The Major Arcana
The High Priestess Tarot Card Meaning
The High Priestess invites you into yourself, the unseen and the ethereal realms. Time to dive in!
The Major Arcana: The High Priestess Tarot Card Description
The High Priestess is the 3rd major arcana card after The Magician.
On the Rider Waite card, you see a divinely embodied woman dressed in a blue robe, her hand placed calmly on her lap while the other holding a scroll. She sits on her throne between a white pillar and black pillar representing her mastery of balancing dualities. The two huge pillars: ‘J’ and ‘B’ stands for Jachin and Boaz, the pillars in Solomon’s Temple which represents opposites.
In Rider Waite's tarot, a full moon sits on the maiden’s crown symbolizing her divine knowledge, there is also a crescent moon by the end of her robe. It means that The High Empress is ruled by the moon and the natural cycles it creates in our world. The cross on her chest represents the balance of the four elements: earth, water, air, and fire, and the harmony of the mind, heart, body, and spirit.
The maiden holds a scroll with the word “TORA” meaning “divine law” or Sacred Knowledge. Behind her is a veil embellished with pomegranates and palms, representing the divine feminine and masculine energies.
The High Priestess Tarot Card Overview
The High Priestess is the divine feminine. She's the chief feminine elder– bearing wisdom from the dualities and a strong connection with the subconscious mind. This is all about paying close attention to our intuition and being spiritually woke.
Since the world is full of uncertainties, we frequently follow our conscious mind while ignoring our subconscious or intuition, thinking that it might be wrong.
By pulling this card, we're being reminded to take a pause and tap into our psychic abilities to seek guidance. This is a card of nonaction, a sign from the universe to listen within and to let your intuitive sense help you.
Upright: The High Priestess Tarot Card Meaning
The High Priestess upright is A BIG AMEN! If you're having a good feeling about doing something specific, now is the time to consult with the unseen because it's high time you have access to information from your higher self that may greatly guide you in your decisions.
You might be feeling right about something and to confirm that, allow yourself some quiet time and listen to the Sacred Knowledge that your intuitive understanding is trying to convey. Sometimes, our unconscious self speaks to us through recurring dreams, feelings of doubt, fear and second thoughts. And when we feel this way, the best thing to do is to enter our sacred space instead of seeking external answers as your higher self knows you best than others do. Take time away from the material realm, some hidden knowledge will be uncovered when you let your intuitive abilities work! The more you detach from trying to find the answer and plug into the ethereal energies around you, the more you will have a conscious understanding of the forces at play.
The card may also mean that revelations about the people around you will come to light, giving you clarity on which people you should or should not trust.
Reversed: The High Priestess Card Meaning
The universe is saying “if you know, then you already know”. When The High Priestess shows up in reverse, it may mean that you have the right intuition, but you just can't trust yourself. When you start to feel different about something and you're confused, it's time to listen to your gut. Trust your spiritual wisdom!
The High Priestess is a call to connect to your higher self and practice trusting your wisdom. The only person who truly understands how to help yourself is you because no one else knows your exact position or feelings. Like the maiden, draw your curtains down and allow the silence to bring in the spiritual illumination. You'll be amazed by the secret knowledge you'll uncover!
If you must look for external advice, the best source may be a wise divine feminine energy. Like The High Priestess, this individual might provide you with advice that is coming more from the unseen.
Love and Tarot
Love Meaning:
The High Priestess Tarot Card Upright
The High Priestess is the perfect representation of an ideal mate; she's beaming with wisdom and self-awareness as she has already attained enlightenment. This card signifies a deep connection or the potential for one. Now is the perfect time to manifest your ideal relationship by working on yourself.
If you’re trying to manifest a certain type of partner, the universe sees you and may bring the same type of mate who would share the same sentiments and they may find you overflowing with appeal and irresistible; they may see you as their high priestess. Get that glow up inside and out!
For people in a relationship, the thirst shall get quenched! Brace yourselves for some sultry, satisfying intimacy with your partner that may bring deeper attraction and a spiritual energy + bond - making you both inseparable.
Love Meaning:
The High Priestess Tarot Card Reversed
The High Priestess in reversed position for singles may mean doubt and lack of self-esteem. You might find yourself in a situation where someone would express their attraction towards you but still doubt if they have hidden agendas. You want a relationship, but because you are not used to receiving attention, it makes you feel uneasy or think you're out of their league. If so, there may be a need to step back and do internal work. Vibe check! Be your own friend, and be kind enough to yourself to realize that you deserve every bit of desire offered to you. Once you've internally worked on your esteem, accepting love is going to be easier.
