Sage Leaves: The Hierophant and the Heroine's Journey
Healing Ancestral Wounds Through Tarot
This week’s Sage Leaves includes the ongoing exploration of The Hierophant with a discussion of his role in the Heroine’s Journey. We will explore his presence in readings for generational wounding in future weeks. We also have a fresh Tarotscope for the week of April 22-28, 2025.
During the week, we randomly post brief articles on questions that arise from readers as well as herbal self care recipes. I’m a trained herbalist with a deep tradition of working with plant allies from the botanical scientific aspects, the horticultural angle, and of course, as a classical herbalist using plant-based options for self care. Sometimes I like to share that knowledge with my readers when something comes along that I think should be shared. I think we all need a little of that these days!
🔱 The Hierophant in the Heroine’s Journey: A Sacred Gatekeeper
In the story arc of the Heroine’s Journey, the Hierophant may not seem like an obvious ally. He wears robes. He sits on a throne. He speaks in codes and rules and sacred laws. To the modern seeker—especially one on a path of self-discovery or spiritual awakening—he can seem outdated, rigid, even patriarchal.
But like many figures in myth and Tarot, the Hierophant has hidden layers. He is not just a teacher. He is a threshold guardian. And his role in the Heroine’s Journey is both challenging and essential.
🛐 The Voice of Tradition
The Heroine’s Journey, unlike the Hero’s, often begins with too much structure, not too little. Where the Hero longs for adventure, the Heroine often begins in a world that already tells her exactly who she’s supposed to be. Culture, family, religion, and community expectations form a tight web around her identity. She knows the rules—but they don’t quite fit.
This is where the Hierophant appears.
He represents the voice of tradition, of spiritual authority, and of inherited systems. He’s not always a villain, but he does challenge the Heroine to ask:
What do I truly believe? What belongs to me—and what was given to me out of fear, habit, or duty?
The Hierophant holds the keys to belonging, but they come at a cost. He asks for obedience. He tests your willingness to accept outer truth over inner knowing. For the Heroine, this moment is a mirror. She must decide:
Will I follow the path I was told to walk? Or will I shape one of my own?
🗝️ A Gate, Not a Wall
It’s important to remember that the Hierophant isn’t just a judge—he’s a gatekeeper.
In mythology, this role is often sacred. Think of Chiron, the wise centaur who trained heroes. Or the Sphinx, who posed a riddle before letting travelers pass. These guardians don’t stop the journey. They simply ask if you’re ready to earn the next step.
When the Hierophant appears in the Heroine’s Journey, he may take many forms:
A strict teacher
A spiritual leader
A family elder
A cultural norm
A system of belief passed down
The Heroine must face him, not by attacking, but by discerning. She must learn to separate the form from the spirit. She must claim her own voice, while still honoring what holds true wisdom.
Sometimes, she walks away from what he offers. Other times, she takes the deeper meaning with her and reshapes it into something new.
🔮 Reclaiming Inner Authority
Ultimately, the Hierophant’s gift is clarity. He asks the Heroine to recognize the difference between external authority and inner truth.
He may appear as a challenge, but in doing so, he helps her claim her sovereignty.
In many ways, the Hierophant teaches the Heroine how to be her own priestess.
She doesn’t destroy the temple.
She becomes the temple.
She steps into her own ritual, her own rite, her own rhythm.
The Heroine may still light candles, say prayers, or sit in sacred silence. But the voice she listens to is no longer someone else’s.
It is her own.
🌿 In Closing
In the Heroine’s Journey, the Hierophant is not just a figure of the old world. He is a bridge.
He shows up to be questioned, examined, and sometimes transformed. Through him, the Heroine doesn’t just reject the past—she learns to redeem it.
In doing so, she prepares to meet her deeper self—fully, freely, and on her own terms.
🌿 A Season of Reckoning: Week of April 22–28, 2025
Neptune in Aries, Pluto in Aquarius, Mercury direct
This is a reading for the energetic influences at play for the week of April 22-28, 2025. This is a week of reflection sharpened by clarity. There are pairs echoing in your spread—two 7s, two Pentacles, two Swords. Two cards—7 of Pentacles and 7 of Swords—return from prior weeks, anchoring us in a developing arc of inner audit and strategic honesty. The ground shifts beneath you, but it's no longer slippery. Mercury has gone direct. You can feel your mind syncing with your voice. What was fog is beginning to crystallize.
Let’s step into the story.
