The Tarot High Priestess Hears All, Knows All
Upright the Tarot High Priestess is the one with the highest level of intuition. She is the keeper of Sacred Knowledge (different from the Hierophant)
Reversed the Tarot High Priestess can withdraw from the outer world, living within, keeping her knowledge hidden. But let’s learn more.
The Tarot High Priestess as She Appears in Different Decks
Above, you see the HP as a woman connected to all of the elements of Nature. She is Major Arcana II, a few steps down the road from the Fool (0) and the Magician (I). She is the High Priestess from the DruidCraft Tarot.
This High Priestess guards the realm of the Otherworld – the Unconscious. Her altar holds her Book of Shadows, which contains the secrets of her magical powers. Nearby is her familiar – a cat. The Unconscious is represented by the sea behind her as well as the Moon above.
Compare the DruidCraft High Priestess to that of the Chrysalis Tarot High Priestess. Here, we see the Priestess as a Sorceress, working magic with the ravens and the magical ingredients in her cauldron. According to the book, her red talisman represents the pomegranate, a symbol of the Triple Goddess.
As with the Druidcraft Tarot, this High Priestess card feels so magical it’s as if the Goddess herself has imbued it with her Spirit. There is a wildness here, too, that cautions us – so be sure you want to step into this realm. Because there are so many depictions of the High Priestess, let me show you another.
How to Read the Tarot High Priestess
For me, this is a card about listening to my own inner wisdom. That doesn’t mean just hearing me talk to myself, but it does mean that I rely on my magical tools like tarot, Lenormand, and my pendulum to help me dig deep enough to hear Truth.
Pay close attention to the cards surrounding the High Priestess. For instance, is her magic (in your reading) more rooted in Water (Cups), Fire (Wands), Air (Swords), or Earth (Pentacles)? How many of each suit are in your reading? This is a clue that will tell you more about your High Priestess energy in the reading.
The High Priestess as a Medicine Woman
The Vision Quest Tarot depicts the High Priestess as a Medicine Woman.
As you can see her body is the repository of all knowledge. She is clairvoyant, she can speak to the trees, the water, the birds, and the earth.. She has a more intuition than anyone else in the deck. She is connected to all of the elements. The crescent moon hanging above her head tell us that she can easily tap into her intuitive nature.
