The High Priestess
As a symbol of wisdom and mystery, the High Priestess invites us to look inward for answer. For a journey of inner exploration, see the High Priestess's guidance below
The High Priestess Tarot Card Description
"The High Priestess is the guardian of the sacred, the subconscious, the hidden mysteries of the unknown." Jessica Hundley, The Library of Esoterica Tarot (2020).
The High Priestess card symbolizes the journey of shadow work and the exploration of our subconscious. The High Priestess gently invites us to turn inward for answers, as it is within our own hearts, not the external world, that our deepest truths often reside.
Key Takeaways
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The High Priestess card emphasizes intuition and balance.
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The High Priestess sits at the shadowy gateway between your conscious, everyday mind, and all that lies beneath.
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When the High Priestess appears in reverse, it's like a little red flag waving, telling us not to ignore our gut feelings or shut out our inner wisdom. It's a gentle call to tune in and trust ourselves.
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Her veil represents the delicate balance between masculine and feminine energies, as well as the boundary between the seen and unseen.
Qualities
- Upright: Intuition, wisdom, mystery
- Reversed: Duplicity, secrecy, coldness
Celestial Influence
- Planet/Zodiac: Moon
- Card Number and Arcana: II (Major Arcana)
- Element: Water
- Crystal: Moonstone
Try meditating on the High Priestess card while holding Moonstone to tap into your own inner wisdom, knowledge and intuition.
Symbology of The High Priestess Tarot Card
Veil
The veil that drapes behind the High Priestess portrays the boundary between masculine and feminine energies, the seen and the unseen, and the conscious and the unconscious. It invites us to explore the mysteries that lie beneath the surface.
Pomegranates
I love pomegranates in general (even when they stain my counters), but especially when it comes to their beautiful presentation in this card. The ripe pomegranates present themselves, loud and proud, within fabric of the High Priestess's blue robe. Some say, they symbolize fertility, abundance, and the mysteries of life and death (oooh!).
Moon
The crescent moon at the feet of the High Priestess symbolizes intuition, the subconscious, and the divine feminine energy. It represents the hidden aspects of ourselves that are illuminated by the soft glow of inner wisdom.
The Upright High Priestess: Interpretations and Meanings
The High Priestess is a wonderful card to see in a reading. While her wisdom in its vastness would be impossible to summarize in a short article, the below interpretations might be a fun jumping-off point to mull over:
Love and Relationships
In a love reading, the High Priestess card offers a great deal of insight into the possible dynamics of a relationship and the deeper emotions at play. Whether you are currently in love or searching for a romantic connection, the High Priestess would encourage you to trust your intuition and to look deep within yourself for answers.
Given the nurturing qualities of the High Priestess, you might be going through a period of time where either you or a loved one needs a little extra TLC. The High Priestess would say that it is admirable to care for others, so long as you ensure that you carve out enough time for yourself and your own needs.
Career and Finances
In a career reading, the upright High Priestess would likely gently smile at you in that quiet confidence sort of way. She sees your full potential and now hopes that you too will realize how much you have to offer.
This might mean putting yourself out there more often at work or taking bigger risks when safe to do so. It might also be something more intimate and personal, like taking some time to journal about what you truly value or reflecting on what sort of work would bring you the most joy and fulfillment.
The Reversed High Priestess: Warnings and Challenges
While the High Priestess always has our back, if you pull this card in reverse, there might be some challenges you are currently working through. Some interpretations are described below that you can reflect on:
Love and Relationships
When you see the High Priestess reversed in a love reading, it could indicate that either you or someone you are connected to has secretive tendencies or is disconnected from themselves. This doesn't mean that you need to panic or that someone is deceiving you, but it could mean that either you or this person are having trouble to fully accessing and connecting with their core truths, their inner self.
We all go through phases and transitions like this, so it isn't a deal-breaker. Sometimes during chaotic or stressful life chapters, we go into survival mode and need to shut down certain parts of ourselves to get through it. If this sounds like you right now, there's no shame in that, but try to, in your own time, gently reopen those parts of yourselves and express them freely and lovingly.
Career and Finances
In a career reading where our lovely High Priestess pops up in reverse, it might indicate that we are leaning on others for support or external validation. This in and of itself is nothing to be ashamed of as it's a natural part of life.
However, when we begin to rely on others a little bit too much, we unintentionally disconnect from ourselves and our own self-worth. A bit corny but very true: you are an incredible person and colleague - remind yourself of that as often as you need. This might help you to channel your inner voice and confidence more often, too.
Departing Wisdom from The High Priestess
The High Priestess is all about compassion, empathy, and authenticity. Sometimes, in order to access these qualities, we really need to do the inner work to understand ourselves so that we can better understand others.
Whenever you can, try to pause and take a few mindful moments throughout the day where you can check in with yourself. Sometimes we may not know what we are feeling in the moment, but there are other signals that may help us on that journey. Tune in to your body. What might it be telling you?
Mantra: By accepting and loving all parts of myself, I can access a deeper compassion for others.
References
The Way of Tarot | Alejandro Jodorowsky, Archive.org
The Marseille Tarot Revealed A Complete Guide to Symbolism, Meanings & Methods | Yoav Ben-Dov
The Pictorial Key to the Tarot | Arthur Edward Waite
Disclaimer
The contents of this article are provided for informational purposes only. Take what resonates with you and leave behind anything that doesn't. Anahana is not liable for any interpretations, insights, or outcomes that may arise from using the information provided.
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