| The High Priestess is the third card in the tarot deck's | | | | above. The lunar symbols can also be taken to |
| Major Arcana. The number associated with her is two | | | | suggest her connection to the unconscious. |
| as she is strongly connected to the concept of | | | | When the High Priestess appears in a reading in |
| balance and all that it governs. Alternatively, she can | | | | representation of someone other than the querent, |
| stand for the powers of feminine intuition, as well as | | | | the person in question is going to be a female figure |
| for the ever-fluctuating energies of the moon (wax | | | | with qualities very similar to those of the Priestess |
| and wane). | | | | herself. She could either be a woman who has |
| The High Priestess can be said to serve as a | | | | dealings with the spiritual side of life - a theologian, an |
| moderator or buffer between the world of man and | | | | astrologer, or a psychic perhaps. She could also simply |
| the world that lies beyond the veil, as she has much | | | | be a mysterious or unusually wise individual - |
| to do with the concept of duality. She can also be | | | | someone with extensive knowledge of many things |
| described as the one that keeps the peace between | | | | or one who always seems to have an answer for |
| the conscious and the unconscious, as well as to be | | | | every question. Sometimes she can represent |
| the key to building our own balance between the | | | | someone who comes off as mysterious and |
| two. She is a figure of great power, infinite | | | | untouchable, much like the Priestess herself. |
| knowledge, and untold potential. She is also a great | | | | When the High Priestess appears in a tarot spread in |
| keeper and protector of eternal mysteries. | | | | representation of the querent, she usually signals a |
| The figure of the High Priestess is traditionally | | | | time of study, discovery, investigation, or |
| portrayed as an appealing, but imposing figure in | | | | contemplation ahead. The querent may be coming |
| touch with all of the greatest mysteries and most | | | | into a time in her life when she will be spending much |
| potent powers in the universe at large. She is young, | | | | time doing research or taking on previously unknown |
| beautiful, and clothed in long, pale garments that | | | | knowledge or secrets, possibly in order to prepare |
| often have a shimmery, luminescent appearance to | | | | herself to step into the next chapter of her life. This |
| them. She sits regally upon a throne situated | | | | can come about in a number of ways. She may find |
| between two pillars - one black and one white - that | | | | herself spending a significant amount of time going |
| represent the ancient, mystic temple while a curtain | | | | through old letter, documents, and texts in search of |
| lies behind her, symbolizing the great divide between | | | | information. Alternatively, she may be about to |
| this world and the next. She wears a horned | | | | receive insight psychically through dreams, tarot, or |
| headdress that includes the lunar orb on her head and | | | | other avenues along those lines. (Remember the High |
| the solar symbol across her chest to emphasize her | | | | Priest governs the unconscious.) |
| connection to the heavens. A lunar crescent often | | | | The surrounding cards and exact positioning of the |
| lies at her feet and she also is usually depicted holding | | | | High Priestess card will be able to help define the |
| a scroll meant to represent the Greater Law. | | | | specifics of what her appearance is meant to mean. |
| The image as a whole is meant to underline all the | | | | At that point, the querent will better be able to |
| High Priestess stands for - understanding of and | | | | decipher her message and determine how best to |
| mastery over the divine mysteries of the universe, | | | | proceed. |
| as well as the profound connection to the heavens | | | | |