Observations placeholder
Crowley - 05 The Hierophant
Identifier
007493
Type of Spiritual Experience
Background
The contrast between the Rider-Waite and Crowley's Tarot card could not be more marked.
Crowley's Hierophant conforms to the original definition, a teacher of symbols, concepts, methods, and theory. He is holding out his left hand [in the Rider Waite card he holds up his right hand - a negative sign].
His cone shaped hat has no tassles note, he knows but has not been.
The masculine dominates over the feminine which spiritually is not a good sign, but in the card they are at least united. Crowley shows that the role of the Hierophant is not essentially a spiritual one, because the masculine predominates, spiritual experience [crown, tassle on hat etc] is absent. All his animals appear to be masculine too.
The top of the card shows nails. I think the top right is a mask. I think the snake round his head is the ouroboros, but symbolises reincarnation as well.
A description of the experience
The source of the experience
Tarot, theConcepts, symbols and science items
Symbols
BeardBull and cow
Cone
Eagle
Elephant
Hierophant
Lion
Mask
Nails
Ouroboros
Pentangle
Thyrsus
Triqueta