The High Priestess (II) in the Rider-Waite-Smith deck

The High Priestess (II) is a trump card in the tarot deck. Tarot trumps are often called "Major Arcana" by tarot card readers. In the first tarots with inscriptions, the 18th-century woodcut Marseille Tarot, this figure is crowned with the Papal tiara and labelled "La Papesse", the Popess. For historians or heresiologists, such a figure suggests the female equality practiced among the Cathar perfect, who had been extirpated from Northern Italy and Southern France, where the Tarot first appeared. Image File history File links RWS-02-High_Priestess. ... Image File history File links RWS-02-High_Priestess. ... The most popular Tarot deck today is probably what is confusingly known as the Rider-Waite-Smith, Rider-Waite, Waite-Smith, Waite-Colman Smith or simply the Rider deck. ... In card games, trumps frequently figure in trick-taking games such as bridge, euchre, and spades. ... Look up tarot in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... The Major Arcana (Trumps Major, Major Trumps) of the Tarot deck consists of 22 cards. ... The Papal Tiara, also known as the Triple Tiara, or in Latin as the Triregnum, and in Italian as the Triregno, is the three-tiered jewelled papal crown, supposedly of Byzantine and Persian origin, that is a symbol of the Roman Catholic papacy. ... Heresy, according to the Oxford English Dictionary, is a theological or religious opinion or doctrine maintained in opposition, or held to be contrary, to the ‘catholic’ or orthodox doctrine of the Christian Church, or, by extension, to that of any church, creed, or religious system, considered as orthodox. ... The Cathars, also known as the Albigensians, were adherent to the beliefs of Catharism. ...

Description and symbolism

Some frequent keywords used by tarot readers are:

• Intuition ----- Nonaction ----- Mystery ----- Calmness ----- Silence

• Inner voice ----- Deep understanding ----- Discretion ----- Sensitivity

• Distance ----- Stability ----- Wisdom ----- Unconscious knowledge

• Patience ----- Looking inward ----- Contemplation ----- Subjective mind

In the modern Rider-Waite-Smith Tarot deck many occultist symbols have been applied to La Papesse (illustration). She now has the lunar crescent at her feet, a horned diadem centering a globe on her head, and a large cross on her breast. The scroll in her hands is inscribed with the word Tora, signifying the Greater Law, the Secret Law and the second sense of the Word. It is partly covered by her mantle, to show that some things are implied and some spoken. She is seated between the white and black pillars—'J' and 'B' for Jachin and Boaz—of the mystic Temple of Solomon, and the veil of the Temple is behind her: it is embroidered with palms and pomegranates. The style is influenced by Art Nouveau. The most popular Tarot deck today is probably what is confusingly known as the Rider-Waite-Smith, Rider-Waite, Waite-Smith, Waite-Colman Smith or simply the Rider deck. ... For other uses of this term, see occult (disambiguation). ... This article is about a type of crown called a diadem; for alternate meanings, see Diadem. ... Torah () is a Hebrew word meaning teaching, instruction, or law. It is the central and most important document of Judaism revered by Jews through the ages. ... Boaz and Jachin were the name of the two pillars that stood on the eastern porch of Solomons Temple, the first temple in Jerusalem (1 Kings 7:21; 2 Kings 11:14; 23:3). ... Solomons Temple was the first Jewish temple in Jerusalem which functioned as a religious focal point for worship and the sacrifices known as the korbanot in ancient Judaism. ... Binomial name Punica granatum L. The Pomegranate (Punica granatum) is a fruit-bearing deciduous shrub or small tree growing to 5–8 m tall. ... Poster by Alfons Mucha Art Nouveau (IPA: , anglicised ) (French for new art) is an international style of art, architecture and design that peaked in popularity at the beginning of the 20th century. ...

Interpretation

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Image File history File links Information. ...

Kabbalistic Approach

She has been called occult Science on the threshold of the Sanctuary of Isis, but she is really the Secret Church, the House which is of God and man. She represents also the Second Marriage of the Prince who is no longer of this world; she is the spiritual Bride and Mother, the daughter of the stars and the Higher Garden of Eden. She is, in fine, the Queen of the borrowed light, but this is the light of all. She is the Moon nourished by the milk of the Supernal Mother.

La Papesse in the Marseille Tarot: the originals were coloured by hand

In a manner, she is also the Supernal Mother herself—that is to say, she is the bright reflection. It is in this sense of reflection that her truest and highest name in bolism is Shekinah—the co-habiting glory. According to Kabalism, there is a Shekinah both above and below. In the superior world it is called Binah, the Supernal Understanding which reflects to the emanations that are beneath. In the lower world it is MaIkuth—that world being, for this purpose, understood as a blessed Kingdom that with which it is made blessed being the Indwelling Glory. Mystically speaking, the Shekinah is the Spiritual Bride of the just man, and when he reads the Law she gives the Divine meaning. There are some respects in which this card is the highest and holiest of the Major Arcana. Image File history File links The Tarot de Marseille: II La Papesse. ... Image File history File links The Tarot de Marseille: II La Papesse. ... Shekinah (שכינה - alternative transliterations Shechinah, Shekhina, Shechina) is the English spelling of the Hebrew language word that means the glory or radiance of God, or God resting in his house or Tabernacle amongst his people. ... The tree of life Kabbalah (קבלה Reception, Standard Hebrew Qabbala, Tiberian Hebrew Qabbālāh; also written variously as Cabala, Cabalah, Cabbala, Cabbalah, Kabala, Kabalah, Kabbala, Qabala, Qabalah) is a religious philosophical system claiming an insight into divine nature. ... Binah is the third Sefirah on the tree of life. ... This page may meet Wikipedias criteria for speedy deletion. ...

