The High Priestess - Key 2- Major Arcana

How the High Priestess shows up in day to day Life

In the 90's, I was flying for Singapore International Airlines. I was the first batch of Indian Crew hired by the Airline. I flew in 1997, about 9 years after my father had crashed on duty while on command, and I was grateful to my mother for letting me find my wings!! In the first year I was flying, we were en route to Dhaka in the winter, on board an Airbus. Due to severe fog, the Captain tried to land repeatedly. After 3 attempts, he decided to divert to another destination. The Purser then informed the crew of an issue with the right engine and that the plane would divert to Bangkok, as the airport was well-equipped to handle emergencies. The Purser also advised us to brush up on standard emergency landing procedures. This preparation was just precautionary since the Captain was already erring on the side of caution. Of course, I still remember the steward's reaction. He mentioned that he was newly married and hoped to have children and see his grandchildren. For me, however, this experience was cathartic. For many years, I had wondered what my father felt during the emergency as he tried to land amid a cyclone, which led to the crash and his demise. I just knew, at the time, that while he loved us immensely, his entire focus would have been on the task at hand. I was just 21 when I went through the experience of walking through the cabins, rehearsing in my mind the evacuation command, counting the number of families with children, in the zone that was my responsibility. My colleagues, especially the older ones, were thorough professionals and exuded calm. The ones closer to my age were understandably worried! For me, that was a moment that The High Priestess personifies. It was a place of calm, knowing that my father's last moments had been peaceful. He was meticulous and a professional, and when the circumstances were daunting, his priority was the safety and well-being of his passengers and crew. It was also a moment of intuitive understanding that he was okay and not fearful in the moments just before the crash.

The High Priestess is that inner knowing, a gentle nudge that doesn't need reason to point out a direction. One cannot force her wisdom to appear through willpower or contemplation, as I did in the years when I thought about the crash. She opens the doors to the answers that one is contemplating when one is ready to assimilate that knowledge. The High Priestess can also represent cognitive restraint. She has the capacity not to react immediately, as she is that gestation space between stimulus and response. In that sense, she is the emotional regulation and observational awareness that we embody.

The Priestess is a part of our psyche, and she is a part of every one of us. In a more practical sense, she symbolises deep pattern recognition, rather than mystical intuition. That would mean that the mind is an observer before any action.

The Priestess is also the guardian of the threshold and reclaims an individual's boundary through knowing that her thoughts belong to her and that she will share her wisdom when one is ready. She understands the need for chosen non-disclosure, since insights are only offered to the initiate when they are ready. Psychologically, this aligns with metacognition or the ability to observe one's own thoughts. She represents inner witnessing.

The Priestess reminds you that you do not walk the luminal spaces between an idea, an identity shift and the outward manifestation of your choice alone. The stage at which you sit with the choices or are still uncertain on what you want is the realm of the High Priestess. While in the external realm of life, it may appear that nothing is happening, this does not represent the entire truth. Internally, the landscape is reorganising, and a shift is in the gestation stage.

In the shadow aspect, the High Priestess can indicate emotional detachment and a feeling of looking into one's own life as a voyeur. This detachment is masked as wisdom. Over-observing instead of participating. Withholding instead of trusting. She is psychologically deep, interior, strategic, and quiet, with the power not to reveal everything at once, but that is her method of control.

What is the meaning of the High Priestess?

The High Priestess embodies the essence of wisdom and intuitive understanding. It represents the profound knowledge that lies within us, beyond what our conscious mind comprehends. Trusting your instincts is akin to placing your faith in the High Priestess herself. It is a recognition that you possess a wealth of understanding beyond your conscious awareness. To tap into your instincts and inner wisdom, it becomes essential to quiet the ceaseless chatter of the rational mind.

The High Priestess serves as a guardian of the realm of deep emotions and subconscious thoughts. By delving into the depths of your being, you will often discover that the answers you seek already reside within you. However, you may find yourself entangled in distractions or gripped by fear, which inhibits you from embracing and trusting this innate wisdom. The High Priestess encourages you to seek a connection with your intuitive self. She urges you to recognise that there is more to knowing than mere intellectual analysis. By acknowledging the power of your instincts and the wisdom of your inner voice, you can access a profound level of understanding that surpasses conscious thought.

The High Priestess embodies wisdom and inner knowing. Trusting your instincts aligns with her essence. By quieting the clamour of the rational mind, you can access your deepest core and uncover the answers that already reside within you. The High Priestess invites you to embrace your intuitive self and acknowledge the invaluable wisdom it holds.

