Oh, how we’d love to live our lives like The Fool!
Unencumbered, without a care in the world, he’s off on an adventure with his faithful dog at his side. His optimism and sense of freedom are enviable.
Once, when we were very young, we thought nothing could stop us from getting and becoming anything we wanted, before doubt and self-consciousness set in.
We were imaginative, creative, and brave – and spectacularly naive. Surely, we’d always be taken care of, no matter how badly the outcome of our worst decisions. Someone would always come to our rescue: parents, our community, our government.
The Hierophant is probably the first obstacle we all encounter that tells us life isn’t all feathered caps and pretty flowers.
The Hierophant is a teacher – specifically a teacher of rules; of “how we always do it.”
He invented Sunday clothes, Daylight Savings Time, and “don’t run in the hall.” He tells you how to behave around certain people and how not to behave around others.
And, as much of a wet towel he is, The Hierophant is a necessary component in living safely alongside other humans.
He’s the one who reminds The Fool that he’s about to skip his way over a cliff if he doesn’t look where...