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Free Daily Tarotscope — Sept 17, 2015 — The Hierophant

the hierophant

The Hierophant

Saturn moves into Sagittarius today, where it will remain until late 2017. This marks the onset of a period where we shift our collective focus toward pursuing knowledge, studying tradition and reflecting on Universal laws and principles.

The Hierophant card is called the “Pope” in some decks. But it’s not only about religion. It’s about carrying the wisdom of the ancients forward. as a means of gaining a greater understanding for yourself and using it to guide others.

There are many esoteric symbols in this card, along with the very prominent Sagittarius glyph. There are also symbols for the planetoid Chiron and zodiac sign Virgo. There’s a tree of life, a centaur, a solar system and a rainbow.

The Hierophant is front and center with one hand raised in the classic benediction or blessing mudra while the other holds a key. In the upper left corner is the hebrew symbol Vav, which represents the connection between earthly and spiritual matters.

This Hierophant is not only in search of deeper knowledge, he’s prepared to impart it to others.

You could be immersing yourself in your studies today or making plans to embark on a spiritual journey. You may also be called upon present your ideas to others — either formally or informally. If you find yourself having to defend your views, do it in a calm, practical manner. As Saturn moves into Sagittarius today, Mercury goes retrograde which makes it all the more important to choose your words wisely.

Sept 2015 Tarot Scopes by Chrisalis

Ace of Swords

ARIES: Ace of Swords

This is a month of new thoughts and new ways of doing things. It is also a month for changing your thoughts and ideas on something.

Notice the butterfly wings around the Sword — from the Miracle Tarot. Venus turns direct this month, bringing grace, harmony, beauty and love to the forefront.

Even the sharp edges of the sword are not enough to deter the butterfly from being this near the blade. It is almost as if you can throw caution to the wind and say/do whatever you want. Well… perhaps not too much as Mercury is about to turn retrograde again.

Your thoughts are pure and aimed single-mindedly at the outcome you desire. If you have any mental tasks to accomplish do so whilst your mind is highly alert and focused on what you want.

The play of muted colours through this image give your clarity in anything creative you wish to succeed in alongside a transformative quality to the way they spring forth from your mind.

The blade looks sharp but don’t be fooled as it will not harm you as long as you stick to your principles and deliver your words with care and grace nothing will stand in your way.

Free Daily Tarotscope — Aug 17, 2015 — The Hierophant

Hierophant

The Hierophant

Today could see you taking a more serious look at what you believe in and how you communicate those beliefs to others.

The Hierophant card speaks of pursuing knowledge, studying tradition, reflecting on Universal laws and principles and deciding where we stand.

The Hierophant is referred to as the Pope in some decks. But it’s not only about religion. It’s about carrying the wisdom of the ancients forward — as a means of gaining a greater understanding for yourself and using it to guide others.

The Hierophant in this card is in deep thought and reflection. He’s not only in search of deeper knowledge, he’s prepared to impart it to others. He’s dressed in ceremonial garb, leading the way for those who follow. One hand holds a staff with a glowing orb at it’s tip and the other holds a bag of coins.

You could be immersing yourself in your studies today or making plans to embark on a spiritual journey. You may also be called upon present your ideas to others — either formally or informally.

If you find yourself having to defend your views, do it in a calm, practical manner. This card is not about being radical or fanatical. It’s about building on the conventions of those who’ve come before you and presenting your ideas with clarity and precision.

Free Daily Tarotscope — Apr 28, 2015 — The Priest

The Priest

The Priest

Today’s Mars / Chiron sextile could have you taking a deeper look at what you believe in, as well as how those beliefs translate to your interactions with others.

The Priest card — the Gill Tarot’s version of the Hierophant — speaks of pursuing knowledge, studying tradition, reflecting on Universal laws and principles and deciding where you stand.

There are definite religious undertones to this card, but it’s not only about religion. It’s about carrying the wisdom of the ancients forward. as a means of gaining a greater understanding for yourself. It’s also about using what you’ve learned to guide others.

This Priest stands just inside an archway between an expanse of water (instinct and emotions) and solid ground (earthly concerns). He holds a shepherd’s staff  in one hand and beckons you forward with the other.

There are repeating themes here of the need to balance contradictory energies. Apart from the water / land contrast referenced above, there’s also the prominent Sun and Moon symbols on his vestment and the lily and rose patterns on his stole. Notice also the black and white checkerboard tiles underfoot. These represent the union of polarities (both figuratively and literally).

The Mars / Chiron aspect encourages you to challenge your own belief systems and get rid of that which no longer serves you. It may be as simple as picking up a book that makes you question your pre-existing notions, and it can be as profound as a spiritual awakening that strengthens your beliefs and your relationship with a higher power.

