The High Priestess Tarot Card: Symbolism, Interpretation & Reversed Meaning

The High Priestess is the feminine keeper of magic in the tarot, guiding us into the depths of our inner world. She follows The Magician in the Fool’s Journey, which is the symbolic story of spiritual evolution told through the Major Arcana. As the second point of separation, she represents the Fool's journey inward, encouraging stillness, reflection, and trust in the unseen.

Symbolism and Imagery of The High Priestess Tarot Card

The meaning of the High Priestess tarot card represents our connection to the subconscious mind and the potential for deep healing and transformation that lives within this space. In the Rider-Waite tarot deck, she sits between two temple pillars with a veil draped behind her. This veil is symbolic of the unseen—the subconscious realms we can only access when we embrace stillness. Her presence between the pillars shows her ability to hold duality and remain centred in mystery and liminality.

In the Robin Wood tarot, she is seated between two bare trees, which echoes the appearance of winter. But just as winter trees are not dead, only resting, so too does The High Priestess remind us that stillness is not stagnation. She holds both a crystal ball and a book, her tools of intuition and wisdom, which reveal her ability to see beyond the physical. She embraces the darkness and uses it as fertile ground for growth, even when nothing seems to be blossoming above the surface.

The Upright Meaning of The High Priestess Tarot Card

When The High Priestess appears upright in a tarot reading, she asks you to get comfortable with the unknown. You may be in a liminal space, which is a period of transition, waiting, or emotional uncertainty. Rather than rushing to the next chapter, she invites you to slow down and explore what’s present within the darkness. Even if it feels uncomfortable! This is a sacred pause, where healing happens beneath the surface.

The High Priestess invites you to lean into this darkness. What parts of yourself are asking for attention and compassion? What unmet needs can you begin to gently meet for yourself right now? The High Priestess invites you to turn to your spiritual practices—whether that’s journaling, meditation, tarot, or something entirely your own. This is your time to anchor into practices that help you feel connected to something greater than yourself.

She may also appear when you're being asked to embody your intuitive or feminine power. Regardless of gender identity, we all hold this inner wisdom. The High Priestess embodies the Sacred Being, reminding us to trust our gut feelings and inner knowing. If you’ve been feeling called towards a ritual or spiritual path, now may be the time to explore it. She is a gentle but powerful reminder that magic flows from within, and that your intuition is worthy of trust.

The High Priestess in Reverse

Reverse cards in tarot don’t have any one meaning! This is something to play around with in your readings and see what resonates most in your meaning. Pay attention to where this card sits in the spread, as this will inform what reverse means for you.

Shadow Side

When The High Priestess is reversed, it can mean you're receiving intuitive nudges, but you're not acting on them. You may be dwelling in your inner world without grounding it in practical steps. She appears to snap you back to the present moment, reminding you that insight is only powerful when it's followed by aligned action. Don’t ignore your inner voice—listen, trust, and move with intention.

An Obstacle on Your Path

Here, The High Priestess may show up when you’re resisting a time of stillness. You may feel frustrated by a lack of external movement, trying to force outcomes that aren't ready to emerge. She’s asking you to surrender to what is, and to trust that this season of life is rich with meaning, even if it doesn't look productive from the outside. Create space for ritual, reflection, and listening—because the answers you’re seeking are already within you.

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