II. THE HIGH PRIESTESS
This card represents The Passive Feminine Principle: the embodiment of duality which is Flow
The number is II (2) and is the 3rd Card in the Major Arcana.
HOW TO CONSIDER THE TAROT
For an introduction to this series and an outline of how to appreciate Tarot, in a very different paradigm to what one may be used to, the reader is encouraged to familiarise themself with the following post: How to Appreciate Tarot—a Hermetic guide to Semiotics & Allegory
NUMEROLOGY & NUMBERS
Numerology is the study of numbers. If mathematics is the language and the grammar, geometry is the syntax and poetry, and numbers are the base letters.
The number II(2) is associated with the concept of Duality. Duality is one of the most important and foundational concepts of human life and all existence for that matter.
2 is the number of ‘relationship’.
In the metaphysical paradigm, the concept of zero (0) represents the void, the realm of potential and unmanifested possibilities. One (1), then, is the point of initiation, the singularity from which existence springs forth. It is the moment of birth, the inception of life's journey. From the interplay of the void and the initial spark, duality (2) naturally arises as the dynamic state of being—two opposing yet complementary forces or states that define and balance each other. This duality encompasses the full spectrum of existence: birth and death, beginning and ending, creation and dissolution.
The existence of zero, one, and two, by necessity, brings forth three (3), which symbolise the complete cycle: birth, life, and death, which we call Flow, or the wave function.
GEOMETRY & SEMIOTICS
Semiotics is the study of signs and symbols and their use or interpretation, the systematic study of sign processes and the communication of meaning
Geometry, in a sense only really begins with 3—the triangle: three non-collinear points in relation to each other that define a shape, a plane, and thereby an emergent space between them, a field of possibility of relative distance and movement. This is called planar geometry.
However, 2 is still central and foundational to all Geometry, as in the concept of correspondence and parallelism.
Parallelism in geometry also fundamentally involves the concept of Two(2). Two lines or planes are considered parallel if they never meet, no matter how far they are extended. This definition inherently involves a relationship between two entities, underscoring their uniform distance from each other across their entire length or surface. The concept of parallel lines is crucial in the study of Euclidean geometry, influencing properties and theorems related to angles, polygons, and grids.
In terms of correspondence, every point in one figure has a matching point in another figure, which hinges on the idea of pairs, or sets of two. This principle is critical in defining geometric transformations such as reflections, rotations, and translations, each involving pairs of points in their descriptions and formulations.
Additionally, binary operations such as symmetry (both reflective and rotational) rely on the relational properties between two elements—whether they are points, lines, or planes.
Innate symmetry in geometry is deeply connected to the concept of two, as it often involves matching parts across a line or point of symmetry. Symmetry describes the balanced, proportional arrangement of corresponding parts on opposite sides of a dividing line or around a centre point. This involves pairs of points, lines, or planes that mirror each other across this symmetric divider.
Innate symmetry can manifest in various forms:
Reflective symmetry (bilateral symmetry), where each point on one side of a line has a corresponding point at an equal distance on the other side, mirroring each other across the line.
Rotational symmetry, where an object can be rotated around a central point by a certain angle and still look the same. Here, the concept of two comes into play in the pairing of any point and its rotated counterpart.
Translational symmetry, where a shape or pattern can be translated (moved a certain distance in a given direction) and remain unchanged. Each segment or element of the pattern pairs with another segment that matches it after the translation.
Each of these symmetries involves correspondences and pairs, thereby linking back to the fundamental concept of “two” in their definitions and implications.
DUALITY & SEMIOTICS
These geometric concepts have psychological and metaphysical symmetries and implications, on which is predicated on the psychological paradigm of archetypes and which occur in the principles of correspondence and all of existence.
At the very heart of Semiotics is the number 2. In semiotics, signs consist of the signifier (the form which the sign takes) and the signified (the concept it represents), inherently a relationship of two parts, much like the correspondences in geometry. This duality is central to understanding how meanings are constructed and interpreted, paralleling how relationships between geometric entities define structures and spaces.
