EDUCATION BELIEF SYSTEMS CONFORMITY GROUP IDENTIFICATION
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GETTING AN EDUCATION pursuing knowledge becoming informed increasing understanding studying and learning seeking a deeper meaning finding out more Reversed Early Phase: You may begin your studies. Someone may enter school. A thirst for knowledge may grow. You may need more information. A learning session may be about to start. Late Phase: A time of learning is ending. Your studies are over. Getting an education is no longer a priority. You found out what you needed to know. Understanding is decreasing. |
HAVING A BELIEF SYSTEM sharing a cultural heritage learning a religious tradition honoring ritual and ceremony identifying a worldview following a discipline knowing where to put your faith Reversed Early Phase: You may be forming a worldview. You're getting ready to follow a discipline. A ritual may be coming up. You may decide to learn a set of beliefs. Traditions may become more important. Late Phase: You're losing your beliefs. The traditional ways are no longer appealing. A way of life is disappearing. Your faith has been shaken. The old assumptions are less valid. |
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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 Reversed Early Phase: You may begin to go along with the program. You may start to be more conventional. People may become more orthodox. Someone may fall in line in the future. Late Phase: There's less conformity now. People are no longer abiding by the rules. The need to blend in is decreasing. The party line is losing its appeal. Someone is less obedient. |
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 Reversed Early Phase: You're thinking of joining a group. You may become part of a team. A spirit of community may be forming. Like-minded people may start coming together. You may decide to add your voice to others. Late Phase: You're separating from a group. The time of togetherness is ending. Your commitment to the mutual cause is fading. The team is dissolving. There's less commonality. |
Description
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 of these because his realm is structured groups with rules and assigned roles. Such environments emphasize belief systems—facts, rules, procedures, and ritual. Members are rewarded for following conventions. They develop a group identity. The Hierophant is one of three cards that focuses on the group. (The Three of Cups and the Three 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.
Some Possible Opposing Cards
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 Possible Reinforcing Cards
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
