BELIEF SYSTEMS
CONFORMITY
GROUP IDENTIFICATION
Except in rare cases, every human grows and develops within a culture. We learn by living with others. The Hierophant represents such official learning, especially in groups. A Hierophant is someone who interprets secret knowledge. On Card 5 we see a religious figure in a formal church setting.
He is wearing the elaborate vestments of his office. His task is to bring the two initiates into the church so they can take up their appointed roles.
Besides churches, there are schools, clubs, teams, companies, and societies. The Hierophant represents all these because his realm is structured in groups with rules and assigned roles. Such environments emphasize belief systems – facts, rules, procedures, and rituals.
Members are rewarded for following conventions. They develop a group identity. The Hierophant is one of three cards that focuses on the group. (The 3 of Cups and the 3 of Pentacles are the others.)
In readings, the Hierophant often represents learning with experts or knowledgeable teachers. This card also stands for institutions and their values. The Hierophant is a symbol of the need to conform to rules or fixed situations. His appearance in a reading can show that you are struggling with a force that is not innovative, free-spirited, or individual. Groups can be enriching or stifling, depending on circumstances. Sometimes we need to follow a program or embrace tradition, other times, we need to trust ourselves.
getting an education
- pursuing knowledge
- becoming informed
- increasing understanding
- studying and learning
- seeking a deeper meaning
- finding out more
having a belief system
- sharing a cultural heritage
- learning a religious tradition
- honoring ritual and ceremony
- identifying a world view
- following a discipline
- knowing where to put your faith
conforming
- following the rules
- taking an orthodox approach
- staying within conventional bounds
- adapting to the system
- fitting in
- going along with the program
- doing what’s expected
- being part of the Establishment
identifying with a group
- being committed to a cause
- devoting energy to a group
- joining an organization
- working as part of a team
- feeling loyal to others
- being in an institutionalized setting
Some possibilities
- Fool – being “crazy” and unorthodox
- Lovers – personal beliefs
- Two of Wands – diverging from the crowd, being a pioneer
- Seven of Swords – being a lone wolf
- Two of Pentacles – being flexible, changing with the times
Some possibilities
- Emperor – following rules
- Three of Cups – focusing on the group
- Three of Pentacles – working in a team or group
- Eight of Pentacles – learning, studying
- Ten of Pentacles – conforming, following rules, conservative
There are no separate explanations for reversed cards. The meaning of a reversed card depends on what the card would mean if upright. A reversed card shows that a card’s energy is present but at a lower level. For some reason, the energy cannot be expressed freely, normally, or completely. It may be:
- still in its early stages
- losing force and power
- blocked or restricted
- incomplete
- inappropriate
- being denied
- only present in appearance
See Lesson 17 for more information on reversed cards.