Secret of the High Priestess Spread

 

 

Difficulty: Average

This spread makes a nice alternative to the Celtic Cross, which covers basically the same ground. It is useful when a question doesn't quite call for the Ankh spread. This tarot spread is helpful for looking into a current trend. The High Priestess may or may not present a mysterious secret to be analysed after the rest of the spread.

1. & 2. Main impulses representing the topic at hand. They may compliment or oppose one another.

3. This is the current influence at this time.

5. The Waning Moon is the influence that is moving into the past.

4. The Waxing Moon indicates what is on the horizon, or the approaching influence. This is the immediate future.

7. The Light is what is clearly recognized, consciously.

6. The Dark indicates what is there but not fully perceived, though noticed on a deeper level of consciousness.

8. The Next Step is the near future, where this journey leads.

9. The final tarot card, only if it happens to be of the Major Arcana, reveals the Secret of the High Priestess. This is a special message that should be given added weight.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Your Secret of the High Priestess Reading

The Waxing Moon 9 of Cups – Happiness	The Full Moon 8 of Wands – Swiftness		The Waning Moon 5 of Wands – Strife
	Significator #1 5 of Swords – Defeat	Significator #2 Adjustment
The Dark 10 of Cups – Satiety	The Secret of the High Priestess The Universe		The Light 8 of Disks – Prudence
	The Next Step The Hanged Man

 

 

 

Significator #1 

 

5 of Swords – Defeat

Venus in Aquarius

The pale blue background of this card symbolises airy weakness. A chipped sword attempts to battle four bent swords in the shape of a pentagram. A hopeless struggle, this solitary sword is the weakest of the five.

Meaning:
Weakness, loss, spite, malice, trouble, dishonour, degradation, infamy, revocation, loss, humiliation, anxiety. A driver of wedges.

 

 

Significator #2 

 

Adjustment

Libra

Justice. Balance is achieved through adaptation. You may need to take a look at the book.

Meaning:
Justice, balance, equilibrium. A pause in the action to achieve balance.

 

 

The Waning Moon is the influence that you are putting behind you, as it moves into the past. 

 

5 of Wands – Strife

Saturn in Leo

Conflict. Five male lion heads together represent opposition and a battle of wills. The nature of each lion is to dominate his territory, so five in one place is not good. They butt heads in the struggle for supremacy.

Meaning:
Struggle, competition, opposition, violence, quarrelling, lust and carnal desire.

 

 

 

The Full Moon is the current influence at this time. 

 

8 of Wands – Swiftness

Mercury in Sagittarius

A sudden burst of energy causes eight arrows to explode into action. This card indicates that something is about to happen fast.

Meaning:
Action, explosive energy, electricity, fast communication, gain of rapid speed, light, quickness.
When ill-dignified: Too much too fast, a flash in the pan.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Waxing Moon indicates what is on the horizon; the approaching influence. 

 

9 of Cups – Happiness

Jupiter in Pisces

The water level here is the highest in the suit. The perfection of water in Yesod makes this the happiest card in the whole deck. In an ocean of paradise two dolphins playfully leap between floating cups.

Meaning:
A feeling of perfect happiness and well-being.

 

 

The Light is what is clearly recognized. 

 

8 of Disks – Prudence

Sun in Virgo

This card is about the virtue of patience, or taking things in their proper times. Eight clocks are hung from Jacob's Ladder. With effort dreams will be attainable. Remember: one step at a time.

Meaning:
Industriousness, agriculture, building, construction, intelligence in material affairs.
When ill-dignified: too much care spent on details at the expense of the big picture.

 

 

 

The Dark shows what is there but not fully perceived, though it has been noticed on a deeper level of consciousness. 

 

10 of Cups – Satiety

Mars in Pisces

The nine lower cups are filled with the shining light of Kether from above, just as in the blueprint contained within the Ace all along. Overwhelming emotions here risk crossing the boundaries of sanity.

Meaning:
Pleasure fulfilled yet incomplete.
When ill-dignified: waste, stagnation, debauchery.

 

 

 

The Next Step is the near future, where this journey will take you. 

 

The Hanged Man

Water

Like The Hermit, The Hanged Man contemplates existence, but on a different level. He hangs from the crucifix and mirrors the scene above in the shape of an ankh. This card is about understanding sacrifice.

Meaning:
Enforced sacrifice, self-sacrifice, suffering, redemption. Progress through using a different perspective. A waiting period.
When ill-dignified: punishment, loss, death, more of the same.

 

 

 

The Secret of the High Priestess - if, and only if, this card a Major Arcana, it reveals the Secret of the High Priestess. This is a special spiritual message that you should pay extra special attention to. If it is not a trump, the Priestess has revealed no secret. 

 

The Universe

Earth

The spider in the man's head is a reference to Leary's octave rhythms. The spider and web indicate man's nature to perceive and even weave his own reality. The web also indicates being trapped in our own perception of reality. It may also hint at the nature of the interaction between this and other universes.

Meaning:
The realisation of the whole matter. The essence of the query itself. Synthesis. Crystallisation. Could represent something extremely important.
When ill-dignified: A cruel world.