Week III | High Priestess | Class

[mol]

Per request...here is the next card in our Tarot class:

The High Priestess...

http://www.mysticwicks.com/img/tarot/riderwaite_highpriestess.gif

Commence discussion of this card...

[Rosabelle]

i'm completely stuck on this one. what does BJ mean? it is a crescent moon at her feet? i think it is. there is an orb on her head. the number 2 at the top i suppose means (apart from it being the number 2 card) she being the second in comand to the magician who was the number 1 card. she also looks as though she is holding a news paper. (i know i'm wrong with that one)haha. someone give me some directions on this.
Rosabelle

[wiccamags]

I thought they were horns at her feet, from the horned god. But then again, as you said it could be a moon at her feet and the sun at her head. Are they pomegranate fruits behind her, they are a sign of a woman's womb full of seeds, I think. She is wearing a cross and at first I thought she was holding a torah scroll. I don't know what the B and J stand for. She is wearing green and white on my card. White is virginal and green is for fertility.
How did I do?

[Polaris]

MM
this is a hard one.. but anyway...
she is wearing blue which by some pagans is considered a lucky colour. she has the moon at her feet(i think) and on her head she has a round silver headress with an orb like thing on it. it looks like the headress of that egyptian godess....wotshername...well anyway, she has a cross on her that is sometimes used as an alternative symbol to the pentagram. she has a scroll in her hand and i think that meens great wisdom, what would be expected of a priestess.
one one side of her is the dark, with the letter B, and the other side is the light, with the letter J. i dont know what on earth they could mean, but i think the dark and light thing is pretty self-explanatory.(dark on one side,light on other).
behind her are what looks like a curtain with embroidered patterns on it, i think the green bits are leaves and the red bits either nuts or ruby jewels.

with the moon at her feet
on her silver throne
with the stars at her head
and her pale blue gown.

with the tow great pillars
one black and one white
encribed B and J
the dark and the light.

with her knowledge in hand
and behind her gems
she is a prietess
who knows now, and knew then.

i find putting stuff into poems helps me understand and learn stuff. i find poems easier with a subject to write about.not boring stuff. stuff with meaning, like this.
MP
Polaris

[Semele]

Great ideas. Rosabelle if you ever say anything negative, like you are completely wrong, I will have to hurt you. There are no right or wrong answers and you are doing fantastic. In fact I think you are really grasping the cards, especially for someone who has never seen them before.

As for the B and the J, they stand for Boaz and Jakin, the names given to the two main pillars of the temple in Jerusalem. One being dark but carrying the lighter colored letter of the other and vice versa. Sort of a hint that while there is light and dark to all things, they are wrapped up in each other. To me, meaning nothing is all dark or all light.

She is holding the Tora scroll. Good call Wiccamags! Notice that it is partialy hidden from sight by her robes. What does this say to you all?

Between the two pillars behind her is a veil. I had never really thought much about the design of the veil myself, but I do like the pomegranat designs. Very nice idea. Thank you for sharing. What do you think is behind the veil and why the need for the veil? Do we want to see behind there or do we need to??

You are all on the right track. So now, what do you think is the overall attitude or key statement the card makes. Keep in mind the Magician symbolises consciousness. Acting deliberately to make things happen and always aware. A hint...cards 1 and 2 are the perfect balance of the major arcana. male/female..etc. Tell me what you think.
Semele

[Semele]

Polaris,
I forgot to mention in my last post that I love the poem. I think that is a great way to express yourself. After we post the final description of the card I want you to add to it and share it with us. Also make sure you are writing these works down somewhere to keep for referal. Like a book of shadows perhaps!! Keep up the great work!
Semele

[ZenKing]

Originally posted by mol
Per request...here is the next card in our Tarot class:

The High Priestess...

http://www.mysticwicks.com/img/tarot/riderwaite_highpriestess.gif

Commence discussion of this card...


Anyone else notice that it looks like she has a horned crown? I dont use this card set so...its kind of new to me.

[Rosabelle]

Originally posted by Semele
Great ideas. Rosabelle if you ever say anything negative, like you are completely wrong, I will have to hurt you.
sorry :)
There are no right or wrong answers and you are doing fantastic. In fact I think you are really grasping the cards, especially for someone who has never seen them before.
thanks, Semele. i'm quite pleased with myself today aswell. i don't feel well :(
Rosabelle

[wiccamags]

Hope you feel better soon

[wiccamags]

If she's in Jerusalem and holding a Torah scroll, she would be very out of place as a Priestess, as this religion would not allow her. So maybe she has all her Pagan items behind the veil.
It's all very confusing as the scroll is from the Jewish religion and she is wearing a cross, from Christianity.
Maybe the veil hides the truth.

