Secrets, Mysteries
Appearance
A seated woman wearing a long veil and the moon crown of Isis, a crescent moon at her feet and a scroll in her hands. She is flanked by two lotus-shaped pillars: one black (negation) and one white (beginning). