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High Priestess Tarot Card
Temperance tarot card

Card reading

High Priestess

 
 
 

High Priestess Tarot Card Meaning

The high priestess is the ultimate symbol of balance and manifestation.

If you receive the High Priestess in your reading then the time has come for you to understand the balance necessary to get what you want out of life. She is the mystery of the mother, of the moon and of life. The High Priestess is a guiding card, telling you that right now you are on a path of enlightenment. It can represent multiple aspects of your life showing a true understanding of your own wants and needs. Now is the time to follow on your instincts and trust that internal feeling. You know you better than anyone else and that means that you also know what is best for you. It is okay to seek counsel or advice from others but make sure that their wants for you are not overshadowing what your own heart tells you.

The deeper meanings of the High Priestess card is strong as sits in between a black pillar (symbolic of the negative life force) and a white pillar (symbolic of positive life force) and balances the two. On her lap is the Torah which means ‘Divine Law,’ something that isn’t meant for all to see. When you receive the High Priestess, you can expect the question to be shrouded in a great mystery that can be attainable if you allow yourself to practice listening to your intuition. The High Priestess can be a great ally in discovery for she is connected with the moon (evidenced by the Moon Crown on her head) which is often shrouded in illusion and mystery making it difficult for us to see straight. Often times this card will come up when one is trying to understand a situation that is convoluted. You can ask the High Priestess for help and then practice listening for her advice.

Listening for spiritually intuitive advice allows for communication with your consciousness and the world of pure experience. One must find time to quiet the mind and have patience as well as trust that the process will help you and then the truth will come over you like a sun rising over the horizon. This may take some time to perfect, as it is a practice like anything else, but the High Priestess is the manifestation of the desires of the Magician. She is the connecting force between the heavens and the Earth. Depend on her to bless your Will.

The High Priestess in Love (upright)

The pomegranates behind the High Priestess are symbolic of feminine energy and the palm leaves are symbolic of masculine energy, thus also making her the ‘go to’ energy, this is the reminder that all energies around us are both masculine as well as feminine. This helps a lot when it comes to relationships. The High Priestess shows up when in Love someone does not know how you feel. Even deeper, when the High Priestess shows up in relation to a reading on love one must accept the possibility that not all is being seen in the relationship as you are suppose to. She helps solve issues where there is a disagreement between partners, she assists by providing intuition that enables partners to communicate and get to the center of the issue. The key always with the High Priestess is to know that she has something to tell you which is very important, that you will not understand without her assistance and then make sure to listen. In matters of the heart this is doubly important. To find out more about the high priestess in love readings click here

Warning: She Is The Affair Card (upright)

A note of warning with the High Priestess is that she can also be guiding you to seek out the truth in a relationship. If you have concern in your relationship it is exceptionally important to follow your instincts, but to do so in a way that is not a detriment to you or the relationship. Just because you have a feeling of insecurity does not mean that your partner is cheating on you. Often we are sensitive to specific issues but the situation is not as dire as it seems. Take advice from surrounding cards to get a clear idea of what is going on in love before acting or jumping to conclusions.

Depending on the love reading, I sometimes call this card “the Inappropriate affair warning” card. To me, this card represents a passionate relationship but sometimes morally “wrong” relationship. Think of: your best friend's husband, that married guy next door, or the old Manager you worked with. 

Maybe a situationship or simply more about wanting someone to be more than they can be, emotional-availability wise. When we are afraid of intimacy, we may choose Mr. or Ms. emotionally unavailable. If the focus of our affection is an emotional stuff that is going on with you right now.

The High Priestess As Feelings (upright)

Despite being an elegant lady, she holds all her cards close to her chest. When asking about feelings, this card has this energy. The feelings can get lost in the dark with her, secret passages, not replying to texts and locked diaries. When things go wrong for her, she asks "who's fault is this?". Her true feelings are hidden from you. When you ask the tarot cards "what he feels about you", he stays silent. In his mind, he likely feels that he wants to "tilt" the balance in some way, and that he knows what you are thinking from his inner knowing and psychic understanding. 

In many ways this card represents the feelings of a platonic relationship but also that the potential lover is willing to explore that beyond the friendship realms. The high priestess is in charge, but her feelings fluctuate, as if in a cycle. Like the moon phases, or seasons. A reversed high priestess for feelings is linked to Isis (the Virgin) and can show that self-sacrifice is coming.

The High Priestess As Love Reconciliation (upright)

This card symbolizes the wisdom of knowing when to keep your feelings close while still maintaining a connection between two people. It's a reminder that sharing your innermost thoughts and emotions with someone can sometimes be hard, but that's part of what makes a relationship strong. She also stresses the importance of tolerance, comprehension, and receptivity, all of which are crucial aspects if you want to be  with this person again.  The reason I mention this is because the high priestess knows about secrets, and hardships when it comes to love but chooses to hide emotions. So thank your lucky stars she has appeared, because there is still a possibility that this love will return unexpectedly.

