V – The Hierophant
“search for hidden truths and quest for meaning”
symbol: wisdom through experience
zodiac: Taurus
ritual: prayer, meditation, experiencing the own self and true will
archetype: the light bearer, Horus, Krishna
path of Vau: Chokmah – Chesed
The Hierophant represents the bridge builder between micro- and macrocosm, God and man, inner and outer world. In a mystic context, he is the crowned child. This symbol is dualistic in its nature, so the Hierophant is not only the liberator, but also the destroyer, coming to release the self from the grip of “IV-The Emperor”.
Destruction is a negative term at first glance, but nothing can or should last forever – it would be a timeless condition of insanity and stagnating order. Evolution is only possible through destruction. This law applies equally to cosmic systems, empires, and cultures but also to our own body, mind, and ego.
The Hierophant in the center of the card is the balanced self within the chaos of outside forces or orders. In the corners the four cherubim represent the four elements (water – scorpion/ eagle, earth – taurus, fire – lion, air – aquarius). They are swallowing their own tails like the ouroboros. This means that every extreme behavior, representing one of these elements, eventually leads to the beginning without escaping the cycle. Only in balance between these four forces can the Hierophant emerge victorious inside the pentagram and be more than the sum of his parts (4→5 within 6).
The keys in his hands represent the knowledge of the laws and forces of the universe as well as the balance between negative and positive forces within his own self. At the base rests a person in meditation, surrounded by the phases of the moon. The key to transcending into a higher state of consciousness or evolving into a better self is making peace with the female forces, the dark mother, or the inner wells (the own subconsciousness). The mother-son symbolism has many layers – a deep well of meaning itself.
Christianity absorbed this cornerstone of cosmic law from archaic cultures and expressed it into the figure of mother Mary with her infant. This leads us to the symbol above – the fetus within the womb. Between these two incomplete archetypes (above and below), the Hierophant represents the independent, but understanding son, who redeems the mother. The symbol of the nails (= Vau) also found their way into Christianity with the crucifixion of Jesus (salvation and evolution through suffering). Of course this is an important part of the mystery, but not the main aspect of becoming one’s own savior. The nails are necessary to fix the position of the Hierophant and keep him in focus within the diversions of the world around him.
Within the Hierophants circle there are no stars, only blackness. His own light blazes into the darkness around him. His inner illumination shines in contrast to the distracting flashes of light from any outside forces (the archons or the star). The main message of this card is the enlightening of the fire within oneself.
