🌈 Learn Tarot with our Free App 🔮
Click here to get tarot journal, lenormand, astrology & more

✦  ✦  ✦

The High Priestess Meaning - Major Arcana Tarot Card Meanings

By Tina Gong

Published

High Priestess Keywords

Upright Keywords Reversed Keywords
unconscious, intuition, mystery, spirituality, higher power, inner voice repressed intuition, hidden motives, superficiality, confusion, cognitive dissonance
Skip to Upright Meaning Skip to Reversed Meaning
High Priestess Meaning - Original Rider Waite Tarot Depiction

The High Priestess Tarot Card Description

You've most likely encountered the High Priestess before, but in other forms - she can be seen in the archetypes of Persephone, Artemis, Isis and many more. When you encounter her, you will see her sitting on a cubic stone between the two pillars at Solomon’s Temple, Jachin, and Boaz. Jachin (right) is generally referred to as the Pillar of Establishment and Boaz (left) is the Pillar of Strength. The pillars also depict the duality of nature; masculine and feminine, good and evil, negative and positive.

The High Priestess's location between the two suggests that it is her responsibility to serve as a mediator between the depths of the reality. She is the third pillar - the path between. She believes that both pillars are equal and there is knowledge to be learned in both worlds. You will also notice that she wears the crown of Isis which can mean that she is a believer of magic. The high priestess wearing of the solar cross denotes that she is connected to the season of the earth and the earth itself. The crescent moon at her feet is seen also in many depictions of the Virgin Mary, and means that she has a complete grasp over her emotion and the pomegranates refer to the ambition of the priestess.

Go Beyond Tarot Meanings

Learn the basics of the ancient esoteric tradition of tarot by starting your initiation ritual! Our app teaches you with simple, easy to use exercises while exploring our academy. Sign up to get the link!

Upright High Priestess Meaning

The meaning of the High Priestess is related with inner knowledge. Her appearance in a reading can signify that it is time for you to listen to your intuition rather than prioritizing your intellect and conscious mind. When the High Priestess shows up it can depict an archetype known as the divine feminine - the mysterious female that understands and holds the answers to the deep unknowns; religion, self, nature. She represents someone that is intuitive, and beginning to open to her or his spirituality. Meditation, prayer and new spiritual work is indicated. 

Her appearance in a reading can signify that it is time for you to listen to your intuition rather than prioritizing your intellect and conscious mind.

The card itself shows a night-time scene, meaning that the world in which she protects and guards is one that may at first seem frightening, but has the potential to lead us into the growth of the self. When she appears in a reading, she is calling to you to listen to her message, and follow her into your own depths. There is searching within yourself to be done for the answers that you seek. The answers to the questions you have are within, not without.

Upright Love Meaning Upright Career Meaning Upright Finances Meaning
remain patient in love, calm exterior with inner passion, intimacy education, creative inspiration, guide, mentor, use instincts keeping your financial situation private

Upright High Priestess Meaning: Love

The High Priestess in a love tarot reading can signal almost imperceptible and unconscious changes in one's emotional state. A calm surface can hide intense emotions, and even seemingly simple dates can turn into raging passions. The High Priestess tarot love meaning suggests that one needs patience, and trust for your intuition. Be honest with others and yourself, and let what is hidden come to the surface.

In a relationship, the High Priestess shows increasing intimacy and openness. In a love tarot reading, this card signals that honesty is essential to making your relationship as strong as it can be.

Career Meaning - Upright High Priestess

When it comes to your career, the High Priestess may signal a period of education or higher learning. You may be returning to school for training. If you’re in a creative field, this card also can suggest new inspiration coming into your work. When making big choices about your future career or projects, the High Priestess also suggests relying on your gut instincts. There’s likely a lot of information there that will aid you. At times, this card can also signal the appearance of a mentor or guide that can help you progress further in your work.

Finances Meaning - Upright High Priestess

Since the High Priestess is related to mystery and the unknown, be wary of discussing your finances with others. This card suggests keeping your financial situation hidden. Alternatively, if you’re being presented with the opportunity to put your finances into use, your intuition will know whether this is a good choice or not. Take some time to probe your feelings; if there are red-flags, something won’t feel right. Listen to those feelings.

Reversed High Priestess Meaning

When it comes to the High Priestess reversed, it can mean that you are finding it difficult to listen to your intuition. It is time for you to meditate and try new approach, for at this moment, the rational approach will not work. Something has been telling you to follow your gut, but you may be ignoring the call. There is a lot of confusion around you, and your actions may feel contrary to what you know is right. You must never be afraid to ask questions of yourself that may illuminate a new path forward for you, one that is more authentic to your inner self and your individual values.

Reversed Love Meaning Reversed Career Meaning Reversed Finances Meaning
ignoring intuition in romance, hiding true self with lover feeling isolated, lacking project information, rejecting intuition lack of information, not knowing all the facts

Reversed High Priestess Meaning: Love

The High Priestess is the guardian of your intuition, indicating that it can be a powerful indicator that you will need to trust your feelings when it comes to love and romance. Difficulties can develop when you ignore your intuition and follow only your conscious mind. The High Priestess love meaning can also signal that you must be careful to be truly honest. Avoid taking action or saying words to simply please your lover. This leads to nothing but resentment.

Career Meaning - Reversed High Priestess

You may not have all the information when it comes to your work situation right now. Have people kept you in the dark? Because of this, you can feel alone and perhaps out of touch with your coworkers. It may also be that when it comes to making career decisions, you’re not listening to your intuition. Are you choosing to trust a business associate despite a gut feeling that they don’t have the best intentions for you? Are you staying in a job you despise despite your intuition telling you that this one isn’t meant for you? This card can also suggest a colleague who has hidden agendas; be wary of others. A warm demeanor may hide danger.

Finances Meaning - Reversed High Priestess

Are you in the process of signing contracts, taking loans, getting a mortgage, or investing in something? There may be some details that you’re missing. The High Priestess reversed in a financial tarot meaning can suggest that you don’t quite have all the information you need to make a proper, educated decision. Make sure you have someone you can trust, and that can give you all the facts.

High Priestess Meaning Tarot Cheat Sheet

High Priestess Meaning - Tarot Card Meanings Cheat Sheet



Labyrinthos Academy Crest: Tarot for Health, Wellness and Psychological Balance

Shop Labyrinthos Products

Items that may be of interest to you


Labyrinthos Academy Crest: Learn Tarot with a Modern Twist Labyrinthos: A Tarot School for Witches and Wizards

Sign Up for Free Tarot Classes

Labyrinthos is an online tarot school that aims to bring the ancient ritual of tarot for a modern practice.

Sign up now to begin your initiation ritual ✨

Choose where to Share Website Share Labyrinthos to Facebook Share Labyrinthos to Twitter Share Labyrinthos on Email
Go to Top