High Priestess Card Meaning: The Answers Are Already Inside You
April 6, 2025The High Priestess does not say anything. It is the very first thing you need to understand about her. She sits down and just waits. And even though she knows what is right, she does not tell you how you should act.
She is the second card of the Major Arcana. After the Magician and before the Empress.
The Magician does something. The High Priestess waits and listens. While the Magician acts, the High Priestess feels.
And together they form one of the most important pairs of cards in tarot since there should be no action without reflection and contemplation. The High Priestess is the intuition inside of you that already knows what is right and what is wrong.
Where The High Priestess Came From
The High Priestess used to be a much more controversial tarot card before it got its name.
In the early decks, it was called "The Popess" or La Papesse — a female pope. And this is not just a title. The tarot card referred to the legend of Pope Joan – a mythical woman who had become a pope in medieval times.
Did the legend about Pope Joan exist or not? This is not the main thing here. It is essential that the card reflected the idea of female spiritual authority. The card represented a woman that occupied a religious position of power and therefore was provocative and even dangerous.
Thus, the tarot card was controversial. Some of the tarot decks included it, while some others had some other card in its place.
Then the French occultists started working with this card and transformed it greatly.
Eliphas Levi related the Popess to Isis — the Egyptian goddess of magic and wisdom. He associated the tarot card with the moon, mystery, and gnosis — the intuitive spiritual knowledge. This way, he made this card less religious and more universal.
Antoine Court de Gébelin took it even further. He was convinced that tarot was invented by ancient Egyptians (which is not true). So, he proposed to rename Pope and Popess tarot cards into High Priest and High Priestess to give them their original meaning.
It is this version that became standard and was used in the tarot deck later on.
A.E. Waite described the High Priestess in his Pictorial Key to the Tarot published in 1910. The card became associated with secrets, mystery, and the future which is not revealed yet.
The Symbols on the Card
Let's go through the symbols seen on the Rider-Waite-Smith version of the High Priestess.
The Two Pillars
The tarot card depicts two columns called Boaz and Jachin that stood on the porch of Solomon's Temple in ancient Jerusalem. They are white and black. They refer to light and darkness, conscious and subconscious, logical and intuitive.
These pillars surround the tarot card as it is framed by them. The High Priestess is located in between these pillars, which means that accepting both parts of yourself is the way to move further.
The Veil
Behind the High Priestess there is a veil, often with pomegranates on it. It is dividing the world into the conscious one and the mysterious subconscious one.
The High Priestess is not keeping the truth from you. She is guarding it because some truths should be revealed slowly.
The Crescent Moon
Usually depicted at the High Priestess's feet or on her head, the moon is the symbol of the card. It reflects intuition, cycles, and the changing wisdom of the world.
Sometimes you have access to your deepest intuition. Sometimes it is not so clear. You have to remember about the rhythm.
The Scroll
The High Priestess has a partially opened scroll in her hands. It is called sometimes Tora and is associated with the Akashic Records — all knowledge that is ever created and that will ever be created.
The High Priestess is not withholding it from you. She is only waiting for you to be ready to read it.
The Water
The High Priestess' robe looks like water and it seems there is an ocean or a lake behind the veil. Water is the symbol of the subconscious and the depth.
Who Is the High Priestess?
The High Priestess is the wise woman. She is the oracle. She already knows something without having to be told.
The High Priestess does not say anything and does not persuade anyone of anything. She is patient and mysterious.
The High Priestess is the part of you that knows the answers. The one that tried to tell you something for weeks, but you ignored it because you did not want to hear it.
The shadow side of this tarot card is disconnection, suppression and ignoring your intuition. Or maybe the complete misuse of it to avoid reality.
She is the person who just listens quietly and understands you better than anyone else.
What The High Priestess Actually Means
The High Priestess is intuition, inner knowing, wisdom that comes from within you, not from the books or your teachers.
She is a reminder that you already have all the answers. You just have to listen to yourself.
She is also the card of mystery. Not everything can be explained or even understood. Some things have to be felt and not analyzed. Some truths have to reveal themselves in time.
She tells you to stop searching for the answers outside yourself. To stop asking everyone what you should do. To get quiet and listen.
The answer is there.
The High Priestess in Career and Finances
Upright
In the context of work the High Priestess is the symbol of your intuitive wisdom. You know what you are doing. You do not have to second-guess yourself.
The tarot card also suggests that there is more to your career than you see. There are some hidden opportunities or unspoken dynamics in your work environment.
Maybe you are guided to some other direction in your career. A new path that you have never considered before. The High Priestess says: listen to this quiet voice. It is not wrong.
The financial aspect of the High Priestess is patience. Do not make rash decisions. Be patient and the right answers will come.
Reversed
The reversed High Priestess in the context of work suggests that you are suppressing your intuition. You know what you should do, but you are not doing it. You are listening to other people, not to yourself.
It may also suggest that you are disconnected from the reality of your work environment. Daydreaming instead of acting.
The work: get quiet. What do you really want to do?
The High Priestess in Love and Relationships
Upright
In love reading the High Priestess is the symbol of the unspoken connection. The deep intuitive knowing. You do not have to speak everything aloud — sometimes you just know something.
If you are in a relationship, then it suggests that there is a strong intuitive bond between you. You understand each other silently. You feel what another person feels. There is a spiritual connection between you, not just physical and emotional one.