(Binah and MaIkuth are two of the sephiroth in the gnostic belief.) Sephirah, also Sefirah (Hebrew language סְפִירָה Enumeration); plural Sephiroth or Sefiroth סְפִירוֹת. In the Kabbalah, the Sephiroth (or Enumerations) are the ten emanations of God (or infinite light: Ain Soph Aur) into the universe. ... This article or section is in need of attention from an expert on the subject. ...

On a more mundane level, the High Priestess is a figure who has passed through most of life. She started as a novice when a child. Now She has grown and governs the convent which is Spiritual Reality. She knows God. She knows what we go through because She has been through it Herself. But She is also very strict. Laws are in place to stop the new set of novices from hurting themselves.

Mythopoetic Approach

Other schools of thought associate the High Priestess with intuitive knowledge. The water that flows from her gown is the collective unconscious, and flows through most of the cards of the Pamela Coleman Smith Tarot.

The bow at her feet explicitly evokes with Artemis. Artemis is not merely the Moon, twin sister of Apollo, the Sun; she may be one of the oldest goddesses in Europe. Her name comes from a root word meaning “bear,” and may be linked to the divinity on the oldest cave paintings we have. It is also connected to Arthur, King of the Britains, the once and future king, marking her as another consort of the divine king. // This article is a disambiguation page about the first name. ...

She is often shown wearing the crown of Isis and Hathor; the waxing, full, and waning moon. This demonstrates one of the ways life survives death; through taking on new forms. :This article discusses the ancient goddess. ... Statue of Hathor (Luxor Museum) In Egyptian mythology, Hathor (Egyptian for house of Horus) was originally a personification of the Milky Way, which was seen as the milk that flowed from the udders of a heavenly cow. ...

She is often shown sitting between two columns, one black, one white. This represents all dualities, light and dark, good and evil day night, summer and winter. She knows that dualities are useful abstractions but can blind us to the underlying wholeness of reality and the need to integrate them.

In some decks, the columns are labeled “B” and “J.” These letters were inscribed on two columns of Solomon’s Temple. The original meaning is controversial, though there are some who say that on the tarot card, they represent Baal and Jehovah; two paths to wisdom. If that is true, Baal may bring back in the Moon, as he was the spouse of Astarte, the Queen of Heaven, and a moon goddess. Jehovah was a god of light; Baal a lord of the night, another duality the High Priestess stands athwart.

As mentioned above, the High Priestess is Shekhinah, the female indwelling presence of the divine.

The High Priestess is associated with Key 11, Justice and Key 20 Judgement through their cross sums (the sum of the digits). There are those who say that the columns represent Justice and Mercy, reminding us that justice is not merely the imposition of the judgment of the powerful onto conflicts, but must be levied with mercy to deserve the title of Justice. Justice (XI) Justice (XI) is a Major Arcana Tarot card. ... Judgement (XX) Judgement (XX) is a Major Arcana Tarot card. ...

Typically, the High Priestess holds the Torah on her lap. She is not merely the mistress of hidden wisdom, she has read the words and knows their deeper meaning. Generally, unlike The Magician, she does not explore the world in order to master it, but in order to understand it. That understanding often leads to the temptation of mastery. Torah () is a Hebrew word meaning teaching, instruction, or law. It is the central and most important document of Judaism revered by Jews through the ages. ... Categories: Stub ...

She is also associated thematically with The Moon. She can lead to deep wisdom, but can also lead to madness. The Moon (XVIII) The Moon (XVIII) is a Major Arcana Tarot card. ...

The pomegranates associate her with Persephone, the Queen of the Underworld and another example of the Dying God whose annual rebirth renews the world. From time to time, Persephone intercedes on the part of visitors to the Underworld, embodying Mercy.

Note that the motif that hangs behind the High Priestess’s throne, veiling what ever mysteries she guards, is suggested in the pattern of The Empress’ gown. The two are sisters, one bringing life into the world, the other inviting the living to the esoteric mysteries. The Empress (III) The Empress (III) is a Major Arcana Tarot card. ...

When she appears in a spread, she typically counsels the Querent to seek new paths and hidden paths to wisdom. She can also be a warning to interrogate the lessons of the unconscious. It does not always lead us to wisdom.

She also warns the Querent to question how he or she has divided up the world; to test the judgments made in the past against the world as we have come to know it.

