Fifth tarot card in our prediction deck, the Pope - also known as the Hierophant (aka Le pape in French decks) - is a card that relates to wisdom and consciousness.
The character that is drawn on this major arcanum is an old man who is holding a scepter in his left hand. He is dressed in luxurious and colorful clothes.
It is not easy to see them on this picture but the symbols of seven planets are drawn on his crozier. These relate to the divine world.
This individual relates to chastity, decency, clarity, noble persons, good principles.
The Pope or Hierophant basic meaning
In the right position, this Tarot card represents affection, benevolence, discernement, erudition, prudence, and the character clearly lets people know that he is devoted to everlasting traditions.
When its upside is turned down, it may signify fearfulness, frivolousness, lack of moral sense.
Sample Pope reading
Using the cross spread we are going to answer a very simple question: is my daughter going to successfully study at the University?
The four cards required for the spread are the following ones:
- Left: Strength
- Right: the Pope
- Top: the Popess
- Bottom: the Fool
How to read this spread
The Strength on the left makes me think that the daughter has the power and the will to succeed. However, with the Pope on the right it seems that she is surrounded by negative people, persons who are not interested in studying. Her mother is very worried as suggested by the Popess on top. The Fool as the answer is quite disturbing! As a matter of fact, we can read it in different ways:
- The question is wrongly formulated,
- The daughter doesn't know what to do, she is quite lost in this world,
- The daughter did not choose the right type of studies,
- Etc.
The synthesis gives us the number 4 so it seems that, although right now the daughter doesn't do any good at school, she may change her mind in the near future and start studying correctly. However a wider spread might be necessary in order to reassure the mother.
More about the Pope/the Hierophant here.
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| Universal Tarot of Marseille (English and Spanish Edition) |
In case you decide to start reading the tarot cards and do your very own predictions yourself, then I recommend that you get a classic Tarot de Marseille deck.
This tarot is the original one, using the classic characters and it will be easier for you to learn all the secrets of major and minor arcana with this set.
Many times, a deck like this one is delivered with an included guide. It is indispensable for you if you want to start telling the future to friends and relatives.
Enter the world of the Hierophant
This tarot is the original one, using the classic characters and it will be easier for you to learn all the secrets of major and minor arcana with this set.
Many times, a deck like this one is delivered with an included guide. It is indispensable for you if you want to start telling the future to friends and relatives.
Enter the world of the Hierophant
