The High Priestess sits between the black and white pillars before a veil, the scroll of hidden law in her lap and the moon at her feet. She is intuition, silence and secret knowledge: the answer is not yet visible, and it will come from within, not from outside.
The secret knowledge behind the veil, an intuition that knows before it can explain.
Waite’s keywords (1911): Secrets, mystery, the future not yet revealed; silence, tenacity, wisdom, science.
Reversed
Reversed, the inner voice is ignored or drowned out: secrets come to the surface, gossip, confused intuition, or knowledge kept that should be shared.
An inner voice you refuse to hear, secrets kept too long.
Waite’s keywords (1911): Passion, moral or physical ardour, conceit, surface knowledge.
In love
Upright A deep, silent attraction, a love not yet spoken, a mysterious person; wait and feel rather than push.
Reversed Hidden feelings, secrets between partners, coldness, or a love lived only in fantasy.
In work
Upright Work behind the scenes, study, research; information is still hidden, so do not decide yet.
Reversed Hidden agendas at work, missing information, or ignoring your instinct about a deal.
In money
Upright Keep your finances private and wait; something is not yet known.
Reversed Hidden costs, secret debts, or money matters kept from you.
At home and in the family
Upright A quiet, inward home; a wise woman in the family, a mother or grandmother, keeps its secrets.
Reversed Family secrets surface, or silence in the house grows cold.
On your path
Upright The temple is within you: meditation, dreams, intuition and the study of hidden things.
Reversed You have stopped listening to your inner voice; return to silence before you seek outside answers.
Its counsel
Upright Be still and listen. Trust what you know without being able to explain it.
Reversed Do not let others’ noise drown your intuition. Some secrets must now be brought to light.
Correspondences
- Arcana
- Major Arcana, card 2
- Element
- Water
- Number
- 2
Dreams that carry this card
The Cat · The Owl · The Cave · The Mirror · The Eye · The Witch · The Book
The Major Arcana
The Fool · The Magician · The Empress · The Emperor · The Hierophant · The Lovers · The Chariot · Strength · The Hermit · Wheel of Fortune · Justice · The Hanged Man · Death · Temperance · The Devil · The Tower · The Star · The Moon · The Sun · Judgement · The World