Symbolizing: The High Priestess

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 25 Apr 2004, and now archived in the Forum Library.

Thirteen	25 Apr 2004
I'm starting up a set of threads (3 per week) to examine the symbolism in the Majors. Nothing so formal or deep as to be called a "study group," but rather what you like and what you don't. What you feel ought to be there...or not. For this thread, the High Priestess. Just answer one or more of the following: 1) What elements from any HPS card from any deck do you feel BEST symbolize the High Priestess? (Example: "I've always loved that crescent moon....") 2) What elements common to most HPS cards in most decks do you really feel are all WRONG for the High Priestess? (Example: "I've NEVER liked that crescent moon...!") 3) What symbol have you always felt was right for the High Priestess Card, but you've yet to see it? (Example: "I'd love to see a lunar eclipse displayed on the card...."). You don't have to answer all the above, but do offer some "why's?" as to what you answer. Why don't you/do you like that crescent moon? What does it mean that feels/doesn't feel like the HPS to you?

Rusty Neon	25 Apr 2004
Quote: Originally posted by Thirteen 2) What elements common to most HPS cards in most decks do you really feel are all WRONG for the High Priestess? (Example: "I've NEVER liked that crescent moon...!") As Thirteen points out, the crescent moon is common to some II Trump cards. However, there's no crescent moon, nor temple pillars, to be found in the Marseilles Papesse card. The book held by the Papesse is however common to both the RWS and Marseilles decks.

ncefafn	25 Apr 2004
Quote: Originally posted by Thirteen 1) What elements from any HPS card from any deck do you feel BEST symbolize the High Priestess? (Example: "I've always loved that crescent moon....") 2) What elements common to most HPS cards in most decks do you really feel are all WRONG for the High Priestess? (Example: "I've NEVER liked that crescent moon...!") I love the veil that I see in most HP cards, hanging behind her and barring the entrance to the temple. I like this because I think the path to knowledge is veiled, and that to achieve it, you must first master wisdom, which is what the HP means to me. She is the guardian of knowledge. What I've never liked in the RWS decks is the Boaz & Joachim references, but then I never did care for the whole Kabbalah thing. Maybe if anyone ever does a Southern Tarot, the letters can stand for Bobbie Jo. Kim

Suriel	26 Apr 2004
1. what i like the most is the "tora' book she is holding in the card! that can symbolises her wisdom very well..... 2.i don't like the owl in some HP cards.....it seems weird... 3.i think that a path should be drawn behind her, so that it can symbolises that the HP can walk between death and life...... :)

Darla	26 Apr 2004
Quote: Originally posted by ncefafn I love the veil that I see in most HP cards, hanging behind her and barring the entrance to the temple. I like this because I think the path to knowledge is veiled, and that to achieve it, you must first master wisdom, which is what the HP means to me. She is the guardian of knowledge. Kim I'm right with ncefafn. I love the veil too. You know that the knowledge is behind it, that it is there for you, but you have yet to earn it to have access to it. You have to get more experienced, learn the lessons of life, follow the Fool's journey. What I also like is that one pillar is black and the other one is white. This balance of forces and the knowledge of the need to do it just belongs to a High Priestess. It may not appear in the Marseille but I think it's a good addition.

Lady Mary	26 Apr 2004
I especially like her sailing in a moon boat in the Alchemical deck and I love her blue dress and that she is so composed and I also like her holding the Tora.

northsea	29 Apr 2004
I like the veil, too, and don't care for revealing what's behind the veil such as in the two Palladini versions. I also like the two pillars, black and white ...simply because it's one of the pillars cards along with the hierophant and justice.

jmd	30 Apr 2004
1) What elements BEST symbolise this card? A seated woman; having a book.

tmgrl2	19 May 2004
Symbolizing The High Priestess Radiant RW and Camoin-Jodo TdM #1 Elements best symbolizing HP: RRW: Partially hidden Tora…she doesn’t let out all she knows…not everyong is ready to know certain information…The moon is at her feet…passive.. the crystal ball in center of her headpiece. The very serene light-blue gown and robe. C-J : Crown on her head with the large veil behind her …hiding some knowledge Open book, but can’t read anything it says. The white “egg” (acc to C-J0) They claim it is “restored egg of eagle” ….I like this idea of egg to “hatch” what? I like the white face and hands of the HP (alchemical purification?) #2. RRW: Don’t like the two columns, one black , one white with the B& J …think it is too overpowering an element in the picture. I have read about the source of these columns, but find them disturbingly prominent. #3 I always feel like I want some water in the card…somehow can at times see all way to bottom (some initiates ready for this..) and at other times, water is like a mirror? terri

Niomi	19 May 2004
I've seen maybe one deck that showed the high priestess with a shadowed face-- I think this is perfect for this card. I've taken it a step further in my mind, and pictured her looking into a pond or mirror that doesn't reflect her image. I often imagine the priestess floating, looking kind of sedated/in some kind of trance, but holding some sort of weapon to show she still has more control over the situation than you'd first think. The open book doesn't do much for me because books represent solid, hard facts to me. I'd rather see her with a scroll (to symbolize more ancient knowledge rather than modern)or maybe even her own tarot cards.

The Symbolizing: The High Priestess thread was originally posted on 25 Apr 2004 in the Using Tarot Cards board, and is now archived in the Forum Library. Read the active threads in Using Tarot Cards, or read more archived threads.