The High Priestess in the Major Arcana
The High Priestess is the third card in the major arcana, marked with the number two. The two here is symbolized by the dual columns - pillars that mark the veil between the seen and unseen, or the logical mind and intuition. The pillars on their own are symbols of extremes, with the priestess standing between them, exactly where one needs to be to best receive intuitive sense. The essence of the High Priestess is finding an inner balance, and weighing intention and will against the guidance of the inner voice. In the journey of the Fool this is still very early in the path of growth, and at the heart of the Fool understanding who he is. Where he may have discerned what it is he wants, the intuition of the High Priestess can signify the why, and when the two come together some direction can be taken toward an eventual goal.
The High Priestess and the Querent
When the High Priestess appears as the Querent, this is a nearly direct description regardless of whether the card is upright or reversed. She is intuitive and she is balanced, as the person (regardless of gender) would also be. Or reversed, she is unbalanced, and probably too heavily guided by her intuition or heart. When intuition comes without logical reasoning, emotions run high and response boils down to reactions, regardless of what harm it may cause. These meanings can also be seen in the card's position in the spread, be it strength/weakness or circumstance/outcome. When the High Priestess is involved, the message is always summarized as a call or affirmation of the balance and the clarity that tempering logic with emotion can bring. The querent, ever in the place of the Fool through their journey, may also be in a position of learning to balance parts of themselves. Overall, the High Priestess is a card for internal, personal attentiveness, and the potential that with the right mindset what the Magician seeks for, the Empress will soon bring to life.
The High Priestess in Other Decks
Outside of the common imagery as shown above, much of the meaning of the High Priestess card keeps the essence of an inner truth. The High Priestess is a card about looking inward, and for that most decks that apply the journey of the Fool in the major arcana will keep this step at its core. The Fool must find their inner truth before they can manifest anything outside of their own mind. So, too, must the querent. It is for this reason I always apply the word "intuition" to the card - regardless of the context of what is being asked, the High Priestess says "What is it you truly believe and why?" Creation cannot become manifest in a metaphorical bed of uncertainty.
When the High Priestess is an Outcome Card
As an outcome, the High Priestess signifies a major point in the person's life (as do the appearance of all the major arcana cards). The event, in relation to the question, signifies that the querent is at a point of discovering their deep inner truth regarding the question at hand. They know what they want, and have finally come to understand why it calls to them.
In matters of love, the high priestess asks if you are internally ready for the commitment. It asks if a relationship is what you truly want and calls you to follow your inner truth. In the case of already established relationships, it asks for you to address that same inner truth and question why you have the question you do. Are you not trusting for a reason? Are you wanting more than the other person is giving? All of these are things that, depending on the other cards in play, may be present for the querent. Or - in the case of a relationship not yet seen, it may also point to the type of person the querent would benefit from being with. Someone emotionally present, and balanced. Someone that knows their own inner truth and able to see past the veil of their own ego.
In matters of business and wealth, the card is a signifier of things to come. Change is in the frocess of fruition but may et be forthcoming. Patience and a calm balance of emotions and will are what bring the success/change the querent seeks. If the High Priestess is reversed here, it qould signify a stifling of the outcome in the exact same way - the querent is so invested in the outcome that their emotions are getting in the way of bringing the change to life. Logic and reason must be applied in order to carve a path for the possible success.
In matters of home and health, the High Priestess is a signifier of confidence and foundation. The pillars of the veil in teh common imagery are from a sacred temple - and what is more sacred than the home and beyond that the temple of one's own body. If the person is suffering ill health, the High Priestess may ask two things of the querent. First, what is the cause of the ailment? Is this something the person is failing to address in their own actions? This is especially direct if the fool card reversed is appearing in the spread. Second, the High Priestess asks if the change to health is something the person wants. This is most likely with questions around mental health. *When reading about any medical health, the querent should be seeking a medical professional. While the High Priestess is asking what the querent wants, the fact is that sometimes a person's health relies more on what that inner truth is and requires a doctor or mental health professional whether they like it or not. Tarot and other divination is no substitute for medical treatment from a trained professional.* If the High Priestess is appearing with the Magician present this may also signify the need for the help of a professional in the field. Serious health concerns will always rely on that, and in fact just as the High Priestess comes partnered with the Magician - so too must the want to be healthy come with the aid of a professional. Only together will positive healing happen.
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