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Category: Major Arcana
The High Priestess exudes an enigmatic and potent essence, resonating with hidden mystery, sexuality, and profound spiritual power.
The High Priestess: Description
To unlock the true meaning of the High Priestess tarot card, let’s delve into the Rider Waite tarot card illustration and its symbolism.
The card portrays an ethereal woman seated gracefully on a cubic stone, positioned between two majestic pillars, symbolizing the entrance to a hallowed and mystical temple (Temple of Solomon). These pillars, known as Jachin and Boaz, represent the Pillar of Establishment and the Pillar of Strength, signifying the inherent duality of nature, where negative and positive, masculine and feminine converge.
As the third pillar, The High Priestess unites both worlds, embracing their equality and wisdom. This card emphasizes nonaction, urging those who draw her to consider a moment of contemplation.
At her feet lies a delicate crescent moon symbolizing her deep connection to the divine feminine and subconscious mind, mirroring life’s mysteries and rhythms. Her solar cross pendant links her to the earth’s cycles and nature’s essence.
The High Priestess: Keywords
UPRIGHT: Mystery – Intuition – Spiritual power – Divine feminine – Subconsciousness – Sensuality – Desirability
REVERSED: Secrets – Resignation – Confusion – Lack of intuition – Repressed emotions – Doubt – Superficiality
The High Priestess: Meaning
Discover the enigmatic world of The High Priestess, where duality reigns with its association with the number 2. Explore its distinct meanings when upright or reversed.
Upright Meaning
The High Priestess emerges as a powerful symbol, signaling the moment to heed your instincts, listen to gut feelings, and embrace intuition, rather than relying solely on intellect and the conscious mind.
When the High Priestess graces your tarot reading, she embodies the divine feminine archetype, an embodiment of intuition, spiritual power and empathy. She emphasizes the importance of harmonizing both masculine and feminine energies within you. Her presence calls for your attention to the sacred feminine aspect of your being. It prompts you to embrace your intuitive nature and embark on a journey of spiritual exploration.
Intuition and the divine feminine hold profound significance as gateways to uncover life’s deepest mysteries: questions of self, and the very essence of nature. The apparition of the High Priestess invites you to delve into the realms of meditation, prayer, and spiritual work, embarking on a transformative path of self-discovery and growth.
Reversed Meaning
The reversed High Priestess in a tarot reading confirms that your intuition and instincts are correct, but you’re suppressing them. You’re ignoring your feelings and struggling with doubts and insecurities, leading to actions that contradict your inner knowing.
Ask yourself if others’ opinions are affecting you too much. Reflect on whether you’re following your own path or being influenced by others. Be cautious of their attempts to sway you and trust your beliefs. Seek answers within, as you don’t need others’ approval.
Don’t hesitate to ask yourself insightful questions that may guide you towards an authentic path aligned with your essence and personal values.
The High Priestess: Love meaning
As mentioned before, The High Priestess, as the guardian of your intuition, reveals a love meaning that is easy to grasp: The High Priestess advises you to trust your instincts and intuition. Be honest and true to yourself, not just to please your partner. This card emphasizes the importance of focusing on your own desires, feelings, and wishes, as it symbolizes self-awareness.
If you are already in a relationship, The High Priestess suggests a strong and satisfying connection with your partner. There will be openness and a high level of compatibility, leading to a fulfilling and desirable long term relationship.
The High Priestess: Key symbols
The High Priestess card is a symbol of intuition, wisdom, and spiritual insight. Let’s explore the main symbols found in the illustration of The High Priestess in the Rider-Waite Tarot.
If you don’t have the Rider-Waite Tarot deck yet, you can get it here.This deck enjoys widespread popularity and recognition in the world of tarot card reading, and it is also referred to by various names, such as the Waite-Smith, Rider-Waite-Smith, or Rider Tarot.
The two pillars
On either side of The High Priestess, there are two pillars: one black with the letter B and one white with the letter J. These pillars, known as Boaz and Jachin, are believed to be the very pillars that once supported the legendary King Solomon’s temple.
These pillars represent duality and the balance of opposites, such as light and dark, masculine and feminine, and conscious and subconscious. They signify The High Priestess’s ability to navigate and understand the complexities of life.
The High Priestess
The High Priestess is depicted as a serene and enigmatic woman seated on a cubic stone, which represents a throne. Her posture and demeanor exude a sense of mystery and inner knowing. She represents the feminine divine and the embodiment of intuition.
The High Priestess, situated between the two pillars, embodies the eternal dance of light and dark, masculine and feminine, conscious and subconscious, material and the spiritual, the known and the unknown.
The crescent moon
At the feet of The High Priestess, lies a beautiful crescent moon, an enchanting symbol that holds deep significance and profound connections to the divine feminine energy.
The crescent moon’s radiant presence in The High Priestess card beckons us to explore the profound world of intuition, inviting us to trust our inner wisdom and embrace the whispers of our subconscious.
This symbol is also associated with cycles, emotions, and the ebb and flow of life. It mirrors the interconnectedness between the rhythms of the cosmos and the delicate rhythms of our emotions and experiences.
The veil
The High Priestess is depicted with a veil (or curtain) behind her. This veil represents the thin boundary between the conscious and subconscious realms, symbolizing her access to hidden wisdom and esoteric knowledge. It suggests that the answers lie beyond the material world and can be revealed through introspection and inner exploration.
The pomegranates
The High Priestess is typically depicted with pomegranates in the Rider-Waite Tarot. In various ancient cultures and mythologies, pomegranates have been associated with feminine power, fertility, and abundance. This association with femininity aligns perfectly with The High Priestess, who embodies the divine feminine archetype and is often depicted as a guardian of intuition, spiritual wisdom, and empathy.
Furthermore, pomegranates are also deeply entwined with the mysteries of life and death. In ancient Greek mythology, the story of Persephone, the daughter of Demeter, revolves around her consumption of pomegranate seeds, which binds her to the underworld for part of the year. This mythic connection to the cycle of life, death, and rebirth adds another layer of depth to The High Priestess’s symbolism.
The High Priestess: Does it mean Yes or No in a tarot reading?
Although some interpretations might imply that The High Priestess represents a “Yes” in yes or no tarot readings, the truth is more nuanced. Tarot doesn’t offer simple answers. The future cannot be predicted with absolute certainty, but our decisions and actions play a role in shaping it. The genuine power of tarot lies in recognizing our capacity to make choices and actively participate in our lives.
To delve deeper into yes or no tarot readings, continue reading Is Yes and No Tarot reading accurate? Unveiling the truth.
