Bethra
March 16th, 2005, 07:58 AM
Raider-Waite.
2. The High Priestess.
Visual Symbolism:
The High Priestess is depicted as a wise woman dressed in elaborate robes and coronet, depicting the triple aspects of the moon. She holds a scroll in her lap and a curtain hangs behind her suspended from two pillars, one black the other white. Upon these two pillars are the letters B and J. On the curtain images of palm trees and pomegranates can be seen. At her feet rests a sickle moon.
Key Images:
The crown on her head shows that the High Priestess is a Luna Goddess of combination and procreation. The pillars represent the positive and negative force that controls the source of all life. Depicted as she is between the two pillars she is also depicted as being between the worlds, one foot in the Otherworld, and one foot in the mundane world. The curtain behind her is the veil that separates the world from another. Sat between the pillars absorbing and unifying the positive and negative energies. Her passive expression makes her somewhat different to the Magician as she is a passive link between the physical and spiritual planes, of the conscious and unconscious mind. There is a historic link in this card in the letters B and J on the pillars. According to legend the High Priestess or Papess as she is also known was a woman who due to her brilliance and talent eventually rose to the Papal chair. She took for her name Pope John VIII. She is believed to have reigned successfully from 854 to 856 between the Popes Leo IV and Benedict III. Sadly she became pregnant and died whilst giving birth to a child during a solemn procession near the Coliseum.
Divinatory Meanings:
Upright: The revealing of that which was hidden brings strength and hope. Intuitive insights into problems, which will suggest new solutions. This card indicates the influence of a wise or inspired woman. She represents the source of creative talents. She is the gut instinct that guides us in life. She is the inspirer of dreams and visions, of creative inspiration and intuition. She is imagination and thought and she asks the seeker to open themselves up to the possibilities that the other worlds can offer. She can represent a spiritually awakened individual. One who may be adept in occult science, mysticism, divination and esoteric practice. She represents the need to consider other forms of advice in order to become a better-rounded individual. She is often found in spreads of women who have occult gifts they have yet to realise. This card can also represent beneficial changes that will occur with in the next Luna month (28 days) or shortly after the next new moon.
Reversed: In this position the High Priestess warns against difficulties arsing from emotional instability. Unfortunate changes that are misguided. Though a path may seem fortunate at the outset it is an illusion. It is an example of ignoring ones instinct. For a man she can symbolize the bad influence of a woman who emotionally enslaves him. She warns of problems arising from lack of foresight or the reluctance to take sound advice.
The Importance of the Number:
Given the number of 2 this card symbolizes counterpoise, relativity and the dualism of pairs of opposites. Two is the number of time, as opposed to timelessness. It is creation as opposed to the creator. The reflected light of the Moon as opposed to the direct light of the Sun. It represents the interaction of poles which gives rise to manifestation, and in the human sphere signifies mans experience of the individual existence, as a separate ego divorced from the world around him.
Path Position on the Qabalistic Tree of Life:
The path between Kether and Tiphareth the first pathway on the centre pillar of balance and equilibrium. Kether as the Aces and Tiphareth as Sixes the High Priestess represents the path from understanding to harmony. The path that leads from the unknowable to the knowable. This pathway takes a pure idea and turns it into an actual creation.
2. The High Priestess.
Visual Symbolism:
The High Priestess is depicted as a wise woman dressed in elaborate robes and coronet, depicting the triple aspects of the moon. She holds a scroll in her lap and a curtain hangs behind her suspended from two pillars, one black the other white. Upon these two pillars are the letters B and J. On the curtain images of palm trees and pomegranates can be seen. At her feet rests a sickle moon.
Key Images:
The crown on her head shows that the High Priestess is a Luna Goddess of combination and procreation. The pillars represent the positive and negative force that controls the source of all life. Depicted as she is between the two pillars she is also depicted as being between the worlds, one foot in the Otherworld, and one foot in the mundane world. The curtain behind her is the veil that separates the world from another. Sat between the pillars absorbing and unifying the positive and negative energies. Her passive expression makes her somewhat different to the Magician as she is a passive link between the physical and spiritual planes, of the conscious and unconscious mind. There is a historic link in this card in the letters B and J on the pillars. According to legend the High Priestess or Papess as she is also known was a woman who due to her brilliance and talent eventually rose to the Papal chair. She took for her name Pope John VIII. She is believed to have reigned successfully from 854 to 856 between the Popes Leo IV and Benedict III. Sadly she became pregnant and died whilst giving birth to a child during a solemn procession near the Coliseum.
Divinatory Meanings:
Upright: The revealing of that which was hidden brings strength and hope. Intuitive insights into problems, which will suggest new solutions. This card indicates the influence of a wise or inspired woman. She represents the source of creative talents. She is the gut instinct that guides us in life. She is the inspirer of dreams and visions, of creative inspiration and intuition. She is imagination and thought and she asks the seeker to open themselves up to the possibilities that the other worlds can offer. She can represent a spiritually awakened individual. One who may be adept in occult science, mysticism, divination and esoteric practice. She represents the need to consider other forms of advice in order to become a better-rounded individual. She is often found in spreads of women who have occult gifts they have yet to realise. This card can also represent beneficial changes that will occur with in the next Luna month (28 days) or shortly after the next new moon.
Reversed: In this position the High Priestess warns against difficulties arsing from emotional instability. Unfortunate changes that are misguided. Though a path may seem fortunate at the outset it is an illusion. It is an example of ignoring ones instinct. For a man she can symbolize the bad influence of a woman who emotionally enslaves him. She warns of problems arising from lack of foresight or the reluctance to take sound advice.
The Importance of the Number:
Given the number of 2 this card symbolizes counterpoise, relativity and the dualism of pairs of opposites. Two is the number of time, as opposed to timelessness. It is creation as opposed to the creator. The reflected light of the Moon as opposed to the direct light of the Sun. It represents the interaction of poles which gives rise to manifestation, and in the human sphere signifies mans experience of the individual existence, as a separate ego divorced from the world around him.
Path Position on the Qabalistic Tree of Life:
The path between Kether and Tiphareth the first pathway on the centre pillar of balance and equilibrium. Kether as the Aces and Tiphareth as Sixes the High Priestess represents the path from understanding to harmony. The path that leads from the unknowable to the knowable. This pathway takes a pure idea and turns it into an actual creation.