Geometric Symmetry and Semiotic Balance:
Just as symmetry in geometry involves balance and correspondence between elements, semiotics often seeks a balance between the signifier and the signified, aiming for a symmetry in how signs are interpreted across different contexts. This idea can be extended metaphorically to the study of cultural symbols and their meanings, where symmetry might represent social or cultural balance.Correspondence and Meaning Construction:
The principle of correspondence in geometry—where every element has a pair or a matching counterpart—can be likened to the semiotic process of linking signifiers to their appropriate signifieds. This matching process is essential for meaning construction, just as pairing in geometry is necessary for defining shapes and their transformations.Parallelism and Coherence in Narratives:
In literary theory, a branch of semiotics, parallelism can be observed in narrative structures where themes or storylines run concurrently without intersecting, maintaining a uniform thematic distance that helps in building a coherent narrative structure. This mirrors the geometric principle of parallel lines never meeting, yet maintaining a relationship.Psychological and Metaphysical Implications:
The innate human recognition of patterns, whether in geometric figures or in signs and symbols, plays into deeper psychological and metaphysical ideas, such as Carl Jung’s concept of archetypes. These are innate, universal prototypes for ideas that may be used to interpret observations. A geometric shape like ‘the circle’ might universally symbolize unity and eternity, demonstrating how geometric and semiotic principles intersect in our cognitive frameworks.
THE TWO PILLARS
The number 2 is represented on the Tarot Card in Roman numerals as II, which themselves represent the fundamental symbol of the Two Pillars.
The Two Pillars denote a gateway or threshold, marking the transition from the profane to the sacred, from ignorance to knowledge, or from the outer world to the inner sanctum. They signify a crossing point that challenges the seeker to leave behind the familiar and enter a space of transformation and enlightenment.
A single pillar is a powerful symbol on its own, as that which separates and connects, the fundament (floor, earth, base, or foundation) from the firmament (roof, sky, heavens, or celestial sphere). This adds an additional rich layer to the semiotic significance implied by the two pillars. This concept is deeply rooted in various mythologies and architectural traditions, where pillars are seen not just as physical supports but also as cosmic or spiritual connectors, such as the Axis Mundi.
ABSENT PERIOD
Worth noting is that THE HIGH PRIESTESS and THE HIEROPHANT are the only two cards in the Major Arcana that do not have a period (full stop) in the title on the face of the card.
The absence of a period in the title of THE HIGH PRIESTESS card subtly reinforces her embodiment of continuous flow and eternal cycles. Unlike a full stop that signifies an end, her title remains open, signifying that the wisdom and mystery she represents are without end or limit. The title’s design mirrors her essence, a perennial passage through phases and forms without finality, much like the moon’s perpetual waxing and waning. This typographic choice underscores the card’s themes of ongoing introspection, eternal wisdom, and the boundless journey of the soul through the cycles of life.
THE HIGH PRIESTESS is the Keeper of the Mysteries. THE HIEROPHANT is the Guardian of the Sacred Practices.
In this way, THE HIGH PRIESTESS represents the most powerful card to a seeker.
ARCHETYPE & FORM
The two invoked archetypes of THE HIGH PRIESTESS card are The Priestess and the goddess Isis.
THE PRIESTESS (ARCHETYPE)
This archetype is of The Priestess who presides over the Feminine aspect of the Mysteries, acting as an intermediary between seekers and what they seek to encounter.
The archetype of The Priestess embodies the gateway to the esoteric and hidden. She holds the keys to the secrets of the inner journey, guarding the threshold between the mundane and the mystical. This figure represents the deeper, often unspoken layers of consciousness, inviting an exploration of intuition, dreams, and the subconscious. Her role is less about providing answers and more about opening doors to understanding the inner self and the universe’s larger mysteries.