[wiccamags]

If the priestess is hiding her Pagan beliefs behind the veil, could this signify the unconsciousness, balancing out the consciousness of the magician?

[Semele]

Originally posted by wiccamags
If the priestess is hiding her Pagan beliefs behind the veil, could this signify the unconsciousness, balancing out the consciousness of the magician?


BINGO!!!! You nailed it my dear...thats exactly what she is representing. The scroll is symbolic of knowledge that is partialy hidden from our view. The real key here is to understand the veils presence in our lives and how to see past it....or at least desire to understand it and use it to our advantage.

There is an old legend that a woman, disguised as a man was elected pope. "Pope Joan" made her way to the top position only to die in childbirth during an Easter celebration. Probably a legend, but the Visconti family, who commissioned the first tarot deck, had a member named Manfreda who was elected as Papess because it was believed that the founder of a group called the Gugliemites would rise again in 1300. The church burned sister Manfreda in 1300. 150 years later the first tarot deck, as we know them, was released with the high priestess named "the Papess". The name persisted until the eightenth century when it was changed to the high priestess, believed to have originated in the Isis religion of Egypt.

Food for thought.
Semele

[Rosabelle]

i just had to say:
i'm LOVING these lessons!!!!they were such a GREAT idea. well dont Semele and mol and everyone else who helped!!!;)
Rosabelle

[Semele]

Rosabelle,
Thank you for your kind words. I am glad you are enjoying yourself. I am loving the whole community myself. I hope it will continue to be such a great place. Do you have any further ideas about the latest card???
Semele

[mol]

A great class going on here...

Just wanted to make a few points about this card after looking at it for a few moments. Fristly, the Cross, seems to be a symbol of sacrifice to me.

Also, She is sitting in between Two Pillars...which makes her the Middle Pillar. Dont know what the significance of the Middle Pillar is? Well, we can talk of that later...

[Lynnaea]

Mol and Semele, I can't wait to hear more of the Kabbalic significance of the tarot.

[Kiarda]

She seems very secretive to me, rather mysterious as well. She holds the knowledge of the future not yet revelaed. She is very demure and confident

[Semele]

The key word...secretive, Knowledge not yet revealed. But not at all, unattainable. We just have to want the knowledge bad enough.

If the magician represents actively persuing power then the High Priestess represents passivity, which has its own power. Passive understanding allows the subconscious to emerge.She is a symbol of an inner wisdom, the knowledge that there is more to be learned.A period of passive withdrawal can enrich our lives by allowing things inside to awaken. Somehting I think is done with meditation. In readings she can symbolize fear of things unkown.Often indicative of a gift we possess, such as clairvoyance, yet we are afraid of.

ACTIONS

staying nonactive
withdrawing from involvement
allowing events to proceed without intervention
being receptive to influence
becoming calm
being passive
waiting patiently

accessing the unconscious
using your intuition
seeking guidance from within
trusting your inner voice
opening to dreams and the imagination
being aware of a larger reality

seeing the potential
understanding the possibilities
opening to what could be
seeing your hidden talents
allowing development
letting what is there flower

sensing the mystery
looking beyond the obvious
approaching a closed off area
opening to the unknown
remembering something important
sensing the secret and hidden
seeking what is concealed
acknowledging the Shadow

DESCRIPTION

The High Priestess is the guardian of the unconscious. She sits in front of the thin veil of unawareness which is all that separates us from our inner landscape. She contains within herself the secrets of these realms and offers us the silent invitation, "Be still and know that I am God."

The High Priestess is the feminine principle that balances the masculine force of the Magician. The feminine archetype in the tarot is split between the High Priestess and the Empress. The High Priestess is the mysterious unknown that women often represent, especially in cultures that focus on the tangible and known. The Empress represents woman's role as the crucible of life.

In readings, the High Priestess poses a challenge to you to go deeper - to look beyond the obvious, surface situation to what is hidden and obscure. She also asks you to recall the vastness of your potential and to remember the unlimited possibilities you hold within yourself. The High Priestess can represent a time of waiting and allowing. It is not always necessary to act to achieve your goals. Sometimes they can be realized through a stillness that gives desire a chance to flower within the fullness of time.