It may also suggest that there are some unspoken feelings and truths. The High Priestess says: listen to them and pay attention to them.
If you are single, the tarot card suggests that there will appear someone that will guide you. Listen to your intuition and wait for this person to appear.
Reversed
The reversed High Priestess in love means suppressed intuition. You know something is wrong, but you ignore it and dismiss your gut feelings. Or let another person tell you what to think.
Or it may mean secrets. Someone hides something. It may be you or someone else.
The work: listen to yourself. If something seems wrong, then it probably is. Listen to your gut feeling.
The High Priestess in Health and Well-being
Upright
In the field of health the High Priestess is the reminder to listen to yourself. Your body talks to you. Are you listening to it?
The tarot card may also mean hidden health problems that are not obvious. Trust your intuition and get checked.
The tarot card also suggests rest and relaxation. Not just physical, but also emotional, mental and spiritual. Quiet time to regenerate.
Reversed
The reversed High Priestess in health may mean that you are ignoring the signals of your body. You know that something is wrong, but you are denying it.
Or you are so disconnected from your body that you cannot hear it anymore.
The work: get quiet and listen to yourself.
The High Priestess in Personal Growth and Spirituality
Upright
The High Priestess is especially useful in personal growth and spirituality. She is the card of spiritual awakening and deepening intuition. Connecting with the something higher.
She encourages meditations, journaling, working with dreams and any practice that will help you go inward.
She also says that not everything needs to be explained. Some things have to be felt.
Reversed
The reversed High Priestess in spirituality suggests that you are disconnected from your practice. You are doing just the same things mechanically. Or you are misusing the spiritual concepts to escape reality.
The work: reconnect. Get quiet. Meditate. The answers are there.
When The High Priestess Reverses
The reversed High Priestess is not a disaster but a warning. It means that you are ignoring your intuition.
The messages of the reversed High Priestess:
- Suppressed intuition
- Ignoring your intuition
- Secrets or hidden information
- Disconnection from your intuition
- Over-reliance on logic or advice of other people
How to work with it:
- Ask yourself: what am I ignoring?
- Get quiet. Meditate. Journal. Listen.
- Trust yourself. You know more than you think.
| Life Area | Upright Meaning | Reversed Meaning | Key Questions to Ask |
|---|---|---|---|
| Career | Trust your instincts, explore hidden talents | Ignoring intuition, fear of change | What are my true passions? What am I ignoring? |
| Relationships | Deep connection, unspoken feelings | Secrets, mistrust, miscommunication | How well do I communicate my feelings? Am I being honest with myself and my partner? |
| Spiritual Development | Heightened intuition, spiritual awakening | Blocked intuition, spiritual confusion | Am I listening to my inner voice? How can I deepen my spiritual practice? |
| Personal Growth | Self-reflection, exploring the subconscious | Suppressed emotions, denial | What are my core beliefs and values? What am I hiding from myself? |
How to Live The High Priestess's Energy
Visualization
Visualize yourself standing in front of the veil in the temple. There are the two pillars around it. Ask a question and wait for the answer. The High Priestess will guide you.
Journaling prompts
- What am I ignoring in my life right now?
- What does my intuition keep telling me?
- What would happen if I trust myself completely?
Daily practice
- Spend five minutes in silence. Just listen.
- Trust your first gut reaction to things.
- Listen to the synchronicities and meaningful coincidences.
| Practice Type | Purpose | Method | Expected Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Meditation (10 min) | Quiet the mind, connect with intuition | Guided visualization with High Priestess imagery | Increased awareness of intuitive nudges |
| Journaling (15 min) | Explore subconscious patterns | Reflect on daily experiences, dreams, and intuitive insights | Deeper understanding of inner self |
| Tarot Reflection (5 min) | Connect with the card’s energy | Draw The High Priestess card and contemplate its message | Strengthened connection with the archetype |
| Nature Walk (30 min) | Ground and connect with nature | Spend time in nature, focusing on sensory experiences | Enhanced intuition and connection to the earth |
| Creative Expression (30 min) | Tap into intuitive creativity | Engage in activities like painting, writing, or music | Unleash creative potential and gain new insights |
| Rest and Reflection (1 hour) | Integrate insights, recharge | Allow time for quiet reflection and relaxation | Improved clarity and decision-making |
| Self-Care Ritual (30 min) | Nurture inner well-being | Engage in activities that bring joy and relaxation, such as a bath or reading | Increased self-love and acceptance |
The High Priestess in Context
A few High Priestess combinations with the other Major Arcana cards:
The High Priestess + The Magician — action and intuition. Doing and knowing. A powerful combination. Love at first sight. Sexual experience. Independence.
The High Priestess + The Empress — wisdom and creation. Mother-daughter energy or intuitive nurturing.
The High Priestess + The Tower — secrets revealed. Disruption because of the truth coming to light.
The High Priestess + The Moon — deep intuition. Psychic awareness. Listening to the unknown. Witchcraft.
The Bottom Line
The High Priestess is the voice inside you that already knows something.
She is not loud. She is not urgent. She is patient and waits for you to get quiet enough to hear her. It's reminder that you do not need to look outside yourself for answers. You do not need to ask anyone. You do not need the permission.
The answer is there. Always. You just need to listen to it.
If you want to learn more about the High Priestess and to use your intuition more — head to Advanced Tarot Online and pull some cards for yourself.
Pete Perry
20 years. Still learning.
