The High Priestess is the second card of the Major Arcana, numbered as II, representing duality and balance. Unveiling the enigmatic High Priestess tarot card, we invite you to embark on a journey through the mysterious realms of intuition, divine feminine energy, and sacred symbolism. Delve into the depths of this powerful major arcana card and uncover the hidden wisdom it holds, from its striking imagery to its influence on love, career, and financial guidance.
The High Priestess sits at the threshold of the Akashics, with one foot softly rooted in this conscious reality and the other one dipping deeply into the unconscious realm. Between light and dark, she stills her mind and connects to the field of information above her. Eyes fluttering, she senses the tingling sensation of the glyphs, and as the symbols trickle down she accesses the mysteries beyond the veil. Oh sweet fractions of wisdom and insight! She knows her eyes are closed, but she invites you to see the unseen that they hold. With ancient wisdom and a deep connection to the ethers, she understands your path with profound clarity.
Her keys: Intuition and mystical illumination. She is the keeper of the secrets of the universe. She trusts in her yin energy - waiting instead of pushing, rooting instead of reaching - for she knows that patience allows new magic to germinate in the void. In stillness, she invites you to find your innate seer, and to step into your own translation of the mysteries.
You see more than you know. You know more than you think. You think more than you need.
The High Priestess tarot card embodies the sacred feminine, a gateway to intuition, the subconscious mind, and the divine feminine energy. When the High Priestess appears, it is a call to awaken your inner wisdom and heed the power of your intuition, rather than relying solely on the rational mind. In a health context, the High Priest encourages you to listen to the whispers your body is conveying to you.
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The High Priestess imparts the significance of intuition and connecting with one’s Higher Self through meditation, visualizations, shamanic voyaging, and being part of sacred circles. The High Priestess is a call to listen to your guts and to “reclaim the irrational: to realise that it’s not a dirty word”, as Jen Cownie and Fiona Lensvelt explain.
“Irrationality is part of us. It’s the instincts honed by a thousand generations. Irrationality is the home of our intuition. When we accept this aspect of ourselves, when we recognise that there are times when it should be embraced, we are, more often than not, rewarded for it. She is a liminal figure, and tells us the value of the inbetween, the pause between the intake of breath and the exhale.
The High Priestess possesses intuition, mystery and sensuality combined with common sense. When the High Priestess appears in a tarot reading she indicates that now is the time to trust your instincts and go with your gut feeling. The High Priestess signifies spiritual enlightenment, inner illumination, divine knowledge and wisdom. She shows up in your Tarot readings when the veil between you and the underworld is thin, and you have the opportunity to access the knowledge deep within your soul. Now is the time to be still so you can tune in to your intuition.
The High Priestess card is a reminder to follow our intuition and trust in the wisdom of our inner voice. We can use this card as a reminder to take a step back and listen to our inner wisdom.
Here are some questions for self-reflection:
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- How do you connect with your intuitive heart? Do you feel it, see it, hear it, and know it? Can you try to incorporate a different sensory experience?
- Do you receive messages of both shadow and sunshine from beyond the veil, and do you treat them of equal importance?
- When you quiet your mind, and you listen for one word that The High Priestess is sending to you, what is it?
Symbolism and Imagery
The visual elements of the High Priestess tarot card hold deep symbolism, offering insight into its many layers of meaning.
In ‘traditional’ High Priestess imagery, we generally see her presented as a mysterious, veiled figure; both literally and metaphorically shrouded. She is enthroned between two pillars (one black, and one white) with the crescent moon both cupped beneath her feet and crowned upon her head. While she is in many ways a symbol of ‘darkness’, the two moons bathing her in their soft light indicate her ability to illuminate things that we might otherwise not see. She is both mystery and knowledge.
The world - both outside and within us - is opaque, and meaning is slippery, but that does not mean that enlightenment is impossible. The High Priestess sits in front of a thin veil decorated with pomegranates. The veil represents the separate conscious and subconscious realms, the seen and the unseen, and serves to keep casual onlookers out. Only the initiated may enter. On either side of The High Priestess stand two pillars, marking the entrance to this sacred, mystical temple (also associated with the Temple of Solomon). One pillar is black with the letter B (Boaz, meaning ‘in his strength’) and the other is white with the letter J (Jachin, meaning ‘he will establish’)
The high priest sits in silent contemplation on a cubic stone between the two pillars of wisdom, Jachin and Boaz, at Solomon’s Temple, foretelling of secret openings and that the truth will be unveiled in due time. The scroll with the word Tora on it, partly covered by the High Priest’s robe, symbolizes ancient Jewish scripture or perhaps an anagram for the tarot, or both.
The High Priestess wears a blue robe with a cross on her chest and a horned diadem (or crown), both a symbol of her divine knowledge and her status as a divine ruler. In her lap, she holds a scroll with the letter TORA, signifying the Greater Law (according to A. E. Waite). It is partly covered, signifying that this sacred knowledge is both explicit and implicit, it will only be revealed when the student is ready to look beyond the material realm.
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While The Magician is the guardian of the conscious mind and the tangible world, The High Priestess is the guardian of the subconscious mind and the teacher of sacred knowledge and hidden mysteries. Sitting at the threshold of the conscious and subconscious mind, The High Priestess has an innate ability to travel between these realms effortlessly. She teaches you that the world is not always as it seems and more profound influences are often at play.
The pillars in the High Priestess card signify the harmonious balance of masculine and feminine energies, with the black pillar representing the masculine and the white pillar representing the feminine. The two pillars in the High Priestess Tarot Card represent the pillars of Boaz and Jachin, which were placed at the entrance of King Solomon’s Temple, signifying the duality of existence and the balance of opposites. The wisdom and understanding of duality are requisite to access the hallowed space, for the pillars embody the harmony of masculine and feminine energies.