How can I connect with my Inner Priestess?

Tapping into your own inner High Priestess and accessing your intuitive wisdom can be a transformative journey. Here are some steps to help you connect with your inner wisdom:

1. Cultivate Stillness: Create moments of silence and stillness in your daily life. This can be done through meditation, mindfulness practices, or simply finding a quiet space to be alone with your thoughts. Stillness allows you to quiet the noise of the external world and tune into your inner voice.

2. Trust Your Intuition: Start paying attention to your gut feelings and instincts. Trust that you have the inherent ability to discern what feels right or wrong for you. Practice listening to your intuition and acting upon it, even if it seems illogical or goes against the rational mind.

3. Journaling: Writing down your thoughts and feelings can be a powerful tool for accessing your inner wisdom. Set aside regular time for journaling and allow yourself to freely express your thoughts, emotions, and intuitive insights. Reflecting on your journal entries can help you recognise patterns, gain clarity, and uncover deeper layers of understanding.

4. Connect with Your Dreams: Pay attention to your dreams and keep a dream journal. Dreams often contain symbolic messages and insights from your subconscious mind. By recording and analysing your dreams, you can uncover hidden meanings and gain valuable guidance from your High Priestess archetype.

5. Explore Divination Tools: Tarot cards, oracle cards, runes, or other divination tools can serve as a bridge to your intuition and inner wisdom. Choose a method that resonates with you and take time to learn and practice using it. These tools can provide insights, guidance, and support in accessing your High Priestess energy.

6. Follow Your Passions: Engage in activities that ignite your passion and bring you joy. When you are aligned with your passions, you naturally connect with your authentic self and tap into your intuitive wisdom. Allow yourself to explore and pursue what truly lights you up.

7. Trust the Process: Connecting with your inner High Priestess is a journey that requires patience and trust. Be open to receiving guidance and insights in unexpected ways. Trust that your intuition will guide you along the path of self-discovery and embrace the unfolding of your own wisdom.

Remember that connecting with your inner High Priestess is a personal and unique experience. Be kind and patient with yourself as you navigate this journey of self-discovery and embrace the wisdom that resides within you.

Meditation on the High Priestess

To embark on a meditation journey with the High Priestess, find a quiet and comfortable space where you can relax without distractions. Close your eyes, take a deep breath, and allow yourself to settle into a state of calmness.

Visualize yourself in a serene and sacred space, surrounded by a soft, ethereal light. As you become attuned to this peaceful atmosphere, envision the presence of the High Priestess before you. Feel her enigmatic energy emanating from her, enveloping you with a sense of profound wisdom and intuition.

Allow your awareness to shift inward, focusing on your breath and letting go of any external thoughts or concerns. Feel the gentle rhythm of your breath mirroring the ebb and flow of the High Priestess's energy.

As you dive deeper into this meditative state, imagine a veil lifting, revealing the gateway to your subconscious mind. With each breath, imagine yourself peering through this veil, delving into the realm of emotions, dreams, and inner knowing that the High Priestess guards.

Feel a connection with your intuition growing stronger, as if a gentle stream of wisdom is flowing through you. Surrender any doubts or scepticism, and trust in the innate wisdom that lies within your being. Allow the High Priestess's energy to guide you deeper into this space of introspection.

In this meditative state, ask the High Priestess to reveal to you any insights or guidance that you may seek. Be receptive and open to the messages that may come in the form of images, sensations, or inner knowing. Trust that the answers you seek are already within you, waiting to be discovered.

Stay in this meditative state for as long as feels comfortable, allowing yourself to fully immerse in the presence of the High Priestess and the wisdom she embodies. When you feel ready, slowly bring your awareness back to the present moment, carrying with you any insights or revelations that arose during the meditation.

Take a moment to reflect on your experience and journal any thoughts, feelings, or guidance that came through. Remember that the High Priestess's energy and wisdom are always accessible to you whenever you need to reconnect with your inner knowing and intuition.

Conclude your meditation with gratitude for the insights received and a renewed sense of trust in your own intuition. Open your eyes and carry the energy of the High Priestess with you as you continue your journey of self-discovery and spiritual growth.

Images Used on The Site. Illustrations from the Rider-Waite Tarot Deck, known also as the Rider Tarot and the Waite Tarot, reproduced by permission of U.S. Games Systems, Inc., Stamford, CT 06902. c. 1971 by U.S. Games Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. The Rider-Waite Tarot deck is a registered trademark of U.S. Games Systems, Inc.

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