Keywords
Intuition
Sacred Knowledge
Subconscious mind
Divine feminine
Spiritual Attunement
Wisdom
New beginnings/change
General Meaning of the High Priestess in a Reading
The High Priestess is The Fool’s first teacher. Once The Fool takes that step off of the edge of the cliff, he is on his way to becoming The Magician, but first, he has many lessons to learn. As the Major Arcana is a representation of the human journey through life, the High Priestess is The Fool’s first step toward evolving into The Magician. The High Priestess represents the divine feminine, intuition, sacred knowledge, and the subconscious mind. She teaches The Fool to become spiritually attuned, so that his wisdom may guide him.
Obviously, The Fool simply represents the querent receiving the reading and need not be a man. The tarot speaks to whoever is asking the questions, guiding them with wisdom for spiritual and personal growth. The universe speaks through the cards to guide you toward physical and spiritual integration so that you can become your most evolved self. If you have received the High Priestess in your spread, you being urged to trust your intuition, remain calm and composed, and have faith that the Universe will lead you to the proper course of action.
The Symbolism of the High Priestess
The High Priestess sits upon a throne draped in white and blue flowing robes. At her feet lies a crescent moon representing new beginnings and change growing forth from the unconscious, the emotions, the moon. She is surrounded by pomegranates, the symbol of sweetness and fertility. She wears the pearl of wisdom upon her head as a crown. All is unrestrained by logic and consequence.
Because her throne is situated between the two pillars of completion (Boaz) and beginning (Jachin), The High Priestess understands that change will continue to come regardless of our attempts to control or influence it. The High Priestess sits at the entrance to the sacred temple of duality. The masculine and the feminine, the black and the white, the dark and the light. The scroll in her hand, only partially revealed, represents the sacred knowledge. This knowledge will only be imparted to the querent when he or she has learned the lessons demanded of him or her.
The High Priestess brings a message of sacred knowledge and hidden mysteries. She sits at the intersection of the conscious and unconscious mind and can integrate the two seamlessly. The High Priestess will appear in your spread when it is time to connect to your spirituality. She urges you to step through the veil and into the underworld of the unconscious. Move beyond logic and reason and relinquish control. Exercise patience and trust and understand that there are greater forces at work than you can possibly know.
The High Priestess card in the Past
In the upright position, the High Priestess represents a past where your intuition served you well. Patience, understanding, and going with the flow was required of you and you succeeded in trusting your inner voice and connection to the underworld.
In the reversed position, she can indicate that you are coming out of a situation where listening to your intuition would have served you well. Perhaps you logically talked yourself out of things when you “really knew better”. Perhaps there were people who betrayed you with gossip or secret, hidden agendas.
The High Priestess in the Present
In the present, The High Priestess urges you to pause and avoid conflict. Things may not be as they seem. Take a moment to delve deep into your feelings and dreams and listen to what the universe is trying to tell you.
If the card appears in reverse, do not take your situation at face value. Is someone gaslighting you? Do you have a nagging feeling that someone is being dishonest or trying to manipulate you? If so, The High Priestess tells you to listen to your inner voice.
The High Priestess in the Future
When she appears in the future position you are advised to avoid any impending conflict. You are being called upon to see through how things appear to be on the surface and listen to your gut. If the card is in the upright position, The High Priestess urges you to remain connected to your divine feminine aspect. If the card appears in the reversed position, beware of others who are being dishonest with you.
Reversed High Priestess
When the High Priestess appears reversed, she is asking you to stop forcing your will or allowing yourself to be swept up in the will of others. Pause, introspect and listen. What is your inner voice telling you? Are you often dismissive of your intuition? Do you tell yourself that your inner voice is silly and illogical? You may be missing vital messages from the divine.
Additionally, the appearance of this card in reverse may be warning you that you are surrounded by gossip and hidden agendas. The unknown aspect of the High Priestess in its negative unbalanced form can represent destructive secrecy.
High Priestess Tarot One Card Meaning
When you receive this card in the One Card Spread it is telling you to listen to your intuition. You have the inner knowing at your disposal, so listen and trust your gut! Be careful not to blindly force your will, but rather pause and look beneath the surface, and then allow yourself to embrace the new wisdom you discover.
High Priestess Yes/No Meaning
The Yes/No Tarot Reading is a quick way to answer your question. When the High Priestess appears in the upright position, the answer to your question is “yes!” Trust your instincts, you already know the answer deep down.
When she appears in reverse, the answer to your question is “no.” There may be hidden agendas or secrecy surrounding you at the moment, and it is time to take care.
Summary
When the High Priestess appears upright in your spread, she is encouraging you to embrace the divine feminine. Whether you are a man or a woman, every human carries both masculine and feminine aspects. The goal of The Fool’s journey is to integrate the two fully in perfect balance and harmony. The divine feminine encompasses your compassion, listening to your intuition, empathy, and general inner wisdom. Balance the masculine energies of logic, reason and will with the unconscious and emotional. Allow yourself to trust, empathize and nurture.
Affirmations for The High Priestess
“I trust my inner knowing.”
“I take time each day to pause and listen to my intuition.”
“I patiently trust in the Universe to manifest that which I deeply desire.”
“I listen to my dreams and the messages they bring me.”
“Wisdom is the integration of the physical and the spiritual.”
More about the High Priestess
The High Priestess is a powerful card and because she represents things that are hidden, it is a good idea to get a professional reading whenever she appears in your spread. It may be that someone important in your life is hiding things from you, information that you need in order to move forward in your life in a positive way. Only a fully interpreted tarot card spread can illuminate the deeper meaning of The High Priestess.
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