The High Priestess, a figure revered and sometimes feared, embodies a profound connection to the sacred and the mundane. Known by many names - Mystic, Shaman, Courtesan, Healer, Midwife, Medicine Woman, Saint, and Weaver - she has guided and inspired countless individuals, from kings to artists. She is a conduit between the two realms, tuning into the unseen and officiating sacred rites that connect us to realms beyond our everyday reality.
The High Priestess is tied to the moon, to wisdom, to magic, and to inspiration. She relies on intuition and inner knowledge, rather than intellect. Her message is powerful and unique, arising from the depths of her own being. She trusts in the unseen worlds.
Embracing the Archetype of the Priestess
A Priestess is a woman who owns her connection to the sacred and the mundane. She is a conduit between the two and not only tunes into things, but also tunes things in. She officiates sacred rites and ceremony that connects us to realms beyond 3D reality and trusts in the unseen worlds. Our soul yearns to be a full YES to love and life. For this to happen, we need a YES from our animal, a YES from our heart and a YES from our consciousness in the major areas of our life such as work and relationships.
The Priestess remains standing as a tree stands, grounded in the womb of the Great Mother; this is her safety. She trusts. The Priestess remains centered, and allows all the storms of fear, terror, anxiety and sadness to pass over her open heart; she accepts, embraces and feels everything with love. She knows she is the Creator of her life and that everything is the way it is; the only thing she can change is her own internal state of Being. She is then able to magically draw to her all that she needs to be in her joy, ease and grace in every area of her life from her relationships to her Service in the World. She is the Great Mother, the Great Sorceress, the Great Lover and the Great Warrior. She is the Great Goddess.
For this to happen, we need a YES from our animal, a YES from our heart and a YES from our consciousness in the major areas of our life such as work and relationships. If we are only a YES from our hearts or consciousness and are ignoring our animal, we have a problem! Likewise, if we are only a YES from our animal and our heart, dissatisfaction will eventually ensue.
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The Path of Self-Mastery
To be a Priestess, at its core, is the path of Self Mastery. It is honoring yourself, living with compassion, kindness and love yet also with strength and power. Always with integrity, vulnerability and authenticity. It is feeling a deep connection to all that is, feeling your connection and acceptance to the flow and equally the chaos that is your world. Ultimately, it is mastering the present moment, and trusting the unfolding with full presence. Then the creative juices just keep flowing; flowing towards loving Service.
Challenges and Shadows
A Priestess woman is challenged to be open and at the same time protect herself from what she doesn’t want or from what does not serve her. One of the major tasks of the Priestess is embodiment, grounding into her body and having self- respect otherwise her sensitivity will continually overwhelm her. She must remain true to herself even when that means she may be “cast out” or condemned. Her job is not an easy one as she is known to move people out of their comfort zone. A trans-connector, she facilitates between the material and the spiritual, the conscious and unconscious, and this stirs people up!
The Priestess in shadow is a woman who has an incredible inner wisdom and sensitivity but does not own and trust it. If she became aware of this Archetype, she would serve as the receiver from other dimensions and become comfortable with not knowing anything. When she does not own it and trust it, she will spend more time trying to figure things out than following her inner guidance. She will push, control and “think” her way out of things.
The shadow Priestess will also often align with martyrdom, sacrifice and self-denial. She may have been taught to be everything to everyone, but herself. She may have allowed her waters and magical creative energy to overflow too much into others resulting in undefined boundaries and lack of self-love. Another shadow expression can be an egoic identification with spiritual energies and powers, and the use of them in service to ego to manipulate, control, or invade others, rather than to serve the Sacred.
Wounding and Healing
The Priestess gets wounded in a number of ways. As children, we are so open and often aware of things others can’t see, like angels and fairies or spirits but when we are told these not “real” we stop connecting. We also may have a knowing about things that adults are hiding (like alcoholism or abuse) but we are told it’s not true, that the abuse didn’t happen and we may get punished or told we are bad. This causes us to shut down “the knower” in us, or at the very least, hide it. It may also cause us to go into hypersensitivity for self-protection and lack of trust in the world.
