An eerie deja vu moment, reading a person and being exactly right, that sensation of perfect flow where everything aligns in magical timing. These are the feelings the high priestess evokes.
Read on discover what she means in all positions including yes/no readings, career, money, love, health and her powerful connection to the divine feminine.
The High Priestess Keywords
Upright Position : Intuition, Inner Wisdom, Spirituality, Mystery, Divine Feminine, Subconscious Mind,
Reversed Position : Disconnection From Intuition, Feelings Clouding Higher Judgment, Secrets, A Warning
The High Priestess Tarot Card Description
The High Priestess wears a blue robe, and horned crown, representing her status as a divine ruler. Her cross is a symbol of her spiritual knowledge, the crescent moon at her feet shows her connection to the divine feminine. She holds a partly covered scroll in her lap, a symbol of the mysterious nature of sacred knowledge, only revealed when one is ready for it.
Two big pillars are behind her. One pillar is black, with the letter ‘B’ (Boaz) meaning ‘strength’, the white pillar with the letter ‘J’ (Jachin) means ‘establish’. These two pillars represent Solomon’s temple. Showing the duality, of masculine, feminine, lightness, darkness, spiritual, material, etc. For higher learning, one must accept duality, understanding there is wisdom in both sides of the coin.
The high priestess sits in front of a veil with pomegranates. The pomegranate seed is a symbol of fertility, and femininity. The veil is the separation between the spiritual world and the physical world, only the initiated can cross into the mystery of the spiritual world.
The high priestess is connected to the zodiac sign of Cancer, as they’re both ruled by the energy of the moon. For more on astrology and tarot, click here.
The High Priestess Tarot Card Meaning
Upright High Priestess Meaning
The upright meaning of this major arcana card is simple, your intuition is on point. The answer to your question can’t be found through rationalizing, overthinking, or logic, it’s within. What is your inner knowing telling you about the situation at hand? She shows that powerful insights, and psychic clarity are available to you now.
If you find yourself confused, quiet your mind. Spend a moment in mediation, or take a walk until the dust clears and your answer is obvious.
The high priestess card is a divine teacher of sacred knowledge. Putting your conscious mind to the side and and embracing spirituality is highly indicated when she appears. Consider inviting a higher power into your life. Your problems can be solved magically by embracing spiritual flow.
The High Priestess Reversed
The reversed meaning of this tarot card indicates blocks. You may be distracted by the opinions of others, and completely disconnected from your intuition. She is a warning, things are not as they seem.
Your subconscious mind may be ruling your world with limiting beliefs, or unrealistic fantasies. Causing you to be out of touch, maybe even delusional. When you’re out of touch with the guidance of your authentic self you’re risking uncontrolled outbursts of emotions and unwanted attention from others.
The darker meaning of this card shows that secrets and hidden agendas are around you. There may be gossip about you, or people attempting to take advantage.
Either way spend some time quieting your rational mind and connecting back to your inner self.
Is the High Priestess a Yes or No card?
When drawing the high priestess in a yes or no tarot reading, the upright meaning of this tarot card is an absolute YES to whatever you’re asking.
On the other hand, when reversed it signals a NO, especially warning you to not make any moves at this time. Hold back and reconnect with your intuition, something is blocking you from seeing the truth.
The High Priestess Tarot Card in Matters of Career
Career Meaning – Upright High Priestess
In a career tarot reading, the upright high priestess indicates higher learning. Your career will benefit by going back to school, taking a course, increasing your skills or connecting with a mentor.
If you’re in a creative field, she is a sign of new inspiration that will help you with future projects.
When you’re asking about “what path you should take”, she is a strong indicator of spiritual work being deeply fulfilling to you. Consider a job where you can put your psychic or intuitive gifts to good use. Spiritual healing, energy work, yoga teaching, and even tarot reading are good career choices for you, if they’re aligned with your inner self. Trust your intuition to guide you in how you can put your spiritual knowledge to good use and monetize your gifts.
Career Reversed position
The reversed high priestess tarot card signifies something is off. Time to pay close attention in your career. If you feel like you’re being overlooked at work, it’s possible coworkers are alienating you, and intentionally keeping you in the dark.
Be cautious signing contracts and pay close attention to job duties and expectations. A new oppurtunity is not what it seems. It’s highly likely that you’re ignoring your intuition, and your feelings and desires are leading you astray. When you’re desperate for something (like money, status, life improvement), it’s akin to drinking posionous water, because you’re dying of thirst.
The reversed meaning of this tarot card can also suggest a person around you with ulterior motives. Keep quiet about your career plans unless neccessary, focus on putting in the work as best you can.
