5 – The Hierophant
This card is traditionally presented as a masculine counterpart to the Priestess (Juno), and in historical decks has represented the Catholic Pope.
To me that presents two problems. The first is that, although the Pope is both a historical and current figure, it has no equal female counterpart. The second is that I think that assigning this card to a specific religious figure limits the power and meaning of this card. Instead of asking us to interpret the Priest within the system of tarot, it simply takes a shortcut and adopts a pre-built persona based in a completely separate system of belief.
I find it more meaningful to associate this archetype with an older, earth-centered tradition of wisdom and spiritual authority that has no parallel identity in the modern world. For that reason, I chose to represent the Hierophant as the ancient Celtic deity Cernunnos.
Though not much is known about Cernunnos’s mythology, he is consistently depicted as an antlered god—part man, part stag—mature, watchful, and wise. He is associated with torcs, serpents, fertility, and wild animals, especially deer.
Druid spirituality is based in the natural world, emphasizing relationship, balance, and continuity rather than social hierarchy or religious dogma. It recognizes that humans are also animals and must live in harmony with nature and the earth.
In a modern context, Cernunnos reminds us of our responsibility to live in harmony with the Earth, not to dominate or exploit it for short-term gain. Given the current concerns about climate change, natural habitat destruction and species extinction, it is an extremely relevant message.
I have remained faithful to the traditional symbolism of Cernunnos, with one deliberate exception. Where Cernunnos is often shown holding a torc in his hand, I have replaced it with the shaka gesture—a modern symbol that is similar to the torc’s horned shape while expressing respect, goodwill, and shared understanding. The torc is retained around his neck, preserving its significance as a marker of authority and sacred responsibility.
On the surface, it might seem that I am just replacing one religion with another, but religion is not the point. The Hierophant represents humanity’s search for meaning and our desire to pass that understanding from one generation to the next. Science has greatly expanded our understanding of the physical world, but it cannot tell us how we ought to live or what gives our lives meaning.
The Hierophant asks, “How should I live, and how have others answered that question?” Whether those answers are found in faith, reason, art, or personal reflection, the search itself is one of the defining characteristics of our species.
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