Arcanum Two The High Priestess

           

Element: Water.
                           
Cabala: Beth.
                           
Zodiac: Moon.
                             
Minor Arcanum: The Suit of Cups, particularly The Queen and Page.

Card Symbolism

Card colour: Blue, white and black colors.

Pomegranate curtain: The pomegranates that decorate it remind us of Persephone, who was taken down into the land of the dead, ate its fruit, and became the only goddess allowed to travel to and from that strange land. Deepest, most esoteric and secret knowledge.

Open Book.Open book, held on her lap with the word Tora (Jewish) or anogram of the word Tarot. Things kept secret will be revealed to them. Likewise, these secrets might come to them psychically by way of visions or powerful instincts. Insights may be found in crystal balls, tea leaves, dreams or conversations with spirits.

Main figure.Seated on a throne, between two lotus pillars.She is the divine life principal.

Crescent Moon & Full Moon. Isis Moon crown on her head as well as the crescent at her feet.Indicates her willingness to illuminate what you otherwise might not see, reveal the secrets you need to know in order to make a decision about a problem or a job, an investment, love, career, family, etc.

Lotus Pillars, one black marked B, and one white, marked J. Knowledge of all secrets. We can also see a link to the desert, scorpio, sex and death. Black: B stands for Boaz, signifying negation,
White: J stands for Jachin, meaning beginning.

Dress:Flowing like water.Divine knowledge, intuition.

Meditation

The High Priestess is the card of instinctual, supernatural, and secret knowledge. She holds scrolls of arcane information which may be revealed to you. The moon crown on her head as well as the crescent by her foot indicates her willingness to illuminate what you otherwise might not see, reveal the secrets you need to know in order to make a decision about a problem or a job, an investment, love, career, family, etc. This card is the epitomy of dualities; it is the balancing factor between reaching certain equilibrium between thesis and anti-thesis, positive and negative or male and female.
Behind her throne, we find a pomegranate curtain beyond which is a hidden landscape, in this respect the High Priestess holds the key to esoteric and hidden knowledge. She has the ability to transmute matters of a higher consciousness, a spiritual enlightenment if you will. The Moon being a predominant feature on this card, rightfully displays the direct influence gained from spiritual intuition and continuous development of a person’s psychic abilities. We find the Moon displayed in two of its natural faces, which as we know, directly influences a great many natural cycles on Earth. And, on a more physical plane, has a profound influence on people and animals in general.
We can also consider the High Priestess as tutor and interpreter of Divine instruction. Her instructions gleaned from spiritual interpretations received from the Divine, giving her wisdom and understanding of the normal faculties of the universe and creation alike.
She uses her understanding not to control and manipulate, but to nurture, teach and protect. This card stands for the ability to interpret and understand the word of God; the understanding of the divine Law, which is the highest and best use for our intellectual ability. As a representation of the Divine Law, the High Priestess is the Law incarnate, or as much of it as can be comprehended by mortal beings. She is the female creative force; the mother of all wisdom, the female aspect of God. She teaches that the knowledge and understanding you seek is within you; in your subconscious mind. To tap it, you must bypass your conscious mind, or avoid being deceived by your sensual and worldly nature.
Note, however, that while the goals of the High Priestess may be considered more worthy (and less selfish) as the Magician. The High Priestess is also one who expends her energy on nurturing and teaching others. That, too, limits her abilities to grow spiritually in her own right.

Upright.

Wisdom, knowledge and understanding. The ability to learn and to teach. Revelation of secrets in their proper time.

Reversed

Superficial knowledge, even ignorance; inability to judge events and issues clearly; muddy thinking; prejudice and one-sidedness. Also a reluctance or fear to make decisions.

We can assimilate the High Priestess to a road sign, prominent but shy. She acts as a pointer, destination unknown! But following the pointer, you may learn that some things are hidden, to be revealed at its own time. She also points the way to spiritual enlightenment and intuitive knowledge. These are gained by developing and enriching your spiritual path and mental comprehension. Leaning on your intuition may sometimes be necessary to clear and arrange your mundane existence.

Follow this link to Google for the main doc in Word format:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1sKVZnUoCHoP98Sa5iIiDJ_zvRASDrCf8Buo-NbU1KGE/edit?hl=en