PERSEPHONE (THE SEASONAL PSYCHOPOMP)
Persephone, the dual queen of the Underworld and the embodiment of spring's renewal, represents a profound facet of the psychopomp archetype. Abducted by Hades yet only partially yielding to the Underworld's binding hospitality, she becomes a guide between life and death, symbolizing the union of two worlds. Through her, the seamless transition between the depths of shadow and the heights of light is navigated, and the natural cycles of growth and retreat are personified. Her narrative is a compelling illustration of the initiation into the mysteries, as she harmonizes the threshold of inner transformation with the outer seasonal shifts, reflecting the enduring nature of rebirth and the human soul's journey.
ISIS
By correspondence and by signature, THE HIGH PRIESTESS corresponds with the goddess Isis, revered as a goddess of multiple dimensions.
Isis is the sister-wife of Osiris in the Egyptian Mythos, most commonly known for her roles as the goddess of magic, motherhood, and fertility. Isis is also considered a protector of the dead and the goddess of children and nature. Archetypally, Isis represents the ideal mother and wife as she is devoted to her husband, Osiris, whom she resurrects after his murder. As a magical practitioner, she is often invoked for her knowledge and ability to manipulate supernatural forces.
From a Jungian point of view, Isis can be viewed as an embodiment of the Anima, the feminine image within the collective unconscious of men and the personal unconscious of women. She represents the nurturing aspect, embodying wisdom, healing, and intuition—qualities traditionally associated with the feminine psychic energy in Jungian psychology.
The Isis myth of reassembling Osiris symbolizes the process of individuation, where a person integrates different aspects of the self into a whole. This myth reflects the inner work required to achieve psychological wholeness. In the context of Jung’s theory, Isis's magical resurrection of Osiris can be seen as the transformative power of the Anima to reintegrate and revitalize aspects of the psyche that have been neglected, suppressed, or fragmented.
EMERGENT SYNOPSIS
The convergence of The Priestess, Persephone, and Isis archetypes crafts a rich mosaic of the sacred feminine role as psychopomp. The Priestess offers keys to the gates of inner realms, Persephone intertwines the fates of the living and the deceased, marking the passage of souls with her seasonal ascent and descent, and Isis weaves the magic of healing and integration. Together, they form a narrative arc that honours the complexity of life, death, and rebirth, emphasizing the feminine's intrinsic power to act as intermediary within the cycles of existence. In their shared space, the arcana echoes with a deeper synthesis: the unity of nurturing wisdom, the passage of transformation, and the embrace of life's paradoxes, all under the stewardship of the feminine principle.
In this role, the archetype serves as a mediator between the seen and the unseen, guiding individuals through the process of self-discovery, inner transformation and transfiguration. They are linked to the principle of the Anima in Jungian psychology, representing the nurturing and intuitive qualities associated with the feminine psychic energy, emphasizing wisdom, healing, and integration, a narrative synonymous with the Individuation process.
ETYMOLOGY & LANGUAGE
Vertical shallow Etymology finds the nearest root words and leaves it at that. Deep and Wide Etymology reaches down and laterally, to explore the full essence of meaning that is related to the word.
The word High comes from the Old English hēah which has roots in an earlier Proto-Germanic word meaning “elevated” or “exalted”. The word exalted, in this context, is not merely about spatial arrangement, but specifically about an elevated state in terms of capability, power, and spiritual authority. It implies a supreme manifestation of qualities that are deemed superior and more divine compared to ordinary expressions.
Priestess comes from the late Latin praesbyter which means “elder” or “priest”. The word priestess then implies a female figure who conducts religious ceremonies, a mediator between the mundane and divine. This term historically conveys not only religious duty but also a custodianship of hidden or esoteric knowledge. In various cultures, the priestess held roles that were crucial to the spiritual and social fabric of a society, associated with prophecy, magic, and guardianship of sacred rites called secrets or mysteries.
This title suggests a person who not only occupies a key station of power within spiritual practices but also bridges the earthly and the divine, safeguarding and interpreting esoteric knowledge that transcends conventional understanding. This synthesis of elevation and mediation marks the High Priestess as a custodian of both celestial insight and the mystical secrets necessary for profound spiritual transformation. The Guardian of the Veil.
