better align with your personal truth. This card signifies a journey towards self-discovery, encouraging you to question established norms and to explore alternative perspectives. It highlights the importance of authenticity and the courage to stand by your convictions, even when they diverge from mainstream expectations.

The Hierophant reversed as fears can represent fears of societal rejection or the consequences of straying from conventional norms and expectations. This suggests an inner conflict between the desire to follow your own truth and the worry about being alienated for doing so. It serves as a reminder to weigh the value of personal integrity against the comfort of conformity, challenging you to find balance between individuality and belonging.

If you are asking about a romantic relationship, the Hierophant reversed in the hopes and fears position means you desire a relationship that breaks from traditional models or expectations, yet worry about the stability and acceptance of unconventional dynamics. This card reflects a longing for a partnership that is built on shared unconventional values or lifestyles, while also acknowledging concerns about societal acceptance and the long-term viability of such relationships. It encourages embracing the uniqueness of your relationship while finding ways to ensure its strength and resilience.

If you are asking about an ex, the Hierophant reversed in the hopes and fears position means there’s a reflection on the ways traditional expectations may have constrained the relationship, with a concern about repeating these patterns. This card invites you to consider how conforming to societal norms may have limited the authenticity and growth of the relationship, urging you to learn from this experience. It suggests the importance of prioritizing personal truths and mutual respect in future relationships over external expectations.

If you are asking about a friend or family member, the Hierophant reversed in the hopes and fears position means you value your unique bond that defies conventional labels or roles, yet fear judgment or misunderstanding from the outside world. This card emphasizes the significance of nurturing relationships that honor individuality and personal expression, while also recognizing the challenge of facing societal scrutiny. It encourages standing firm in the value of your unconventional connections, affirming their importance regardless of external opinions.

If you are asking about career and financial matters, the Hierophant reversed in the hopes and fears position means you’re aiming for innovative or unconventional career paths that reflect your true self, yet fear the risk and unpredictability that come with such choices. This card symbolizes the desire to carve out a professional identity that is authentically yours, challenging traditional career trajectories. It advises careful planning and self-belief as you navigate the uncertainties of pursuing a path less traveled, highlighting the potential for fulfillment and success on your own terms.

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.