The Hierophant: The Taurus Tarot Card

Main image courtesy of The Tarot Professor. 

The second sign in the zodiac is Taurus, represented by the bull. If you’re a Taurean, you were born between April 20-May 20 you are a fixed earth sign ruled by the planet Venus. And like the other sign ruled by Venus (Libra), Taurus likes to surround themselves with beauty and comfort, but they also use their grounding earth energy to manifest this in their love of sensuality. This doesn’t just refer to their sexuality, but how they interact and sense the world around them. Taureans enjoy good food, being relaxed, and surrounding themselves with calming pleasures. These dependable folks are known for their dedication, which can sometimes transition to stubbornness, as well as their knack for hard work.

But what is the Taurus tarot card and how does it relate to this sign? Glad you asked, because today we’re diving deep into the Hierophant to discuss:

• How the 5th card in the major arcana represents Taurus
• How you can use it to gain a deeper understanding of your Taurean nature
• Other tarot cards that have Taurus energy

Taurus and the Hierophant tarot card

How does the Hierophant relate to the Taurus sign?

The Hierophant is the fifth card in the major arcana and it follows the Emperor and precedes the Lovers in the Fool’s journey. This card is an earth card (like Taurus is an earth sign) and it focuses on things that a Taurean would find familiar, which is grounding, stability, following the advice of elders/teachers, and respecting those in an authority position. Taurus sign people are known for being dependable in an ever-changing world, and they gravitate towards things that make them feel more secure and steady. They are also very practical, and know how important it is to learn to question things and to not just take advice because it has been given. Instead they look to learn from those who have experience, and have gone through something similar.

Just because you say you’re an expert, doesn’t necessarily mean you are, and Taureans can sniff inauthenticity out very well. Knowing this, it’s easier to see why Taurus is associated with the leader figure known as the Hierophant. Sometimes referred to as the “Pope” or the “High Priest,” the Hierophant is a Greek word for a leader or teacher who is responsible for interpreting and teaching sacred mysteries or rites. The person who holds this role has proven that they're reliable and can be trusted when it comes to information and instruction. 

Taureans are reliable folks who don't just follow someone in an authority position blindly, they first have to prove they’re a respectable source before they commit to accepting what they have to say. And we should point out, the Hierophant card doesn’t just stand for teachers or other outside figures, but it can also refer to your inner teacher, and the authority you have innately. Our own inner voice (intuition) is a powerful force that we should give greater weight to. Taureans know that very well, which is why they make practical decisions and trust that they know what’s best for themselves.

Symbols in the Hierophant that relate to Taurus

Why the images in this card sync up nicely with Taurus

The grounding earth energy is strong with both the Hierophant card and the Taurus sign.

 But how exactly do the symbols in the card relate specifically to Taurus?

• Pro Tip: Although there are obvious Catholic overtones to this card (the figure looks like a bishop or pope, and the men in front look like acolytes or monks) but this is just one way of presenting a spiritual figure who is a trustworthy teacher. Remember, the term hierophant refers to a spiritual teacher from the Greek mysteries, so instead of the RWS image, you can imagine a man/woman who is a respected figure or elder who guides, teaches, and mentors others on the path to finding their truths. 

• The Hierophant. The figure itself is meant to evoke feelings of stability, law and order, and a reliable perspective. This perspective can refer to someone externally who offers good advice, has experience in a certain area, or is a trusted source of information. It can also refer to our internal teacher and guide, and that following your guts/intuition/heart is a great compass for navigating anything that the world can throw your way.

• The crown. The crown that the figure wears denotes that they have authority and power, and that they use it wisely to the betterment of their followers. It also suggests that this authority and trustworthiness did not come about suddenly, it took time for them to gain the respect and wisdom they have. One does not wear a crown unless they are in charge of something, or they have the experience it takes to be an expert in their domain. The same goes true for following your own inner teacher.

• Columns. Taureans like stability, and they like something they can plan for and depend on. That’s exactly what the columns behind the Hierophant suggest, that their seat of power/authority/knowledge is built on a solid foundation of learning how to master something themselves. 

• Figures in the foreground. We can view these two figures in the front of the card as the Hierophants students or followers. They know that they are on a learning path themselves, and have decided to put their trust into a figure that will teach them and help them learn for themselves. They know that this figure has the authority to do just this, and they will learn how to discern truths for themselves.

• The keys. These refer to the maxim “as above, so below” (similar to the symbolism in the Magician) and represent heaven/the divine and earth. Learning and following a spiritual path is very personal, and by following a trusted source of wisdom, or listening to your own heart on these matters, is a real way to bring it into your everyday life. 

Other tarot cards with Taurus energy

There are other cards that exude Taurus vibes!

In addition to the Hierophant, you’ll also find lots of Taurus energy in the King of Pentacles. This card speaks of loving and enjoying sensual pleasures such as food, luxurious clothing, and beautiful surroundings. That sounds like a Taurus to us! This king knows exactly what he likes and what he deserves—and the castle in the background and the elaborate throne show that amount of hard work he’s put in to attain it. The message is that slow and steady wins the race, but as a Taurus, learn to know when you’re being practical—or when you’re being plain old stubborn!

What the Taurus tarot card can mean in a reading

You don’t have to be a Taurus to want to know more about what it means when it pops up in a reading. If you see it upright, it suggests that you will be best served by staying along a path that resonates truthful with you. This is most likely the conventional one, but it’s a tried and true (and steady) way for you to reach your goals. Taureans love stability, and the Hierophant is telling you to be practical going forward, and follow the rules. You’ll be rewarded by achieving what you set out to do.

If you get the Hierophant in love reading, you can expect it to mean that you and your partner are grounded together based on your shared values and strong loyalty to each other. If you’re searching for a partner, it could mean you may want to stick to more conventional methods of finding one, instead of relying on something out of the ordinary or that doesn’t resonate as true deep within. Trust your gut when you meet people, and only seek out those that make you feel safe and loved.

The Hierophant shows us that dependability and compatibility are not fleeting attractions, but they are the solid foundation that a life-long love is built on.

When the Hierophant shows up in a career reading, you may want to stick to the path you’ve chosen…for now. It doesn’t seem to be the right time to change careers, or rock the boat at your job. Playing it safe doesn’t mean you can’t look for opportunities elsewhere, and it may even suggest reaching out to a trusted mentor or a group of colleagues to discuss your ideas of changing jobs with them. If you’re happy in your career, the Hierophant shows that you’ve achieved this through your hard work and dependable nature. 

How will you work with the Hierophant, the Taurus tarot card?

When the Hierophant comes up in a reading, how will you interpret it? If you’re a Taurus you know that this card has special meaning for you, which is why it’s always a good idea to get a little closer to it and understand what it’s trying to tell you. Meditate with the card and observe what thoughts come up, and see what directions it encourages you to follow!