So, what do you think? Anything else come to mind now?
Semele

[BrightStar]

Wow!
These classes are really great.I've been up with my Tarot notebook writing stuff down.
I was thinking about the two columns,the light and dark.The High Priestess between,and saw her as a kind of bridge.Or maybe intuition,clairovoyance as a bridge,between the conscious and the subconscious mind.
"In beauty and strength were erected the holy twin pillars".I read that statement somewhere once and it seems to fit.
Well,off to bed!
Peace and love
Rain BrightStar

[mol]

Originally posted by Lynnaea
Mol and Semele, I can't wait to hear more of the Kabbalic significance of the tarot.
Maybe we could have a seperate class/thread for the Kabbalah/Tarot connection?

Anyone?

[mol]

Ok...tis time for a look at other HP's from other decks...

i am having some network problems so I could only get a couple of the images uploaded.

Here is the Aquarian:

http://www.mysticwicks.com/img/tarot/aqua_hp.gif

and here is the Scapini:

http://www.mysticwicks.com/img/tarot/scapini_hp.gif

The Spiral:

http://www.mysticwicks.com/img/tarot/spiral_hp.gif

and of course...the Thoth:

http://www.mysticwicks.com/img/tarot/thoth_hp.gif


Thoughts...comments anyone?

[BrightStar]

Hi all!
I really enjoy looking at the other decks.
I really liked the Aquarian card.She's dressed so dark,more mysterious somehow.The serpent around what is kind of like a cross,kind of like the AMA symbol,seems to mean wisdom to me.She stares at those flowers so intently,like there's an answer in them to some deep question.
Peace and love
Rain BrightStar

[Lynnaea]

Hmmm, the other decks give some more insight. I have both the Scampini and the Thoth deck, I use them as the mood strikes me. To me the Scanpini is lighter though traditional, and the Thoth is more direct and to the point.

I think the Scanpini is similar in symbol to the Rider-Waite deck, the traditional two pillars- balance of the tree of life, the moon- the subconcious, the book on her lap- knowledge, the flowers at her feet seem to be the beauty of the natural world. Or maybe the flowers represent Malkuth, the earthly kingdom. Now that I study it I see the Thoth deck also has this symbolism, just more stylized in art deco style.

The spiral deck also has the same symbolism, with the wolves taking the part of the natural world.

[Lynnaea]

Originally posted by mol

Maybe we could have a seperate class/thread for the Kabbalah/Tarot connection?

Anyone?

That would help me, my priestess requires the study of Kabbalah for 2nd degree students. I learned the major arcana relate to the paths between the Sephiroth of the tree of life, now I am trying to make sense out of it all.

[Rosabelle]

i love the spiral cards. they are so bright and lovely. i also love these lessons, they were such a great idea!
Rosabelle

[elsina]

I think the highpriestess symbolizes all inner wisdom and spirituality, not bordered by religion. I see it as she has a triple moon crown(pagan), a cross on her chest (christianity), a thora scroll in her hand (judaism) and the islamic moon at her feet. All religion is in her, true religion, not going by some rules or book. She sits between the two pillars Boaz and Yachin of the temple (of Jerusalem), and entrance to the temple goes through her. Only she gives permission. The curtains have pommegranates, as they are the symbol of wisdom. I think when you get this card, it means, all answers are inside of yourself, all inner wisdom and spiritual knowledge. BB!

[Polaris]

MM
here is the poem again semele as u requested:

with the moon at her feet
on her silver throne
with the stars at her head
and her pale blue gown.

with the two great pillars
one black and one white
encribed B and J
the dark and the light.

with her knowledge in hand
and behind her gems
she is a prietess
who knows now, and knew then.

i also have some veiws on the other cards.but i will have to post those later. i am being told to get off the net by my dad.
MP
Poalris

[Jazzmine]

On the Witches Tarot deck the high priestess stands in the goddess position with arms stretches outward. The wind is blowing her robe and there is a band abround her left thigh. She has her eyes closed and what appears to look like an isis headband around her head. She stands between a black pillar and a white pillar and there is a white crescent above her head and a yellow one at her feet. She is also barefoot and has 3 gold chains around her neck.

To me she looks as if she is waiting for the knowledge to come to her. She stands so proudly between dark and light like she has perfect balance. Her robe blowing seems to show me that the air element is being symbolized in some way.

[Jazzmine]

Oh yes, she looks as if she is drawing down the moon in a ritual. Or maybe invoking a Goddess.

[Semele]

Elsina,
I love the way you so eloquently described your ideas to us regarding the religion factor. I think it is great. I knew the different religious symbols were present but hadn't been able to form a solid reason behind it. Thank you so much for sharing.

Jazzmine,
Awesome visual you created. I like the drawing down the moon idea.

Polaris,
As always i love the poetry. I wish I could express myself as well as you do.

Everyone is doing great with the enterps. I love reading them. It just brings it all together when we read each others ideas.