APPEARANCE & ARRANGEMENT
The HIGH PRIESTESS card features a feminine figure seated calmly between on a simple throne. The figure wears a flowing blue robe with a cross on her chest and a horned diadem on her head. In her lap, she holds a partially concealed sacred scroll labelled “Tora,”. Behind her is a veil or tapestry decorated with pomegranates and palms. On either side of her simple throne, two pillars, one black and one white, labelled B and J respectively, are known to stand for Boaz and Jachin from the biblical Temple of Solomon. Her expression is serene and contemplative, suggesting deep introspection and wisdom. At her feet, within the flowing silver-blue robes, a golden sickle.
EGREGORE & ESSENCE
Egregore is an esoteric concept representing an emergent archetypal thought-form that arises from collective thoughts.
THE HIGH PRIESTESS card represents The Embodiment of Duality and The Passive Feminine Aspect of Flow.
Wonder is the seed of Knowledge
Francis Bacon
THE UNFOLDING
In the numerological position of II (2) in the Major Arcana, THE HIGH PRIESTESS occupies a significant position in the TAROT, following immediately after THE MAGICIAN and preceding THE EMPRESS.
This is the first of 7 cards in the Major Arcana that feature a blue background.
THE HIGH PRIESTESS is the most powerful card in the Major Arcana from the true seeker’s perspective.
The cross at her breast implies a heart-centred wisdom. The crown on her brow signifies the moon’s waxing, full and waning phases, which represent the ‘Triple-goddess’ motif of The Maiden, The Mother and The Crone.
Her serene, penetrative gaze is directly at the observer, indicating her absolute authority, a subtle form of challenge to introspection and self-knowledge, a reflection of sorts, inviting the observer to look deeper within. In the folds of her robes, partially concealed and also partially revealed is the scroll of Torah, which means in Hebrew “The Law” or Logos.
The Two Pillars are shaped like Egyptian palms. Their designations are Boaz and Jachin, which in Hebrew means “In Him is strength” and “He will establish”, respectively. These carry profound implications regarding Duality, Emergence and the nature of creation, formation and manifestation. (Existence Persists; Persistence Resists.) Additionally, these represent the two principles or aspects of Duality: Yin and Yang, between which is suspended the Veil.
Depicted by the Pillars is the masculine aspect of Form, depicted by the flowing robes, and the triple-goddess moon crown, is the feminine aspect of Flow.
The Veil is covered in palms and pomegranates, both symbols of fertility as well as Persephone’s covenant and rulership with Hades / The Underworld. The pomegranates on the veil are arranged as per the stations or Sephira on the Kabbalistic Tree of Life.
Behind the veil, a hidden landscape, veiled in mist, rendering everything featureless.
Her seated position between the pillars and in front of the veil, emphasises her archetypal role as guardian of sacred knowledge and the mediator between the seen and unseen worlds. At her feet, draped in her robes which flow like water, a fine golden sickle-shaped crescent moon.
Her connection to the moon and its phases ties her to the cyclical nature of time and the deeper, more universal rhythms of life and existence. She calls for an alignment with these natural cycles, promoting harmony with the cosmic order—a journey that is both psychological and spiritual.
The feminine aspect of mystical attainment is associated with Gnosis, by which one inhabits the paradoxical position as ‘intermediary’ between the worlds of nature and the Divine, between Form and Flow. The association with Gnosis is deeply rooted in her role as a keeper of hidden knowledge and mysteries. Gnosis, a term derived from the Greek word for knowledge, particularly refers to spiritual, esoteric, or mystical insight. It is Knowledge that is not just intellectual but experiential and intuitive—knowledge of the divine or the deeper truths of the universe that transcends ordinary understanding—and refers specifically to the kind of knowledge that cannot be taught or learned by conventional means.
