The Fool's Journey - 5 The Hierophant- Learning The Tarot

Fool's Journey Day 6

With The Vice Versa deck the original side is called This Side and the added side is called That Side. There is no good side or bad side or right side and reverse side. It simply another aspect of the card.

The next step on our journey is 5 - The Hierophant

This side: The Hierophant raises his hand in a blessing. Two acolytes kneel before him. His seat is granite, stone of inflexible endurance. His face is makes below his papal crown to remind you that individuality does not matter in his role, which represents established religious dogma. He conveys this dogma to all seekers.  The two before him seek doctrine and illumination.

In a reading: When we feel a call to spirituality, often this can be satisfied with established religion, a path trodden already by many. These precepts can be learned without any need for inner searching as someone has already done that for you. If you are drawn to this, or already in this, ask how you would feel if you questioned some of these precepts and ideas. Can you see the true face of the people whose authority you accept?

That side:  We can now see the back of his throne in which a tetragrammaton pentacle is carved. This esoteric design combines the hidden name of god with the symbols for man and microcosm. Some see this as "the word made flesh," or divinity inherent in man. The base of his throne looks unfinished, just as we are unfinished and striving for refinement.  There is also a baby holding a key, a Paleolithic  goddess figurine and a apple, knowledge freely chosen.

In a reading: This side holds none of the rigidity that the other side does. There is freedom of thought here, freedom of possibility. You are beyond questioning the precepts of religion and are now reading to learn what more is out there, challenge yourself and learn and see. You have the key and the open mind to start. Don't let the "thou shalt's" hold you back. Sometimes it is good to follow a group but at other times that can stifle your own path. Trust yourself.