Secret of the High Priestess Spread

Secret of the High Priestess

 

 

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

6 of Clubs
The Full Moon

The Devil
The Waning Moon

The Hanged One
  Significator #1

The Priestess
Significator #2

The Hermit
 
The Dark

Ace of Spades
The Secret of the High Priestess

The Moon
The Light

9 of Spades
  The Next Step

The Emperor
 

 

 

 

Significator #1 

 

The Priestess

The Priestess card may suggest non-reaction. Whether caused by tension or inner turmoil, it is a stage where opposing influences may require time to find balance once again.

The seeker as The Priestess cannot yet decipher the signs to understand them, thus it is necessary to watch, listen, learn and not react in order to make informed choices.

The situation as The Priestess may indicate a time to reflect on root causes of opposing influences that are contributing to tension in an environment.

 

 

Significator #2 

 

The Hermit

The Hermit card indicates a time of self-reflection or self-imposed solitude. It is a stage when we sense the need to explore how we view the world or relate to situations and people around us.

As the person, The Hermit card suggests a need for serenity; withdrawal from external conflicts to evaluate our beliefs, priorities or principles.

As a situation, The Hermit card suggests an objective exploration of all feasible options that may lead to the most desirable resolution within a conflict.

 

 

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

 

The Hanged One

This Hanged One is suspended in limbo but it is not a decision that is made in haste. This card suggests a stage where decisions are made based on unconditional sacrifice; without expectations of anything in return.

The seeker as The Hanged One may allow us to make choices that require some form of sacrifice; but they are made without conditions attached thus, it is an opportunity for growth and maturity.

The situation as The Hanged One suggests not making decisions in haste. If the outcome of any given situation depends on choices that we make; we may wish to reflect on how our contributions can and will influence the circumstances before making a move.

 

 

 

The Full Moon is the current influence at this time. 

 

The Devil

The Devil is a whisper that comes from the depths of our heart; for what is temptation but a weakness most exploited by our desire.

As the seeker, The Devil suggests an attachment that has become unhealthy; therefore, we may need to explore what it is we have bound ourselves to and what that object of our desire represents to us before we are able to free ourselves from it.

As a situation, The Devil card advices us to be aware of becoming too involved; to the extent we are unable to perceive the situation clearly. As such, we may need to ask ourselves if decisions made are based on instant gratification or out of necessity.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

6 of Clubs

Boredom or apathy with what we are doing or what we have achieved. The giving up on a task before it has reached completion or conclusion. Lack of attention to a task at hand, with a risk all efforts made to that point could reverse or come undone. Falling asleep mentally or spiritually through lack of inspiration or motivation.

 

 

The Light is what is clearly recognized. 

 

9 of Spades

Feeling of despair or of being trapped. The incorrect belief there is no movement possible within a current predicament. Current aims or objectives tantalisingly out of reach. Indications that a problem or obstacle needs to be examined from a different angle or viewpoint if a way forward is to be identified. Giving up too easily on a task believing there is no hope.

 

 

 

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

 

Ace of Spades

The feeling of walking on a knife edge, not wanting to put a foot wrong through fear of the subsequent fall. A danger of going round in circles with no progress or new experienced possible. The start of something that may require intense mental focus or fortitude. The need to break away from usual habit patterns or routines.

 

 

 

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

 

The Emperor

The Emperor card represents structure; the need for it or lack of it. It is about setting standards to adhere to, limitations and boundaries of rules of engagement and maintaining them. At a stage when one cannot identify such boundaries, The Emperor provides an idealised example until rigid adherence becomes a burden of expectations.

As the Seeker, this card represents the need to identify standards that are meaningful rather than those imposed by others. To discard old boundaries or limitations for new ones is a stage of self-regulation by which one identifies the principles to live by.

In a situation, this card suggests that stability may be achieved when a sound structure is in place.

 

 

 

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 Moon

Jahanam is where dreams are woven; this is where cats learn to fly and birds carry swords;
this is where the Lady Moonshine hides the face of the Sun God
so that we may see the truths hidden in the dark and drive ourselves insane.

 

 

 

 

Home   Tarot Reading   Meanings   Spreads   Decks   Artists   FAQ   Zone31   Shadow Alchemy   About   Terms   Privacy     Facebook   X   LinkedIn


Copyright © 2025 Tarotsmith. All rights reserved.