The Hierophant - I want to be free!

Today’s card is the Hierophant from the Ravens Prophecy Tarot. This card is the worldly, physical manifestation of spirituality, which is for me almost an oxymoron. 

In this version of the Hierophant, we see a candle burning in a lantern. It’s true that the lantern protects the light of the candle, even magnifies it with its glass but even though all these advantages, the light of this candle is contained and has lost its freedom to dance in the wind.

Lately, I find it difficult to relate to any organized form of religion or philosophy or even parts of it. I feel that my main reason to do so in the first place was my fear of being wrong and I perhaps felt there was safety in numbers. With the beginning of this new season, the only thing which feels spiritual to me is Nature itself in all Her abundance and Autumnal decay, the magic I see and feel in all of this, and of course my cards.

I do believe in the Divine, in Spirit, but for now, I experience it more as a loving Energy than as a specific deity.

All this feels fresh, free and playful. Without any tasks or structured practices, I am more “spiritual” than I used to be. There is no more pressure, just listening to myself and finding out what makes me happy and what connects me to Spirit

NB I do recognize the wisdom of all the wonderful teachings we have. I just don’t want to be limited by them anymore or exclude others who think differently.

The Elder – Come join me

I was a bit hesitant to draw my card for today. After the two last ones, I honestly considered to take  an oracle break. But that didn't feel right. So I picked up my deck and started to shuffle and, what seldom happened, one card flew out of the deck in  my lap. I turned it around and I sighed with relief: The Elder!  How I needed this rendition of The Hierophant. A wise woman is sitting near a trunk and is inviting me to join her. A soft red velvet stool is waiting for me. Here I can sit down and rest from my all my swordy tribulations. Dreamer Ten en Dreamer three: what are the odds! Sitting in the shade of the Apple tree, which connects this card to the beginning of autumn, the season of introspection and reflection, we talk and she listens to me and after I've shared my feelings she starts to teach me….

Only after I have let go of all my rigid thoughts and beliefs, I will be open to listen to her message, to learn what really matters.

This card touched me so deeply and  it feels like this was exactly the right card for me today. I am ever so glad I continued working with this deck!

“Join me and see the pattern of life unfold. You may learn yet you may teach. Take the spiral path of aged rings and find your sacred welder within.” (Emily Carding)

Blessed by The Hierophant

Morgan Greer Tarot

For today again a card which is not one of my favorites: The Hierophant from The Morgan Greer Tarot. The first thing that comes to mind is: “Boring!”. I must say I am happy to see the two acolytes aren't present in this depiction. They radiate both submissiveness and uncritical thinking to me. Now it looks like this priest is blessing me. And when I put my first reluctance aside, I wonder: Who doesn't want to be blessed.

This High Priest is the archetypal symbol of teaching and giving spiritual meaning to life. He helps us to find our purpose. As with other archetypes he can be found in our self as in other people or experiences. How often do we read a book and find inspiration/guidance or hear someone say just the thing we needed to hear. And sometimes we find meaning just by writing a blogpost about the Hierophant card.J 

We don’t have to invent our spiritual practice and beliefs all by ourselves. Most often we borrow from other spiritual systems and religions to blend it all together to our own liking. Who would have guessed a few months ago I would chant during my meditation. Not me.

There is a Buddhist saying: “When the student is ready, the teacher will appear”

I knew chanting existed, but I had decided it wasn't for me. After learning from Eowyn what Sanskrit really was I was willing to try it and I liked it

Perhaps this Hierophant card isn't as boring after all.