The High Priestess
The High Priestess represents mystery, femininity, and unconscious wisdom. She calls for introspection and inner exploration, symbolizing the hidden knowledge and psychic power tethered to the feminine archetype. She guides you to look inward for answers, emphasizing meditation and stillness to access deep intuition.
Keywords
Mystery and Symbolism
The High Priestess is a woman of mystery. The veil behind her is decorated with pomegranates, linking her to Persephone (Roman Proserpina), goddess of spring and queen of the underworld. She wears the triple moon symbol of the goddess on her head, linking her to femininity and lunar power. Behind the veil, we glimpse water, which in tarot symbolizes the unconscious. We are not forbidden from walking between the trees; we just don’t know how yet.
Divine Wisdom
The High Priestess holds a book, which many think of as the Torah, representing divine wisdom. In older decks (see Tarot of Marseille for an example), this card is labeled ‘The Papess,’ meaning woman pope.
Darkness and Psychic Power
The High Priestess is darkness, psychic power, and all the mysterious sides of the feminine archetype. She has access to the collective unconscious. The Fool meets her early in his journey, before he is ready to understand what that means.
Inward Instruction
The High Priestess instructs you to turn inward. We are like the High Priestess every time we read the cards. Meditate, journal, make art, do anything that gets you in touch with that part of you that’s difficult to consciously access. This may look, in practicality, like stillness. You don’t have access to what is behind that veil yet. Take your time, look inward, and believe what you see.
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