The High Priestess

The High Priestess is numbered two, but that doesn’t make it the second card in the tarot deck. In fact, this is the third card, following The Fool and The Magician, which are card numbers zero and one. It’s also important to note that this is a Major Arcana Card.

Sitting upon a throne, The High Priestess is in between two pillars, one black and the other white. Meanwhile, she holds a set of keys within her lap and has a crescent moon at her feet. Although she’s wearing a hooded robe, it spills over in front of her, appearing much like flowing water.

Symbolism

When interpreting tarot cards, it’s essential to take a look at several features. The first is most obviously the symbols contained within the cards. Many things qualify as being symbolic, while everything in tarot cards have some symbolic meaning.

Tarot symbols include the colors, the number of the card, and scenery. The character of the card is a focal point, including the gender role, facial expressions, appearance, and body language. The climate, weather, and elements also play a role. Lastly, symbols can be animals, tools, and any other objects both within the background and the forefront.

Number

As previously mentioned, this is NOT the second card within the tarot deck. It’s the third card, as the first card is number zero and the second card is number one. However, The High Priestess is number two.

The number two represents duality, partnership, and understanding. It’s the number of integration, balance, and intuition. This is the number of two ones coming together, where a couple becomes a single, and where doubles are united.

Two is the number of opposites, which are attracted, so that they may learn from each other. As the two come together, they grow through one another’s differences. This doesn’t always refer to two separate humans, however, as it can also signify one’s self-awareness, realizing that there is good and bad within us all. The number two helps us to identify this reality so that we may accept our own nature.

Color

There are few colors within this card. Conversely, the colors that are present are quite pale and muted, except for red. Possibly the most important color feature of this card is the use of the colors white and black and how they oppose one another while they’re on the same type of object.

• Yellow: The symbolic meaning for the color yellow involves energy, power, and ego. It’s the color of aliveness and the expression of oneself.
• Teal: This color is both blue and green combined, although it’s more pale. It’s the representation of both head and heart, or emotion and logic.
• Red: The color red is rich, like the blood that gives us life. It’s the embodiment of the physical realm.
• White: This is the color of purity, innocence, and the forces of nature that exist, yet remain unseen in the physical realm.
• Black: This is the color of darkness, emptiness, the unknown, the unconscious, and the shadowy parts of man, beast, and the universe itself.

Symbols

The High Priestess stares forward at the viewer with a serious yet relaxed expression on her face. She is quite a composed character that reveals very little. However, the keys in her hand suggest that she may know a lot considering keys are symbolic of access and knowledge.

Meanwhile, around The High Priestess’ third eye is an object that looks similar to a pearl, which represents wisdom, femininity, and mystery. Similarly, the moon is suggestive of dreams, intuition, the divine feminine, and emotional intelligence. Lastly, the two pillars surrounding her reveal that she is protected, strong, and is a type of spiritual authority figure who brings order.

Interpretation of The High Priestess

The High Priestess is a strong, feminine archetype within the Major Arcana, while she is also the first female representative in the deck. She possesses a clear connection with her divine nature, including her emotional intelligence as well as her intuitive wisdom. Her elusiveness, however, gives her an aura of intrigue and power.

In order to understand the voice of the divine, The High Priestess has had to seek the greatest depths. These depths are her most shadowy parts, or the darkness that exists in all human beings. Knowing this balance that bestows her with untouchable strength, she is able to shine her light into that darkness.