The High Priestess Tarot Meaning: Upright and Reversed

The High Priestess Keywords 

• Upright: inner wisdom, self-reflection, stillness, receptivity, spirituality, psychic messages, divine feminine
• Reversed: secrecy, withdrawal, superficiality, imbalance, repressed feelings, self-doubt

The High Priestess: Description and Symbolism

As the first female figure to appear in the Major Arcana, the High Priestess presents the concept of the divine feminine to the tarot. Her crown depicts 3 phases of the Moon, representing her ability to attune to changing needs in a nurturing way. The yellow crescent at the High Priestess’ feet further supports the lunar energy of the card, highlighting the intuitive and deep-feeling nature of the Moon. She is willing to sit with her feelings and receive new information, challenging the active principle of the divine masculine.

The High Priestess is a master of balancing opposing forces as a spiritual leader. She sits between two pillars: a white one labeled “B” and a black one labeled “J”, referring to those of an ancient temple in Jerusalem. “B” stands for Boaz, meaning “in his strength”, and “J” stands for Jakin, meaning “he will establish”. These light and dark pillars symbolize the duality of opposites: action and passivity, consciousness and unconsciousness, masculine and feminine. In her divine stillness, the High Priestess wisely observes these dual forces before choosing to take action.

Most mysterious of all is the veil that hangs behind the High Priestess. This veil symbolizes the mysteries that lie beneath the surface. A calm, natural landscape is depicted behind the veil. Notably, the still water in the background symbolizes the secrets of the unconscious mind, which can be found only by calmly peering deeper. The High Priestess possesses the secret knowledge to derive meaning from these secrets, represented by the scroll partially hidden by her robe. She has the patience to reflect on hidden truths, carefully sharing them only when the time is right.

Note: This description is based on the depiction of the High Priestess in the Rider Waite-Smith tarot deck.

The High Priestess – Upright Meaning

When the High Priestess appears in a tarot reading, you are encouraged to pause and reflect. There are truths about your situation that will naturally be uncovered with time and consideration. If there are any feelings that you have yet to acknowledge, now is a good time to process and sit with them. 

The High Priestess also suggests there could be a message trying to come through spiritually or subconsciously. Try to pay close attention to the signs in your dreams and experiences now. You can trust your intuition to guide you towards clarity. 

Love Meaning – Upright High Priestess

The High Priestess is a positive symbol of lessons learned in love and relationships. In an existing relationship, you have experienced enough with your partner to determine when rest or space is needed. You are encouraged to stay true to the boundaries you and your partner have set for time spent with one another.

If you have recently experienced a conflict or separation, the High Priestess gently reminds you to give yourself time and space to grieve. Now is your chance to process the feelings that have been weighing on you before taking further action. 

Single or taken, the High Priestess upright suggests a relationship dynamic that is actively becoming balanced. You can trust your intuition in the romantic situation you are asking about.

In a tarot reading about how someone feels, the High Priestess depicts someone who needs to reflect on their deeper feelings and intentions. The other person is working towards finding clarity on the situation before proceeding.

Career and Finance Meaning – Upright High Priestess

Now’s the time to gather information and take stock of your situation. When the High Priestess appears in a career context, you are gifted the opportunity to deepen your understanding of the position. If you have wanted to train in a new field or pursue higher education, the High Priestess applauds you for doing so. 

Alternatively, the High Priestess could appear as a sign to hone in on your work-life balance. You will benefit from balancing productivity with stillness now.

In a financial context, the High Priestess encourages you to take time to plan and budget for your goals. It is best to clarify what matters to you before making major investments at this time.

Health Meaning – Upright High Priestess

The High Priestess reminds you to prioritize your peace through moments of stillness. Consider taking up yoga or meditating to balance your mind, body, and spirit. Self-reflection will do wonders for your mental and physical health during this period.

You are encouraged to trust your instincts regarding your health when the High Priestess appears. If you have had any internalized concerns, it would be a good time to schedule an appointment with a professional to ease your mind.

Spirituality Meaning – Upright High Priestess

The High Priestess is a positive card to pull when you are looking to deepen your spiritual practice. She is no stranger to doing the inner work in solitude, encouraging you to do the same. It would be a good time to go on a meditative walk or journal about your recent reflections. If you’ve had any vivid dreams, now is a wonderful time to derive their meaning.

The High Priestess As Feelings Meaning – Upright 

The High Priestess represents feelings of inner peace and intentional reflection. There is no need to rush answers in a time of stillness. As someone else’s feelings, the High Priestess signifies someone who is giving their emotions the chance to exist before proceeding.

The High Priestess As Actions Meaning – Upright 

It’s time to slow down and look within. The High Priestess is cautious and private about her strategy, encouraging you to foster the same guardedness. Consider where you could withdraw your energy to gain new perspective on the situation.

