The fifth (arcane) depicts the wise, indulgent character to whom one turns to ask for advice and obtain forgiveness.
The Pope too sits, like the Popess, between the two columns of the temple and addresses two listeners with a contrasting mentality, because his task is to reconcile opposites and make the highest truths accessible to the simple. He wears the triple crown on his head, which alludes to the discernment of abstract truths, and in his hand the scepter, emblem of his spiritual power. He is dressed like the Popess in blue and purple, the colors of the priesthood; the faithful, bowing to him, wear respectively, one a red dress (activity) and the other black (submission, credulity). The Pope is connected to Jupiter and corresponds to Aries and the fire element, to the letter hé, to the Sephirah Hokmah, wisdom, creative thought.
He means invisible authority, help, evolution, success, wise advice, professional stability, an unexpected protection that clears up a difficult situation. Inspiration, intuition, law, wisdom, union, love, affirmative answer to the question, forgiveness, studies, scientific and religious vocation, diplomacy, eloquence; books, writings, travels. He indicates a close relative, children, a confidant, a father, an elderly man, a doctor, a teacher, a judge, a protector. He connects at the end of spring and summer, with the signs of Aries and Sagittarius, the element of fire, the planet Mercury, Wednesday, the nervous system and the lungs.
In the negative: this arcane announces lack of faith, inability to recognize one's wrongs, setbacks, intolerance, erroneous intuition, slander, obstacles, negative response to a problem, lack of faith in oneself, resentment, intrigue, susceptibility, fanaticism, renunciation, a false man, a hidden enemy.
The advice of the arcane
Fight against penetrations. Boost your resolve.
Pairings
- Followed by the Emperor and the Hermit: initiatives, slowdowns, delayed projects.
- Near the Hermit: voluntary isolation.
- Between the Hanged Man and the Devil: repentance, atonement.
- Followed by the hanged man: spontaneous sacrifice.
- United with Death: significant transformation. With other negative cards: danger of death.
- Next to the Tower: inner crisis.
- Close to the Stars: new love, beauty, wisdom.
- Followed by the Moon and the Sun: Psychoanalytic Analysis.
- Near the Judgment: religious vocation, spiritual renewal.
- Combined with any blade of Cups: tenderness, religiosity.
- Next to any arcane of Wands: support in the professional field.
- Accompanied by a card of Coins: fundraising for humanitarian purposes.
- Close to an arcane of Swords: fight for a just cause in the service of others.