Whatever role the Priest plays in your life — whether it’s a person (as in a spiritual leader) or a mindset (traditional ideals) — you can know that there’s a reason for questioning your values. It’s all about letting go of what is no longer useful to you (spiritually or philosophically) in order to make room for what does.

Free Daily Tarotscope — Feb 5, 2015 — The Pope

Pope

The Pope

This is the Tarot of the Apocalypse’s version of the Hierophant card. And here we encounter the three Wise men — representatives of religions that were in place when Christianity was born: Mithra with his slaughtered bull, Hercales wearing the protective pelt of a lion he’s slain, and the twin gods Śiwa and Śakti flying in on an eagle vahana.

Each of them bring gifts: For Mithra it’s incense, for Heracles it’s gold and for Śiwa and Śakti it’s myrrh.

There’s a detailed accounting of these symbols in the book that accompanies the deck. But the central theme is the birth of religion itself with the Christ child representing a new spiritual authority.

Today’s Saturn / Mercury sextile encourages you to bridge the gap between traditional belief systems and modern-day spirituality. It asks you to think about what you believe in and to celebrate those beliefs.

With Saturn in Sagittarius (the sign associated with personal expansion) and Mercury in Aquarius (the sign associated with progress and evolution), this aspect inspires a new or more progressive approach to the concept of “religion.” But it doesn’t ask you to dismiss the teachings upon which modern-day beliefs are derived.

Instead it asks you to acknowledge the foundations upon which your current ideologies are built. There are definite celebratory elements in this card. No one is “throwing the baby out with the bathwater” here, and neither should you.

You can embrace new ideas without discounting the old ones. This is the message behind the Saturn / Mercury sextile and the Pope (Hierophant) card. Honoring the ancient traditions (Saturn) while exploring new ways of thinking (Mercury in Aquarius) can go a long ways toward bridging the gap between those worlds.

Free Daily Tarotscope — Nov 26, 2014 — The Hierophant

The Hierophant

The Hierophant 

Today — with Mercury conjuncting Saturn — you could be taking a more serious look at what you believe in and how you communicate those beliefs to others.

The Hierophant card speaks of pursuing knowledge, studying tradition, reflecting on Universal laws and principles and deciding where we stand.

The Hierophant is referred to as the Pope in some decks. But it’s not only about religion. It’s about carrying the wisdom of the ancients forward. as a means of gaining a greater understanding for yourself and using it to guide others.

The  Hierophant in this card is in deep thought and reflection. He’s not only in search of deeper knowledge, he’s prepared to impart it to others. One hand is raised in the classic benediction or blessing mudra while the other is used to calm the fish on which he glides.

The triple cross staff is associated with the Pope and papal authority. Keys unlocked doors (to mystery, the occult and sacred teachings) and are also said to be the keys to the Kingdom of Heaven.

Fish are a traditional symbols of faith in many religions, and are also tied to wisdom, prophecy and the collective unconscious. The overlapping trees remind us that time stretches out before us as well as behind us, and that we’re as much a part of creating history as we are a product of it.

You could be immersing yourself in your studies today or making plans to embark on a spiritual journey. You may also be called upon present your ideas to others — either formally or informally.

If you find yourself having to defend your views, do it in a calm, practical manner. Mercury / Saturn is not about being radical or fanatical. It’s about building on the conventions of those who’ve come before you (Saturn) and presenting your ideas (Mercury) with clarity and precision.

Free Daily Tarotscope — Sept 15, 2014 — The Hierophant

The Hierophant

The Hierophant

What do you know and what don’t you know? Are you preaching to the converted or are they preaching to you?

The Hierophant is about knowledge and from what can be seen in this version of the card it looks as if there is a long lost wisdom being given out to the masses under various guises.

Where does this wisdom come from and where is it going?

If you look at the base of the tree it is as if wisdom is still being learned and put into practice and if you have found yourself perhaps sitting back and “looking” at life without partaking in it then you will know that you are still learning and becoming wise but from a different perspective than if you had been involved in a situation.

On the other side of the coin the various figures surrounding the tree who look to be actively requesting information and wisdom may all be in the throes of their own personal dramas and not seeing the facts clearly.

This is what it can be like when you are caught up in life all around you and doing things too quickly, becoming emotional and not sitting back to learn from your past mistakes.

We all sometimes need a wise observer or friend who can guide us when we have become so embroiled in a situation that we can’t see things clearly.

Free Daily Tarotscope — Aug 5, 2014 — The Hierophant

Hierophant

The Hierophant

There is a sense of order and peace around today which will facilitate your ability to get on with what you need to do and do it well.