The crescent moon in the High Priestess Tarot Card represents femininity, cycles, emotions, and the realm of the unconscious. Resting at the feet of the High Priestess, it’s a reminder of her mysterious connection to the divine feminine, her inner wisdom, and the natural rhythms of the moon. At the High Priestess’ feet, the crescent moon signifies her dominion over the moon’s power and a mastery of her own emotions.
The veil of pomegranates in the High Priestess Tarot Card is a symbol of abundance, fertility, and the divine feminine. It serves as a portal to the mysteries that can only be unlocked by those who have been blessed with initiation. The mystical significance of the veil of pomegranates lies in its connection to the sacred feminine and her unwavering ambition.
She is also often depicted carrying a grain or seed, which she hands over to her mother upon her return to the surface (which we see in the next card in the Tarot deck, the Empress: the mother who has given birth and is nurturing young stalks of grain to mature to harvest). Persephone is a returning-to-life Goddess, bringing fruit and grain and Spring with her, and restoring joy and abundance to the world.
The High Priestess in Readings
In Tarot readings, she often shows up when we need to pause, go inward, and trust our inner voice. So for me, that’s the key lesson of this card: listen to your inner voice.
When the High Priestess card appears in its upright position, it serves as a powerful reminder to look inward and contemplate the matter at hand, trusting the divine intuition to lead the way. With the high priestess appearing, it embodies a symbol of the divine feminine, a force of intuition, spirituality, and wisdom that lies beyond the veil of the known.
Your intuitive sense right now is providing you with useful information and is assisting you to become more in touch with your subconscious mind. Knowledge of how to fix these issues will not come through thinking and rationalizing, but by tapping into and trusting your intuition, so allow yourself the time and space to meditate and attend to your inner voice. Now is also a time of heightened intuitive ability and psychic insight. If you are developing these skills, The High Priestess offers you further encouragement to continue your journey and trust that you are on the right path.
The High Priestess Reversed calls on you to be still and direct your attention inward to listen to your voice and wisdom. You may be swayed by other people’s opinions or swept up in their drama when what you really need to do is focus on what is right for you. Ask yourself: Do I struggle to trust my intuition fully? Perhaps you doubt yourself or feel silly or guilty for listening to your intuition, and as a result, you deny your ability to tune in and receive this potent information. You may also keep your intuitive capabilities hidden from others, fearful of their judgements or opinions. If this resonates, know that your intuition is your superpower, here to guide you and help you. Have faith in the Universe and allow yourself to be in flow with its energies. Think of The High Priestess as the calm center inside of you that is untouched by your external world and trust that she is always there when you need her. Whenever you worry that things are just getting too crazy, find a quiet space and meditate so you can hear her voice.
The secretive nature of The High Priestess may suggest gossip and hidden agendas. Others may be keeping information from you or talking about you behind your back and sharing mistruths.
When the High Priestess tarot card appears reversed, it reveals a need to open one’s inner eye and explore alternate paths of knowledge. This reversed position portends a time of yielding, questioning of self-worth, and overlooking one’s own potential. The high priestess reversed can also speak of deception, particularly from a female figure, urging us to be wary of whom we place our trust in.
Here's a quick guide to the High Priestess in different contexts:
- Is the High Priestess a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ card? The High Priestess is neutral. She asks you to pause and reflect - the answer lies within, not in a straight yes or no.
- What zodiac sign is the High Priestess linked to? She’s most often associated with Cancer, ruled by the moon and tied to cycles, emotion, and the sacred feminine.
The High Priestess in Love, Career, and Finance
The High Priestess offers specific guidance depending on the context of the reading.
In matters of love and relationships, the High Priestess tarot card offers profound insight into the importance of honesty, patience, and trusting one’s intuition. If the High Priestess card appears reversed in a love reading, it can portend questioning of motives, unease with adoration, passionate outbursts, and fervent sexual energy.
In love, the High Priestess signals that not everything is being revealed. It’s a reminder to trust your gut and look beneath the surface: your instincts may already know what your mind is still trying to work out. She can point to a relationship that is emotionally or spiritually rich, but she can also warn of secrets, silence, or the need to slow down and reflect before taking action.
In career readings, the High Priestess tarot card offers valuable insight into the importance of higher education, inspiration, trusting instincts, and potential mentorship. The High Priest may soon reveal a chance for enlightenment or favor that can be advantageous to you in your professional pursuits. For students, the High Priestess card may be a sign of a wise mentor arriving to guide you in your scholastic pursuits.
The High Priestess in a career reading asks you to trust your inner knowing rather than rushing into action. You may not yet have all the information you need. Something could be brewing behind the scenes, or a decision may need more time to gestate. This is a card of preparation, reflection, and quiet power. It can also point to careers involving research, intuition, teaching, or any path where deep knowledge and a steady hand are needed. Don’t force the pace. Wait, listen, and let the next step reveal itself.
The High Priestess tarot card provides financial guidance, urging caution and discernment when dealing with money matters. The card stresses the importance of not discussing finances openly, as well as trusting one’s intuition when faced with financial opportunities. When it comes to loans and contracts, the High Priest encourages us to carefully review all conditions before committing to any financial venture.
The High Priestess reversed can indicate a duplicitous female so be careful who you trust. Financially speaking, make sure you understand all the conditions before taking out loans or signing contracts, again somebody may be being dishonest with you.
| Aspect | Upright Meaning | Reversed Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Intuition | Trust your inner voice | Ignoring intuition, seeking external answers |
| Relationships | Emotional depth, hidden aspects | Questioning motives, unease |
| Career | Preparation, reflection, inner knowing | Lack of information, being out of the loop |
| Finances | Caution, discernment, keep finances private | Dishonesty, need to review contracts carefully |