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Radiant Edition: Rider-Waite-Smith Tarot- Key 2-The High Priestess
The Rider-Waite-Smith card emphasizes this Blue Sophia of Wisdom with the predominantly blue color of the card. The Moon is also shown quite plainly as a crescent at her feet and a glowing orb, as in full moon, on her head, with the Waxing and Waning moon represented on either side, forming a crown.On her breast is the equal armed solar cross that implies she is the unifying and balancing agent between the Two pillars, one dark, one light, of the Temple; supposedly the Temple of Solomon. The Scroll in her lap is the "Scroll of Law" established by the High Priestess; the Torah. Torah is also a manipulation of the Latin word Rota, meaning "wheel". Implying, that Tarot is the Law, as well as, the very Wheel of Life.
The Tarot High Priestess is the purest essence of consciousness, which is symbolized as the element Water, and in the Rider-Waite-Smith Tarot deck her robe becomes water as it flows over the crescent moon. She is the very essence of Water making blue and the moon appropriate symbols. The Moon controls fluctuations, tides of the water-like flow of consciousness. The High Priestess is the idea behind the idea of form.
Now I know this concept is an impossibly difficult one to understand and the most descriptive of Qabalistic terms may seem nonsensical, but the High Priestess is the Womb of Consciousness, but she is both Male and Female.......much like a Hermaphrodite ( Hermes-Aphrodite) that can impregnate itself.
The Rider-Waite-Smith High Priestess sits before a tapestry that illustrates both the "Garden of inherited knowledge" and the veils of light that hide her face. The Palms on the Tapestry suggest Male force and the Pomegranates on the tapestry suggest female womb. However, the Pomegranates also indicate the Elysian Mysteries and Persephone, Greek Goddess of Spring; I suggest research on these. Using the book, The Woman's Encyclopedia of Myths and Secrets: by Barbra Walker.
The Prophet Tarot- Key 2-The High Priestess
The Prophet Tarot- The High Priestess, is a silver and black colored copy of the Rider-Waite Smith Deck. The High Priestess is called the Anima, by Carl Jung. She is the eternal woman who represents the ultimate secrets of the Unconscious, as often shown as water or Ocean and even the Moon. She is often shown as the Moon, for she controls the tides of consciousness. Hence, the same moon symbols are shown on this card as on the Rider-Waite-Smith card. Truth being, this card is just a color choice and keeping the pomegranate drapery in silver and black motif, that represents the fertile womb. She also sits between the Shadow pillar and the White light pillar as a balance between the two; For Wisdom is neither good nor bad, it is often the "grey area" as shown by the Grey color of the 2nd Sephiroth-Chokmah-Wisdom.
It is generally accepted that the inner and outer personalities are complimentary: However, a very methodical and scientific Persona usually suggests an emotional and often irrational inner being. As before stated, the encounter of the Anima by the Animus, especially in dreams, is a very real experience. Her activity as antagonist, which is always at work in a man, brings many qualities that the culture has given to the feminine: gentleness, softness, emotionality, love of home and beautiful things, empathy, etc.. However, one may rightly assume that a culture's and/or society's perceptions of male and female shall evolve, as will the individual's interaction with Anima and Animus.
To a Christian, the High Priestess, may appear as the Stella Maris and/or the Mother Mary. or the Papist (female Pope). Hence, the starry sky. However, she is best represented as an more ancient Goddess, like the sky goddess Nuit of the ancient Egyptians pantheon. For sure, She is all phase of Woman, the Mother Hera, the Virgin Diana, the hag Hecate, and/or the Trinity Goddess that is Maid, Mother and Crone. Therefore, she can be charming, loving and supportive or deceptive, very arbitrary and cruel which in this state would be called the "ice queen" by the ancient Norse.
As one progresses in the mysteries, one begins to understand that every archetype has a Positive and Negative side (Light and Shadow), both of which must encountered for true self-knowledge. This is shown as the twin pillars on both cards. However, the High Priestess may appear, when through active imagination (Meditation) , this archetype is invoked and a conversation begun, the effect is very powerful. However, the contents of the Unconscious are often brought to the surface and these can be unpredictable. For we have a shadow side to the Universal Collective Unconscious as well as, a enlightened side. Each of us must balance the 2 sides of one mind, within ourselves.
THE HIGH PRIESTESS acts upon the First Matter of the MAGUS, causing it to function in the pattern of a figure eight lying on its side: the lemniscate. This represents a total unified energy cycle of both opposed and duplicated vibration (Anima and Animus). This holding, enclosing, and duplicating function is that of the first female quality on the Tree of Life.
THE HIGH PRIESTESS represents what Carl Jung called the "virgin anima", related to "virgin milk" which he called the "life giving power of the unconscious."
To the inquiring mind, I really recommend one gets the book: THE WOMAN'S ENCYCLOPEDIA OF MYTHS AND SECRETS, by Barbara G. Walker and looks up the Moon Goddess Myths. THE HIGH PRIESTESS relates a concept so subjective, that much repetition of information, in differentiating perspectives is required.
When the HIGH PRIESTESS, of both decks, is thrown during a reading for the non-initiated, the querent is experiencing:
- The principle of self-trust, indicating an easily working state of harmony and inner independence.
- A self knowing.
- Accessing hidden Knowledge from the unconscious.
- Self-sufficiency, self-trust, and intuition.
- It's not time to make decisions now. Meditate on it.
- You've come up against the Truth, and more self-knowledge is needed. It's time to reflect in order to grow.
To the initiated male, She represents the Spiritual Bride of the Just man (The Animus, no longer of this world) When he reads the Law, she gives the Divine Meaning to this law. The Arcana is revealed, the Mystery is unfolded, an futures are seen.
To the Initiated Female, She is the Papess, associated with St. Mary Magdalene, or the Great Shakti of the triple Hindu Goddess Kali, or the Greek Gnostic Sophia, the original Mother of the Holy Trinity. Considered one of the Highest and Holiest of the Major Arcana. Complete development of Feminine Powers that go deeper in meaning than the words, intuition or insight, can convey. She is the Law of inherited Wisdom.
When this card is reversed:
- Your concentration on your "inner-life" has become an addiction, causing many problems in your outer life.
- Lost interest in ordinary life, loss of friends, and connection to family.
- Lack of self-knowledge.
Thank you for your interest, comments and supportive donations. May you live long and prosper.
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