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Working with the Priestess Energy
When we are working with the Priestess energy there is a new level of honoring oneself and guiding others to do the same. We recognize that our body, our being, is a temple to be treated with honor and respect. A Temple where love and respect sits in the center.
The most common form of dis-honoring that occurs in our society its Verbal, Physical and Sexual Assault/Trauma. It is rampant! All of us have at some point been verbally, physically or sexually abused and is it ever justified or ok? Absolutely not. When someone is “attacking” us verbally, physically or sexually or being perceived to be attacking us, we go into an automatic stress response. When we are triggered or activated we have actually lost our rational or thinking brain (present time focus) and we are now in the Limbic and/or Reptilian brain (emotional, instinctual, past time focus). Those we love receive the “hit” of our past experience or conditioning when we are in this state, because thats where our brain is now operating from. So how do we get come back to presence and ease when the sympathetic nervous system is activated rather than copping abuse or dishing out abuse?
A Priestess knows how to keep herself safe and can teach others how to do the same to themselves.
To truly cultivate your Priestess and work with her energy is to change your life forever, as well as those you work with and those who are around you.
It is safe now to RISE in your Priestess once again. So Rise Priestess, Rise. You know who you are.
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The High Priestess in Tarot
You've most likely encountered the High Priestess before, but in other forms - she can be seen in the archetypes of Persephone, Artemis, Isis and many more. When you encounter her, you will see her sitting on a cubic stone between the two pillars at Solomon’s Temple, Jachin, and Boaz. Jachin (right) is generally referred to as the Pillar of Establishment and Boaz (left) is the Pillar of Strength. The High Priestess's location between the two suggests that it is her responsibility to serve as a mediator between the depths of the reality. She is the third pillar - the path between. She believes that both pillars are equal and there is knowledge to be learned in both worlds. You will also notice that she wears the crown of Isis which can mean that she is a believer of magic. The high priestess wearing of the solar cross denotes that she is connected to the season of the earth and the earth itself.
The meaning of the High Priestess is related with inner knowledge. Her appearance in a reading can signify that it is time for you to listen to your intuition rather than prioritizing your intellect and conscious mind. When the High Priestess shows up it can depict an archetype known as the divine feminine - the mysterious female that understands and holds the answers to the deep unknowns; religion, self, nature. She represents someone that is intuitive, and beginning to open to her or his spirituality. Meditation, prayer and new spiritual work is indicated. The card itself shows a night-time scene, meaning that the world in which she protects and guards is one that may at first seem frightening, but has the potential to lead us into the growth of the self. When she appears in a reading, she is calling to you to listen to her message, and follow her into your own depths. There is searching within yourself to be done for the answers that you seek.
The High Priestess in a love tarot reading can signal almost imperceptible and unconscious changes in one's emotional state. A calm surface can hide intense emotions, and even seemingly simple dates can turn into raging passions. The High Priestess tarot love meaning suggests that one needs patience, and trust for your intuition. In a relationship, the High Priestess shows increasing intimacy and openness.
When it comes to your career, the High Priestess may signal a period of education or higher learning. You may be returning to school for training. If you’re in a creative field, this card also can suggest new inspiration coming into your work. When making big choices about your future career or projects, the High Priestess also suggests relying on your gut instincts. There’s likely a lot of information there that will aid you. Since the High Priestess is related to mystery and the unknown, be wary of discussing your finances with others. This card suggests keeping your financial situation hidden. Alternatively, if you’re being presented with the opportunity to put your finances into use, your intuition will know whether this is a good choice or not. Take some time to probe your feelings; if there are red-flags, something won’t feel right.
Upright High Priestess
Drawing The High Priestess invites you to delve into a deep, intuitive connection. This person is captivated by your mysterious aura and senses that there’s much more beneath the surface. Their feelings are instinctual rather than logical; they feel an undeniable pull towards you but remain cautious, wanting to understand the depths of your character before fully committing.
