The High Priestess: Modern RWS Tarot Card Meanings
RWS Cards In Context › Major Arcana › KEY II: The High Priestess
‘KEY II: The High Priestess’, Rider Waite Smith tarot deck (1909).
High Priestess: Upright RWS Meanings
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, although neither gives a clear or specific answer too often.
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 High Priestess: Paired Combinations
The High Priestess With Major Arcana Cards
The High Priestess & The Moon
The High Priestess (↑) & The Moon (↑): Secrets approach disclosure. Hidden correspondence, deception, or uncertainty resolved through careful scrutiny. Matters of past confusion brought to formal end.
The High Priestess (↓) & The Moon (↑): Mystery turned misleading. False impression or disguised motive produces temporary error until proof uncovers design.
The High Priestess (↑) & The Moon (↓): Subtle insight steadies against change. A scheduled meeting or promise delayed, yet outcome secured as truth replaces illusion.
The High Priestess (↓) & The Moon (↓): Misinterpretation under false report. Suspicion settled once reality checked and needless fear dismissed.
The High Priestess With Minor Arcana Cards
The High Priestess & Page of Cups
The High Priestess (↑) & The Page of Cups (↑): Private conversation or invitation received in confidence. Expression sincere though discreet, bringing quiet reconciliation or renewed sentiment.
The High Priestess (↓) & The Page of Cups (↑): Delay in answer or secret withheld out of caution. Clarification mends what uncertainty disturbed.
The High Priestess (↑) & The Page of Cups (↓): Message lost or tone mistaken. Misunderstanding cleared when explanation restored.
The High Priestess (↓) & The Page of Cups (↓): Silence prolonged beyond comfort. Each waits on the other until one speaks first, resolving distance.
The High Priestess & Nine of Swords
The High Priestess (↑) & The Nine of Swords (↑): Hidden death, failure, or grave deception. Loss endured privately or miscarriage of plan concealed until its exposure ends uncertainty. Tears shed in secrecy before acceptance begins.
The High Priestess (↓) & The Nine of Swords (↑): Delay worsening disappointment. Error known yet unspoken, prolonging despair until confession brings correction. Integrity restored once disclosure made.
The High Priestess (↑) & The Nine of Swords (↓): Suspicion rightly sensed but handled with care. Doubt voiced discreetly prevents greater harm. Trust re‑established through prudence.
The High Priestess (↓) & The Nine of Swords (↓): Imprisonment in fear or shame. Secrecy magnifies regret until honesty releases the mind from its own doubt.
Waite’s original divinatory meanings: High Priestess.
“Upright: 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.”
Additional Notes: RWS High Priestess
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?
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