THE HIGH PRIESTESS is a psychopomp, the keeper of the mysteries beyond the veil, guiding the feminine psyche in its transition from Maiden to Mother to Crone, through the death and rebirth cycle, and initiation of the masculine psyche as The Lover, the Goddess and The Mother.
SYMMETRY & SEQUENCE
Within the deck, there are symmetries and connections between the cards, defined by their appearance in sequence, their numerical allocation and/or thematically by the relationship of their symbols, archetypes and other essentialities.
As mentioned already, there is significance to the sequence in which THE HIGH PRIESTESS card appears, between THE MAGICIAN and THE EMPRESS.
THE MAGICIAN represents the paragon of self-mastery or The Adept archetype, and THE EMPRESS represents The Matriarch archetype, a wielder of worldly authority.
By contrast THE HIGH PRIESTESS is contrary to these concepts, in so as that adepthood is a notion redundant to the ‘Feminine’ and beyond the purview of worldly authority and power.
Unlike THE MAGICIAN, who embodies the mastery of the external through skill and will, THE HIGH PRIESTESS symbolizes mastery of the internal through intuition and hidden knowledge. In contrast to THE EMPRESS, who exercises visible, worldly authority, THE HIGH PRIESTESS wields a subtler, more spiritual form of power that transcends conventional boundaries of influence and control.
The motif of the Moon appears three times in the Major Arcana. The first is as a crescent in the THE HIGH PRIESTESS card, which depicts a seated priestess with a crescent moon partially veiled by her robes. The second time we see the crescent moon as the epaulettes of the shoulders of the driver of THE CHARIOT and finally with the luminary of THE MOON card.
THE HIGH PRIESTESS represents Duality and the Passive Feminine principle.
The CHARIOT represents the Will and the Active Masculine Principle. The Moon as a luminary shines only with the light it receives from the Sun, and then it cycles through phases from new moon to full moon and so on.
The symbolism of the Two Pillars is strongly depicted in all three cards.
A rich array of symmetries and connections are implied through the association with THE MOON card.
ALCHEMY
Alchemy explores the transformative and mystical processes that turn the base into the sublime, symbolizing the journey from raw essence to spiritual enlightenment. In the context of Tarot, it offers a complimentary framework for interpreting the profound alchemical symbolism embedded within the cards, revealing deeper layers of meaning through the interplay of elemental and metaphysical transformations.
Considering THE HIGH PRIESTESS through the lens of alchemy adds a rich and nuanced perspective to both, highlighting the transformative processes and the integration of dualities—central themes in both alchemy and the symbolism of The High Priestess.
THE VEIL
The veil hanging between them symbolizes the mysteries that separate the ordinary from the true hidden knowledge, which alchemists and THE HIGH PRIESTESS alike seek to unveil and integrate.
WATER IMAGERY (ROBES)
Water is a key alchemical symbol, often representing the feminine principle, the subconscious, and the fluid, mutable nature of reality. The robes flowing like water signify the ever-changing and adaptable nature of the material elements and the necessity of harnessing these principles to achieve transformation.
THE TRIPLE-GODDESS & THE MOON
The moon is intimately connected with alchemy, particularly with the operations necessary to purify and refine the soul. The phases of the moon represent the cyclical nature of alchemical work —nigredo (blackening), albedo (whitening), and rubedo (reddening)—mirroring the transformation from ignorance to enlightenment. The crown’s depiction of the waxing, full, and waning moon aligns with the Triple Goddess (Maiden, Mother, Crone), symbolizing the complete cycle of life and wisdom in which context all transformation occurs.
THE CROSS
In alchemical terms, the cross at the breast symbolizes the conjunction of opposites, a sacred marriage between the material and spiritual realms, the alchemical ‘conjunctio’ or ‘sacred marriage’ that results in the creation of the philosopher’s stone, representing ultimate enlightenment and unity.
KABBALAH & JUDAIC MYSTICISM
GEMATRIA & ALEF-BET
In the Kabbalistic tradition, each letter of the Hebrew Alef-bet is imbued with deep symbolic meaning, extending beyond its literal usage to encompass broader spiritual concepts. The letter Beit (ב), the second in the Hebrew alphabet and corresponding to the number 2, holds a special place in this mystical framework.
