Did you know that there’s a tarot architype associated with each year? When I first discovered this, I thought it was way cool. Because let's face it... I've never been very smart about astrology. Transits and conjunctions and orbits… oh my! But this? This, I can totally wrap my brain around.

Yeah, I get it. Some might wonder what illustrations on cardboard have to do with real life. What I've personally discovered is that using tarot to think about the opportunities of a new year fires up my creativity, and engages my brain to think about “goals and resolutions” from a totally new perspective.

It's also FUN! And after the year we've just had, I think we could all benefit from a little more enchantment in our everyday lives.

As we navigate the passage into 2021, we’re moving out of the energy of tarot’s Emperor and into the terrain of the Hierophant. And lemme tell you, it's a mighty big shift!

So what’s a Hierophant, anyway?

I don't know about you, but I’d never heard this term until I began working with tarot. The word itself comes from the ancient Greek: hieros = “sacred” + phainein = “to show or reveal”.

Revealer of sacred truths.

Hierophant is traditionally the wise teacher. One who holds the key to higher knowledge and can bring it down to earth.

And yes, there’s also a shadow side of Hierophant. We see it when we turn our discernment over to an intermediary, handing too much of our truth-making to an outside “authority”.

Hierophant is not only about spiritual matters, of course. It’s also present in our families as well as our political, business, and social constructs. On the bright side, the Hierophant architype can be found in the form of beloved mentors and elders. Reversed, it takes the form of dogmatic belief systems and power structures that we accept as “the way things are” without critical examination.

The structures we call “reality” are just that – structures. We made them, and we can also unmake them.

In this way, the possibilities of a Hierophant year are rich and deep.

Now here's another cool thing: WE are also the Hierophant.

I see the invitation of this year as an opportunity to get in touch with your inborn capacity for self-leadership. 2021 is gonna be packed with lessons around how to discern personal truth for yourself.

As the year progresses, you may also find yourself wrestling with the shadow side of the Hierophant. That’s to be expected - it’s all part of the process. Waking up to what has real heart and meaning in our lives.

In its shadow and light, the Hierophant calls us to take a look at the truths we hold sacred. To notice where we give our power away. To dismantle beliefs and practices that no longer serve our highest good.

It’s a great year for continuing your education across all areas. Immerse yourself in exploring topics and ideas that tickle your curiosity. Learn to play an instrument. Go back to school. Deepen your spirituality. Whatever it may be, allow yourself to soak up new knowledge, perspectives, and ideas.

This is also a potent time to find teachers and mentors that support you in these explorations. Ones that don’t "have all the answers", but instead help you find the keys for connecting directly with your own inner truth.

Whatever you choose to investigate, the payoff of Hierophant work is significant. It will put you in closer contact with your inner authority and deepest values.

If you'd like a partner in this work, I'm offering tarot and coaching packages specifically designed for navigating the passage into your Hierophant year. You can check them out here.

As we cross into 2021, I wish you a year of discovery, expansion, mystery, connection and joy!

Welcoming the Inner Teacher

So what’s a Hierophant, anyway?