The High Priestess

The High Priestess is the third card of the Major Arcanna. Again, depending on where the Fool is placed, the High Priestess could be the second or the third card of the Major Arcanna. In the Rider Waite Deck, the High Priestess is the Third Card but is labelled the number '3'. The High Priestess is also known as the Papess, though this description is seldom used nowadays. In certain decks, such as the Swiss 1JJ Tarot, the High Priestess is replaced by Juno, a Roman Goddess.

As with all Tarot Cards, this card has many meanings. One on plane, it speaks spritual enlightenment and inner illumination as well as old and hidden knowledge. This is also a card of secrets, and a caution not to speak of things that should remain a secret. On another plane, it could speak of a woman, or what a man desires in a woman, alternatively, if it appears in a female's reading, it could be woman herself, or what she aspires to be.

When reversed, this card can symbolise someone who is selfish and cruel, perhaps a female. A person of conceit and outward apperance only. It also represents only partial or surface knowledge of a matter. If the querent is a man, it may be a warning as cautious lest he be destroyed by a woman's selfishness.

The High Priestess is a card of hidden secrets and knowledge. Sitting stately and quietly on her throne, the High Priestess does not seek out people to impart her knowledge, rather, she awaits those who seeks her out. Then, and only then, can the knowledge that the High Priestess offers can be gained.

Due to the number of different decks today, I will describe serveral High Priestess Cards from the various decks that I have in my collection rather than just describe a single card. Here are a few High Priestess Cards that I felt were interesting. Those that have interesting cards of the High Priestess are welcome to contribute their descriptions.


The Hansen Roberts Deck

The High Priestess of this deck closely resembles the Rider Waite Tarot Deck. As with all the High Priestess, a black pillar is found on her right and a white on her left. Behind her is a curtain decorated with palms and some red coloured fruit, which, if it follows in the tradition of the Rider Waite Deck, are pomogranates. She wears a turban of some sort. Meeting above her forehead is a circular disc flanked by two cresent moons. She wears a dress of deep crimson and over it, a coat which is light green at her shoulders and fades to dark blue at her feet. In her hand is a rolled up scroll. At the bottom right of the card, almost hidden by the Title of the card, is a large cresent Moon.


The Robin Wood

The setting for this card is that of a twilight one. Beneath a full moon and mildly cloudly sky sits a female. The High Priestess sits between two trees which have shed all their leaves. To her right, the tree is completely black, almost like a shadow, the one of her left is white. The High Priestess herself wears a tiara which meets in a cresent at her forehead. Her hair is dark and luxurious and fanned out behind her. She wears a robe that is pure white at her shoulders but turns darker blue as it proceeds down. In her right hand, she holds a crystal orb, in her left, she holds an opened book.


The Tarot of the Witches

The High Priestess in this deck has a green background, darker on top which turns a lighter green as it nears the horizon. The High Priestess sits on a curious throne with no arms. The backrest of her throne is a large blue circle which frames the upper body of the high Priestess. The High Priestess herself is dressed in an olive gren gown. She has long flowing hair which reaches nearly to her feet. A cresent moon forms her crown, it is oddly drawn in though, for it looks as if it was just balancing on her forehead without falling off. In her left hand she holds a long rod by one end, the other end rests on the ground. The top part of the rod emits three bolts of lightning. In her left hand she holds a white mouse by the tail. To her left, as if intently eyeing the mouse, is a cat.


The Witches Tarot

This card is a rather unique one. The High Priestess stands in the very centre of the card on a plane that seems to spread into infinity (this horizon is near the centre of the card). Her arms are outstretched to the side and her palms are spread open. To her right is a dark pillar and to her left is a white one. She wears a priest's robe. A wind appears to be blowing from her left, blowing her garments to the right. Her eyes are closed, as if in deep concentration. Above her is a white semi-circle and below her is a yellow one.


The Yeager Tarot Deck of Meditation

This is a rather dramatic scene for the High Priestess sits in a wide river of some sort with the river foam carassing her feet. Behind her, as a back drop, is a vast waterfall. Beyond the waterfall, a mountain range can be seen. The High Priestess herself is grabbed in white. She wears a head piece formed of a single disc flanked by two cresent moons. The rest of her gown is white and almost, but not quite, translucent. To her left is a sceptre of some sort, partially submerged in the river waters. Either the sceptre is very much nearer to the viewer or it is indeed gigantic for it is disproportionately large with respect to the figure. To her left, barely visible, is a cross with arms of equal length. Even though the cross is large, it can barely be seen due to the fact that it is drawn as a white shimmer.