The Hierophant traditionally represents the connection between humans and the divine, the teacher of hidden knowledge, spiritual beliefs, organized religion, moral growth and development. Here we have a symbol of tradition and moral authority. The Hierophant can be seen as representing formal, organized religious and moral beliefs and attitudes, education and the principle of teaching and learning. 

"Positive:  You're establishing a relationships with a philosophy that can really lead and direct your life.  It's a good idea to go ahead and take responsibility for behaving in accordance with this ethical system.  You can assume leadership since you are loyal to your ideals and accountable for your actions.
Upright:  You are involved with a group or another person because of your shared philosophy, common goals, or social orientation.  You may have a sense of connectedness with a family, lover, church, political group, spiritual group, or whatever.  You feel loyalty toward these others and choose to live in accordance with the beliefs that you share with them.  You may even have  a position of leadership within the group.  The group acts as your inspiration, encouraging you to truly live up to your beliefs.  It may also act as your judge, letting you know when you're off track." - Gail Fairfield

"The Hierophant is a wise and ancient oak, this one overlooking a druid grove. When I think of the hierophant, I don't think of a pope or pastor, but rather of a druid. An ancient one of wisdom, law, and divine knowledge. His gnarled and wisened trunk has seen many seasons. And like a wise religious leader, this oak is comfortable growing in a forest not just of oaks, but of other types of trees.." - - Dana Driscoll

How appropriate to draw this card today.  It is my first day back at school for the semester and it's my final class.  Once I have completed this course I will have achieved my Masters in Public Administration.  I have embraced the Hierophant (or the Initiate) in my life.  How ironic that despite my aversion to him for many years, I have often lived under his influence.  Perhaps my dislike of The Hierophant was due to some professional jealousy - I wanted to become him not just follow him.

Looking at the Tarot of Trees Hierophant, I am struck by the sturdiness and solidness of his presence.  He has always been and he will always be.  He might take slightly different forms or transform over time but his essential energy remains unchanged.  On the Illuminated Initiate card I get a sense of swirling magical energy pulsating in the aqua light that surrounds the Hierophant.  He is not truly masculine or feminine but a blending of these energies that chooses to manifest itself in a more masculine form.  There is a necessary structure and discipline to learning the Hierophant's lessons.  It is a more academic, intellectual knowledge rather than an intuitive one.

And as much as I've avoided his influence in the past, I am beginning to appreciate the Hierophant.  He may be a stern taskmaster and a bit pedantic on occasion, but he also holds the keys to our past and our future.  He is the memory keeper; the one who relates the ancient histories to the young.  Although many people may feel that history is pointless, I have long believed that if we truly learn to understand our history then we might actually learn to avoid repeating some of our past mistakes.  Of course this has not proven to be the case just yet but I have hope. 

Once again I get a strong sense the the Hierophant is trying to tell me that one of my tasks is to help him in his job.  I have been getting a sense for some time that my calling in this life (or at least one of my callings) is to teach.  I have often felt deeply satisfied by facilitating training workshops for people.  When I sense that they "got it", I feel as though I've accomplished quite a task.  When I receive positive feedback from participants and realize that in some small way I've expanded their horizons, I feel a sense of accomplishment and pride.  That is no small thing.  And it helps give me a sense of focus in my current job search.