I see that too, good and evil, black and white, right and wrong, etc...
hidden forces, intuition, and unseen wisdom.

The High Priestess reminds me of Vesta. Of Vestal Virgins, actually (recently read a book on the topic). Vesta, or Hestia in Greece, is the tender of the fire. In the book I recently read, the Virgins tend to a fire, a hearth of Rome, that represents Vesta. They pray to her for peace, etc.

The High Priestess is obedient - she is sitting. She neither leans to the left nor the right: neutral, or perhaps ambivalence? She seems to be a generally quiet, docile, normal person. She has a book in her hands.. the Torah? Studious too. Kind of boring, actually.

Oh, but she has the moon. Moon, magic. Hekate?

Maybe the boring front is a clever rouse. Maybe if you turn Vesta around, Hekate is on the other side.

I am using the Universal Waite deck.

My interpretation of The High Priestess is a little lengthy but she has a lot going on for her ~ as  see it.

The High Priestess has a lot going on with her ~ as sits upon her throne representative of her deity and that she holds the Torah in her hand represents a spiritual system or beliefs. That the High Priestess is sitting on a throne further indicates royal power and this mingled with the Torah suggests that her power lies in spiritual matters.

The two pillars on each side of her represent balance or a middle ground; one pillar is black and the other is white suggests that there is a balance between darkness and light or good and evil. The B on the black pillar stands for Boaz and indicates strength. The J on the white pillar stands for Jachin and indicates stability.

Since Boaz is on the black pillar it may indicate strength in darkness or during periods of evil ~ probably using strength to overcome darkness or periods of evil. Since Jachin is on the white pillar it may indicate stability in the light or during periods of goodness.

The curtain behind the priestess has several things going for it. That the curtain is closed signifies secrecy and possibly repression of thoughts, most likely a concealing of personal matters or an aspect of self. Pomegranates are symbolic of abundance, fertility, lusciousness, generosity and union. Since the pomegranates are showing on the curtain it may indicate that the priestess is willing to reveal these things. Bamboo is a Chinese symbol of longevity because of its strength, durability, flexibility and resilience. Since the bamboo is also showing on the curtain it may indicate that she is also willing to reveal these aspects as well.

Water symbolizes the unconscious or emotional state of the mind and is the living essence of the psyche and the flow of life energy. It also signifies spirituality, knowledge, healing and refreshment. That the water is behind the curtain ~ maybe the priestess is not so apt to reveal what’s on her mind.

Land symbolizes nurturance and the need to be grounded, seeking for a strong foundation and some sort of stability. Here again, since the land is behind the curtain the priestess is not so willing to reveal these aspects. Also that the land is off in the distance ~ this may be virtually unattainable.

The moon is a symbol that deals with cycles, time, psychic power, reflection and emerging from one phase to another. That the moon sits at the priestess’ feet indicates that she has a strong foundation and is stable in these aspects; she also has a great sense of understanding in these things.

lilmogirl