Keywords: Intuition, instinct, wisdom. Mysticism. Feminine energy. Subconscious mind. Limbo. Wise person, open to spirituality, connected with the Universe. Sound advice. Collective unconscious. Subconscious. Perceptions. Witch. Teacher. Spiritual person. Celibate female figure. Psychic healing. Enlightenment. Initiation.
It is the dual aspect of the magician, he makes and projects; the priestess integrates, she knows what is there, as her energy is connected to the matrix of reality. She flows in that ancestral and mystical knowledge, she embodies it. Her energy expands and assimilates.
That is why she is number 2.
The priestess is always halfway between the whole and her being. She stands at the threshold where her consciousness becomes unconscious, as the guardian or authority of the passage into our subconscious. She herself is part of the current that moves the world and connects us to all beings, be they of this or other dimensions; that is why she knows because she experiences it with her perception.
If we look at the images of the papesse in the cards, we will discover a common symbolism. The figure is usually framed by two columns (in some Tarot cards they may be trees or something similar in shape to a column) that refer to the side of light and the side of darkness, a symbol that all initiates will know when they begin in the mysteries. Precisely this they indicate, that she is in the middle, again reiterating her neutral position, but totally involved.
Water often appears, this element is related to intuition and to the flow of energies. She will position herself upon these waters, as her energy is divine over the material world. In fact, this can also be symbolised by the colour blue. The colour red can appear symbolising the fire of her spirit. These colours refer to the character’s character; she is a spiritual person, and her spirit or light burns brightly, however, she is governed by strict and spiritual rules, so she may appear cold to deal with. White, the colour of purity and virginity, will also appear. Green or vegetable references, fruits (like the pomegranate) appear to symbolise its generative aspect, its connection to the womb and integral part of creation; together with gold both symbolise eternal life, wealth, empathy and growth. The waning moon also symbolises the mysteries, it is directly related to our subconscious, inviting us to navigate it along with the priestess.
It symbolises initiation, so in a spread it can mean that we are initiating a study or enterprise that will change us, making us grow as people and expand our knowledge to limits that are still unknown. In addition, it also speaks of stability and courage to the next, its mission is to help and heal the spirit. If you ask a fertile woman it can mean an upcoming pregnancy.
She always holds a book but does not look at it because she knows it. In some decks of cards you can find, half hidden, the fourth leg of the magician’s table.
If you use face-down cards in your spreads: It refers to ignorance of wisdom or advice. With hidden plans, usually malicious, the quality of unconditional surrender is dissipated, and there is some confusion in the situation or lies. Swindle. Difficulty in getting pregnant. Refers to a person who is self-absorbed with their spiritual ego, who isolates themselves and has ulterior earthly motives directing them. This can translate into bad advice, useless or unhelpful teachings, submissive with frustration, and passive-aggressive. Possessive and emotionally manipulative person. Harmful magical arts.
Creative visualisation
I use the Arthurian Tarot deck, in this version it is called “The Lady of the Lake”. I arrive at the lake, it is grey, there doesn’t seem to be much life in this scene full of fog and mystery. I dive into the lake and at the bottom there is a light, passing through it I am transported to the shore of the lake. Behind me stands, tall and imposing, the Lady of the Lake, and we strike up a conversation. She tells me that she is the consciousness that survives between worlds, that force that links the mind with the interdimensional spirit. I go back to the lake and I see a sword at the bottom (Excalibur) I try to pull it out but I can’t, I open my eyes again and I’m back on the shore. She is there, blue waves of water are flowing towards her, full of power. I ask her name and she tells me names of goddesses, ending by saying that she is “The one who conquered her fire, in spirit, and travels without fear of getting lost. We continue talking and she reminds me that the sword is within me and I see it.
