Divinatory meaning: Need for spiritual purpose, the search for a personal philosophy, or spiritual values.
THE HIEROPHANT
The Hierophant image depicts Chiron, the King of the Centaurs, a race of creatures who are half man and half horse. The Hierophant is an image of the quest for spiritual satisfaction and meaning in life. His quest for greater understanding of the inner world is more direct and straightforward than that of the mysterious High Priestess, whose elusive. World is not penetrable by the intellect alone. The Hierophant's energy is masculine, outgoing and assertive, like his earthly counterpart, the Emperor. The Emperor and the Empress make up the earthly parents of the conscious mind and material world, while the Hierophant and the High Priestess symbolise the spiritual parents of the unconscious inner world. The union of the earthly Emperor and Empress brings forth a physical child; the union of the celestial Hierophant and High Priestess produces the spiritual one. The combination of masculine and feminine produces a third entity. This process occurs within the psyche as well as literally.
The Hierophant is the spiritual teacher who seeks to find a connection between the world of men and that of the gods. He is a bridge builder, forging the link between our material and spiritual worlds. Thus the ancient word 'pontifex', or maker of bridges, was used to designate a priest. Chiron is not an orthodox priest, however, and does not represent orthodox religions. He lived in a cave, not a temple, and his instruction on spiritual understanding does not consist of dogma, but rather of bringing each individual pupil to his own encounter with the divine. As you consider the image of the centaur Chiron and begin your colouring exercise, think about your attitudes towards religion, orthodox or otherwise. What does God mean to you, if anything? It is helpful to reflect upon your spiritual upbringing or lack of it, and to allow yourself to ponder its validity or lack thereof Try to determine which of the values instilled in you by background or upbringing are truly appropriate for you. Unlike the High Priestess, the Hierophant offers many alternatives and choices which can be considered on an intellectual as well as spiritual level. In other words, the Priestess' realm is one of dream, fantasy and intuition, which cannot be clearly perceived by the conscious mind. The Hierophant, in contrast, is accessible through word, book, lecture or service. The options open to us are set out more lucidly and we can thus begin to formulate our own personal philosophy.
As you colour the Hierophant's image notice how your choice of colours reflect
your own thoughts about spirituality. Choose a key colour which can sum up the essence of the Hierophant for you. When you embark on your guided fantasy exercise imagine yourself to be with him in his cave. Start your conversation with he Hierophant. What does he say to you? As always record your thoughts and impressions when you have finished the exercise.