The Hierophant As Feelings in Love (upright & reversed)

In new connections, The Hierophant suggests serious intentions. They are not just casually interested. They are thinking about compatibility, values and long-term potential. You may notice that they approach the connection carefully and respectfully. This card often appears when someone is looking for something meaningful rather than temporary. They may already be imagining what a stable relationship with you could look like. Their feelings are sincere, grounded and focused on building something real.

In established relationships, The Hierophant points to loyalty and commitment. They feel devoted to you and to the relationship itself. They value consistency, trust, and emotional reliability. Often, this card shows someone who sees the relationship as part of their life structure. It can also indicate traditional commitments such as moving in together, engagement, marriage or family planning. They feel secure with you and take their role as a partner seriously.

With exes, The Hierophant suggests lingering respect and attachment to the “idea” of what you had. They may still see the relationship as meaningful and important in their life story. There can be thoughts of “what we were supposed to be” or “what could have been.” They might wonder whether things could work again if both of you were willing to commit more clearly this time. However, this card can also show attachment to tradition rather than to the actual person.

Here are some of the traditional interpretations of The Hierophant in love and relationships when it shows up reversed:

• they’re questioning traditional relationship models
• they want more freedom and flexibility
• they resist labels or expectations
• they feel restricted by commitment
• they’re redefining what love means to them
• they want to do things “their own way”

On a more challenging note, The Hierophant reversed can suggest:

• fear of commitment
• avoidance of responsibility
• rebellion against expectations
• confusion about long-term goals
• resistance to emotional structure

Are you dreading when reversed cards appear in a tarot reading? No need to worry – let me explain: First of all, did you know that many professional tarot readers choose to not work with reversed cards? Read my article about “Why I (almost) never read reversed cards” here. Moreover, read this article on “How To Read Reversed Tarot Cards” like a pro!

There is absolutely no right or wrong way of going about this, and including reversed cards in your readings can absolutely make sense. However, especially if you’re just starting out, know that many well established tarot professionals don’t feel the need to include them or assign special meaning to them.