29/12/2003
The
High Priestess from the
World Spirit Tarot stands in a sacred circle of stones in the clearing of a forest. The dark outlines of trees surround her, conveying a mysterious mood. The place reminds me of the forests of the Ardèche in the south of France. When we go there, walking through those lonely woods, occasionally stumbling upon a Standing Stone from times long passed, I know primeval and ancient forces surround me. It’s a place untouched, unspoilt. It is hard to bring that feeling into words, yet it is very strong. I guess you have to experience it yourself to know it, just like the power of the High Priestess... The sunny sky from the Magician here has become a nightly sky. The moon lights the clearing on the card, making the grass in the circle look like fire – filled with life and passion. The High Priestess holds a veil behind her, as if she has just taken it off and has revealed herself; in this ancient place, you experience the High Priestess to the fullest... The woman is nude and pure – her body is entirely blue, colour of emotion, feeling and spirituality. The horned moon casts the shadow of the High Priestess upon a lit path leading from the dark forest towards the clearing. The shadow from the High Priestess is, strangely, horned like the moon, as if the moon is part of the woman... Two large trees stand beside the path. It’s subtle, but one of the trees is almost entirely dark, while the other is much lighter. The High Priestess stands between them – the two opposites meet in the High Priestess, who acknowledges both her light and dark sides. On the branch of the darker tree sits an owl, symbol of wisdom, who, as a nocturnal animal, can see the unseen. At the bottom of the other tree, in a dark spot between the roots, grow two flowers. In the dark places of the unconsciousness grow beautiful things, hidden treasures for us to discover...
(You can see her here)
30/12/2003
La Papesse from the
Tarot de Marseille (Hadar) is seated, holding a Book in her hands. The Book is open, accessible to everyone who wants to learn. It is flesh-colour; the knowledge in this Book is alive and vibrant – la Papesse speaks of spirituality, not dogma’s that restrict and trap... The book contains so much wisdom, but la Papesse doesn’t look at it. She doesn’t
need to look at it, as she knows every single word written there. She is very much aware of the book and its value, as she holds it with her two hands. She glances at her right – she may be receptive, but she doesn’t sit around doing nothing: she still learns and grows within. Her clothing seems to show this too: underneath the blue of feelings and emotions is vibrant red... A veil hangs behind her – what hidden secrets and knowledge lie there? Something is definitely behind it... perhaps the missing table leg from the Bateleur’s table... The tiara of la Papesse ends in pure light, escaping the structure from the card, yet still visible. La Papesse is in touch with the spiritual world and higher forces; she allows one to flow above the mundane world, she teaches you to look beyond... In the bottom left corner of the card lies something, but I can’t make out what it is. I’ve seen it interpreted as a spinning wheel, but it’s doesn’t look like one to me. It almost looks like a bundle of straw...
I see la Papesse and think of subtle, flowing spirituality, great wisdom, calm and peace. I can only hope that la Papesse will help me to reflect and listen to my own inner voice, and while doing so try to establish a profound connection with the divine.
3/1/2004
The
High Priestess from the
Secret Tarots sits on a cold throne of stone and looks you straight in the eyes with an ominous gaze. A book lies on her knees, which are hidden under a flowing, dark dress that takes in most of the bottom of the card. The book is closed – something about this card makes me think that the knowledge she guards is not just for everyone... Her face is as white as the waning moon on the dark veil behind her. Looking at the dress and veil on this card, images appear – a hallway, the face of a witch, a wolf, a dragon. Is it intended to be there, or is it the influence of the gaze of the High Priestess that makes you see those flowing images from the unconscious? The High Priestess looks confronting. As if she is challenging you to dare to take the book on her lap and to find out what lies behind that veil. But in order to do that, you first have to face her: the holder and keeper of those dark, forbidding secrets and psychic powers... The veil hangs between two large, stone pillars – one dark, one white. The High Priestess links the unconscious to the conscious. Timeless and eternal, she sits between past and future...
(you can see her here)
4/1/2004
The Popess from the
Tarot of Dürer looks upward. I’m not sure whether she’s seated or standing. I first saw her as seated, but as there’s no sign of a throne of some sort, I don’t know. It actually fits in quite well with this card: she too is sitting between two pillars (which you can just make out). To me, this shows that she is between unconscious and conscious, past and future, passive and active... I chose to call her the Popess. Next to the card, she is called the High Priestess in English, but la Papesse in French. I found the Popess appropriate here, as she’s wearing a tiara and appears to be seated under a cross vault, as if from a church. Actually, she’s not really
under the roof, it seems like she jumps out of the picture. Here too, then, she escapes the structure. Furthermore, there are no walls in sight, not even a ground for that matter. Here too she floats above the mundane and ordinary... She wears beautiful robes – blue and green – and on top an elaborate red mantle, adorned with gold. At the top of the cape is a large, golden, radiant cross – symbol of the Popess’ faith... The Popess holds two keys. She has the ability and power to unlock the secrets of life, to reveal hidden knowledge.
Two keys... the number of duality, of the meeting of opposites that the Popess embodies. She can unlock and connect unconscious and conscious, past and future, passive and active! Likewise, she wears the green robe of growth between the vibrant red and the receptive blue... A snake coils at the bottom of the card, biting an apple. Now, because snakes shed their skin, they have been associated throughout different cultures with death and rebirth. Snakes are also seen as guardians, for instance in the myth of the Golden Fleece. And because snakes can swallow immense quantities of food, they can symbolize the absorbing of knowledge. Here then, the snake is eating an apple, a symbol of wholeness and for the Celts a door into greater mysteries... The Latin saying on the card reads: “Nec fas est propius mortali attingere divos”, translated into English: “No mortal could come closer to the gods”. This then shows the Popess’ profound connection with the divine...
(Found this link!)
6/1/2004
I would link the High Priestess to
the Pythia, the ancient Greek priestess of the sanctuary of Apollo at Delphi. She sat on a tripod above a crack in the earth and spoke prophecies in a trance due to the vapours that arose. At, I think, the entrance of sanctuary was written on a stone: “Know Thyself”...
Besides the fact that the Pythia is a priestess too, she is also, like the High Priestess, a holder and guardian of the unknown and of secrets. It has a very mysterious feeling to it... And like the engraving on that stone, the High Priestess tells you to listen to your own inner voice, to know yourself.
