The High Priestess

The High Priestess card is often shown as a woman who is training herself to reach a higher level of consciousness. The High Priestess is associated with the intuitive and reflective qualities of the moon and for that reason she is usually depicted with a lunar crescent on her forehead or at her feet. She is also often seen holding an open book or closed scroll, showing us her desire for higher understanding. Some artist depict her wearing a Tiara. The High Priestess card is known for having layers of meaning so her mysteries can be experienced in several different areas of our lives.

What do these things symbolize?

The moon that you see on most High Priestess cards represents intuitive understanding and mysteries being revealed, they can also show us illusion. She, herself, is seen as a wise woman filled with inner peace and guides us to look within ourselves to find the hidden meanings of the things around us. The book or scroll she holds shows us a desire for understanding, willingness to learn and the search for wisdom.

Things to look for…

1. One White Column, One Black Column to either side of her - shows wisdom from the positive and negative aspects of life.
2. Holding a Crystal Ball – She contains knowledge that she can access at any given time. She is a store house of wisdom.
3. A Tiara – Papal or otherwise. (A deeper sense of spirituality)
4. A body of Water – Pool of Spirituality, Emotions coming from a deeper level of consciousness.
The High Priestess is number 2 in the Major Arcana. The number 2 represents balance, partnership, reflection, dealing with opposites.

Correspondances:

1. The element of Metal - Silver.
2. Planet – The Moon which represents deep instinctual forces, illusion.
3. Animals – Raven : psychic power, magic, messenger of enlightenment

Keywords and Phrases

Upright Meaning: Secrets, Hidden Issues, Past conditioning, Intuition, Meditation, Reflection, Advice, Looking within yourself.

Reversed Meaning: Not listening to your inner voice, Not taking the time to reflect. Secrets revealed

Significator

Upright: Someone trying to get in touch with themselves, a wise person, a teacher
Reversed: Someone who is emotionally insensitive to others feelings

In a romance reading I would interpret The High Priestess to mean that the person you are involved with might be attracted to another individual or might be keeping secrets from you.

In a health reading I might interpret it to mean that you do not have all the information you need to make a decision on a course of treatment. You should also listen to you body and heed your dreams.

As an empowerment the High Priestess represents following our intuition. “I follow my intuition to achieve what I desire.” Or “I will rely on my resourcefulness to make things happen.”

Some of the Energies associated with the High Priestess are Joan of Arc, Banba, Artemis, Isis and Kuan Yin
Possible affirmations for the High Priestess card might be: “I am a very intuitive individual.” or “I deeply value and trust myself.”