Alternative decks

In the Vikings Tarot the High Priestess is Frigg, the wife of Odin. She is sitting on a throne in a swamp, with her golden slippers omitting a blinding light from the hem of her dress. The Vikings Tarot or Tarocchi Vichinghi is a tarot-deck created by Manfredi Toraldo for the Italian publisher Lo Scarabeo. ... Frigg spinning the clouds In Norse mythology, Frigg (Eddas) or Frigga (Gesta Danorum) was said to be foremost among the goddesses, 1 the wife of Odin, queen of the Æsir, and goddess of the sky. ... Odin (Old Norse Óðinn) is considered the chief god in Norse mythology and Norse paganism, like the Anglo-Saxon Woden it is decended from Proto-Germanic *Wōdinaz or *Wōđanaz. ...

In the Golden Tarot the High Priestess is portrayed as Pope Joan with reference to the older tradition of the card being called The Papess (The Female Pope). The Golden Tarot is a popular and critially acclaimed modern Tarot deck that follows the tradition of the Rider-Waite-Smith deck. ... The Papess, a Marseilles tarot card of the 18th century, which depicts a female Pope. ...

Trivia

Boss character will be featured in House of the Dead 5. A typical compact effects pedal. ...

References

• A. E. Waite's 1910 Pictorial Key to the Tarot
• Hajo Banzhaf, Tarot and the Journey of the Hero (2000)
• Most works by Joseph Campbell
• G. Ronald Murphy, S.J., The Owl, The Raven, and The Dove: Religious Meaning of the Grimm's Magic Fairy Tales (2000)
• Riane Eisler, The Chalice and the Blade (1987)
• Mary Greer, The Women of the Golden Dawn
• Merlin Stone, When God Was A Woman
• Robert Graves, Greek Mythology
• Harold Bloom, Jesus and Yahweh: The Names Divine (2005)

Arthur Edward Waite (October 2, 1857 _ May 19, 1942) was an occultist and co-creator of the Rider-Waite Tarot deck. ... The Pictorial Key to the Tarot is A. E. Waites influential guide to Tarot symbolism, published in 1910 in conjunction with the Rider-Waite-Smith deck. ...

External links

• "Popess" cards from many decks and articles to "Popess" iconography
• The History of the High Priestess (Papess) Card from The Hermitage
• The High Priestess from Answers.Com

This article incorporates text from the public domain 1910 book Pictorial Key to the Tarot by Arthur Edward Waite. Please feel free to update the text. [1] The Major Arcana (Trumps Major, Major Trumps) of the Tarot deck consists of 22 cards. ... The Fool from the Rider-Waite Tarot deck The Fool (0) is one of the 78 cards in a Tarot deck. ... The Magician (I) The Magician (I) is a Major Arcana Tarot card. ... The Empress (III) The Empress (III) is a Major Arcana Tarot card. ... The Emperor (IV) The Emperor (IV) is a Major Arcana Tarot card. ... The Hierophant (V) The Hierophant (V) is a Major Arcana Tarot card. ... The Lovers (VI) The Lovers (VI) is a Major Arcana Tarot card. ... The Chariot (VII) The Chariot (VII) is a Major Arcana Tarot card. ... Strength (VIII) Strength is Major Arcana Tarot card, numbered either XI or VIII, depending on the deck. ... The Hermit (IX) The Hermit (IX) is a Major Arcana Tarot card. ... Wheel of Fortune (X) Wheel of Fortune (X) is a Major Arcana Tarot card. ... Justice (XI) Justice (XI) is a Major Arcana Tarot card. ... The Hanged Man (XII) The Hanged Man (XII) is a Major Arcana Tarot card. ... Death (XIII) Death (XIII) is a Major Arcana Tarot card. ... Temperance (XIV) is a Major Arcana Tarot card. ... The Devil (XV) The Devil (XV) is a Major Arcana Tarot card. ... The Tower (XVI) The Tower (XVI) (most common modern name) is a Tarot trump card that has many different names, symbols, and meanings. ... The Star (XVII) The Star (XVII) is a Major Arcana Tarot card. ... The Moon (XVIII) The Moon (XVIII) is a Major Arcana Tarot card. ... The Sun (XIX) The Sun (XIX) is a Major Arcana Tarot card. ... Judgement (XX) Judgement (XX) is a Major Arcana Tarot card. ... The World (XXI) The World (XXI) is a Major Arcana Tarot card. ... This article is about the structure, card imagery, history, and origin of tarot decks, which today are often used for spiritual, esoteric, psychological, occult and/or divinatory purposes. ... The public domain comprises the body of all creative works and other knowledge—writing, artwork, music, science, inventions, and others—in which no person or organization has any proprietary interest. ... 1910 (MCMX) was a common year starting on Saturday (see link for calendar) of the Gregorian calendar or a common year starting on Sunday of the 13-day slower Julian calendar. ... The Pictorial Key to the Tarot is A. E. Waites influential guide to Tarot symbolism, published in 1910 in conjunction with the Rider-Waite-Smith deck. ... Arthur Edward Waite in the early 1880s Arthur Edward Waite (October 2, 1857 - May 19, 1942) was an occultist and co-creator of the Rider-Waite Tarot deck. ...