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 Prince of Cups |
The Full Moon The Fool |
The Waning Moon 6 of Cups |
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Significator #1 9 of Cups |
Significator #2 King of Wands |
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The Dark Judgement |
The Secret of the High Priestess 3 of Cups |
The Light The Hierophant |
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The Next Step 8 of Cups |
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Significator #1
9 of Cups
The content of the nine cups is being poured over the picture and meets in a whirlpool in the middle. Three colours refer to the number three, out of which the number nine (3x3) exists. Notes (music/art), grapes (food/drink) and a heart (love/friendship) stand for areas which contain pleasure and well-being.
The colour red points to warmth, blue symbolises refreshment. The colour green can be understood as referring to a negative aspect on the card e.g., exaggerated personal pleasure.
Significator #2
King of Wands
The wall confines the fire and bundles it up. Its violet colour shows that it has been built consciously and with spiritual energy, intent on higher ideals.
The triangle on the square shows the ideal integration of divinity and mortality. The fish in the fiery water indicates fiery emotionality as the basis for materialism. The symbol of the wand is recognised by the nine-fold loop on the back of the card.
The Waning Moon is the influence that you are putting behind you, as it moves into the past.
6 of Cups
The fluid in the tipped-up cups is combined with the fluid in the sixth cup to form a circle, the upper part of which seems brighter. The book with the title 'Memories' stands for achieved consciousness. The seed is germinating under the influence of other components and shows a new beginning.
The Full Moon is the current influence at this time.
The Fool
The bright colours symbolise many possibilities. The Fool is holding the pilgrim's staff in his hand. Water and fish indicate openness and vivacity. The butterflies also indicate different ideas and a joy of living.
The golden yellow background gives the scene energy of life. One can see the tip of the Fool's cap. The cross, or rather the handle of the sword in the background, gives an awareness of danger, which is lurking along the path the Fool is going to take.
The Waxing Moon indicates what is on the horizon; the approaching influence.
Prince of Cups
By winking, the prince is trying to make the marshy spot more attractive for a bathe. The content of his cup doesn't look like water. The sun brightens the scene, although the first cloud has already appeared.
The Light is what is clearly recognized.
The Hierophant
The pentahedral star in the picture shows how the four elements, which appear in the four lower rays, come into contact with spiritualism. This is represented in the uppermost point by God's eye, in the iris of which the Wheel of Fortune is alluded to. The violet background underlines the principle of spiritualism.
The labyrinth in the middle of the star points to the search for the meaning, which by way of the heart is also a search for the centre. The two hands at the top represent the obvious (exoteric) and the concealed (esoteric). The praying hands at the bottom symbolise the pupil.
The Dark shows what is there but not fully perceived, though it has been noticed on a deeper level of consciousness.
Judgement
Classical symbols are also used here. Five graves are opening up, out of which stretches a hand to awaken a new life. The implication of the archangel Gabriel is blowing the trumpet of the Resurrection. One of the hands shows three fingers, which portrays a release from the grave's number four. It is also a gesture of the Hierophant.
The number five, shown by the number of hands and flowers, points to entirety. The aim is to see material things as being divine, so as to unite them and not to damn them and so create a new division. The flowers are about to bloom and through their colours the subjects of integration and entirety are emphasised again.
The Next Step is the near future, where this journey will take you.
8 of Cups
Seven cups are covered with a cloth, so that they won't be damaged during absence. A cup is being held in the left hand and a sword in the right. They look like a complementary couple.
There is water to the right and left of the path and one must take care not to tread in it. In the background we can see the Hermit's hut and several hills, which could turn out to be mountains. The waxing moon shows uncertainty. The journey might not be too easy.
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.
3 of Cups
All the equipment for a celebration is united, wine, food, fireworks, love, happiness and society. There is nothing missing. The snake, which is biting its tail, suggests that celebrations begin and end. We let them come and go, like fireworks; they do not last very long.
