Major Arcana
The High Priestess sits between two pillars — Boaz and Jachin — at the threshold of the sacred temple. A crescent moon rests at her feet and the scroll of hidden wisdom lies partly concealed in her lap. She guards the veil between the known and the mystery, inviting deep inner listening.
Upright
Reversed
Quick meaning
The High Priestess represents the High Priestess sits between two pillars — Boaz and Jachin — at the threshold of the sacred temple. A crescent moon rests at her feet and the scroll of hidden wisdom lies partly concealed in her lap. She guards the veil between the known and the mystery, inviting deep inner listening.
Use the symbol
In a yes or no tarot reading, The High Priestess is best read through its condition. Upright, it points toward Desirability, Unattainability, Mystery, Sensuality. Reversed, it suggests Repression of intuition, Blocked psychic powers, Unwanted attention, Uncontrolled outbursts and sexual tension. The answer depends on whether the situation is moving with the upright lesson or stuck in the reversed pattern.
As advice, The High Priestess asks you to work with the card's main lesson rather than react from fear. Start with the upright meaning: The High Priestess possesses intuition, mystery and sensuality combined with common sense.
As feelings, The High Priestess can describe someone experiencing the card's emotional tone. In love readings, its upright energy is: If you are a man, The High Priestess appearing in your reading in a love Tarot context usually signifies you will become infatuated with an attractive feminine sensual...
Reversed, The High Priestess points to what may be blocked, avoided, or expressed in a harder way. Use the reversed meaning as a prompt to slow down and address Repression of intuition, Blocked psychic powers, Unwanted attention, Uncontrolled outbursts and sexual tension.
Energy in motion
The High Priestess possesses intuition, mystery and sensuality combined with common sense. When the High Priestess appears in a tarot reading she indicates that now is the time to trust your instincts and go with your gut feeling. Pay attention to your dreams and the signs and symbols the universe is sending you when this Major Arcana trump card appears in your tarot reading.
If you are a man, The High Priestess appearing in your reading in a love Tarot context usually signifies you will become infatuated with an attractive feminine sensual person who may be unattainable to you. If you are a female, she indicates that you will be highly-desired by more than one person. People will find you irresistible! If you are involved with someone The High Priestess is an indicator of good lovemaking!
In a work context, The High Priestess can indicate that you may soon become aware of information or an opportunity that will be of benefit to you. The High Priestess Tarot card is an indicator of creativity and inspiration for those involved in the arts. For students, if The High Priestess Tarot card appears a good teacher may be coming into your life to help you in your studies. Be careful who you discuss your finances with. Keep them on a need to know basis.
In a health context, this tarot card is generally telling you to listen to the messages your body is trying to send you about what it needs. The High Priestess can indicate that you are not being taken seriously in relation to your health concerns. Don’t allow your concerns to be ignored! The High Priestess can also symbolise fertility and hormones coming into balance and menstruation.
Use tarot for reflection only; it does not replace medical advice, diagnosis, or care.
The High Priestess Tarot card is a card of spirituality and wisdom. When this card appears it is a good time to connect with your inner voice and intuition and to trust your higher power. It is another great card to appear for those interested in psychic development!
Energy under tension
As with the upright meaning, The High Priestess reversed in a tarot reading indicates your intuition is trying to guide you and your instincts are correct. However, in the reversed position this Major Arcana card shows that you are not hearing it. You may be more focused on the opinions of others or winning other people’s approval than your own inner wisdom. It can also indicate that you are neglecting your own needs to take care of others. You need to take the time to connect with yourself and listen to your inner voice. Trust yourself. You have all the wisdom and knowledge you need.
With the High Priestess reversed Tarot in a love context, you will still find yourself highly-desired by others but you may question their motives or the attention may make you feel uncomfortable. If you are in a relationship, you can expect uncontrolled emotional outbursts and high sexual tension. If you find yourself losing patience with your partner or looking for arguments, take some time out for yourself.
In a career context, The High Priestess reversed can indicate that you have not been kept in the loop in work. You may be feeling isolated and detached as a result. The High Priestess reversed can indicate a duplicitous female so be careful who you trust. Financially speaking, make sure you understand all the conditions before taking out loans or signing contracts, again somebody may be being dishonest with you. Trust your intuition if it doesn’t feel right.
If you have been isolating yourself from the world, you would do well to get active. This reversed card can indicate menstruation issues for women, hormonal imbalances and/or fertility issues. As in the upright meaning, if you feel you have a health issue that is not being taken seriously, make your voice heard. Try a few different healthcare practitioners if you need to, as long as doing so doesn’t delay your treatment!
Use tarot for reflection only; it does not replace medical advice, diagnosis, or care.
When The High Priestess reversed appears in a spirituality context you may feel like you have lost your normally strong connection to your spiritual side. The messages are still there you just need to take the time to relax and tune into what spirit is telling you. Also, be careful not to become overly dependent on psychics or mediums.
Cards in conversation
Together, The High Priestess and The Fool blend the lesson of the high priestess with the energy of the fool. This pairing asks you to read the cards as a relationship between the central theme and the fool stands at the edge of a cliff, knapsack over his shoulder, gazing upward with youthful abandon.
Together, The High Priestess and The Magician blend the lesson of the high priestess with the energy of the magician. This pairing asks you to read the cards as a relationship between the central theme and the magician stands before a table bearing all four suit symbols — wand, cup, sword, and pentacle — one hand raised to the heavens and one pointing...
Together, The High Priestess and The Empress blend the lesson of the high priestess with the energy of the empress. This pairing asks you to read the cards as a relationship between the central theme and the empress sits on a plush throne amid lush gardens and flowing water, crowned with twelve stars and robed in pomegranate-patterned cloth.
Clarify the card
The High Priestess possesses intuition, mystery and sensuality combined with common sense. When the High Priestess appears in a tarot reading she indicates that now is the time to trust your instincts and go with your gut feeling. Pay attention to your dreams and the signs and symbols the universe is sending you when this Major Arcana trump card appears in your tarot reading.
As with the upright meaning, The High Priestess reversed in a tarot reading indicates your intuition is trying to guide you and your instincts are correct. However, in the reversed position this Major Arcana card shows that you are not hearing it. You may be more focused on the opinions of others or winning other people’s approval than your own inner wisdom. It can also indicate that you are neglecting your own needs to take care of others. You need to take the time to connect with yourself and listen to your inner voice. Trust yourself. You have all the wisdom and knowledge you need.
If you are a man, The High Priestess appearing in your reading in a love Tarot context usually signifies you will become infatuated with an attractive feminine sensual person who may be unattainable to you. If you are a female, she indicates that you will be highly-desired by more than one person. People will find you irresistible! If you are involved with someone The High Priestess is an indicator of good lovemaking!
In a work context, The High Priestess can indicate that you may soon become aware of information or an opportunity that will be of benefit to you. The High Priestess Tarot card is an indicator of creativity and inspiration for those involved in the arts. For students, if The High Priestess Tarot card appears a good teacher may be coming into your life to help you in your studies. Be careful who you discuss your finances with. Keep them on a need to know basis.
The The High Priestess is best read by context in yes or no questions. Upright, it points toward Desirability, Unattainability, Mystery, Sensuality. Reversed, it suggests Repression of intuition, Blocked psychic powers, Unwanted attention, Uncontrolled outbursts and sexual tension.
Put this symbol in context
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