The Hierophant. He’s the priest, the pope and the high priestess. But also the king, the queen, the police, the lawyer, the teacher, every social commentator you come across. He’s your Uncle Jim keeping you cornered at some family function raving on about his right wing/left wing/anarchist cause. Me on this blog. The school crossing lady making you check both ways for oncoming cars. Your ballet/black belt/swimming coach. A scout leader. All those shopkeepers you came across as a child who reminded you to use your manners. Every poet and writer and singer and movie star whose words you’ve looked to for guidance. Your psychiatrist. Psychologist. Therapist. Doctor. Basically, anyone trying to teach you something about the world. Right or wrong as they may be.

Reversed, he can be those peeps putting you under pressure. To follow the rules, obey the law, do the ‘right’ thing, stick to the status quo, not rock the boat, etc etc etc. He can be the policeman beating the protestor on the street with a baton. The army imposing martial law. Women making snide comments about another’s behavior. Mother-in-laws from hell criticising their son’s bride. Being forced to have an abortion or give a child up for adoption. Feeling pressured to cook the roast a certain way by your husband/mother/friends.

We’ve all been on the wrong side of this card. And it hurts.

Can you think of any other examples?