The High Priestess

High Priestess Tarot Card
 
 
 

High Priestess Tarot Card Meaning

The high priestess is the ultimate symbol of balance and manifestation. If you receive the High Priestess in your reading then the time has come for you to understand the balance necessary to get what you want out of life. She is the mystery of the mother, of the moon and of life. The High Priestess is a guiding card, telling you that right now you are on a path of enlightenment. It can represent multiple aspects of your life showing a true understanding of your own wants and needs. Now is the time to follow on your instincts and trust that internal feeling. You know you better than anyone else and that means that you also know what is best for you. It is okay to seek counsel or advice from others but make sure that their wants for you are not overshadowing what your own heart tells you.

In my tarot card above, her blond hair cascades like a waterfall of gold, She looks like an ancient goddess so bold. Long eyelashes flutter in the night air. Like, Isis,the greek  goddess of magic and rebirth she keeps secrets in the cycles the moon above her head. Her beauty so captivating, her words intricate and wise, she is an enigma. My queen of the night sky, my vision that will never fade, my unattainable dream, she tells me to wait. So I do.
 

The deeper meanings of the High Priestess card is strong as sits in between two stone stone pillar symbolic of the negative life force) and symbolic of positive life force -- and this balances the two. On her lap which is not visable on my tarot card is the Torah which means ‘Divine Law,’ something that isn’t meant for all to see. When you receive the High Priestess, you can expect the question to be shrouded in a great mystery that can be attainable if you allow yourself to practice listening to your intuition. The High Priestess can be a great ally in discovery for she is connected with the moon (evidenced by the Moon Crown on her head) which is often shrouded in illusion and mystery making it difficult for us to see straight. Often times this card will come up when one is trying to understand a situation that is convoluted. You can ask the High Priestess for help and then practice listening for her advice.

Listening for spiritually intuitive advice allows for communication with your consciousness and the world of pure experience. One must find time to quiet the mind and have patience as well as trust that the process will help you and then the truth will come over you like a sun rising over the horizon. This may take some time to perfect, as it is a practice like anything else, but the High Priestess is the manifestation of the desires of the Magician. She is the connecting force between the heavens and the Earth. Depend on her to bless your Will. Here is a tarot poem I have written about my card above, take in the words in order to understand the meaning.

The High Priestess in Love

The pomegranates behind the High Priestess are symbolic of feminine energy and the palm leaves are symbolic of masculine energy, thus also making her the ‘go to’ energy to acquire assistance in understanding the energies in all of us that are masculine as well as feminine. This helps a lot when it comes to relationships. The High Priestess shows up in a similar light to that of the Moon card when it comes to Love and Relationships. Love is a mystery. Each person experiences it differently. When the High Priestess shows up in relation to a reading on love one must accept the possibility that not all is being seen appropriately in the relationship or the pursuit of acquiring one. She helps solve issues where there is a disagreement between partners, she assists by providing intuition that enables partners to communicate and get to the center of the issue. The key always with the High Priestess is to know that she has something to tell you which is very important, that you will not understand without her assistance and then make sure to listen. In matters of the heart this is doubly important. To find out more about the high priestess in love readings click here

Warning: She Is The Affair Card

A note of warning with the High Priestess is that she can also be guiding you to seek out the truth in a relationship. If you have concern in your relationship it is exceptionally important to follow your instincts, but to do so in a way that is not a detriment to you or the relationship. Just because you have a feeling of insecurity does not mean that your partner is cheating on you. Often we are sensitive to specific issues but the situation is not as dire as it seems. Take advice from surrounding cards to get a clear idea of what is going on in love before acting or jumping to conclusions.

Depending on the love reading, I sometimes call this card “the Inappropriate affair warning” card. To me, this card represents a passionate relationship but sometimes morally “wrong” relationship. Think of: your best friend's husband, that married guy next door, or the old Manager you worked with. 

Maybe the inadequacy of this lover is simply more about wanting someone to be more than they can be, emotional-availability wise. When we are afraid of intimacy, we may choose Mr. or Ms. emotionally unavailable. If the focus of our affection is an emotional wall, we can fling ourselves against that wall in blissful passion and desire that we have never felt before, without ever having to face the prospect that a boring relationship is on the cards. 

