Tehuti: The Hierophant

Thrice-Great Tehuti, known to the Greeks as Thoth, is the Neteru of Wisdom. He invented writing, mathematics, and science, making him chief among scribes. He used his intelligence to win contests and against Khonsu and to get around the divine curse of Amun-Ra; in doing so he extended the year by 5 days. With the help of Ma’at, Tehuti is charged with maintaining the cosmic order.

Tehuti helps Amun-Ra navigate his solar barge, the Atet, through the sky during the day and through the Duat (the underworld) each night. He also acts as prosecutor for the judgement of the ka (souls) of the dead in the Hall of Two Truths.

Themes

As Tehuti is the Neteru of Wisdom, the them of the Tehuti Hierophant card is earthly and spiritual wisdom and its many manifestations: intelligence, esoteric knowledge, religion, mastery, and shared knowledge. Tehuti’s emphasis on maintaining the cosmic order and balance lends itself to a reading of conformity, equilibrium, and the comfort that can be provided by tradition, as well as traditional institutions.