This card signals a time for self-reflection on your emotions. You may feel compelled to explore your inner self while wrestling with uncertainty about this relationship. Trusting your intuition will illuminate these complex feelings, guiding you as you uncover what truly resonates within and navigate this emotional landscape together.
The arrival of The High Priestess suggests that now is the time to turn inward and trust your intuition. You should focus on deepening your self-awareness and exploring your inner wisdom. This may involve setting aside quiet moments for meditation or journaling, allowing you to connect with your subconscious thoughts. Consider engaging in activities that foster creativity, such as painting or writing, which can help unlock hidden insights. Additionally, seek knowledge through reading spiritual texts or attending workshops that resonate with you.
Reversed High Priestess
When it comes to the High Priestess reversed, it can mean that you are finding it difficult to listen to your intuition. It is time for you to meditate and try new approach, for at this moment, the rational approach will not work. Something has been telling you to follow your gut, but you may be ignoring the call. There is a lot of confusion around you, and your actions may feel contrary to what you know is right.
The High Priestess is the guardian of your intuition, indicating that it can be a powerful indicator that you will need to trust your feelings when it comes to love and romance. Difficulties can develop when you ignore your intuition and follow only your conscious mind. The High Priestess love meaning can also signal that you must be careful to be truly honest. Avoid taking action or saying words to simply please your lover.
You may not have all the information when it comes to your work situation right now. Have people kept you in the dark? Because of this, you can feel alone and perhaps out of touch with your coworkers. It may also be that when it comes to making career decisions, you’re not listening to your intuition. Are you choosing to trust a business associate despite a gut feeling that they don’t have the best intentions for you? Are you staying in a job you despise despite your intuition telling you that this one isn’t meant for you? This card can also suggest a colleague who has hidden agendas; be wary of others.
Are you in the process of signing contracts, taking loans, getting a mortgage, or investing in something? There may be some details that you’re missing. The High Priestess reversed in a financial tarot meaning can suggest that you don’t quite have all the information you need to make a proper, educated decision.
The arrival of the reversed High Priestess suggests that this person is grappling with confusion and uncertainty. They may feel disconnected from their intuition regarding you, leading to mixed emotions or even mistrust. Their feelings might be clouded by secrets or misunderstandings, making it difficult for them to fully embrace what they truly want.
With regard to your own feelings, the reversed High Priestess indicates that you could be experiencing self-doubt or a lack of clarity within yourself. You might find it challenging to trust your instincts or understand your emotional landscape right now. This card encourages you to delve deeper into your inner world and confront any fears or uncertainties that are holding you back from achieving emotional fulfillment.
The arrival of the High Priestess reversed suggests that you should take action by seeking clarity and confronting your inner truths. This card indicates a time to step away from distractions and tune into your intuition, which may have been clouded by external influences. Focus on self-reflection; journal your thoughts or meditate to uncover hidden feelings. It’s also essential to reassess any secrets or unspoken issues in your life, whether they are personal dilemmas or unresolved conflicts with others.
Три вида интуиции. Как не путать внутренний голос со страхами?
The High Priestess as a Soul Card
A High Priestess's personal knowledge, understanding and truth always come from within. Men and women who have the High Priestess as their soul card tend to be deeply intuitive. Unlike other people, they easily perceive all the unspoken truths and subtle undercurrents in any given situation. Receptive and empathic, they can often experience other people's feelings as well as their own. In a relationship, High Priestesses are independent and self-sufficient, needing neither spouse nor children to feel truly complete or whole. They are motivated primarily by their own feelings and emotions.
If, however, High Priestesses get lost on their soul journey, they can veer wildly from one extreme to the other. In the lives of many High Priestesses, the influence of the Justice card falls into their Shadow as a hidden factor. Their sense of right and wrong becomes too overdeveloped and, as a result, they can become hypercritical of both themselves and others. The challenge of a High Priestess's soul journey then becomes to learn from this hidden factor. But when the influence of the Justice card is positively felt, it causes High Priestesses to be true to themselves above all else.
