jmd
As with each of the Letters of this incredible book, to isolate and discuss parts takes away from the whole. Nonetheless, to discuss the whole requires that each part be slowly grasped, reflected upon and reached the point of one's own insight (regarding insight, there is also a brilliant philosophical book by B. Lonergan simply titled Insight, which, compared to Meditations on the Tarot, is dense!).
With the Papess, or High Priestess, the pure act of the Magician, which cannot itself be grasped, is here given the space where it can be reflected.
The High Priestess, then, allows for this so important reflective quality, in which the imaginative life is given the space for the spiritual enlivening of the otherwise deadened reflections to take place, and, through this, to unfold and germinate meaningful living symbols from the seeds of the reflected act.
With the Papess, or High Priestess, the pure act of the Magician, which cannot itself be grasped, is here given the space where it can be reflected.
Later on, the Unknown Author (UA) also points out that when mysticism becomes conscious of itself, through this very reflection of, in that case, the mystical act, it becomes gnosis.The reflection of the pure act produces an inner representation, which becomes retained by the memory; memory becomes the source of communication by means of the spoken word; and the communicated word becomes fixed by means of writing, by producing the "book".
The second Arcanum, the High Priestess, is that of the reflection of the pure act of the first Arcanum up to the point where it becomes "book".
The High Priestess, then, allows for this so important reflective quality, in which the imaginative life is given the space for the spiritual enlivening of the otherwise deadened reflections to take place, and, through this, to unfold and germinate meaningful living symbols from the seeds of the reflected act.