The Moon at Her Feet

O_O · 31-10-2005

Could someone please explain the meaning of the moon at the left foot of the High Priestess? (how it relates to the meaning of the card)

And, is it her robe that's partially draped over it, or is that water?

Thanks

Rosanne · 31-10-2005

Golden Dawn associated this card with the Moon, and she has the headress of Isis (the moon and the Sun). So with RWS there is a correlation between the Pagan Isis and Mary the Mother of Jesus. All statues of the Immaculate Conception(Mary) have her standing on the Moon and a snake with her left foot. It comes from the Apocalypse or Revelations chapter twelve...
And a great sign appeared in the heaven- a woman clothed with the sun and the Moon under her feet and upon her head the twelve stars.......
This is Mary who was to bear the savior Jesus - Pregnacy and Birth were considered great mysteries and depicted Intuition because of that. Catholics believe that Mary is the mediatrix of all graces and is sort of co- redeemer with Christ. The Christian image is taken (I believe) almost completly from the pagan Isis worship. The foot indicates her elevation and the fact she crushes the great Dragon with her heel, overcoming her mortality by being taken up to heaven bodily without the corruption or decay of death. (which I do not believe)~Rosanne

O_O · 31-10-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rosanne

Golden Dawn associated this card with the Moon, and she has the headress of Isis (the moon and the Sun). So with RWS there is a correlation between the Pagan Isis and Mary the Mother of Jesus. All statues of the Immaculate Conception(Mary) have her standing on the Moon and a snake with her left foot. It comes from the Apocalypse or Revelations chapter twelve...
And a great sign appeared in the heaven- a woman clothed with the sun and the Moon under her feet and upon her head the twelve stars.......
This is Mary who was to bear the savior Jesus - Pregnacy and Birth were considered great mysteries and depicted Intuition because of that. Catholics believe that Mary is the mediatrix of all graces and is sort of co- redeemer with Christ. The Christian image is taken (I believe) almost completly from the pagan Isis worship. The foot indicates her elevation and the fact she crushes the great Dragon with her heel, overcoming her mortality by being taken up to heaven bodily without the corruption or decay of death. (which I do not believe)~Rosanne

I'm familiar with the Egyptian myths surrounding Auset (Isis) and the fact that the attributes of Mary were gleaned from her worship, but I wasn't aware of the other Christian symbolism you mention.

Very Informative!!

Thank You

.

**roppo** · 31-10-2005

and the imagery of the Immaculate Conception is taken from the Song of Songs; its visual presentation reminds one of those of Tarot (imo!). See an example of early 16th century printed horae.

http://www7.ocn.ne.jp/~elfindog/v1frnt.jpg.

Incidentally, I recently read in Didron that iconographically a scroll symbolizes imperfect knowledge, while a square book, a perfect one. This might explain the reason that II of RWS holds a TORA scroll while evangelical four beasts of X read square books.

MikeTheAltarboy · 31-10-2005

The Marian imagery also applies to the Empress - the Crown of Twelve Stars. The two cards cross on the tree of life, and seem to me to be two facets of Mary as the manifestation of the Supernals.

Penelope · 31-10-2005

Le Tarot de Oswald Wirth, here shown as it was reprinted
by the Artist in 1927, may well have been one of the "big"
influences on some of the stylistic choices made by Smith.

II La Papesse & III l'Imperatrice may be seen by following:

www.chez.com/alkast/

1. Allow the opening page to automatically switch to Index.
2. Scroll down to:

Galeries d'Images et de peintures:
Les 22 Arcanes du tarot des Bohémiens d'après O.Wirth,
une réédition américaine du jeu, et des dessins symboliques d'O.Wirth

3. Click on "22 Arcanes"
4. Have

Fun!

Abrac · 01-11-2005

The moon has a long history of association with the feminine, creative principle. Its meaning here seems pretty clear, but what's interesting to me is the fact that it's at her feet. This says to me she's on a higher plane than it is.

The High Priestess is the source, the seed of life. The theme of female fruition can be seen in the Date Palms and Pomegranates on the veil behind her. The words of the Tora she holds in her lap are the seeds that lead to immortality. She is robed in the essence of life, which flows from her and turns to water as it reaches the material plane, by way of the moon. You can see the water flowing through many of the other cards in the major arcana. She is Nature in the abstract sense, the invisible, yet ever-present, Universal Mother. The Empress is her daughter.

fools fool

**squeakmo9** · 12-11-2005

The High Priestess appears to be melting with the water, emotions that are typified with the moon. Just like the Queen of Cups whose feet appear to be dissolving into the water, she is highly emotional. For the Priestess, there is a challenge to maintain balance between the emotions and the intellect. The two pillars she sits between as well as the cross on her chest, denotes balance issues.

Umbrae · 12-11-2005

I could be wrong – but I always thought that the HP’s headdress was that of the Egyptian goddess Hathor, the sundisk, and the two horns…

Rosanne · 12-11-2005

Umbrae-Yes you are right-you are not wrong! The quote from the bible was about the Queen of Heaven standing on the moon from the Revalations.

