Interpretation of The Hierophant V and The Pope V Reversed Part 1 of 2

The Hierophant V and The Pope V  In Reverse.

The Number 5 represents the 5 senses: sight, hearing, taste, feeling, and smell. It stands for the ‘essence of things as they are’ and in Latin the word for five means Nature. Five is the number of sensuality, change and learning. We might describe The Hierophant V and The Pope V those who give spiritual and esoteric meaning to the human experience of the senses and of sensuality.

In Reverse, The Hierophant V and The Pope V are seen toppling from their elevated positions; they are now upside-down. The Hierophant V’s larger-than-life red ceremonial gown rises to the top of the card like a great, formless red sail, billowing in the wind. The Red robe worn by The Pope V appears less elegant and structured and falls away and flaps unceremoniously about his royal blue tunic. When Red is ill-dignified, it can mean anger, obsession or even fanaticism. The Red Chakra ill-aspected suggest passions that are untrained and unrestrained; a loss of courage or vitality or a lack of connection with a community.  When following through on ideas, actions are based on anger and not love, making  a movement or plan forceful but unsustainable. 

5.jpg Visual Oracle - Ultimate Edition Lite 16.3.28 (Lifetime License). The Hierophant V

​The Pope V’s royal blue tunic and The Hierophant V’s pale blue neck-scarf are upside-down. When blue, the colour of the Fifth Chakra is ill-dignified it can mean an inability to communicate deep and spiritual truths and ideals with conviction and to good effect or, to the contrary, of exploring or advocating unconventional solutions or ideas to common life situations. The reversed image might suggest that advice and action are inconsistent with traditional knowledge and practices. The reversed initiates and followers suggest they have lost their interest in learning and following the traditional ways and no longer choose to abide to customs; the keys to their future are now in their grasp.  The Hierophant V's ill-dignified neckerchief may indicate he is  at a loss of what to advise those who question his authority, practises or knowledge; and The Pope V’s inverted blue tunic may indicate that he is misunderstood or misunderstands the needs of his followers and ministers to those who do not agree, or wish to hear or to follow. Blue reversed signifies communication difficulties and the ill-aspected Fifth Chakra indicates an inability to put thoughts into action; and, by relying on traditional teachings and practises, these Papal authorities may be unable to provide the desired support or guidance to others.
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The Hierophant V’s arms appear to be dramatically outstretched in what seems an attempt to protect himself from a calamitous fall. He looks as if he is using the two grey pillars on either side of his body to keep him suspended from the ground and/or to break his fall. The Hierophant looks decidedly unimpressed and even unhappy. The Pope V’s facial expression, interestingly, appears to be one more of amusement then displeasure. 

The Pope V. B.P. Grimaud. 1969, Tarot of Marseilles, Ets J.-M. Simon, Paris France

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The Hierophant V and The Pope V Part 2 continued next week.....
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