The Hierophant in the Holiday and the Everyday

As December rolls onward I've found that I can't help but think about how rich this time of year is with different celebrations. The downshift into the cold season inspires us to slow down, turn inward, express gratitude, and seek warmth in our environments, both physically and psychologically. The traditions of the Holidays can help us in achieving these desires while also providing us with a sense of structure in a darker, slower time. Yet, as industrialized societies have shifted to be more negligent of these environmental and biological markers (for capitalistic gain), for some of us these rituals lose their spark and become more of a chore (or maybe some of the traditions we were born into never fully suited some of us to begin with).

The nature of ritual is glaring at this time, whether you actively participate in the Holiday Season or not, and lately, whenever I consider ritual I find myself thinking of The Hierophant, for whom, I believe, ritual lies at their core. It is worth noting that rituals are not only the large annual gestures we partake in, but especially the small, or even minuscule ones we practice, from the mundane brushing your teeth or making a morning cup of coffee, to telling your partner/children/animals that you love them before you leave the house, or treating yourself to your favourite breakfast pastry on a specific day of the week. We are patterned creatures. We conduct our lives through a series of habits and rituals, some of which feel dull and tedious whereas others become the bright spots in our lives.

I remember when I was much younger and just barely dipping my toes into tarot being struck by the negative interpretations I would so often find about The Hierophant. Often associations steeped in rigidity and a sense of toxic traditionalism that made me not want a relationship with this archetype, and so for a long time I never really did. In fairness, I do understand those interpretations. Upon viewing an overtly religious-themed card, especially one of designated power, as a young self-identified witch it felt like a reminder of the ways you hide yourself so not to be rejected. And obviously, there are many historical events that speak to the nature of religious oppression and persecution in such a way the image of The Hierophant may conjure feelings of discomfort, rejection, and avoidance in people, especially for the kind of people who might be drawn to tarot. In time I came to realize that these interpretations, however, were someone else's projection and not the true core of this archetype.

I think that many of us in some way or another, have some experience rejecting the status quo (even if it was a small teenage rebellious streak), or can acknowledge how detrimental it can be to continue engaging with certain ideas or practices simply because "well, that's the way things are." But I think, as time has progressed, many of us have also been able to experience the grief that can come from pushing too far and away from that which feels innate. People who are searching to learn about and reclaim their ancestral practices may feel the grief of this separation, just in the way people living in industrialized places who don't get to rest the way their body craves in the dark, cold times might, if even subconsciously. We can also explore this pole very obviously in our food industry–weighing the time and labour required to make (perhaps even grow) food well from scratch vs outsourcing to entirely industrialized and nutritionally questionable products–as well as any of our major cultural cornerstones.

Where is the meeting point of traditionalism and progression? Each are necessary ends of the polarity, and that comfortable spot on the spectrum will look different for everyone, but The Hierophant appears to us to offer us the wisdom of discernment. Consider the rituals in your life, which ones nourish and excite you? Which ones make your life feel like a chore? Which are of true necessity and which are frivolous? Which do you engage with because of expectations in contrast to those you truly desire? I feel that it's worth noting that The Hierophant is the spiritual leader whose astrological ruler is Venusian Earth sign Taurus, which is to acknowledge that while, yes, we must participate in that which is necessary, it is also important to engage in rituals that we believe bring a sense of joy or even wonder into our lives. Your ability to process the logic in your surroundings shouldn't hinder you from experiencing the enchantment of your lived experience. If you find yourself feeling frustrated with the flow of your life, ask yourself what rituals you can let go of and consider instead what patterns you can build, either for yourself or with your community.

I hope everyone's holiday season has served them thus far, and if it hasn't, consider this an invitation to explore new-to-you traditions (in a way that is conscious and respectful to other cultures). Sending everyone well wishes into the New Year.