The High Priestess
When I got my very first tarot deck, years ago, I read that you should go through the deck with no knowledge of the cards and find the one that calls to you most. You are not supposed to look them up or get any information about the meaning. Simply find the card that speaks to your soul at first glance. That card will hold special meaning for you. It will serve as a special message in any reading. Almost as if a confirmation that your guides and spirits are sending you light. Do you want to guess what card I pulled?
She may have been the second person the Fool met on his journey, but she was most certainly the first on mine. She was the ledge that I stepped off into the world of all thing’s spirituality.
The welcome sign of the rabbit hole I am still tunneling through, if you will.
I literally have this card tattooed on my body, so it’s safe to say, I’m a little biased to The High Priestess, but what can I say… she is my light.
The High Priestess represents the divine feminine. Historically she was known as the female pope. I heard a story that I loved about her being a woman that became an empowered spiritual figure by pretending to be a man and was only found out when she gave birth on the steps on the Vatican. I know this story is false, but I do still find great joy in believing it.
Today she would likely be more closely represented as a physic, astrologer, or spiritual teacher. Her spirituality path is above material values and earthly relationships. Her gift is her spiritual connection and her wisdom of other worlds.
Her partner of the Tarot is the Magician, but unlike how he has all the tools in front of him… hers are within. She teaches us that we must reach self-awareness and clarity in ourselves before we can seek abundance in relationships with others. (Only proven to in my own life by the fact that I found her 6 months before meeting my forever partner. The ink of my tattoo was still healing on our first date).
Light
“I have the answers I seek & by following the truth, I’ll find them.”
(Dreams, intuition, spiritual experience, powerful visions, physic insight)
When pulled upright, she is a sign that it is time go inward. The High Priestess suggests you should focus on deepening your relationship with your higher self and learning to trust your inner knowing.
And no doubt, if she shows up on your very first reading it is a sign that Tarot will hold a space in your spiritual journey.
HOME- It is a quiet time. Important relationships may be calm but feel distant. The bond is not broken but you are guided to focus on yourself right now.
RELATIONSHIP- This can often indicate that you have been single for a long time. If you are in a relationship, and you pull this in a love reading, it often means you or your partner are keeping some part of your life secret.
CAREER- Success is coming your way but it will take time.
You already know what you need to do.
Shadow
“People may worry you are not yourself right now - it is imperative that you ignore them.”
(Keeping secrets, gossip, hidden agenda, fear of intuitive abilities, not taking care of yourself)
If you pull the card in reverse, or upside, the meaning shifts to represent the shadow side. We all have a light and shadow side and it’s normal to experience both in life. Our goal is to learn to notice what our shadows our telling us.
The High Priestess in reverse can indicate that you have temporarily chosen the wrong path. It can also indicate you have a negative mentor or force in your life that does not have your best interest at heart.
Something within you is asking for your attention. It’s time to trust yourself over anyone else.
Astrology
The High Priestess is connected to The Moon. This is certainly fitting, since The Moon represents intuitions, female cycles, and spirituality. She wears a crown showing waxing, waning, and full phases of the moon to connect her to its cycles and phases.
Element
The High Priestess’s element is water. Again, as a Pisces myself, it’s easy to see how I was so drawn to her. Water signs are deeply emotional and intuitive, and The High Priestess reminds us that is a privilege, despite what society might say.
Chakra
Less popular than the well-known third eye… she is connected with your fifth eye chakra (also known as our soma chakra). This is located above the third eye is sometimes used in connection with the crown chakra. This chakra generally requires some sort of spiritual connection or awakening in order to feel or access, although we all have it. It is the connection point between the soul and the body. Being drawn to this card may mean your soul is craving a deeper connection.
Symbolism
The High Priestess stands between 2 pillars with the initials B and J. They represent The Temple of Solomon in the Old Testament. The pillars show a portal to otherworldly experience and deeper connection of the self.
Her veil also symbolizes the other world beyond the material world. The pomegranate on the veil is a symbol of female fertility.
The moon on her crown is a symbol of the subconscious and the emotion that lies beneath it. The three phases of the moon can be connected to the three phases of the female experience… The Maiden, The Mother, and The Crone.
The High Priestess reminds us that we only reach our full potential when we are in alignment with our souls journey. Keeping secrets or showing up unauthentically will only hold us back. If our truest self pushes people away… maybe it’s because they were never supposed to be in our story to begin with.
You must find yourself before you can find your tribe.
Who would your soul be if you uncaged her?
Thanks for learning Tarot with me.
XOXO,
Maykayla
Realtor || Gatherer || Herbalist || Tarot Enthusiast
***In this series we will walk the Fools journey together - one card at a time - starting where every journey always does: with a soul that is ready to begin.
Come back tomorrow as we follow along while the Fool meets The High Priestess.
If this series resonates with you, I’d love to hear your thoughts.
What are your thoughts on The High Priestess?
Do you think there is any insights I missed or left out?
Do you feel connected to your souls path?