Beit represents the concept of shelter, refuge, or a dwelling place, resonating with ideas of protection and sanctity. In the mystical context, it reflects the divine shelter provided to creation, a space specially prepared by the Creator. This aligns with the notion of the universe as a structured, intended creation, where every aspect and entity is inherently desired and has a purpose.
The use of Beit as the first letter in the Torah (in the word “Bereishit” - בְּרֵאשִׁית, meaning “In the beginning”) signifies the commencement of existence and divine intention. It symbolically houses all subsequent revelations, embodying the idea that the physical universe was created as a shelter or home for divine expression and human experience.
The notion of ‘shelter’, ‘tent’ and ‘house’ were synonymous in this tradition.
The High Priestess, seated between the pillars and behind the veil, can be seen as a guardian of sacred knowledge, much like Beit symbolizes the shelter for divine wisdom. Her position in the Tarot, akin to the place of Beit in the sequence of the Alef-bet, underscores her role as the threshold to deeper, esoteric insights.
SEPHIRA & THE KABBALISTIC TREE OF LIFE
The pomegranates on the veil are arranged as per the stations or Sephira on the Kabbalistic Tree of Life.
In Kabbalah, the concept of Kli (כלי), which means “vessel” or “receptacle,” is central to understanding how the divine light is received and contained a notion intrinsically linked to the feminine principle, represented by the sephirah of Binah (Understanding) and is considered the supernal mother. Binah receives the initial spark of insight from Chokhmah (Wisdom) and develops it, giving it form and substance. This process is analogous to the way a mother receives a seed and nurtures it into life, embodying the idea of creation and formation.
Here we encounter a representation through THE HIGH PRIESTESS of the feminine receptive principle through which we can find spiritual sanctuary or shelter, aligning with the Kabbalistic principle that the soul must prepare itself as a vessel (Kli) to receive and hold the divine light.
HERMETIC LAWS & CONCEPTS
THE HIGH PRIESTESS as number 2 (II) conveys several key Hermetic Principles.
THE LAW OF CORRESPONDENCE
We begin with The Law of Correspondence encapsulated by the maxim “As Above, So Below” taken to mean Everything that is, is dual. Everything that is, exists in correspondence, relative and in relation to everything else.
THE LAW OF POLARITY
Additionally, the two pillars also imply The Law of Polarity: Everything that is, has degrees according to polarity. Everything is dual in nature, everything has poles of paired opposites. Existence Persists; Persistence Resists.
The Veil suspended between the two pillars is the seeming infinite spectrum of that which renders what is Unity, into apparent Duality.
The Two Pillars represent the fundamental Duality by which all exists. The fundamental Duality is expressed as a number of Dualities:
Giving & Receiving
Masculine & Feminine
Ebb & Flow
Form & Flow
Yin & Yang
Active & Passive
The implication of the card is one that many students of Hermetics struggle to grasp, that the Duality is both illusory in one sense and indelible in the other, which speaks to the paradoxical nature of duality and the paradoxical human experience, which demands a deeper Understanding of Correspondence, Polarity and Cause & Effect.
THE LAW OF CAUSE & EFFECT
In this context, THE HIGH PRIESTESS is an invitation to an embodiment of the wisdom of straddling paradox with grace, which from a Hermetic perspective is how paradox is transcended. Fundamental to Hermetics is the notion that the upper law is fundamental to and causal of the emergent lower law. Expressed another way, the upper Cause is fundamental to—and causal of—the emergent lower Effect. The project of Hermetics is to provide the light of Reason by which the Logos may be known, by which Life and Nature can be mastered.
Western exploration of Hermetics is inclined towards the masculine aspect of THE MAGICIAN, a subconscious affectation of our patriarchal psychological of authority. True Hermetics is not limited or constrained in this way. THE HIGH PRIESTESS, representing the feminine principles of receptivity, intuition, and passive strength is a vital and essential counterpoint to THE MAGICIAN.