Semele

[BrightStar]

Hi all!
Jazzmine,I have The Witches' Tarot deck also.I especially like the fact that instead of The Devil,it has The Horned God.It does differ,especially with the Minor Arcana,as swords are fire and Wands are air,also the Prince,Princess,Queen,and King cards are only used as modifiers.I like it a lot though,but I'm still learning!
Sorry,got off topic(:
Peace and Love
Rain BrightStar

[Dagda Moon~Lily]

interpretation by Dagda
Robin Wood Tarot Deck

The High Priestess holds an open book of, presumably, knowledge in her left hand, and a crystal ball in her right. This would indicate that she has knowledge that she is will to share and information to give that is hidden or mysterious, subconscious if you will. She is pagan in origin wearing a godess headband and a pentacle necklace. There is two trees in the background one is black and one is white. The moon is out with a slightly cloudy sky.
Okay, that was a description of the card.

Would the interpretation be that: secrets will be revealed? Dig deeper into yourself for the answers?

Dag
:)

[Semele]

You got the same idea as most of the other members. Subconscious and the idea that answers are availiable if we choose to unlock the doors.
Semele

[Wildwood]

Sorry I'm late, I guess I've got a lot of catch up to do.

I love everyone's thought's so far, here are my humble own.

Legend: The Arthurian Tarot.

The archetype chosen to represent this card is Nimue. Her
role in the Arthurian myth is hotly debated but it widely
accepted she was the lover of Merlin for a time.

She is sitting on a white throne (decorated with celtic knotwork)
which is placed in the middle of the forest at night. all
the magical creatures of the forest, goblins and fairies
are attending her and both her hands are raised to mid chest
height. Her hands form fists but the first and second fingers
on each hand are raised from the fists (the first finger higher
than the second - and I have not yet worked out what this
means)
Between her hands that is a spark of magical energy yet
her face is serene as if she is not even aware that she is
generating the energy.
She is dressed in a purple dress and a white cloak and about
her head is a simple gold circlet.
To the right hand side of her chair (as you are facing the
card) is a ball of white/grey rock with the small figure standing
on top of it also made out of and attached to the same rock.
as with all the cards in this series there is a lot of greenery
and natural imagery.

I have taken this to signify that the priestess is a ruler of
the mystical/spiritual world (as a counter part to the empress as a
ruler of the physical world). I see this as an essentially female
connection to the spiritual world.

Something I had not thought before I read this thread was that
perhaps because of the celtic pagan feel to the deck in general
the fact she sits outside in a forest is the equivalent of the
judeo-christian imagery in the Rider-Waite deck. The
Natural world is her temple or church. The veil of trees behind
her throne may be the same veil in the Rider-Waite deck
signifying the veil between worlds.

Thanks for all your input.

Wildwood

[Semele]

And thank you for your input as well Wildwood. Your deck sounds nice. I find it fascinating that such different pictures and images can create the same or very similar feelings in the readers.

Semele

[Dagda Moon~Lily]

:)

[Semele]

Now this one I really like!!! I love the position of her hands and the tree behind her is awesome. Thanks again for sharing these with us.

Semele

[Wildwood]

The position of her hands has me really intrigued I have no
idea what it means, anyone got an idea now you can see
what I'm looking at.

(Thanks for the pictures Dag).

Wildwood

[Illyandra]

Hmmmmm~~

This one was a bit harder for me to understand but now that I know the Magician symbolizes consciousness then the assumtion of the unconscious symbolized in this card is pretty easy to guess....

BUT! As I look at the differences between my Rider Waite and Robin Wood decks it gets a little fuzzy.The similarities are easy to pick out that was why I began looking to the not so obvious differences (as many of those are quite blatant). It didn't help much so I gave up and went back to the similarities...:D

Once again we have pillars, trees, ect. Poles symbolizing opposite forces; showing the balance, the power, and the strength of the forces. Just being a preistess makes lends her an air of mystery. The moon and veil of darkness behind her, or for the Rider deck the Veil in Jerusalem where no one but the Holiest is allowed to pass for hiding behind is Deity in its purest incarnation, form, spirit ...what have you. It is the hidden source of power, though equally balanced that lies in wait just beyond reach.

It can also be read as our innermost thoughts, strength, feelings, energies that if we just looked beyond that veil and tapped into them... well maybe we could acheive a truer form of happiness, a lifestyle more spiritual and satisfying than we had ever conceived of. Maybe....??

[Dagda Moon~Lily]

Doing great! Wonderful insight about the veil!

Keep them coming! :p

[Xois]

Understand the female attributes that bring about success

(like intitution)

http://webhost.bridgew.edu/jllavoie/tarot/major2.jpg