5:   The Hierophant

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Universal Waite

BOTA (Builders of the Adytum)

1.   Tradition; conformity; belonging to a group; societal norms.   A "joiner."     A strong relationship with rules and structure. 2.   Marriage (the institution itself, as opposed to the interpersonal relationship). 3.   Enjoyment of the outer trappings and traditions of religion. 4.   Excessive attention to the conventions of society.         In Medieval Tarot decks, this is "The Pope."

COMMENTS:

A reader once told me that this card would pop up if you went to a revival and gave your heart to Jesus.   "Your life is now laid out for you."

The Hierophant can represent our inner sense of obedience.

Think in terms of being initiated into a secret lodge (such as the Masons).

The structure of religion is merely a starting point when you're creating a personal connection with god.

There are seven cards in the Rider deck that show a large, dominant figure "presiding" over two smaller figures standing below it (forming a triangle of sorts):

The Hierophant The Lovers The Chariot The Devil The Moon Two of Cups Six of Pentacles

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