Card 5-The High Priest (The Hierophant)
@Anora_Eldorath (6028)
United States
January 11, 2011 8:10pm CST
The High Priest (Hierophant) represents the God on earth. He is the Old Horus, or the Old Arthur. As the Emperor is the judge in the stern sense, the High Priest is a judge in the severe sense. His law is will and there are no second chances with the High Priest.
The High Priest is located between the spheres of Chokmah (Wisdom) and Chesed (Mercy). His wisdom is self learned, and though he connects mercy to wisdom, his attitude is bullish and stubborn. His decision is law. He is the letter of the law, where as the Emperor is the spirit of the law. Where as the Emperor's decisions were just, the High Priest's decisions are purely his way or the highway.
When the High Priest is drawn by itself or within a spread he is advising that strict adherence to rules is necessary. He may be foreshadowing a possible legal agreement or contract where you may want to read the fine print before you sign. He could possibly be relating spiritual rules/adherence but because of where he sits on the paths of the Tree of Life the interpretation relates more to matters on earth or in the physical realm rather than the spiritual realm.
Questions: Have you ever gotten yourself into a situation where you didn't read the fine print on something? What do you do when faced with an uncompromising authority figure whose reputation is akin to that of the old western hanging judge?
5 responses
@dorannmwin (36392)
• United States
14 Jan 11
When I was a child I saw the problems that my mother faced after my father passed away about not reading the fine print on things. Therefore, that is something that I always do because I don't want to make the same kinds of mistakes that she made.
The closest that I've ever come to being faced with an uncompromising authority figure was when I was a teenager and that authority figure was the police and sheriffs department in the area that I hung out it. Normally, I was as willing to do what they asked of me as was possible because I didn't want to have to face any negative reprocutions.
1 person likes this
@dawnald (85137)
• Shingle Springs, California
12 Jan 11
This rather reminds me of the time I got myself banned from morachat after getting into an argument with the Admin there. I didn't back down because he didn't have his facts right, and he didn't back down because he was the Admin and it was his site and his rules. Oh well.
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@Anora_Eldorath (6028)
• United States
13 Jan 11
Dawn-
That is a great illustration of the High Priest in action.
Namaste-Anora
@p1kef1sh (45681)
•
12 Jan 11
Funnily enough I posted a discussion about fine print last week. I saw a whole fresh salmon that had a ticket saying that it was £5 ($8). When I got to the checkout i discovered that in fine print it said £5 per kilo! Fine print gives us choices and can constrain our actions. Sometimes it us there for our safety and sometimes to clarify a deliberately misleading statement as in my example. Always look for the fine print! When faced with an immovable symbol of authority you can only accept their judgement. Better not to find yourself in a position where you have to meet him! Or her!!! In fact in most domestic situations that authority is female. Women are often the nurturers, carers, attenders, role models and disciplinarians. Perhaps that is why so many males are wayward. Rebelling against the female lead. Others of us prefer the subordinate role albeit with the occasional mild protest!
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@Anora_Eldorath (6028)
• United States
13 Jan 11
Pike-
I recall that one though I cannot recall if I responded or not. 
I will say that I agree completely with you about the feminine as we see it in our reality can very much have the attributes of the High Priest. Most mom's have the rule "It's my house, my rules" for their children. It is not that we do not wish our children to grow, but we want them to make their "law breaking" mistakes while still at home before more serious consequences (other then being sent to one's room) might occur.
Namaste-Anora
I will say that I agree completely with you about the feminine as we see it in our reality can very much have the attributes of the High Priest. Most mom's have the rule "It's my house, my rules" for their children. It is not that we do not wish our children to grow, but we want them to make their "law breaking" mistakes while still at home before more serious consequences (other then being sent to one's room) might occur.
Namaste-Anora
@thesids (22180)
• Bhubaneswar, India
12 Jan 11
Namaste Anora,
Fascinating.
His wisdom is self learned, ..., his attitude is bullish and stubborn
No wonder if I ever found someone into Tarot reading and drew out the Emperor and The High Priest.
Many a times it happens that in haste or due to my open heart, I missed out interpreting what is conveyed beyond the words. I believe(d) in simplicity and expect(ed) the world to be simple too... faced many problems due to this as I would not try to think beyond. That changed my approach and made me critical of almost everything I come across.
When confronted/faced with an uncompromising authority, I find two ways - try to discuss and clarify - my thoughts or his/her. If s/he is correct I stand corrected and gain knowledge. If I think his/her way is not mine (unable to understand or unable to implement because of my conscience), I avoid the discussion, run away for the time being, then come back again when more prepared with facts/resources
Regards,
theSids.
1 person likes this
@Anora_Eldorath (6028)
• United States
13 Jan 11
Thesids-
I think we have all done things in the past in haste, I know I have. I find dealing with the uncompromising judge difficult as well. It requires that one have his or her argument backed up with facts as the Hierophant is never gray, he views all in black and white. There is no hiding a single fact from his eye.
Namaste-Anora
@NoWayRo (1061)
• Romania
12 Jan 11
Heh, the High Priest freaks me out a bit. Not much - I generally have a decent relationship with all forms of authority, which means I try to learn and understand the rules, so I can bend them when I need to. I rarely, if ever, fight against authorities, but I act subversively whenever I get the chance. So, I guess the High Priest comes up in my readings every now and then to warn me that I'm pushing the limits too far 
On the other hand, I tend to trust the High Priest more than the Emperor, when it comes to making decisions. I think of the Emperor as a bit of an idealist, somewhat disconnected from reality, while the High Priest's authority is based more on actual experience and old habits. Of course, it can always be that old habits are just wrong, and from that point of view, it's a card that may signify an obstacle against progress and change.
On the other hand, I tend to trust the High Priest more than the Emperor, when it comes to making decisions. I think of the Emperor as a bit of an idealist, somewhat disconnected from reality, while the High Priest's authority is based more on actual experience and old habits. Of course, it can always be that old habits are just wrong, and from that point of view, it's a card that may signify an obstacle against progress and change.
1 person likes this
@Anora_Eldorath (6028)
• United States
13 Jan 11
NoWayRo-
I'm not sure I would say that the Emperor is more idealistic and the High Priest more realistic. They are both realistic. It is that the Emperor, with his connection to Binah, is more understanding of the situation than the High Priest. The High Priest is Black and White, is closer to severity, and if one is before him they best have their ducks in a row.
Namaste-Anora