Finances Meaning – Upright High Priestess
In money matters, the upright high priestess is a good sign. Go with your gut, now is a great time to create financial wealth and prosperity. Use inner knowledge to guide your decision, if something doesn’t feel right you will know right away.
This is a good time to keep your financial details to yourself, casual onlookers may have negative intentions or be looking to take advantage.
High Priestess Reversed – Money Tarot Reading
The high priestess reversed indicates financial mistakes. Be cautious signing contracts, taking out loans, investing or making deals. In any financial situation, hidden agendas are currently present. Get more information before making decisions in money matters, otherwise you may end up with unwanted problems.
For example, if you’re buying a house, there may be something the sellers aren’t telling you, double check inspections and get a second opinion to avoid major problems. If you’re signing a loan, pay extra attention to the fine print, it may be trapping you in a financial situation that will leave you worse off in the long run.
Love and Relationships Tarot Reading (Upright)
In a love context, the upright meaning of this tarot card is that you need to trust your gut feeling. Intense emotions signify a potentially psychic connection. You may dream of your soulmate before you meet them, or feel like you know exactly what’s going on with your partner without them saying a word.
Tap into your inner voice, often we know exactly what’s going on in a romantic connection and choose to ignore it due to feelings of attraction, or fear of being alone. Many people will tell you they knew someone was not the right one for them, and chose to stay, or pursue them, because they’re hoping it will magically get better. If this is you, right now, what are you doing wasting your time? You, and the person you’re dealing with, deserve a deeply fulfilling love. Don’t let fantasies of happily ever after cloud your intuition.
On a positive note, she also symbolizes more openness and intimacy in love. Your relationship, or love life, is deepening and will feel more meaningful in the near future. You will know what this card is trying to say to you, because when the high priestess appears upright, your intuition is on point.
Love and Relationships (Reversed)
In the reversed position, the high priestess appears as warning in your love reading. Repressed intuition is causing you problems in your love life. You may be experiencing trust issues that could lead to emotional outbursts, sexual tensions, and not being able to evaluate partners effectively.
If you’re not feeling paranoia in your relationship (or potential relationships), then there are hidden motives at play. Address possible secrets head on, with openness and honesty. It may feel uncomfortable, however it’s much better to find out right away, than let things fester under the surface.
Connect back to your inner voice. Currently, your feelings and subconscious beliefs, are getting in the way of seeing clearly. Situationships, incompatible partners, and unrequited love can all take their toll. If you’re in any of those situations be honest with yourself, it may be time to walk away and protect your peace.
The High Priestess in Matters of Health
Health (Upright)
Healthy body, and healthy mind come from powerfully embracing your inner self. Receiving the upright high priestess in a health tarot reading shows hormonal balance and is an indicator of increasing good health.
Address any health concerns by connecting to your inner wisdom, allow your gut feelings to guide you to what your body needs. Practices like intuitive eating (eating what your body feels most drawn to each day) will benefit you at this time.
Health (Reversed)
The high priestess reversed shows health concerns that can be related to fertility issues, feminine cycle problems, and hormonal imbalances. If you’re not getting what you need each day, your body can easily fall out of alignment. Consider supplementing what you need or speaking to a doctor. General fatigue, lack of focus, migraines, thyroid issues etc, can all be caused by hormones being out of balance.
If you’re not the feminine gender, you can still be experiencing problems with hormones and fertility issues. Smoking, dehydration, alcohol, unhealthy diet or habits can greatly affect the balance of testosterone in your body. Healthy hormones are imperative for overall functioning.
Spirituality : Embracing Your Inner Voice
It’s obvious that the high priestess card is highly spiritual in nature. She is a divine teacher, deeply intertwined with high power, intuition and sacred knowledge. A sign of spiritual enlightenment, divine wisdom, and inner illumination. She appears to show you that the answers you’re seeking are within, be still, connect to your breath and the wisdom of your heart beat.
Meditation, visualization, shamanic journeying, ritual, and trance states are highly indicated for you at this time. Spirit guides, intuition and your higher self are loud when the external world is quiet. This tarot card asks you, “what can you do to venture into the hidden knowledge of your subconscious mind?” You will receive great clarity and insight.
The High Priestess Tarot Card & The Divine feminine
You don’t have to be born female to connect to the energy of the divine feminine. The divine feminine is a spiritual term beyond physical gender, meaning receptivity, compassion, empathy. It’s the divine power that connects and binds the earth. In tarot readings, the high priestess serves as a reminder to balance the feminine aspect of your energy. We all, regardless of gender, contain the masculine and feminine principles. This is your time to feel, rather than think, create instead of destroy, collaborate not compete.
The Empress Tarot 