It is as if you have 2 paths ahead of you or perhaps you are incorporating two different ways of looking at the same problem.

On one hand you are grounded and practical and want to plod along and get ahead in the same old way you always have yet on the other hand, which can be seen from the green dragon resting on your arm, there is perhaps a path you would like to take that is totally different to just practically plodding along… a path that is more filled with adventure and where things happen at the drop of a hat.

I wonder which you will choose especially as Saturn trines Chiron today and gives you a chance to bring together that from your past which has possibly been holding you back and allows you to come up with new ideas and plans to put into motion that may not have been possible in the past.

Whichever way you go you will feel peaceful and focused. The flowing robes and colours in this card suggest that you are well in tune not only with yourself but also your environment and the background images, a sea port on one side and a hill on the other also give you further thought for any choices you wish to make.

Allow yourself to be your own best guide today, as it seems from the vantage point of the Hierophant on the hill you have already overcome hurdles to journey as far as you have.

Ask the Tarot: Is That all There Is?

ask the tarot

We received the following question from a reader who has questions about her marriage:

My name is Sage (not real name) and I am married and I am constantly struggling to know if I made the right choice in marrying him. I often feel there is more for me or a better match. And while my husband is great, loving devoted and financially supportive I am not sure I can stay for the rest of my life with him and have kids with him…

I am not sure what information you need but I want to know if I am deep down destined to be with someone else or if I have found the person I am meant to be with and I should just live my life with them. Please help me I am a bit of an emotional mess.

Free Daily Tarotscope — June 20, 2014 — The Hierophant

Hierophant

The Hierophant

Today as Chiron turns retrograde, you might be looking at how some of your own life experiences — including those that have brought you pain — have led you to express more kindness, compassion and understanding toward others.

Chiron was known as the “Wounded Healer” in Greek mythology. Chiron the planet represents a similar dynamic in astrology. It refers to the point of “woundedness” — which so often results in immense compassion and understanding — in the natal  chart.

Unlike other savage and unruly Centaurs, Chiron was intelligent, wise and humble. He was a teacher as well as a healer. He taught medicine to the ruling class from a specially prepared cave. He was known as a great healer, but having been accidentally pricked by a poisoned arrow, was unable to heal himself.

I love this version of the Hierophant card, which is usually so steeped in traditional religious symbolism that it’s hard for many to relate to. But all of us have a vast amount of untapped wisdom locked away in our own private “caves.” Sometimes this wisdom is hidden even from ourselves. And this is where embracing the Chiron retrograde archetype comes in.

This is a time of turning inward and accessing previously undiscovered gifts. Often it’s those experiences that have broken us down that lend themselves to our greatest strengths. The retrograde encourages us to look within and to break through some of the traumas that have been holding us back.

Free Daily Tarotscope — Mar 26, 2014 — the Hierophant

the Hierophant

The Hierophant

Today you may be thinking about overhauling your belief systems as well as your spiritual convictions.

This can be as simple as picking up a book that challenges you to question you pre-existing notions, and it can be as profound as a spiritual awakening that strengthens your beliefs and your relationship with a higher power.

The Hierophant is seen as the “Pope” in some decks. It refers to traditional values and belief systems, religiosity and faith in a supreme being. These are all commendable in moderation. But there are also negative aspects, such as narrow-mindedness, religious dogma and outright fanaticism.

The Hierophant him- (or her-) self often refers to a spiritual leader or someone who makes (and enforces) rules about social behavior.

In this version it’s definitely a “her” —  a much kinder and gentler version than we’re used to seeing. She stands before what looks like an ancient temple, holding the world high above her in her hands.

Her connection all things living is evident. The animals, flowers and fruits that surround her are all “worshiping” her and clamoring for her attention.

Free Daily Tarotscope — Jan 14, 2014 — The Hierophant

Hierophant

The Hierophant

Structures and authority have never gone down well with you and today you may find yourself just having to grin and bear these two things in your life. Although if you were smart about it you could actually decide to use this to your advantage.

Is there anything you need to think through? Have a plan for or need to call in some favors in helping you get ahead. While this card can refer to rigid authority and religious dogma, we meet a somewhat different type of Hierophant in this card.

The image on this card is from the famous series of frescoes by Simone Martini, depicting eight saints at San Francesco, Assisi. This is St. Louis of Toulouse, who was taken hostage as a child and raised by Franciscan friars. He later renounced his royal title in favor of his younger brother, and took the Franciscan vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience. He was renowned for holiness, sacrifice and miracles. 

Notice the two keys hanging over his heart. This implies tackling a problem you’re having and coming from your heart in how you handle it. You may well find that these keys open the door for you to success, bypassing a lot of that hard work spoken of above.