Meditations on Intuition and Diving Within: The High Priestess
The High Priestess Asks Us To Look Within, and Place our Experiences Within Their Context.
I feel connected to The High Priestess. Not only does she appear in my readings often, but two of my early tarot mentors divined that she was the card most connected to me. It is also my numerological ‘Soul Card.’ All of this is a way of saying, ‘you bet I pay a bunch of attention when the High Priestess rolls into a reading.’ Everyone should.
The Major Arcana represents the steps in a journey, The archetypal journey of the Fool into the World. It is only appropriate that after meeting the Magician that the Fool encounter the High Priestess. The Magician represents using our conscious power of manifestation in the world and the High Priestess speaks to our subconscious mind and our intuitive self. I’ve written about how tarot helps me to reconnect to my C-PTSD impacted intuition, and the High Priestess is representative of that intuition.
Symbolism
In Pamela Colman Smith’s deck made in conjunction with A.E. Waite and printed by Rider, the High Priestess is pictured as sitting between two pillars: one black, one white. The black pillar, labeled “B” for Boaz, meaning ‘in his strength’ while the white has a letter “J” for Jachin, meaning ‘he will establish.’ These pillars were at the entrance to Solomon’s temple and references to them are often made in architecture (and freemasonry). These pillars in black and white represent duality, and it is the High Priestess’ understanding and acceptance of duality that allows her to enter and inhabit this space.
These also show duality, and as with most 2’s in the tarot, duality also calls to mind balance and synchronicity.
Behind her, hung between the two pillars, is a veil decorated with pomegranates. This veil separates our conscious and subconscious self. For those not in the know, ingesting pomegranate seeds are what bound the goddess Persephone to the underworld. Also embroidered on the veil are palm leaves, symbolizing victory and integrity. In her lap are scrolls of wisdom (labeled TORA), and at her feet is a crescent moon, a reminder of the divine feminine at play.
The card has a quiet air, one of solitude. Exploration of the subconscious, the journey of delving into our own dark, mysterious truths are things that are best done alone. The High Priestess instructs us how to prepare: by listening to our intuition and exploring the deeper mysteries of life.
Divinatory Meanings
When the High Priestess appears in a reading it’s time to take a step back, and meditate. Or journal. Or create. But it’s a sign that there’s something that needs to be processed, and there might be issues with processing it on a conscious level.
The High Priestess invites us to see our story on a larger level. To disconnect from our attachments to it and observe it from a higher space, so that we can recognize patterns and truths. The High Priestess indicates that you see everything you need to know to move forward. She asks us to listen to our inner, divine wisdom.