The High Priestess As Feelings

Despite being an elegant lady, she holds all her cards close to her chest. When asking about feelings, this card has this energy. The feelings can get lost in the dark with her, secret passages, not replying to texts and locked diaries. When things go wrong for her, she asks "who's fault is this?". Her true feelings are hidden from you. When you ask the tarot cards "what he feels about you", he stays silent. In his mind, he likely feels that he wants to "tilt" the balance in some way, and that he knows what you are thinking from his inner knowing and psychic understanding. 

In many ways this card represents the feelings of a platonic relationship but also that the potential lover is willing to explore that beyond the friendship realms. The high priestess is in charge, but her feelings fluctuate, as if in a cycle. Like the moon phases, or seasons. A reversed high priestess for feelings is linked to Isis (the Virgin) and can show that self-sacrifice is coming.

The High Priestess As Love Reconciliation

It is common, very common to worry about if someone feels the same way about us -- for a human being to feel this way, we often find ourselves re-visiting this state frequently. The High Priestess, on my tarot card is surrounded by blond hair wearing a moon crown, which is the symbol of insight and knowledge. Almost every smart person will know that we cannot force someone to do something we want. It can feel like your insides are being ripped out when our lover leaves. In drawing her, keep in mind that she is the teacher of both spiritual and physical mysteries. This image above is a representation of the journey of life and love experienced by people in tarot readings. It indicates that there is more to your life than meets the eye - it's time to dig deeper. This figure symbolizes the wisdom of knowing when to keep your feelings close while still maintaining a connection between two people. It's a reminder that sharing your innermost thoughts and emotions with someone can sometimes be hard, but that's part of what makes a relationship strong. She also stresses the importance of tolerance, comprehension, and receptivity - all of which are crucial aspects if you want to shack up with this person again.  Maybe --- just maybe you will get back together with someone after a separation or break up. The reason I mention this is because the high priestess knows about secrets --- and hardships when it comes to love but chooses to hide emotions. So thank your lucky stars she has appeared, because there is still a possibility that this love will return unexpectedly.

The High Priestess in Health

The High Priestess appears when it is necessary to focus on matters such as reproductive health. Due to her balancing abilities, she can be an excellent patron helper for birth control, or producing the proper reproductive hormones, balancing estrogen and testosterone. If there is confusion within this section of the body, ask the High Priestess for help to remove the shadows that darken that area so that the trouble can be brought to light.

The High Priestess in Work, Money, Business, Career, and Wealth

The High Priestess helps in matters of business and wealth in the sense that if you are about to get into a business with someone else, or are going through legal issues; she will help you to shed light on all that you are not aware of. This could mean paperwork that you need to sign that you weren’t aware of will come up, or the proper assistance to get your business up and running will just show up. Expect clarity and certainty in matters of business. The High Priestess clears out the sullied waters so that they shine with the vision of your future.

The High Priestess As A Person

In a tarot reading, the High Priestess represents someone who is highly intuitive and in touch with their spiritual side. If I am reading for a client I feel she is very wise and can provide guidance to others. As they keep their own counsel, they can also be very mysterious -- often not willing to share her emotions. To me, the High Priestess can represent someone who withholds information or who is secretive in reversed tarot readings. In my experience, the High Priestess tarot card can be interpreted in a few different ways, but most tarot readers agree that she is a knowledgeable, wisdom-filled individual. Despite living in her own little world, she doesn't need anyone's approval. Feelings of calm and peace can be represented by the High Priestess. There is often a transition or transformation happening in the life of the client when this card appears in a reading. We are reminded to trust our intuition and go with the flow when we meet the High Priestess. 

There are times in our lives when we feel lost and uncertain. As an action meaning, the High Priestess tarot card focuses on keeping secrets, pulling back, pausing, and observing. In some cases, being clueless can give us a fresh perspective and new insight into the unknown. By allowing harmony between our inner and outer worlds (our spiritual world), she allows us to turn inward and understand ourselves better. The High Priestess suggests you should take charge and listen to your inner voice. If you are feeling lost, don't hesitate to ask your “inner guide” assistance. You can always count on yourself to guide you back on track. Intuition, self-reflection, and awareness are all aspects of the meaning of the wonderful High Priestess Tarot card.

