The High Priestess is the second card of the Major Arcana of the Tarot. She represents the heightened powers of intuition, and the potential for a spiritual encounter.
The Symbolism of the High Priestess
The High Priestess is depicted wearing plain blue robes, and she has her hands folded into her lap; she is slender and ethereal. She is framed by two pillars, black on her right, white on her left. These represent the duality of the underworld, the creative and destructive as one. They also indicate the duality of male and female, and bring a reminder that all life exists in duality.
Behind her are pomegranates, which represent both death and love. The world of the High Priestess is fertile and full of love and the undeveloped potential of the Magician. The High Priestess bears the number “2,” and is the teacher of the Fool.
The General Interpretation of the High Priestess
When appearing in a spread, this card suggests heightening powers of intuition, the implication being that there will be an encounter of some kind with the hidden world. It can represent an inexplicable interest in the occult, or paganism, but can also be demonstrated by a sense that ‘something’ is coming, with no real indications that this is so.
The Fool, having learned that he possesses the abilities necessary for evolution from the Magician, turns to the High Priestess to begin the exploration of his inner powers. He enters the underworld, full of confusion, but knows that he must traverse this to find the secret of his real purpose and the patterns of his destiny.
The Inner Meaning of the High Priestess
The High Priestess is the connection to the underworld and the collective unconscious. She indicates that there is another, hidden world of which most people are unaware. This world is full of potential, and contains the most primitive parts you, the instinctual responses, and long suppressed powers. It is this realm that holds secrets until the time comes to reveal them.
The High Priestess can only be faintly sensed during waking hours, and she appears only fleetingly in dreams. However, she can be found through patience and meditation, but only appears to those worthy of her teachings.
Do not expect the High Priestess to speak of her secrets. Instead, she will expect you to divine them through patience and understanding, and no little work. Those who cannot do this are not ready to learn from her. She teaches wisdom, love, and intuition, but only to those who are ready to receive this knowledge.
Her knowledge, though vital, is easily missed by those who chose not to look beyond themselves. In the real world, she can be a spiritual person who offers to teach the worthy seeker about her realm, but only to those who are ready for the challenge. She is not the guide the Magician is, but rather the spiritual teacher. She guards the path to destiny. However, she does not press, and allows all to come to her, to request her aid when they feel they are ready.
The High Priestess is encountered by the Fool after he meets the Magician, it's said that this meeting occurs on the Fool's path to meeting the Empress.
The Symbolism of the High Priestess
The High Priestess is depicted wearing plain blue robes, and she has her hands folded into her lap; she is slender and ethereal. She is framed by two pillars, black on her right, white on her left. These represent the duality of the underworld, the creative and destructive as one. They also indicate the duality of male and female, and bring a reminder that all life exists in duality.
Behind her are pomegranates, which represent both death and love. The world of the High Priestess is fertile and full of love and the undeveloped potential of the Magician. The High Priestess bears the number “2,” and is the teacher of the Fool.
The General Interpretation of the High Priestess
When appearing in a spread, this card suggests heightening powers of intuition, the implication being that there will be an encounter of some kind with the hidden world. It can represent an inexplicable interest in the occult, or paganism, but can also be demonstrated by a sense that ‘something’ is coming, with no real indications that this is so.
The Fool, having learned that he possesses the abilities necessary for evolution from the Magician, turns to the High Priestess to begin the exploration of his inner powers. He enters the underworld, full of confusion, but knows that he must traverse this to find the secret of his real purpose and the patterns of his destiny.
The Inner Meaning of the High Priestess
The High Priestess is the connection to the underworld and the collective unconscious. She indicates that there is another, hidden world of which most people are unaware. This world is full of potential, and contains the most primitive parts you, the instinctual responses, and long suppressed powers. It is this realm that holds secrets until the time comes to reveal them.
The High Priestess can only be faintly sensed during waking hours, and she appears only fleetingly in dreams. However, she can be found through patience and meditation, but only appears to those worthy of her teachings.
Do not expect the High Priestess to speak of her secrets. Instead, she will expect you to divine them through patience and understanding, and no little work. Those who cannot do this are not ready to learn from her. She teaches wisdom, love, and intuition, but only to those who are ready to receive this knowledge.
Her knowledge, though vital, is easily missed by those who chose not to look beyond themselves. In the real world, she can be a spiritual person who offers to teach the worthy seeker about her realm, but only to those who are ready for the challenge. She is not the guide the Magician is, but rather the spiritual teacher. She guards the path to destiny. However, she does not press, and allows all to come to her, to request her aid when they feel they are ready.
The High Priestess is encountered by the Fool after he meets the Magician, it's said that this meeting occurs on the Fool's path to meeting the Empress.
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