A Personal Journey Through the Tarot: Hierophant and the Fives

Strict Discipline 

The Hierophant’s entire purpose is to revel in the glory of God. The word itself stems from the ancient greek: ta hiera, “the holy”, and phainein, “to show”. Not only does the Hierophant want to revel in the glory but he also wants to show everyone else that this is the ultimate and only way to exist. We soften the Hierophant in readings to talk about institutionalized leaning, but inherent within any institution is the “us vs. them” mentality that inevitably leads to conflict. Today we are all acutely aware of where this Zealot mindset takes us. It is illustrated magnificently in the Fives.

The Five of Pentacles is the Zealot declaring that no other physical consideration is as important as the institution and philosophy he represents.

The Five of Cups is the Zealot declaring that suffering is inevitable in the pursuit of the glory of his philosophy. 

The Five of Air is the Zealot stating that above all else his philosophy is the correct and only one and anyone who does not believe is the enemy and needs to be defeated. 

The Five of Wands is the Zealot acting out his extremism in the ego driven mania that arises from this type of exclusivity. 

Today I contemplate the Hierophant and the Fives. Have I become so inflexible in my beliefs and assumptions that I would rather suffer the consequences then reconsider my position? Is my ego so fragile that I need to be conceded to in all aspects of my life? Is it my way or the highway?