The High Priestess: Modern RWS Tarot Card Meanings
‘KEY II: The High Priestess’, Rider Waite Smith tarot deck (1909).
High Priestess: Upright RWS Meanings
Keywords:
Mind, Mystery, Intuition, Secrets, Wisdom, Cycles
Generally
Hidden information, a need for patience, trusting intuition. Waiting for medical test results, an intuitive prompting not to get on a bus, sensing a shift in a friendship but not knowing the secret cause. Almost a more positive version of The Moon, but perhaps mildly disappointing in the sense that these two Major Arcana cards tend not to give straight or definitve answers.
In a Love Context
In a love reading, The High Priestess points to a connection that is governed by intuition, destiny, and the unspoken. This is often not a loud, passionate affair, but a deep, platonic relationship where powerful feelings remain unspoken, or a profound and fated new romance that feels destined. This card speaks to a "knowing" that defies logic, such as intuitively sensing a partner's surprise or the quiet awareness of a secret admirer. The energy here is potent but passive. It can feel like The Lovers card is present as a hidden energy, signifying a potential for a perfect union that exists on the astral plane but has not yet manifested physically. It advises you to trust your inner voice, to look beyond the surface, and to be patient as the true nature of this connection is revealed in its own time.
In a Money/Career Context
In a money or career context, The High Priestess signifies a time for patience, discretion, and due diligence. This is not a card of action, but of quiet observation and trusting your intuition. It may manifest as a powerful gut feeling that a new job offer is "off," even if the salary and title seem perfect. It is a call to listen to that inner voice. This card also represents the possession of confidential work information, a secret project, or a period of waiting for a major decision, such as a promotion or a project's approval. The only "action" advised is that of quiet study and preparation, such as a period of intense research or learning new skills before a major career change. You are in the "study" phase, not the "launch" phase.
In a Spiritual Context
Spiritually, The High Priestess is the very archetype of the mystic and the oracle. She represents a profound connection to the Divine Soul, accessed not through external dogma but through the silence of the inner self. This card signifies a time of profound insight during meditation, a "download" of esoteric knowledge, or the reception of quiet guidance from your higher self. It is a call to keep your spiritual practice private, to nurture your connection in secret rather than seeking external validation. This can be a time for a silent retreat or a deep dive into hidden wisdom. This energy is similar to The Hermit, as both involve a turning inward. But where The Hermit actively withdraws to seek the truth, The High Priestess is the silent, receptive vessel for the truth that is revealed.
In Common Spread Positions
As Advice
Trust your intuition. Accept the uncertainty. Be still and wait for more information to be revealed from the higher planes.
As (Ultimate) Outcome
The outcome is a secret. The final result is not yet meant to be known and will be revealed in its own time.
As Obstacles
Progress is blocked by secrets. You are being hindered by withheld information or facts that are not yet available.
As Hidden Energy
The intuitive, secretive energy of the High Priestess is an untapped resource. There is a powerful insight available from the higher self if you look for it. Like The Hierophant.
As Resources/Alliances
Your intuition is your greatest resource. Help will come in the form of secret knowledge or a discreet, intuitive person.
Reversed Meanings: RWS High Priestess
Reversed Keywords
Karma, Intellect, Superstition, Instinct, Ignorance
Generally
Ignoring the soul's guidance, secrets revealed against your will, acting on superficial information, a disconnect from your higher mind. Like The Fool reversed.
In a Love Context
A partner's affair exposed, realising you ignored your intuition about a relationship, a friendship ruined by gossip, a lack of emotional honesty.
In a Money/Career Context
A career move backfiring due to office gossip, a deal failing due to undisclosed information, buying a faulty car due to a sales pitch, making a bad investment despite an intuitive warning. Like The Magician reversed.
In an Intellectual Context
Stating an opinion after only reading a headline, spreading rumours online, preferring gossip magazines to study, intellectual arrogance.
In a Spiritual Context
A block in your spiritual practice, being too distracted to hear the quiet guidance of the soul, joining a superficial spiritual group, mistaking psychic noise for genuine intuition.
In Common Spread Positions
As Advice
Do not trust surface appearances. It is time to reveal a secret. Stop ignoring the promptings of your higher self.
As (Ultimate) Outcome
The outcome will be a secret revealed. In another reading; a decision will be made based on a complete lack of insight.
As Obstacles
Progress is blocked by malicious gossip. You are being hindered by misinformation and active deception.
As Hidden Energy
The secretive energy of the High Priestess is a hidden threat. An enemy is playing dumb, or self-sabotage from the lower self is at work.
As Resources/Alliances
A secret brought to light can be used to your advantage. Wisdom gained from a painful experience is now your resource, like The Emperor.
RWS Card Combinations With The High Priestess
The knowledge of the High Priestess can be personal gnosis when paired with The Hermit or a figment of fancy when paired with the 7 of Cups.
Additional Notes
A.E Waite’s original divinatory meanings of the High Priestess.
"Secrets, mystery, the future as yet unrevealed; the woman who interests the Querent, if male; the Querent herself, if female; silence, tenacity; mystery, wisdom, science. Reversed: Passion, moral or physical ardour, conceit, surface knowledge." (Pictoral Key To The Tarot, 1911).
The Rider Waite Smith High Priestess card symbolism.
A serene, seated figure, flanked by a black and white pillar (Jachim and Boaz). Behind her is a veil decorated with pomegranates which are arranged in the shape of the Kabbalistic tree of life (so as to represent sephiroth or spheres of creation from Jewish Kabbalah). These pomegranates also conceal a body of Water. The female figure wears white and pale blue robes, the crown of Isis atop her head and a partially concealed Torah scroll in her hand. An equal-armed cross adorns her chest and a crescent moon is at her feet.
Meditations On The High Priestess
What would a spiritual Master tell me to do in this situation?
Is it prudent to share my wisdom or knowledge in this situation?
Comprehensive guide to the 22 Major Arcana cards of the Rider Waite Smith tarot system. Learn what the Major Arcana cards are and how divinatory readers have evolved their RWS Major Arcana practice in the last 100 years.