These qualities are essential for true mastery in Hermetics, as they allow for a more complete and holistic approach to understanding, harnessing and embodiment of the universal laws.
ASTROLOGY
THE MOON
THE HIGH PRIESTESS is associated with The Moon through various symbolic elements depicted in the card. This luminary represents intuition, the unconscious, and the ebb and flow of emotions in astrology. The crown of THE HIGH PRIESTESS, symbolizes the connection to these lunar qualities. The moon’s cycles reflect the natural rhythms of life.
The moon’s influence emphasizes the receptive and reflective qualities of THE HIGH PRIESTESS. As the moon reflects the sun’s light, THE HIGH PRIESTESS reflects inner truths and hidden knowledge.
PISCES
While THE HIGH PRIESTESS card is not exclusively linked to one zodiac sign, many Piscean qualities are mirrored by signature and by correspondence. This sign is known for its deep intuition, sensitivity, and connection to the spiritual realm. Pisces is ruled by Neptune, the planet of dreams and mysticism, which enhances these associations.
NEPTUNE
Neptune in astrology is associated with the collective consciousness, idealism, dreams/fantasy, projections, undoing/dissolution of the status quo, evolutions, artistry, empathy, and illusion/confusion/vagueness on the way to discovering universal truths. An exalted expression of these associations is Mysticism.
PLUTO
Additionally, THE HIGH PRIESTESS conveys a link to the Underworld through symbols like the pomegranates (associated with Persephone’s story of abduction and return). Pluto is associated not just with death and oblivion, but also with the potent riches and powerful tectonic forces that we associate with the hidden world below the surface, referred to as the Cthonic realm. The term “cthonic” refers to beings, creatures or spirits that reside under the earth. It is typically used in the context of mythology to describe deities or supernatural entities that are associated with the underworld or simply what is hidden in the earth itself emphasising themes related to the subterranean or the occult.
MYTHOS & LOGOS
ISIS
The robed figure of THE HIGH PRIESTESS card, is reminiscent of Isis, the Egyptian goddess of Magic and Wisdom.
Osiris, the god of agriculture and the afterlife, was a beloved ruler in ancient Egypt. His brother Set, jealous of his power, deceitfully murdered Osiris, who then dismembered his body and scattered the pieces across Egypt to prevent resurrection. Devastated but determined, Isis, Osiris’s wife, embarked on a quest to find and reassemble his body. With the help of her sister Nephthys, Isis successfully retrieved and reassembled all of Osiris's parts, except for one.
The missing part, Osiris’s phallus, had been eaten by a fish. Isis, skilled in magic, crafted a replacement from gold, enabling her to conceive their son, Horus. This act of magical restoration and creation symbolizes not only rebirth and continuity of life but also the triumph of love and order over chaos and destruction.
This central act of resurrection came to symbolise the cycle of life, death, and rebirth, central to Egyptian belief systems.
PERSEPHONE, THE PSYCHOPOMP
The seated figure is also reminiscent of Persephone, the cherished daughter of Demeter, goddess of fertility and harvest, who becomes a pivotal figure in one of the most poignant myths of ancient Greece. Hades, the god of the Underworld, captivated by her beauty, did the unprecedented: he left his shadowy realm to abduct Persephone and make her his queen. As the Underworld was hidden from the other gods, Persephone’s whereabouts remained a mystery, plunging her mother into deep despair. Demeter’s grief halted the cycles of growth and fertility, casting the world into a stark, unyielding winter.