The High Priestess As A Yes Or No

I feel that the High Priestess represents a “Yes” answer upright. Whenever I need a straight answer, I've always trusted this card when it has appeared in my reading. Like the character in the shining, I picture her as a blank canvas, guiding me with a gentle whisper. I have always relied on the high priestess as a “No” indicator when reversed. I'm not sure I'll ever be able to fully explain why I trust her in these matters, but I do. I find myself expecting her to appear for advice on anything from small decisions to big ones, somehow transferring energy from her blank canvas to mine. Whenever I need guidance...or at least someone to lean on when I feel uncertain, she has become a kind of omniscient character in my tarot readings and shines through. To find out more about the high priestess in love readings click here

The High Priestess As An Action

There are times in our lives when we feel lost and uncertain, a tarot reading can help in these difficult times. As an action meaning, the High Priestess tarot card focuses on keeping secrets, pulling back, pausing, and observing. In some cases, being clueless can give us a fresh perspective and new insight into the unknown. By allowing harmony between our inner and outer worlds (our spiritual world), she allows us to turn inward and understand ourselves better. The High Priestess suggests you should take charge and listen to your inner voice. If you are feeling lost, don't hesitate to ask your “inner guide” assistance. You can always count on yourself to guide you back on track. Intuition, self-reflection, and awareness are all aspects of the meaning of the wonderful High Priestess Tarot card.

The High Priestess In The Past Position

The High Priestess that appears in the past position of a tarot reading carries a long-held, popular belief that anything hidden was revealed by looking deeply enough. In order to better guide ourselves into the future, we should look back and reflect on our actions and intentions from the past. In order for us to create a more positive landscape for the future, she invites us to observe how far we have come and what elements from the past need to be changed or released. We can gain timeless wisdom through digging into her message, as well as understand how powerful this figure can be in inspiring strength and courage within all of us.

The High Priestess In The Present Position

A stunning blonde haired High Priestess appears on my tarot card with a slow and tranquil nature. She invites us to embrace the nervousness we might feel when contemplating the unknown; to be comfortable enough in our own skin to look deeply at ourselves and trust the insights we uncover. Trusting our intuition and following it without fear will lead us down a path of transformation and renewal. We are encouraged by the High Priestess' appearing in the present position during a tarot reading --- to take the time to understand everyone's feelings and follow life with patience and love.

The High Priestess In The Future Position

In a tarot reading, the high priestess in the future position indicates deep inner wisdom, reflection, and a connection to the celestial world. This card often represents the Egyptian goddess Isis - known as the mother of creation - and suggests that despite our inability to control our fate, we can move forward with confidence through contemplation and acceptance. It could be said that the High Priestess represents energy that moves slowly but surely in its own time. As with Isis, in the future, the card is telling you to trust your power and journey and you will move into your own destiny - you will be guided by deep inner wisdom when you draw her in the future or outcome position.

The High Priestess In The Family or Friendship Position

Drawing the high priestess in a friendship or family position is associated with relationships. It indicates that you need balance and harmony, according to the High Priestess tarot card. Her message may encourage family members to nurture their existing connections and listen to one another without judgment. Also, this card suggests encouraging communication and compromise among loved ones in order to avoid disharmony caused by disagreements or misunderstandings. I often see this card appear when there has been some conflict in the past. Our lives can be balanced and stabilized when we invest in meaningful relationships, as represented by the High Priestess tarot card. By investing time together or showing appreciation for one another, it may serve as a reminder in this spread position to nurture our friendships and not take them for granted.

 

The High Priestess Reversed

Reversed Meaning Of The High Priestess

When you receive the High Priestess in the reversed position, this is symbolic that you are completely detached from your intuition. Messages are being sent to you, but you are experiencing a block due to a lack of desire and momentum. The best advice that the High Priestess in Reverse has to offer is that it is time to open up your chakras and allow the spirit to move through you. Meditate, meditate, meditate!