The High Priestess in Health (upright)

The High Priestess appears when it is necessary to focus on matters such as reproductive health. Due to her balancing abilities, she can be an excellent patron helper for birth control, or producing the proper reproductive hormones, balancing estrogen and testosterone. If there is confusion within this section of the body, ask the High Priestess for help to remove the shadows that darken that area so that the trouble can be brought to light.

The High Priestess in Work, Money, Business, Career, and Wealth (upright)

The High Priestess helps in matters of business and wealth in the sense that if you are about to get into a business with someone else, or are going through legal issues; she will help you to shed light on all that you are not aware of. This could mean paperwork that you need to sign that you weren’t aware of will come up, or the proper assistance to get your business up and running will just show up. Expect clarity and certainty in matters of business. The High Priestess clears out the sullied waters so that they shine with the vision of your future.

The High Priestess As An Action (upright)

There are times in our lives when we feel lost and uncertain, a tarot reading can help in these difficult times. As an action meaning, the High Priestess tarot card focuses on keeping secrets, pulling back, pausing, and observing. In some cases, being clueless can give us a fresh perspective and new insight into the unknown. If you are feeling lost, don't hesitate to ask your “inner guide” assistance is the message of drawing this card. You can always count on yourself to guide you back on track. Intuition, self-reflection, and awareness are all aspects of the meaning of the wonderful High Priestess Tarot card.

The High Priestess As A Person (upright)

In a tarot reading, the High Priestess represents someone who is highly intuitive and in touch with their spiritual side. If I am reading for a client I feel she is very wise and can provide guidance to others. Despite living in her own little world, she doesn't need anyone's approval. Feelings of calm and peace can be represented by the High Priestess. 

The High Priestess As A Yes Or No (upright)

In my tarot work the High Priestess represents a “Yes” answer upright. Whenever I need a straight answer, I've always trusted this card when it has appeared in my reading. Like the character in the shining, I picture her as a blank canvas, guiding me with a gentle whisper. I have always relied on the high priestess as a “No” indicator when reversed. I'm not sure I'll ever be able to fully explain why I trust her in these matters, but I do. I find myself expecting her to appear for advice on anything from small decisions to big ones, somehow transferring energy from her blank canvas to mine. Whenever I need guidance...or at least someone to lean on when I feel uncertain, she has become a kind of omniscient character in my tarot readings and shines through. To find out more about the high priestess in love readings click here

The High Priestess In The Past Position (upright)

The High Priestess that appears in the past position of a tarot reading carries a long-held, popular belief that anything hidden was revealed by looking deeply enough. In order to better guide ourselves into the future, we should look back and reflect on our actions and intentions from the past. 

The High Priestess In The Present Position (upright)

A stunning blonde haired High Priestess appears on my tarot card with a slow and tranquil nature. Trusting our intuition and following it without fear will lead us down a path of transformation and renewal. For the past this card says you have not given too much away.

The High Priestess In The Future Position or Outcome (upright)

In a tarot reading, the high priestess in the future position indicates deep inner wisdom, reflection, and a connection to the celestial world. This card often represents the Egyptian goddess Isis, known as the mother of creation, and suggests that despite our inability to control our fate, we can move forward with confidence through contemplation and acceptance. In my readings this card appears when we need to keep our emotions to ourself and shows psychic work or spiritual develoment.

The High Priestess In The Family or Friendship (upright)

To pull the high priestess in a friendship or family position is associated with relationships. It indicates that you need balance and harmony. I often see this card appear when there has been some conflict in the past. Our lives can be balanced and stabilized when we invest in meaningful relationships, as represented by the High Priestess tarot card. By investing time together or showing appreciation for one another, it may serve as a reminder in this spread position to nurture our friendships and not take them for granted.

 

The High Priestess Reversed

The High Priestess In Reversed Position

When you receive the High Priestess in the reversed position, this is symbolic that you are completely detached from your intuition. Messages are being sent to you, but you are experiencing a block due to a lack of desire and momentum. The best advice that the High Priestess in Reverse has to offer is that it is time to open up your chakras and allow the spirit to move through you. Meditate, meditate, meditate!

Love and Romance - The High Priestess Reversed

Are the actions of your partner or a love interest hard to understand? It can seem that the motivations of others are unclear to you, like you’re seeing everything through a veil, leaving you feeling annoyed. 

Family and Home - The High Priestess Reversed

I often see this card as bickering and minor fall outs, it can mean the home is stressful. Think things over and putting in place new boundaries that avoid conflict and make everybody feel comfortable; when you’re all ease, harmony will naturally restore like calm after the storm.

Work and Finances - The High Priestess Reversed

I don't want to freak you out, but be extra vigilant with your finances and be sure that no one is being deceitful in your place of work. If you are currently considering making a big financial commitment, such as buying a home or going on holiday, make sure you have full clarity and disclosure before proceeding. This card  reminds you that honesty is truly the best policy.

