The High Priestess represents intuition, hidden knowledge, and the subconscious mind. She is the guardian of secrets, the keeper of mysteries, and your invitation to trust your inner wisdom over external noise.
When she appears in a reading, she’s asking you to look beyond the obvious and listen to what your gut already knows.
In my years of reading tarot, I’ve seen the High Priestess appear most often when clients are ignoring their instincts about a situation – whether it’s a relationship that feels “off” despite looking perfect on paper, or a career move that logically makes sense but doesn’t sit right in their soul.
What Does the High Priestess Card Represent in Tarot?
The High Priestess is Major Arcana card number II (2), positioned between The Magician’s active energy and The Empress’s creative abundance. She embodies:
- Intuition and psychic ability
- Hidden knowledge and secrets
- The subconscious and dreams
- Divine feminine wisdom
- Spiritual insight and mysticism
- Patience and stillness
She doesn’t shout her wisdom – she sits in silence and waits for you to be ready to hear it.
What Are the Key Symbols on the High Priestess Card?
Understanding the symbolism helps unlock deeper layers of meaning in your readings.
| Symbol | Meaning |
|---|---|
| The Veil (Pomegranates) | The barrier between conscious and subconscious realms; hidden knowledge waiting to be discovered |
| The Pillars (B & J) | Boaz and Jachin from Solomon’s Temple – representing duality, balance, and the gateway to sacred knowledge |
| The Crown (Triple Moon) | Maiden, Mother, Crone – the full cycle of feminine power and lunar influence |
| The Scroll (TORA) | Divine law and sacred teachings; partial visibility suggests not all is meant to be revealed yet |
| The Blue Robe | Spiritual knowledge, intuition, and the depths of the unconscious mind |
| The Crescent Moon at Her Feet | Connection to cycles, emotions, and the ever-changing nature of intuition |
| The Cross on Her Chest | Balance between spiritual and material realms; the four elements in harmony |
I once had a client fixated on the pomegranates in the background. Turned out she was suppressing fertility concerns – the symbol spoke directly to what she wasn’t saying out loud.
How Do You Interpret the High Priestess in an Upright Position?
When the High Priestess appears upright, she brings clear messages about trusting yourself and paying attention to what’s beneath the surface.
Core upright meanings:
- Your intuition is trying to tell you something – listen to it
- Information is being withheld or hasn’t fully revealed itself yet
- This is a time for reflection and inner work, not external action
- Trust your dreams and subconscious messages
- Sacred knowledge or spiritual development is accessible to you now
- A mentor or wise woman may enter your life
- Secrets are present in the situation
In relationships: Someone isn’t sharing their full truth, or you’re sensing something you can’t quite articulate. The High Priestess says your gut feeling is valid – even without proof.
In career: Don’t make impulsive decisions. The full picture hasn’t emerged yet. Do your research, trust what feels wrong, and wait for clarity.
In spiritual matters: You’re ready for deeper knowledge. Your psychic abilities are heightening. Pay attention to synchronicities and symbolic messages.
What Does the High Priestess Mean When Reversed?
The reversed High Priestess often appears when we’re disconnected from our inner voice or deliberately ignoring what we know to be true.
Reversed interpretations:
- Ignoring your intuition – pushing aside gut feelings for logic
- Blocked spiritual connection – feeling cut off from your inner guidance
- Secrets revealed – hidden information coming to light
- Information overload – can’t hear your intuition over external noise
- Superficial understanding – staying on the surface instead of going deep
- Repressed feelings or memories demanding attention
- Mistrust of your own judgment
I remember a reading where the reversed High Priestess appeared for a woman who kept asking “what should I do?” about leaving her job.
After the third question rephrased differently, I had to gently point out: “You already know the answer. You’re just hoping the cards will give you permission.” She admitted she’d known for six months but was afraid to trust herself.
How Does the High Priestess Differ from Other Intuitive Cards?
People often confuse the High Priestess with other “intuitive” cards in the deck. Here’s how she’s unique:
High Priestess vs. The Moon:
- High Priestess = trusting your intuition and accessing hidden knowledge
- The Moon = confusion, illusion, and navigating uncertainty when you can’t see clearly
High Priestess vs. The Hermit:
- High Priestess = receiving wisdom through stillness and inner knowing
- The Hermit = seeking wisdom through solitude and deliberate spiritual practice
High Priestess vs. Temperance:
- High Priestess = inner balance and spiritual knowing
- Temperance = external balance and alchemical blending of opposites
What Should You Do When the High Priestess Appears in Your Reading?
The High Priestess doesn’t demand action – she demands awareness. Here’s how to work with her energy:
Immediate steps:
- Pause before acting – This isn’t the time for impulsive decisions
- Journal your gut feelings – Write down what your intuition is whispering
- Pay attention to dreams – Keep a dream journal for the next week
- Notice what’s unsaid – In conversations, what are people avoiding?
- Create quiet space – Meditation, nature walks, or simply turning off distractions
- Research deeper – If this is about a decision, you don’t have all the information yet
What NOT to do:
- Don’t demand immediate answers or force clarity
- Don’t dismiss your feelings as “irrational”
- Don’t share your suspicions before you have clarity (the High Priestess keeps secrets for a reason)
- Don’t rush into action just to feel productive
What Does the High Priestess Mean for Different Life Areas?
Someone is holding back emotionally, or you’re sensing unspoken truths. If you’re single, the High Priestess suggests focusing on self-knowledge before seeking partnership. Trust your instincts about new connections – if something feels off, it probably is.
This isn’t the time to push for promotions or make big financial moves. Information you need hasn’t surfaced yet. Do your due diligence, trust what doesn’t add up, and wait for the full picture. The High Priestess favors careers involving intuition, research, psychology, or spiritual work.
Listen to your body’s subtle signals. If something feels wrong but tests come back normal, get a second opinion or explore holistic approaches. Pay attention to the mind-body connection and what your subconscious might be expressing through physical symptoms.
Your spiritual gifts are awakening or strengthening. This is an excellent time for divination practice, meditation, or studying mystical traditions. You’re being called to develop your intuitive abilities more seriously.
What Is the High Priestess’s Astrological and Elemental Connection?
The High Priestess is associated with the Moon and the element of Water.
Moon connection:
- Cycles, rhythms, and tides of emotion
- Feminine mysteries and intuition
- What is revealed in darkness
- Subconscious patterns and dreams
Water element:
- Emotional depth and feeling-based knowing
- Flow, adaptability, and receptivity
- The unconscious mind and psychic abilities
- Cleansing and purification
This is why the High Priestess often appears during lunar events or when emotions are running high but unexpressed.
How Has the High Priestess Shown Up in My Client Readings?
Over two decades, I’ve noticed patterns in when she appears:
A corporate executive received the High Priestess three readings in a row. She kept asking about a business partnership that “looked good on paper.” Six months later, she thanked me – she’d finally trusted her discomfort and discovered the partner was hiding debt.
A young woman got the High Priestess when asking about her relationship. She insisted everything was fine. Two weeks later, she called: “You were right. I knew he was cheating. I just didn’t want to admit I knew.”
The High Priestess doesn’t lie. Your intuition doesn’t lie. The question is whether you’re ready to listen.
Ready to Explore Your Own Intuitive Messages?
The High Priestess appears when you’re ready to trust yourself at a deeper level. If this card resonates with you or has appeared in your recent readings, I offer personalized tarot sessions that help you decode the messages your intuition is already sending.
Book a reading with me and let’s uncover what your inner wisdom is trying to tell you.