The High Priestess Reversed - Love and Romance

Attraction is set to a high heat, but like flying too close to the sun, this lust comes with its own complications. Are the actions of your partner or a love interest hard to understand? It can seem that the motivations of others are unclear to you, like you’re seeing everything through a veil – leaving you feeling frustrated. You must practice extra consideration in such a moment as this, and don’t let any increased romantic attention distract you from thinking things through. If you meditate on the situation before, it is like planning your route before and adventure, everything goes more smoothly and makes the journey more enjoyable. It also means taking the time to forgive people where necessary - it is always better to forgive and forget than let yourself become bitter with resentment. All in all, the reversed priestess tells you to tread carefully in the romance department; don’t let impulses make big decisions for you. 

The High Priestess Reversed - Family and Home

Every family and home can swerve off-kilter at times, even the best holiday location must weather the occasional storm. When the High Priestess reversed appears in this type of reading it can highlight an undercurrent of discontentment within the family home. It may be that you, or someone else in the family, hasn’t been themselves recently. You should be wary of outside influences impacting the family dynamic – what’s haunting your family? Perhaps bickering and minor disagreements are making the home feel like a hostile place. You can try and placate the situation by taking time out to think things over and putting in place new boundaries that avoid conflict and make everybody feel comfortable; when you’re all ease, harmony will naturally restore like calm after the storm.

The High Priestess Reversed - Work and Finances

While you fix your eyes on the horizon, scheming and secrecy unravels behind your back. Could there be a double agent or a trickster in your midst? Be extra vigilant with your finances and be sure that no one is being deceitful in your place of work. If you are currently considering making a big financial commitment, such as buying a home or going on holiday, make sure you have full clarity and disclosure before proceeding. Verifiable information is the best way to avoid any suspicious activity that might be going on behind your back at present. If you are, yourself, acting in a shady manner at work - you should watch your step. Someone may be savvy to your secrets. The best route forward for you now is honesty and transparency, the priestess reminds you that honesty is truly the best policy.

The High Priestess Reversed - Health and Wellness

The picture is in front of you, but shapes are obscured – like looking at the sky without a telescope, you’re lacking detail and clarity in the picture of your health. Now may be the time to book in a check-up and look for signs of anything that feels different or unusual. If you have already had a medical check-up recently you should seek a second opinion, this reversed card suspects everything isn’t as it seems. Do not panic, but remember that sometimes even small things are best addressed early. 

Don’t forget wellness extends to your mental state too - if you’ve been dealing with repressed emotions now may be the time to seek out a therapist to work through these feelings, like changing your bedsheets, it will make you feel better. Working through your old problems will make you feel better and help you move forward with your life. And, don’t forget, you should always supplement any medical and mental attention you receive with a healthy lifestyle to maximize its positive impact – like taking vitamins to enhance your diet. 

The High Priestess Reversed - Personal Spirituality

Your intentions are blocked, intuition waivers and your personal spirituality falters like an injured bird trying to fly. It’s important to emphasize that this isn’t an absence of instinct, but rather one that is present but neglected. This is likely unintentional, perhaps you have become wrapped up in daily life and have been missing the signals. Pay extra attention to messages from your subconscious, they may come in the form of dreams or stray thoughts - they’re probably trying to tell you something, you simply need to listen. 

Hair like spun gold, soft, fair, and ethereal.
A pair of long, dark eyelashes flutters as it tells a tale untold. 
I hear her whisper "Wait." 
Above her head, the moon cycles in a heavenly gate. 
As I stand before Isis, I am overwhelmed by her might and grace, 
She has a beauty like no other on her face.  
Neither her power nor her aura can be  subdued, 
Secrets are closely guarded by nature, and she is rarely viewed. 
Her mere presence around my soul with delight, 
And I find myself captivated by her beauty so bright.

The High Priestess Upright Meanings in Keywords

  • Spiritual protection
  • Passive
  • Calmness
  • Being open
  • Mystery
  • No action
  • Sexual overtones

The High Priestess Reversed Meanings in Keywords

  • Secrets 
  • Blockage Spiritually
  • Passive
  • Aggressive
  • Lack of peace

By Flo Saul
Jul 9, 2012