II The High Priestess in Tarot

II The High Priestess

The High Priestess card (also known as The Popess in some traditional decks) occupies position number II of the Major Arcana in tarot. She is an enigmatic figure, loaded with esoteric, spiritual and psychological symbolism. She represents the hidden, the intuitive, inner knowledge and the power of silence. While The Magician (card I) acts outwardly by manifesting, The High Priestess acts inwardly, observing and understanding.

This card is undoubtedly one of the most powerful in tarot when it comes to introspection, spiritual connection and secrets about to be revealed.

Symbolism and Iconography

In most modern decks, especially in the Rider-Waite-Smith tarot, The High Priestess is represented as a woman seated between two pillars: a black one with the letter B (Boaz, strength) and a white one with the letter J (Jachin, stability). These pillars come from Solomon's Temple and symbolize duality: darkness and light, the conscious and the unconscious, yin and yang.

She has a veil behind her, decorated with pomegranates, which symbolizes the hidden, what has not yet been revealed. At her feet usually appears a crescent moon, symbol of the feminine, the cyclical and the intuitive. On her lap she holds a scroll, usually with the word TORAH partially visible, representing sacred knowledge, reserved only for those who are prepared to receive it.

Her blue and white dress evokes purity, serenity and spiritual connection. There is no action in her pose, but rather an invitation to silence, contemplation and inner listening.

Associated Keywords

  • Intuition
  • Mystery
  • Silence
  • Hidden wisdom
  • Spirituality
  • The unconscious
  • Femininity
  • Cycles and phases
  • Patience
  • Inner knowledge

General Meaning of the Card

When The High Priestess appears in a tarot reading, she suggests that not everything that matters is on the surface. It's a card that invites you to look inward, to trust your intuition, to keep silent and to observe rather than act impulsively.

It may indicate that there is hidden information, a secret that has not yet been revealed, or that the querent needs time for introspection before making decisions. It may also indicate that it's time to connect with inner wisdom or even develop psychic or spiritual abilities.

The High Priestess in Upright Position

In upright position, The High Priestess conveys a clear message: listen to your inner voice. It's a deeply spiritual card, related to meditation, contemplation and non-verbal knowing.

Common interpretations:

  • Love: May indicate a deep spiritual connection between two people, but may also point to secrets in a relationship or the need for emotional space.
  • Work: Time to observe, not to act. There are hidden dynamics or decisions that should not yet be made.
  • Health: Listen to your body. May be related to hormonal issues, feminine cycles or repressed emotional stress.
  • Spirituality: Ideal time to study esotericism, tarot, astrology, meditation or contemplative practices.

This card may also represent someone with spiritual wisdom in your life: a therapist, guide, counselor or even a future version of yourself who already understands what you're just beginning to discover today.

The High Priestess in Reversed Position

When appearing reversed, The High Priestess warns about disconnection from intuition, emotional repression or misuse of secrets and information.

Possible interpretations:

  • Intuitive block: You're ignoring important internal signals. You're letting logic dominate without listening to your feelings.
  • Mishandled secrets: Someone may be hiding something, or you might be avoiding the truth.
  • Lack of self-confidence: Insecurity prevents you from making decisions from a place of personal wisdom.
  • Superficial spirituality: Beware of spiritual practices done without commitment or just as a trend, without true connection.

In this position, the card may suggest that it's time to return to yourself, reconnect with your inner voice, stop looking for answers outside and avoid emotional or mental dispersion.

Archetype and Psychology

From an archetypal perspective (Jung, Campbell), The High Priestess represents the archetype of the Wise Woman or the Guardian of the Threshold. She is the one who guards the mystery, who knows the secrets of the soul and guides us, if we're ready, toward the deepest truths.

In the Hero's Journey, she can be seen as a test of introspection: the moment when the protagonist must stop, cease acting and begin to understand. At this point, wisdom doesn't come from outside, but from the internal world.

Esoteric Correspondences

  • Element: Water (emotions, intuition)
  • Planet / Astrology: The Moon
  • Hebrew letter (in Kabbalah): Gimel
  • Related chakra: Third eye (intuition)
  • Season: Winter or the moment between seasons, when everything is in pause and silence

Relationship with Other Cards

  • The Magician (I): External action vs. internal action. The Magician manifests, the Priestess meditates.
  • The Empress (III): Both are feminine, but while The Empress creates life in the physical world, the Priestess does so in the spiritual world.
  • The Moon (XVIII): Both cards are associated with the hidden and intuition, although The Moon tends to confuse and distort, while the Priestess maintains clarity in silence.

Questions for Reflection

When The High Priestess appears in a reading, it's helpful to reflect:

  • Am I listening to my intuition or just my logical mind?
  • What secrets am I keeping, and why?
  • Am I willing to stay in silence to find clarity?
  • What part of me needs patience and understanding?
  • Are there truths I'm afraid to discover?

Advice for the Querent

  • Don't make hasty decisions. Wait for the truth to reveal itself.
  • Keep your most intimate thoughts to yourself for now. Not everything needs to be shared.
  • Pay attention to your dreams, hunches and physical sensations.
  • Dedicate time to meditation, spiritual reading or emotional retreat.
  • Develop your psychic or spiritual gifts with respect and discipline.

Conclusion

The High Priestess is one of the deepest and most mysterious cards in tarot. She reminds us that not everything can be seen or understood with physical eyes. Sometimes, the greatest power lies in calmness, in non-doing, in the silence that precedes action.

She invites us on a journey inward, toward the hidden knowledge we all carry within but which is only revealed to those willing to look beyond appearances. She is an eternal symbol of feminine wisdom, the mystery of life, and the power of the intangible.