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brainstorming, Capricorn, character development, Christopher Vogler, Corrine Kenner, Earth, elements, Joanna Powell Colbert, Major Arcana, Meet the Cards, plotting, Raelyn Barclay, recommended reads, tarot, Tarot for Writers, Taurus, The Hierophant, The Writer's Journey, Virgo, writers, writing
Or in this case THE TEACHER. This is the fifth card in the Major Arcana, focusing on learning and teaching, but also symbolizes the five senses.
- Symbolism: Guidance or a teacher
- Element: Earth (see Tarot Elements)
What I See:
This is a very earthy card to me. The colors, the plant and animal life, the calm water in the background, all convey peace to me. The person on the card appears female to me and that difference to most Hierophant cards draws me in. I see a kindly grandmother, an eccentric neighbor who drops words of wisdom when you meet, and the preschool/kindergarten teacher who stays for the children long past retirement. I see a woman with a lot of stories to tell…I’m just outside of the picture’s frame, waiting for her to start.
Light (upright) Reading:
Heralding the arrival of a teacher, but look close, the teacher may appear in disguise.
- Keywords: Tradition, Spiritual, Growth, Teaching, and Institution
Shadow (upside down or reverse) Reading:
Beware of an inflexible belief system.
- Keywords: Dogmatic, Fanaticism, Propaganda, and Restriction
Plots:
The tree symbols the Tree of Life, perhaps your story revolves around everlasting life. That trickster, Coyote, is on the card, what about a time-travel paradox? How about the metaphysical fifth element, the Spirit? Perhaps a quest to break a curse…or to cast one?
- Themes: Teaching, Being taught or led, Guidance, Belief systems, Search for truth, Tradition, Spiritual teachings outside mainstream religion, or Revealing the sacred.
Characters:
The Teacher is a humble, spiritual figure, yet is open to a sense of wonder.
- Archetype: Teacher, Priest, Mentor, or Guide
An archetype found frequently in dreams, myths, and stories is the Mentor [Wise-Woman], usually a positive figure who aids or trains the hero. ~The Writers Journey
by Christopher Vogler
- Mythical Figures: Pope, Jupiter, Horus, Buddha, and Mohammed
The personality enneagram, a nine-pointed array of personality types, might also be a useful reference for character building.
The Hierophant is E5: Observer, Investigator, and/or Sage
- Self Image — I see through
- Passion — Greed
- Virtue — Detachment
- Narcissistic Trap — Knowledge
- Avoids — Emptiness
- Speaking Style — Explaining or Systematizing
E5 people are ruled by their head. They need to understand the pattern of events, where all the pieces fit in the puzzle of life, and are often detached from their emotions. Their objectivity may hide feelings of isolation or confusion.
Additionally, look up one of the Earth signs (Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn) for personality traits.
If you are a careful and thoughtful writer, the Hierophant will also help assure your place in a long line of saintly poets, bards, and storytellers. ~Tarot for Writers
by Corrine Kenner
Image: Gaian Tarot
Raelyn Barclay 
Interesting bit about the coyote. The coyote is also known as a trickster in Native American legends.
The Coyote and the Fox are both known as tricksters in a number of myths/legends. I love that 🙂
Thanks for stopping by Liz!
I don’t know why, but that coyote stood out to me most of all. It’s presence fit the serenity of the scene because it is a wild animal yet the connotations affiliated to it caused me to take a second look. It almost seems duplicitous in it’s purpose on the card. I think you mentioned that in this post so let me stop rambling. lol!!
I love it when the Coyote is on a card. Like you said, there’s a duality to him.
Thanks for stopping by Angela!
Do you know what the crane symbolizes? I was wondering why it was included on the card too.
It’s actually a Heron. I believe the bird is there to symbolize the spiritual aspects of this card.
The book states: “A waterbird who stands motionless at the border of land and water, as if in a meditative state. Peace, serenity, grace, independence, self-reflection, a sentinel. Like all birds, a messenger between heaven and earth.”
Now, that’s something you can work into your Second Chances series 🙂
Thanks for stopping by Maria!
Love the image of a village elder for this, someone who’s views can either illuminate or close another’s mind. Really like this series, Raelyn.
Excellent point Julie! Our elders can direct us either way, we can only hope for the path of illumination.
I’m glad you’re enjoying the series. Thanks for stopping by!
What a lovely, serene, evocative picture. In most decks the Hierophant comes across as dogmatic, unyielding, even stern. But in this beautiful card, the image is of wisdom gained–through probably as a result of grief and sorrow—but now gently and generously offered.
I have my Gaian Tarot deck but I’ve been so busy I haven’t had time to open it! 🙂
Serene is a great description. I also agree with your statement of wisdom gained and now gently offered. I definitely like this Hierophant over most decks I’ve seen.
Thanks for stopping by Jenna!
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