Morgan Greer - High Priestess-Empress-Hierophant-Justice

Rede Seeker

The similarity between these cards is amazing.

High Priestess-Hierophant-Justice: very little of the individual shows, face and hands for High Priestess and Justice; face only for the Hierophant. High Priestess and Justice have columns with drapery behind them, possibly signifying virginity.

The Hierophant sits between columns and an open archway, he has no restrictions. Like Justice, he holds something in his right hand, his version of the 'Scales of Justice'. His left hand is raised to give a benediction. Justice holds her sword in her left hand. Her background color is yellow, indicating Air and Intellect. The Hierophant's background color is orange - a blend of yellow and red, therefore a more forceful shade a yellow. Justice is more objective than the Hierophant; he has an agenda and he presses for it.

What about the Empress? Her pose is so similar to the High Priestess and Justice. The Empress's head is uncovered. We see her face, hair, bare throat and chest. Where the message of the High Priestess and Justice was in the objective meaning of the card they represent, in the Empress card, it's all about her. No columns flank her, no virgin here. She is creation and abundance and fertility. Unlike the High Priestess-Hierophant-Justice, the Empress's right knee is raised. Her foot rests on a cresent. We can see from her knees that her legs are well apart. She is open and confident.
 

Amanda

What is the Empress holding in her arms?