If you're in a relationship, you might find yourself in frequent arguments with your partner. While having disagreements is normal, frequent fights may call for time out to spend individually to find clarity. This is break time but no snack! Use this time to self-check if you give enough love to receive enough love. Think if each other's pride is getting in the way of your partnership. Spend some quiet time and you might find obvious solutions to get off the rough patch. Sometimes, a little break makes a big difference as it helps you refresh your perspective and come up with realizations. This could be a period where a lot of murkiness is happening in the subconscious realms which is affecting how you're engaging with one another - just let the moment pass without making hasty decisions.
MONEY and Tarot
Money Meaning:
The High Priestess Tarot Card Upright
Although The High Priestess is not particularly a special sign in a card reading for money, this card emphasizes that intuition plays a big role in making big financial moves. If The High Priestess appears upright in money reading, she is giving you a gentle poke -- a reminder to consult with your instincts before you invest some dough.
This card means that you already have sacred knowledge within and you need to tap on it to unlock great financial strategies or even success. If you have some investment idea that's been living in your head for a long time and whenever you think about it you feel good, now is probably the time to consider giving it a go.
Money Meaning:
The High PriestessTarot Card Reversed
A reversed High Priestess card may indicate confusion and indecisiveness in a money reading. Perhaps you're rushing to make your financial move which might put things at risk. If this is the case, there's a need to take time and check on your feelings about a certain move. It's also important to consider our gut feelings other than our research.
This card in reverse may also suggest the need to take it slow when it comes to your expenses. This isn't the time to get bougie. There may be some difficult financial times ahead for which you need to prepare, and avoid making impulsive purchases that aren't actually necessary. Evaluating your purchase list whether and seeing whether they're needs or wants could save you some dollars for rainy days.
As much as we want to see the world in a perfect picture where everyone is good, duality is inevitable. There are people who would rejoice in seeing you succeed, and there are those who might just want a piece of your cake. Listening to your intuition when it comes to choosing who you can disclose your financial information with will help you avoid financial problems. Sometimes it's better to silently work on our goals rather than sharing them with everyone.
career + work and Tarot
Career Meaning:
The High Priestess Card Reversed
In a career reading, The High Priestess upright indicates success or promotion. This may also indicate a chance to be working with a respected colleague or a mentor who will help you gain further knowledge at work. Working with this colleague may give you an edge because of the wisdom they may share with you.
This card in an upright position may also suggest that if you move according to your instincts, you may come across an opportunity or a piece of information that may serve as a gateway to your success. This may be a chance to relocate to a different department or a chance to work abroad or in another branch of your company. If you're an artist, the universe calls you to look within for inspiration and creativity to create more profound works that are one-of-a-kind.
Career Meaning:
The High Priestess Card Reversed
The High Priestess in reverse in the context of career implies the need to be up to date in your field of work or business. Take the initiative and plot your next moves.
At the same time, there may be a need to filter out the people you open up with as the card in reverse suggests that there may be a deceitful energy in your work environment. It is possible that not everyone wishes you success, so if you're planning to request a promotion, keep the people’s opinion at hand but put more focus on your gut feeling to guide you through it. Use common sense and only disclose your plans as needed. It is important to work your intuitive capabilities rather than listening to the noise of the onlookers.
HEALTH and Tarot
Health Meaning:
The High Priestess Tarot Card Upright
For some, this card may imply a good balanced lifestyle. This may simply mean that you listen to what your body is telling you and by doing so, you accomplish things that others who aren't physically healthy may find challenging. This is a thumbs up from the universe that you're keeping the right balance and that you should keep it up!
In health, this card indicates fertility. For women, now is the time to try conceiving or this might simply mean that you have balanced hormones.
It's difficult to give definitive answers for health, and can be irresponsible as well. Always check with your dr!
Health Meaning:
The High Priestess Tarot Card Reversed
In a health reading, the reversed High Priestess symbolizes a lack of attention to your health. This is a nudge from the universe to pay attention and listen to what your body is trying to tell you and shift your daily life to support your body more. You might need to put your health in priority and avoid the tendency of ignoring what your body is telling you.
Your body may be sending you signals such as pain or fatigue -- your body's way of telling you to rest. Perhaps you're a busy person who tends to forget to take a break or do your yearly health check. Like The High Priestess, try putting things in balance; make time for proper rest and even pamper yourself as your body is your best investment. Remember that health is wealth!
For some, this may also indicate fertility issues. If you are trying to conceive for a long time, this may be time to seek medical help and consider different options to get pregnant. We live in an era where science and technologies make all things possible. On the other hand, this may just simply mean hormonal imbalance.