~Rosanne

O_O Citizen Join Date: 14 Jul 2005 Location: Down South,USA Posts: 206	The Moon at Her Feet Could someone please explain the meaning of the moon at the left foot of the High Priestess? (how it relates to the meaning of the card) And, is it her robe that's partially draped over it, or is that water? Thanks __________________ "No matter how cynical you get, it is impossible to keep up."

31-10-2005	Ask a Professional Tarot Reader Top #1

Rosanne Citizen Join Date: 08 Dec 2004 Location: North Auckland,New Zealand Posts: 5,679	Golden Dawn associated this card with the Moon, and she has the headress of Isis (the moon and the Sun). So with RWS there is a correlation between the Pagan Isis and Mary the Mother of Jesus. All statues of the Immaculate Conception(Mary) have her standing on the Moon and a snake with her left foot. It comes from the Apocalypse or Revelations chapter twelve... And a great sign appeared in the heaven- a woman clothed with the sun and the Moon under her feet and upon her head the twelve stars....... This is Mary who was to bear the savior Jesus - Pregnacy and Birth were considered great mysteries and depicted Intuition because of that. Catholics believe that Mary is the mediatrix of all graces and is sort of co- redeemer with Christ. The Christian image is taken (I believe) almost completly from the pagan Isis worship. The foot indicates her elevation and the fact she crushes the great Dragon with her heel, overcoming her mortality by being taken up to heaven bodily without the corruption or decay of death. (which I do not believe)~Rosanne __________________ How happy is he born and taught, That serveth not another's will; Whose armour is his honest thought, And simple truth his utmost skill! Sir Henry Wotton

31-10-2005	Ask a Professional Tarot Reader Top #2

roppo Oujupah Unveiled Join Date: 12 May 2004 Location: Fukuoka, Japan Posts: 1,110	and the imagery of the Immaculate Conception is taken from the Song of Songs; its visual presentation reminds one of those of Tarot (imo!). See an example of early 16th century printed horae. http://www7.ocn.ne.jp/~elfindog/v1frnt.jpg. Incidentally, I recently read in Didron that iconographically a scroll symbolizes imperfect knowledge, while a square book, a perfect one. This might explain the reason that II of RWS holds a TORA scroll while evangelical four beasts of X read square books. __________________ "When you got it, flaunt it!"

31-10-2005	Ask a Professional Tarot Reader Top #4

Penelope Citizen Join Date: 10 Jun 2004 Location: east of the river, west of the ocean Posts: 152	first printed in 1889 Le Tarot de Oswald Wirth, here shown as it was reprinted by the Artist in 1927, may well have been one of the "big" influences on some of the stylistic choices made by Smith. II La Papesse & III l'Imperatrice may be seen by following: www.chez.com/alkast/ 1. Allow the opening page to automatically switch to Index. 2. Scroll down to: Galeries d'Images et de peintures: Les 22 Arcanes du tarot des Bohémiens d'après O.Wirth, une réédition américaine du jeu, et des dessins symboliques d'O.Wirth 3. Click on "22 Arcanes" 4. Have Fun! Last edited by Penelope; 31-10-2005 at 21:37. Reason: technical difficulties with Alkast

31-10-2005	Ask a Professional Tarot Reader Top #6

squeakmo9 citizen Join Date: 13 Feb 2005 Location: Paterson, New Jersey Posts: 6,251	High Priestess The High Priestess appears to be melting with the water, emotions that are typified with the moon. Just like the Queen of Cups whose feet appear to be dissolving into the water, she is highly emotional. For the Priestess, there is a challenge to maintain balance between the emotions and the intellect. The two pillars she sits between as well as the cross on her chest, denotes balance issues.

12-11-2005	Ask a Professional Tarot Reader Top #8

MikeTheAltarboy Citizen Join Date: 18 Oct 2005 Location: New York, USA Posts: 257	The Marian imagery also applies to the Empress - the Crown of Twelve Stars. The two cards cross on the tree of life, and seem to me to be two facets of Mary as the manifestation of the Supernals.

31-10-2005	Ask a Professional Tarot Reader Top #5

Abrac Citizen Join Date: 13 Aug 2005 Location: USA Posts: 3,057	The moon has a long history of association with the feminine, creative principle. Its meaning here seems pretty clear, but what's interesting to me is the fact that it's at her feet. This says to me she's on a higher plane than it is. The High Priestess is the source, the seed of life. The theme of female fruition can be seen in the Date Palms and Pomegranates on the veil behind her. The words of the Tora she holds in her lap are the seeds that lead to immortality. She is robed in the essence of life, which flows from her and turns to water as it reaches the material plane, by way of the moon. You can see the water flowing through many of the other cards in the major arcana. She is Nature in the abstract sense, the invisible, yet ever-present, Universal Mother. The Empress is her daughter. fools fool

01-11-2005	Ask a Professional Tarot Reader Top #7

Umbrae Citizen Join Date: 20 Mar 2002 Location: Upper Left-Coast, USA Posts: 8,847	I could be wrong – but I always thought that the HP’s headdress was that of the Egyptian goddess Hathor, the sundisk, and the two horns…

12-11-2005	Ask a Professional Tarot Reader Top #9

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