02. The High Priestess

“Quiet and motionless.”

Vision

The High Prietess’s temple lies in the dim bottom of the sea where no sound can reach – an underwater vacuum. It alludes to the circumstance where someone, swimming at the juncture of consciousness and unconsciousness, is influenced by irrational wisdom even without contact. In the lower right corner, the bottle contains a flame representing masculine power. Although this card often suggests suppression, avoidance, and stillness, the stillness arises from a precondition of action, as it follows The Magician.

Message

The energy and temperament embodied by The High Priestess are defined in most cultural contexts as being opposite to masculinity. Together with The Hermit, they absorb the profound secrets born in darkness, becoming an obscure, unknowable veil. After the energy emitted by The Magician subsides and as we sit in the deep of the night when all daily affairs are still asleep, we finally have the opportunity to withdraw ourselves from any social activities or external bindings. In heartfelt tranquility, we regain strength and learn truths that can neither be reached or verified by mere forceful actions.

Keywords

truth-seeking through secret spiritual perception | introspection | indiscernible veil | focusing on inner growth | spectating | maintenance of boundaries | suppression of energy