what does high priestess mean in tarot?

The High Priestess represents intuition and the subtle energy of the Divine Feminine. It means spiritual enlightenment, inner enlightenment, divine knowledge and wisdom. The High Priestess appears when a fool decides to develop their innate powers and take the step to become a sorcerer.

The High Priestess sees the big picture and knows the beginning, the middle and the end. She not only offers enlightenment but also reveals secret paths, hidden dangers, quiet places, pillars of light and darkness, existence and negation, feeling and reflection. Just as The Magician is guardian of the conscious spirit in the material world, so the High Priest is guardian of the unconscious spirit, the teacher of sacred knowledge and hidden secrets. Many times she represents a spiritual woman in your life, whether that be you or someone close to you.

high priestess as advice

The High Priest, or Hierophant, is the guardian of intuition, suggesting The High Priestess is a strong indicator that you must trust your feelings when it comes to love and romance. This card also encourages you to connect with your inner voice and intuition and to trust your higher power.  

Step back, reflect on the current situation and trust that your inner instincts will guide you through it. The High Priestess appears upright as she reads Tarot, and she indicates that now is the time to listen to your intuition and to give priority to your mind and your intellect. On the Rider Waite deck the pillars of faith are synonymous with knowledge and learning.    

Be careful not to become too addicted to social media in the realm of psychics. Take a look at your own intuition and the surrounding cards for clues to resolve your issues.

Many tarot cards involve action or a move, but this is a card of inaction, meaning that whoever pulls it should consider withdrawing from involvement. 

high priestess energy & symbology

The tarot card of the High Priestess shows a woman on a cubic stone between two pillars. She has a crescent moon at her feet, a horned diadem on her head, with a globe. She symbolizes the ancient Egyptian goddess Hathor. The card also features a horn in the shape of a crescent moon and a large cross on her chest that balances the four elements - fire, water, earth and air.   

As a symbol of pure holiness, the High Priestess reveals an intact part of us that has never been hurt or disturbed. She is a virgin of what we have within us, an invisible representative of ourselves, a source of purification and trust and an untapped primary source with countless potentials. She represents the Divine Feminine, a mysterious female who is understood to hold the answers to the deepest unknowns of religion, the self and nature.

high priestess as a person

Apart from the other troublemakers, the High Priestess reads as a spiritual woman, a medium, a teacher of ancient knowledge, a librarian or a silent relative that knows many family secrets. The tarot card of the High Priestesses is a self-card, but more than that, it shows a love of social and friendly readings, in which one must concentrate on fulfilling one's own wishes and needs.

The High Priestess can also represent a hidden partner that you are not aware of. Otherwise, this card demonstrates someone has a secret that they are not telling you.

Sometimes the High Priestess can mean you are too focused on the opinions of others and seek the approval or validation of others about your own inner wisdom. Your inner life erases your interest in the outer reality of friends, family, and the connections that hold us together in our worldly identities. Depending on the other cards, people may have agendas and strategies in play, and you may not be aware of the positive or negative implications on your situation.   

high priestess reversed

In the context of its reversal, you may find that you desire others so much that you question their motives and attention which can make you uncomfortable.  

Someone may have told you a secret or you discovered hidden information.

high priestess in love

When you are in a relationship, you can expect aloof behavior and high sexual tension or a lack of sexual drive. You might need some time to reconnect with yourself and listen to your inner voice.  If you are asking how someone feels about you, and you get the high priestess it indicates they feel you are a mystery, distant or aloof. They probably do not have sexual feeling towards you or feel you are frigid or reticent sexually. The person in mind may feel you are a secret.

high priestess at work

In fact, this card often appears as a kind of dead end, similar to the Two Swords to the Moon card. It suggests that a colleague has a hidden agenda and you should be wary of others. It's the opposite of the big red flag because it’s hidden, so don't ignore your intuition.    

This card may mean that you are ready to step into a mentoring role with others when called upon. Sometimes it can signal the appearance of a mentor or guide to help you move forward in your work.

high priestess in spiritual work

In order to access your instincts and inner wisdom, you must move past the chatter of your rational mind. If you access the deep core of your being, you will find that you know all the answers.   

It is vital that you balance and integrate your masculine and feminine energies — despite your gender — and the presence of the High Priest signals to the Divine Feminine that your connection to intuition, compassion, empathy and inner wisdom requires your attention. 

high priestess yes or no

The High Priestess indicates neither. Specifically, it indicates you are not meant to know the answer at this time. It may also hint that this is not the right question to be asking because you do not have enough information.