The High Priestess Meaning: Ancient Wisdom

The High Priestess has the lunar crescent at her feet, a horned diadem on her head, with a globe in the middle place, and a large solar cross on her breast. The scroll in her hands is inscribed with the word Tora, signifying the Greater Law, the Secret Law and the second sense of the Word.

It is partly covered by her mantle, to show that some things are implied and some spoken. She is seated between the white and black pillars of the mystic Temple and the veil of the Temple is behind her: it’s embroidered with palms and pomegranates.

The vestments are flowing and gauzy, and the mantle suggests light. She has been called Occult Science on the threshold of the Sanctuary of Isis, but she is really the Secret Church, the House which is of God (Nature) and man.

The High Priestess represents also the Second Marriage of the Prince who is no longer of this world; she is the spiritual Bride and Mother, the daughter of the stars and the Higher Garden of Eden. She is, in fine, the Queen of the borrowed light, but this is the light of all. Also she is the Moon nourished by the milk of the Supernal Mother.

“The Illustrated Key to the Tarot” written by L. W. de Laurence

Read more…