Excerpt from Dark Days Tarot Guidebook by Emily Mundy:
V. The Hierophant
Ruled by Taurus, this Major Arcana card is the masculine counterpart to the High Priestess. As she rules the hidden, inner side of the soul, he rules the esoteric expression of the self. In a reading, The Hierophant suggests aligning with convention. Regarding social structure, religion, tradition, and/or institutions, it is wise to stay within orthodox bounds. Though it may not be a time to challenge the status quo, it is a time to identify with groups or ways of thinking that will benefit you and prompt deeper learning. The Hierophant in the reversed position reflects imprisonment within one’s constraining spiritual or social beliefs. Break the rules, then. Resist the status quo. The fear of social ostracism erases itself when you proudly present what’s on the inside to everyone else.
Suggested prompts:
upright: alignment with convention; a wise leaning-in to tradition
right: deeper learning of roles within groups; communal ease
left: reconsideration of belonging to certain groups; social or institutional uneasiness
reversed: urge to break rules; social imprisonment