During her captivity, Persephone consumes only six pomegranate seeds—a symbolic act reflecting her reluctance to accept Hades’ hospitality. This act has profound implications. In ancient Greek culture, accepting food from a host linked the guest to the host’s hospitality, a notion that extended beyond nicities. The Ancient Greek customs of hospitality were a code that bound gods, kings, heroes, peasants and maidens to the same law. Conveyed in this custom was an extension of ‘divine sanction’ extended to the host. Eating food in the host’s ‘house’ legitimised the host as ‘master’ of their own domain, and therefore their purview of law and one’s status as ‘guest’, thus binding Persephone to the Underworld. The eventual compromise brokered by the Olympian gods stipulated that Persephone spend one month in the Underworld for each seed she ate, totalling six months each year. This arrangement leads to her dual role as the queen of the Underworld and the embodiment of rebirth and spring upon her return to the surface.
Persephone’s cyclical journey between the worlds above and below accounts for the seasonal shifts from growth to dormancy, symbolising the intrinsic connection between life and death, rebirth and decay. As Persephone reconciles her roles as both the daughter of the harvest and the queen of the dead, she embodies the eternal cycle of the natural world, bridging the living with the mystical, and the seen with the unseen.
This myth not only explains the changing seasons but also enriches the narrative tapestry of Greek mythology, illustrating themes of autonomy, power, and compromise within the dynamics of ancient divine and earthly relationships.
A psychopomp is a guide of souls to the afterlife, and in Greek mythology, Persephone becomes a bridge between the living and the dead. Her unique position as both a resident of the Underworld and a returning deity of springtime growth exemplifies her function as a mediator between two states of being. Through her, the cycles of life and death, and the transitions of souls are given expression and continuity.
INNER REFLECTION
In the contemplative shadows of THE HIGH PRIESTESS, we find ourselves seated at the threshold invited subtly to the profound wisdom of the Divine Feminine, of Receiving and of Flow.
If the masculine principle is penetrative, virile and giving, the feminine is receptive, fertile and receiving.
The serene countenance of THE HIGH PRIESTESS invites us into the essential necessity of this feminine principle.
The veil of sacred knowledge serves both as a keeper of hidden mysteries and as an utterly devoted guide through the paradoxes of existence. Here, beneath her deep gaze, we see the feminine form of mastery—balancing light and shadow, seen and unseen, known and unknown. Wisdom lies not in the stark light of day but in the subtle greys hidden between.
In this presence, we are reminded that all things hold deeper meanings, often veiled, waiting for the patient heart to unveil. We are challenged to look beyond the immediate and the apparent, to see with the inner eye that perceives the golden threads of connection running through all things.
The echoes of Isis and Persephone, whisper an ancient truth about cycles and dualities, about depth and surface, mystery and revelation.
The pomegranate seeds of Persephone’s tale remind us that every choice embeds us deeper into the fabric of our narratives, binding us to the cycles of the world’s eternal dance and the conditions of existence. Meanwhile, Isis’s regal presence is an echo of the work to weave together the scattered pieces of our own divinity, seeking wholeness amid fragmentation.
Reflection of this card and its associations with duality and correspondence form an invitation to honour the duality within —the light and dark, the active and passive, the outer persona and the inner self. The serene feminine stillness and gentle command, become a sanctuary, where true knowledge blossoms— not strident and proud, but graceful and profound, like the secrets of the moon.
Here, we are invited to transcend the mundane and embrace the mystical. We are called to acknowledge our own veiled inner depths, to honour our intuitive selves, and to engage with the spiritual essence that permeates our everyday existence.
The title image depicts a motif called the Triple Goddess, associated with the three interwoven aspects of the divine feminine: The Maiden, The Mother and The Crone, symbolised by the waxing, full and waning phases of the moon, and a depiction of birth, life, death as a function of renewal and flow. Through this we can consider THE HIGH PRIESTESS card as a lens onto the notion of the feminine aspect of the divine as ‘embodiment’, alluding to the role of Nature both as the fertile ‘body’ of the cosmos, and as the receptive consort of the divine masculine creative principle, the fertile mother that gave birth to creation, the embodiment of duality as flow.
If you are interested in joining me for an integrated exploration of your own Archetypes, Symbolism, Mythos, Totems and Astrology via the Hermetic lens, and have an appetite for something deeper and more mature, schedule a call.