The High Priestess – Reversed Meaning

When the High Priestess appears reversed in a tarot reading, you could be going through a period where you feel out of touch with yourself. Perhaps your commitments have become overwhelming, or troubling events have forced you to change your plans. Whatever could be weighing on you, the High Priestess reversed gives you permission to sit still for a moment. You are safe to experience these thoughts and feelings now.

Another interpretation of the High Priestess reversed is that you have chosen to withdraw from a situation for longer than necessary. You might have all the information you need to take action.

Love Meaning – Reversed High Priestess

The High Priestess reversed in a love context suggests that you have unanswered questions with little time to reflect on them. Perhaps you are unsure of the future with your partner or don’t know how to move on after a recent separation. You deserve time to process the feelings you have been suppressing for a while, especially if they have become overwhelming. If you have been biting your tongue about an unspoken feeling, the High Priestess reversed nudges you to let your walls down.

An alternative interpretation could be that you have felt withdrawn from the idea of love and romance altogether. Rather than isolating yourself from these experiences, the reversed High Priestess suggests it’s time to put yourself out there. If you’re single, consider scheduling time with friends and loved ones to reconnect you with the kind of love you’re looking for. If you’ve felt detached or withdrawn in your relationship, don’t be afraid to ask others for advice on how to express your concerns.

When reading for someone’s feelings, the reversed High Priestess depicts a person who is out of touch with their true desires. It’s best to give them time to process their intentions before moving forward.

Career and Finance Meaning – Reversed High Priestess

When the High Priestess appears reversed, you may be feeling misunderstood or disconnected from your work. Whether your ideas have felt pushed under the rug by others or your own doing, this tarot card encourages you to carve out alone time to reflect. If another passion has been calling to you for a while, it wouldn’t hurt to dive deeper into the logistics of that career path. You deserve to trust that inner voice that has been calling out to you.

Financially, the reversed High Priestess card suggests the need to pause and plan. You could feel like your money has been slipping away from you lately. Alternatively, there could be an expense that has fallen out of your radar, so it’s a good time to investigate what could have been overlooked. 

Health Meaning – Reversed High Priestess

When the High Priestess appears reversed in a health context, you could be going through a time where you’re more overwhelmed or busier than usual. When you get the chance, it’s a good time to incorporate new forms of rest into your schedule. Consider scheduling lunch with a friend or picking up an old hobby to attend to the needs you have put on the back burner. 

Spirituality Meaning – Reversed High Priestess

The reversed High Priestess nudges you towards deeper self-reflection. Consider the signs you could be ignoring in your daily life. This card suggests you may be feeling disconnected from your intuition, so it wouldn’t hurt to engage with art or lean on people who can liven the spirit of your practice.

The High Priestess As Feelings Meaning – Reversed 

When reversed, the High Priestess symbolizes feelings of self-doubt and confusion. Rather than suppressing your emotions, it will benefit you to find an outlet that allows you to purge and connect with them.

The High Priestess As Actions Meaning – Reversed 

The reversed High Priestess suggests rushed and ungrounded decision-making. There is a need to reconnect with the meaning behind your actions before moving forward.

Past, Present, and Future Positions

Past Position

In the ‘past’ position, the High Priestess suggests that you went through a situation where you learned the importance of withdrawing to reflect. The experience led you to finding peace with letting your intuition lead the way. 

Present Position

When the High Priestess appears in the ‘present’ position, you are actively going through a situation that requires you to step back and observe. There is a need to recharge before taking action, especially if there is information yet to be unveiled.

Future Position

In the ‘future’ position, the High Priestess predicts an outcome of profound spiritual clarity. You will come to trust your intuition more in the near future.

Yes or No Meaning of The High Priestess

• The High Priestess Upright: Maybe
• The High Priestess Reversed: No

When the High Priestess appears upright, that gives you a ‘maybe’. She needs to withdraw and reflect before proceeding within a given situation, nudging you to do the same.

When the High Priestess appears reversed, that gives you a ‘no’. Deeper consideration is needed by multiple parties in the given situation.

Advice and Message of The High Priestess

The High Priestess speaks to the need to observe and reflect on your situation. The best answer isn’t always taking immediate action. In her wise and reserved stature, the High Priestess encourages you to be content with letting your inner truth guide you.

Summary of The High Priestess Tarot Meaning

Look within and consider the truths that lie deeper beneath the surface. When the High Priestess appears, you are reminded to pause before taking action. Peace is found through allowing your intuition to answer the questions. When reversed, she challenges you to reflect on the feelings and information that have been overlooked. So long as you trust your instincts through your situation, you will be listening to the advice of the divine High Priestess.