Health and Wellness - The High Priestess Reversed

If you’ve been dealing with repressed emotions now may be the time to seek out a therapist to work through these feelings, like changing your focus and what is important, it will make you feel better. Working through your old problems will make you feel better and help you move forward with your life. And, don’t forget, you should always try to work towards what you want in life.

The High Priestess Reversed - Personal Spirituality

I always find that when the card comes out for our own personal growth or spirituality then something is blocked. This is likely unintentional, perhaps you have become wrapped up in daily life and have been missing the signals? This card, is urging you to pay extra attention to messages from your subconscious, they may come in the form of dreams or stray thoughts - your angels are probably trying to tell you something, you simply need to listen. 

The High Priestess Upright Meanings in Keywords

  • Spiritual protection
  • Passive
  • Calmness
  • Being open
  • Mystery
  • No action
  • Sexual overtones

The High Priestess Reversed Meanings in Keywords

  • Secrets 
  • Blockage Spiritually
  • Passive
  • Aggressive
  • Lack of peace

Temperance

 

 
 

Temperance Tarot Card Meaning

In my readings this card is about balance. It normally appears when life is going to be okay. Temperance calls to question your true priorities in life and requires that you be sure that you are not the one blocking your own success by stretching yourself too thin or unwilling to meet in the middle on a significant issue. This is a card to hard to see things from the universe’s perspective and understand that the tarot is not pointing a finger at you directly, but merely trying to guide you to lessen your load. Taking on too much or too little can be detrimental to your purpose at this time.

Temperance by its very meaning is a bending of ones will to direction of the almighty. The card depicts this through multiple layers of symbolism. Usually noticed first is how the card shows a cup, and in some decks an archangel (often said to be Michael) mixing water between two chalices as a representation of balance between the elements and the dissolution of the liquids between each other. On my card, a lady is reaching up to the universe in order to find balance. A commonly missed symbolism is the feet of the angel, one in the water and one upon the land which reinforces the concept of balance and of both body and mind. Many querants will be reactive to this card, because often it is shining light on a flaw within them or within a relationship that they are seeking to develop.

Temperance in Love

When seeking advice from the tarot about love and relationships, the Temperance card indicates a need for balance in either the relationship your relationship. If you are currently single then the card is more direct and states that there is likely something blocking you from love in your life and usually represents the fact that you are giving too much in another area. For example, you are looking for love but are you really ready for it? Are there other commitments in your life such as work or family that are holding you back and taking too many resources and creating a situation where you are unlikely to be successful?

Temperance As Feelings

In a relationship reading for feelings, the temperance card will show a need for balance between both individuals. This card is drawn when compromise and compassion are needed between two people. It is a positive card that tells you that this relationship is worth the extra effort at this time.

The Temperance tarot card can also signal a balance between fire and water. It reflects that we all have the power to control our emotions, even when things around us seem chaotic. It speaks of suppressed feelings and holding back on expressing people in order to maintain peace.

Temperance in Health

In regards to health and wellness, the Temperance card is an omen that you need to either take it back or turn it up a notch. Both ends of the spectrum can be bad for one’s health, being slothful or being too lax with your health can be just as bad as overexerting yourself or doing too much. We usually see this card when health issues are on the rise and it is likely that you have already noticed deterioration in your wellness in some way. The positive news is that it is not too late to do something positive and see improvement. Think of this as a warning to take a keen look at your own mind and body and see where additional care needs to be taken. The answer will be quite obvious as rarely ever does someone in peak physical condition pull this card. If you feel however that physical health is not a problem, it is also indicative of mental health and can do not ignore signs or symptoms of anxiety, depression, or overindulgent behavior.

Temperance in Work and Wealth

Right now you need to take your money and put it under your mattress and be careful of taking risks. While the card itself means balance, more often than not when it comes to money and career it is a sign to take a step back and be more conservative with your income. It’s a touchy time for you to be taking huge risks in either avenue of your life. You need to be very careful with actions you take and possibilities that seem to arise at this time are not as good as they seem. Often this card will show that it is a good time to wait on an opportunity that arises, stating that with patience you will see a better one down the road that will pan out more fruitfully for you. A rule of thumb with the Temperance card and financial aspects be it money or work is: If it’s too good to be true… it probably is.

 

Temperance reversed tarot card

Reversed Temperance in a reading

In the reversed position indicates a personal balance is needed and the card is usually more internal than external. Rather than looking around and pointing fingers at others, now is an excellent time to see where you personally can scale back, create harmony in a rough situation, or literally suck it up. With the reversal of Temperance we see an even wider swing of negativity around as well. Health problems you have require more attentive care, financial problems need to be curbed immediately, and in relationships you need to seek the truth of the matter before making a decision. Often this card is drawn when a person is in a downward spiral situation and is unable to see the rational side of the problem. You need to stop and ask yourself where you could use assistance in your life to get back on track and possibly consider seeking advice from others to turn your perspective to a more productive and healthy outlook.