When the Judgement card falls into a High Priestess's Shadow, it too causes extreme self-criticism but, in addition, also makes the High Priestess feel that others are so much more powerful that change and transformation are impossible. High Priestesses must learn to take action and be responsible for changing their own lives. When the Judgement card is experienced as a positive influence, it becomes a source of awakening for a High Priestess. Limitations of the past can be overcome and transcended. High Priestesses typically have a number of such epiphanies during their lifetimes.
Symbolism in the High Priestess Card
The High Priestess as a tarot card in many decks she is also known as Persephone, Isis, the Corn Maiden and Artemis. The card number for the High Priestess is two, and balance and duality are strongly carried themes throughout the card. The two pillars she sits between emphasizes that she sits firmly between the darkness and the light, between the physical world and the world beyond, between the conscious and unconscious realms. The blue around her is a symbol of knowledge. She is wearing the crown of Isis symbolising the Triple Goddess. The juxtaposition of colors red and blue in the composition represent balance between male and female. Behind her a series of half-revealed and half-concealed text, representing the exoteric and esoteric teachings of higher knowledge.
I've created my version of the High Priestess with the third eye (The third eye (also known as the inner eye) is a mystical and esoteric concept referring to a speculative invisible eye which provides perception beyond ordinary sight. The third eye refers to the gate that leads to inner realms and spaces of higher consciousness.) It seemed fitting for what the High Priestess represents. Because wisdom has no age, I have given a young woman the eyes and hands of a much older/wiser soul...encapsulating the concept of an "old soul". While the High Priestess has hands on either side of her face emphasizing again the duality and focus on knowledge, a third hand, much younger reaches down to her heart. A symbolic link between what she knows and what she feels.
The crown she wears has wires reminiscent of old antenna that help her "tune in" to intuition. The planet associated with the High Priestess is the Moon. (Intuition and secrets revealed)
Signs You Are a High Priestess
The High Priestess represents wisdom, serenity, knowledge and understanding. She is often described as the guardian of the unconscious. She sits in front of the thin veil of awareness, which is all that separates us from our inner selves. The High Priestess knows the secret of how to access these realms. She represents spiritual enlightenment and inner illumination, divine knowledge and wisdom. She has a deep, intuitive understanding of the Universe and uses this knowledge to teach rather than to try to control others.
Here are some signs that you may be embodying the High Priestess archetype:
- A Channel of the Divine: You feel most at peace when communicating with higher energies through meditation, dance, art, or silent reflection.
- The Gift of Clairvoyance: Spiritual insight often comes to you in vivid dreams or imagery.
- Awakening Spiritual Gifts: Many of your spiritual gifts are naturally awakened, such as strong intuition, energy healing, or manifesting through spoken word.
- Fierce Yearning to Step Into Your Power: You have a strong desire to fully embody your soul’s power and align with your higher self.
- A Grand Vision for Your Life: A bold, sacred vision for your life has likely always lingered in your heart, pulling you forward.
- Independence and Inner Sovereignty: You value your freedom to grow spiritually and express your sacred gifts on your own terms.
- The Desire to Elevate Others: You have the ability to uplift and inspire others through art, dance, teaching, or simply the energy you embody.
| Sign | Description |
|---|---|
| Channel of the Divine | Feels at peace when communicating with higher energies. |
| Gift of Clairvoyance | Receives spiritual insight through dreams and imagery. |
| Awakening Spiritual Gifts | Possesses strong intuition and energy healing abilities. |
| Yearning for Power | Desires to fully embody soul's power and align with higher self. |
| Grand Vision | Has a bold, sacred vision for life. |
| Independence | Values freedom to grow spiritually and express gifts. |
| Elevating Others | Uplifts and inspires others through various means. |
Embody Your Calling
If these traits resonate with you, consider it an invitation to deepen your exploration. Whether this is a fleeting chapter in your life or a soul purpose carried across lifetimes, stepping into your high priestess energy offers profound growth and transformation opportunities.