The High Priest: The Major Arcana Number 5 of the Tarot

V The High Priest

In the vast and symbolic world of tarot, each card contains a rich web of meanings that connect us with the depths of the unconscious and the archetypal structures of the human soul. The card number 5 of the tarot, known as The High Priest, The Pope, or The Hierophant, is one of the most profound and enigmatic in the deck. It speaks of wisdom, tradition, faith, spiritual teaching, and moral structures that give meaning to our existence.

Symbolic description of the High Priest

In most traditional decks like the Rider-Waite Tarot, the High Priest appears seated between two gray columns (symbols of polarity and balance), similar to those flanking the High Priestess, though here they represent institutional authority. He wears a three-tiered tiara, symbolizing dominion over body, mind, and spirit, and holds a triple scepter, a symbol of spiritual power. At his feet, two acolytes listen to him, representing the transmission of sacred knowledge and initiation.

The entire image conveys solemnity, wisdom, and structure. He is not an intuitive or chaotic guide, but a guardian of tradition and formal knowledge, the one who represents the bridge between the divine and the human within an organized spiritual framework.

Keywords

  • Tradition
  • Organized spirituality
  • Teaching
  • Morality
  • Dogma
  • Mentorship
  • Faith
  • Institutions
  • Rites of passage

General meaning of the card

The High Priest is a card that invites reflection on our beliefs, our connections with the sacred, and how established structures—religious, social, or cultural—affect us. It can represent a wise authority figure, such as a teacher, therapist, or spiritual guide. It also speaks of the importance of following certain values, rules, or traditions that offer stability and meaning.

In more introspective readings, the Hierophant can be the inner voice of moral or spiritual conscience that helps us discern right from wrong, not from judgment, but from accumulated wisdom.

Interpretation in upright position

When the High Priest appears upright in a reading, it is associated with:

  • The search for spiritual meaning through established paths (religion, philosophy, education).
  • Need for guidance: It may indicate that the person needs to seek advice from someone wise.
  • Tradition: Suggests attachment to traditional ways of thinking or behavior, and may invite respecting certain norms.
  • Structure and order: It's a time to act within an ethical or institutional framework.
  • Teaching and learning: It may indicate that the querent will be a student or teacher, depending on the context.

Interpretation in reversed position

When the High Priest appears reversed, its meanings are inverted or take on a more challenging connotation:

  • Rejection of norms or tradition: The querent may be questioning or breaking with imposed beliefs.
  • Dogmatism or moral rigidity: It may point to fanaticism, intolerance, or a belief system that oppresses.
  • Misuse of spiritual power: Beware of authority figures who manipulate under the guise of spirituality.
  • Self-taught or rebellious learning: Instead of following an institution, a personal path is preferred.
  • Crisis of faith or values: The individual may feel disconnected from their ethics or faith.

The High Priest in different aspects of life

Love and relationships

  • Upright: Represents traditional or committed relationships, such as marriage or cohabitation under clear rules. It may indicate stability and shared values. It also suggests that the couple should communicate from an ethical or spiritual plane.
  • Reversed: May point to differences in fundamental values or problems caused by rigid norms. Sometimes it indicates a secret or unconventional relationship, or even an unbalanced power dynamic.

Work and career

  • Upright: May speak of jobs within institutions (education, religion, government). It also suggests that the correct path is the traditional one, following procedures and acting with integrity.
  • Reversed: Could indicate rejection of hierarchy, conflicts with authority figures, or a call to pursue unconventional professional paths. It may also warn against institutional corruption.

Spirituality and personal growth

  • Upright: Marks a moment of connection with spiritual traditions. It's a good time to study sacred texts, seek mentorship, or attend religious ceremonies.
  • Reversed: The querent may be exploring their spirituality more freely, questioning dogmas, or seeking new practices, such as esotericism or holistic approaches. They may also be facing an existential crisis.

Money and finances

  • Upright: Suggests being conservative, following financial rules, and avoiding risks. It's a good card for safe investments or institutional financial aid (banks, funds, scholarships).
  • Reversed: May warn of bad practices, evasion of norms, or even corruption. It also represents spending on unconventional spiritual practices.

Relationship with other tarot cards

The High Priest is part of a group of arcana that represent archetypes of power and knowledge. It can be compared or contrasted with:

  • The High Priestess (II): While she represents intuitive and hidden knowledge, the High Priest represents structured and revealed knowledge.
  • The Hermit (IX): Both are seekers of wisdom, but the Hermit does so alone, while the High Priest is a teacher for others.
  • The Emperor (IV): Both represent authority, but the Emperor dominates the physical world, while the High Priest governs the spiritual plane.

Personal reflection: the message of the Hierophant

Card number 5 invites us to look at our belief system and honestly examine which part of it nourishes us and which part we simply follow out of habit. Are we acting from our inner truth or following rules that no longer represent us? Have we found a wise guide, or do we need to become that figure for others?

In its highest aspect, The High Priest does not impose dogmas, but guides with humility, shares knowledge without imposing it, and helps others discover their own path within a structure that gives meaning.

Conclusion

The High Priest is a deeply spiritual card, containing a powerful message about knowledge, faith, tradition, and teaching. It can be both a symbol of support and guidance and a warning against rigidity and blind obedience. Like all tarot cards, its meaning depends on the context, the other cards accompanying it, and the querent's life moment.

Whether you're facing a moral choice, a search for meaning, or a need for guidance, card number 5 invites you to look inward and also upward, to connect with the principles that sustain your life, your decisions, and your soul.