🪴 Tuesday – 7 of Pentacles
Moon in Aquarius Trine Jupiter in Gemini
You begin the week deep in assessment mode. The 7 of Pentacles returns—not as repetition, but as reconfirmation. You are growing something. But you’re no longer just asking “Will it thrive?”—you’re asking “Is it worth it?”
The Aquarian Moon invites objectivity, while Jupiter in Gemini expands your mental reach. You zoom out, take in the wide-angle view. Patterns reveal themselves. Maybe you've worked too hard with too little return. Or perhaps your effort is building toward a quiet breakthrough.
This is your invitation to measure value not just in outcome, but in integrity. What still aligns with who you're becoming?
🌈 Wednesday – 10 of Cups
Sun in Taurus Square Pluto in Aquarius
Here’s the vision of joy. The 10 of Cups promises emotional fulfillment, but Pluto’s square to the Sun complicates the picture. You may feel an old story tugging at your sleeves—something about what love is supposed to look like, or who you’re supposed to be in order to be happy.
Pluto says: Dig deeper. Peel away inherited expectations. You might see that your idea of “the dream” is outdated, borrowed, or no longer resonant.
True happiness doesn’t come from perfection—it comes from presence. Rewrite your vision if it no longer fits.
💰 Thursday – 4 of Pentacles
Venus in Pisces Conjunct Saturn in Pisces
The 4 of Pentacles brings a desire for security, control, and stability. Today, that instinct is amplified by Saturn’s sobering hand on dreamy Venus. You may feel tempted to hold on too tightly—whether to money, emotions, or identity.
Pisces energy softens the rigidity, though. You’re being asked to protect without imprisoning. Secure the root, but let the branches breathe.
Where are you gripping out of fear? Where can you trust that love, support, or stability won’t vanish if you ease your hold?
🕵️ Friday – 7 of Swords
Moon in Aries Conjunct Neptune in Aries
The second 7 returns—7 of Swords, our slippery strategist. Under the fiery intuition of an Aries Moon and the deep waters of Neptune, you might find yourself second-guessing a truth. This is a day of unspoken motives, half-truths, and quiet exits.
But this time, it’s not about betrayal. It’s about boundaries. You may need space. You may need to withhold to protect something sacred.
Be clear with yourself—even if you're not ready to explain it to others. Not every truth has to be spoken aloud today. But it must be felt.
🔭 Saturday – 2 of Wands
Mars in Leo Opposite Pluto in Aquarius
A moment of vision arrives. The 2 of Wands places you on the edge of choice—looking out, wondering what lies beyond your current container. Mars in Leo lends boldness, while Pluto’s pull reminds you that power is always in play.
You might feel a strong urge to break free, declare a new direction, or challenge an established path. But be mindful—opposition brings friction. Don’t burn down what you’re still learning from.
This is about readiness, not rebellion. Are you choosing from freedom—or from fear of staying small?
⚖️ Sunday – King of Swords
Moon in Taurus Square Pluto in Aquarius
Sunday brings clarity—but it may feel sharp. The King of Swords speaks with clean logic, and Pluto again challenges emotional assumptions. You may have to make a decision that cuts through the heart of a situation. Truth can sting. But it can also set you free.
This King invites you to step fully into your authority. No more deferring. No more delaying.
Speak your truth with precision and compassion. Lead with wisdom, not ego. This is your sword of discernment—wield it well.
☠️ Monday – Death
Moon in Taurus Sextile Saturn in Pisces
And so we end with Death—the sacred transformation. But this is no crisis. Saturn’s steady hand gives this ending structure and dignity. Something is being laid to rest with grace.
You’ve done the work. You’ve asked the questions. Now, you are allowed to release.
What ends today creates space for the new. There is no need for drama. Just breath. Just stillness. Just the hum of a chapter closing.
Thank it. Bury it. Bless it. And walk on.
🔮 Final Reflection:
This week isn’t soft—it’s clear. The returning 7 of Pentacles and 7 of Swords frame a tension between effort and truth. The pairs of Pentacles and Swords sharpen that edge: What you’re building must match what you believe.
The planets push and pull with pressure—but offer reward in honesty.
Now that Mercury is direct, you can speak clearly.
Now that Pluto and Neptune are reshaping the field, you can choose consciously.
So choose. With heart. With vision. With clarity.
The wheel turns, and you—you are becoming something truer than ever before.
That’s it for this week! Look for Sage Leaves in your inbox on Tuesday afternoons (North American time.) We look forward to exploring more about Tarot, Healing and more! Take care, be well, and good-bye for now!