II - The High Priestess

Description:

The High Priestess in the Tarot of the Spirit is a hooded veiled figure sitting upon a gray cubic throne.  Her robe is blue, green and white, like flowing water.  A black equal-armed cross is in the center of the High Priestess’ chest.  In the right hand of the High Priestess is a scroll, which is unfurled between her legs and hangs to the floor. 

Before the throne is a black and white checkerboard floor, through which blue-green streams flow.  On the right base of the throne is the Hebrew letter Gimel, and on the left base is the symbol for the Moon. On the right hand side of the throne is a black pillar, and on the left hand side is a white pillar. Both pillars are topped by a square containing a spiral.  The tops of the pillars are connecting by a straight white line or lintel.  The outlines of a central pillar can be seen running up through the body of the High Priestess.

A single large eye sits on top of the head of the High Priestess, intersecting the line that joins the two pillars.  (At first glance it appears that the eye is the head of the High Priestess!).  Above the eye is a triple pyramid: the inner pyramid is white, the next pyramid white-green, and the outer pyramid red.  Clouds of white-green light glow above the pyramids.

Symbology:

The High Priestess is the conduit at the center Pillar of Mildness on the Tree of Life, balanced between the black Pillar of Severity and the white Pillar of Mercy.  The cross on her chest denotes this balance of the four directions of spirit, emotions, intellect and body.  The Mystic Eye at the crown of the High Priestess’ head is balanced between the two pillars, and represents the secret sphere of Daath, the conjunction of force and form.  The Hebrew letter Gimel stands for the camel, able to travel through the desert (Daath) as the confident carrier, symbolizing the faith that will carry one through the unknown of the desert and across the abyss to reach the oasis of life. 

The watery colors and the symbol of the Moon in this card represent reflection.  The Moon shines with reflected light, revealing the hidden source of the true light from the Sun through the darkness.  Water provides ever-changing glimpses of reflection, sometimes clear and serene like a mirror, and other times fragmented and turbulent.  The High Priestess is veiled and hooded, reflecting that she is the gatekeeper of the hidden mysteries. 

The black and white checkerboard path leading to the High Priestess represents duality, division, the interplay of positive/negative.  The path leads to the open scroll unfurled between the legs of the High Priestess, on which the divine words are revealed.

Above the High Priestess and the Eye of Daath are three pyramids, symbolizing the Supernal Triad on the Tree of Life (Kether, Chokmah, Binah).  Above and around the pyramids are clouds of light, representing the Unmanifest, the Negative Limitless Light, the Ain Soph Aur.

Divinatory Meaning:
(from "Tarot of the Spirit" companion book, by Pamela Eakins) 

• All knowledge of dark and light forces is good

• Every experience contains a message for growth

• Listen and you will hear the message of your own inner teacher guiding you in this mysterious time

• Attune to faith

• You are accessing hidden or secret knowledge

• Be aware of all signals in your environment

• Attune to impulses

• Remember, retaining memory is the third mode of empowerment

• The gift of insight is now at hand

Personal Reflections:

The High Priestess is the conduit between the world of Spirit and Manifestation.  She is the channel for the flow of energy from/to Kether (the breath of Light and Life) to/from Tiphareth (light manifested).  The High Priestess is both the gatekeeper and the revealer of the mysteries.  The checkerboard path, leading to the mystic scroll unfurling between the legs of the High Priestess, draws and attracts one into the High/Thigh mysteries.  The path of the High Priestess leads directly up the middle pillar, shooting towards the source of Light.  However, the stern grim face of the High Priestess behind the veil reminds one of a hooded executioner, indicating that the passage on this path from the material to the spiritual demands a High price: the death of the old self.  One enters this path, and No One exits.