The High Priestess Card: Trusting the Wisdom of the Unseen
- Ariel Gatoga
- Jan 22
- 5 min read
The Evolution of the Archetype
From Papesse to Priestess
The imagery and symbolism behind the High Priestess card didn't always represent what we think of today. The oldest recorded Tarocchi deck dates to the 15th century, and tarot decks of the Marseille series originated in the 17th and 18th centuries, when Catholicism was dominant throughout Europe. Both decks displayed the second Trump card with a female pope seated on her throne. The artwork in the Marseille deck is inspired by the myth of Pope Joan. She supposedly disguised herself as a man and rose to become pope in medieval Europe. In those days, women couldn't possibly occupy such positions of religious power. Therefore, the depiction of the Papess can be seen as bold female empowerment and a breaking of the status quo.
The High Priestess card was not referred to by that name until the 18th century.
Antoine Court de Gébelin changed its title from "Female Pope" (La Papesse) to "The High Priestess" in his 1781 book, "Le Monde Primitif." Court de Gébelin believed that Tarot cards did not originate in medieval Europe but instead came from the Egyptian priesthoods of antiquity. As the significance of church authority diminished, the High Priestess card took on a more mysterious aura.
In 1888, members of the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, led by S.L. MacGregor Mathers, would come to popularize the name we now recognize as The High Priestess card. Most notably, the Rider-Waite-Smith deck, published in 1910 by A.E. Waite, shifted the image of the High Priestess card from the Catholic Pope Joan imagery to that of a mystical woman associated with the Moon and the Egyptian goddess Hathor. The meaning of the High Priestess card today reflects her title as the guardian of occult knowledge.
The Symbolism of the Veiled Goddess
In contrast to the card of the Hierophant or the Pope which typically shows the figure speaking or giving a benediction to a crowd, or sitting in an open space, the Papesse, or High Priestess is removed from the external world. She is within herself, sitting at the threshold between the conscious and subconscious mind, shrouded in layers of mystery.
She holds a book or scroll of wisdom in her lap, which is typically at least partially covered by her robes. This imagery signifies her deep knowledge of the occult and suggests that she possesses sacred wisdom—insights that cannot be grasped by the uninitiated.
Her mysteries cannot be bought, coerced, or demanded; they must emerge through her, in their own time. She is the Goddess of Mystery and the womb of creation. She cannot be analyzed with a microscope but must be felt with our souls. She knows that secrecy means sacredness. She is the keeper of all sacred knowledge.
Nature’s Hidden Rhythms
The mystery of the High Priestess is not illusion; it is the Law of nature. It is easy to forget that many of life's most necessary functions take place behind the veil of darkness, unseen, in perfect secrecy.
The Temple of the Body
Imagine all the things that happen inside your body to help you stay alive that you don't know about. Your spleen filters your blood, removing old red blood cells and helping fight infection. Your heart tirelessly beats to pump blood through your veins and arteries, delivering oxygen and nutrients to your cells. Your lungs inflate and exhale, allowing oxygen to enter your body, and they help remove carbon dioxide. These are only a few of the jobs your body does out of sight every day. Your organs and internal environment exist inside your body for a reason. Your body protects them from the outside world so they can perform their jobs. If your body did not protect your insides, they would not be able to do their job.
The Mother and the Seed
A baby doesn’t develop in the bright lights of a store room. It grows in the protection of the mother’s womb, nurtured and safe in darkness until it’s time to face life outside that warm little watery house.
The seed you plant in the garden doesn’t begin to sprout above ground. It germinates in darkness, underground, hidden from sight. We don’t rip a brand-new seed out of the ground every morning to ensure that it’s growing. If we did that, we’d never have a plant. We trust that the Earth will do its job.
The High Priestess card teaches us that a lot of important things need to remain unseen. They need the blanket of darkness and secrecy to protect them as they operate.
Interpreting the High Priestess Card in a Reading
The High Priestess encourages you to be patient and to have trust. She reminds you
that you don't need to know everything right now—it's actually beneficial that you don't. In our society, there is often pressure to have all the answers, but the High Priestess advises against this approach. Instead of trying to figure everything out, allow things to unfold naturally. Trust that the Goddess of Mystery understands, and that her understanding is all we need
Learning To Trust Quietly
When this card appears, it reminds us that just because a resolution isn't visible, it doesn’t mean progress isn't taking place beneath the surface. Nature teaches us that her processes aren't always easy to understand. She maintains balance, nurturing her creations through cycles of death and rebirth. Your body’s cells are constantly regenerating, with new ones emerging even as old ones fade away, all without your awareness or assistance. While nothing may appear to be happening in your situation, trust that things are aligning in ways that you aren't meant to comprehend.
The High Priestess teaches you to embrace the mysteries of your life. The miracles of the Goddess are on their way, but they will arrive at the perfect moment—never a second too soon or too late.
Stop Digging
If you find yourself feeling anxious about a situation, frantically searching for answers, or trying to rush an outcome, the High Priestess counsels you to pause. Have faith that developments you don’t know about are occurring beneath the surface. Know that the perfect outcome is taking place behind the scenes. The clarity you seek will come when the moment is right.
Conclusion
The High Priestess card symbolizes the connection between our world and the unseen realm. She teaches us to respect the mysteries of life. She assures us that there is nothing to fear in the darkness, as it is the birthplace of all things. Embrace the unknown and trust the flow of the Universe. Allow her mystery to be sufficient. The High Priestess teaches you in the Silence.
Deepen Your Practice
Do you want to learn more? Download your free copy of my eBook, "How to Read the Marseille Tarot," and unlock the secrets of the ancient symbolism behind it.
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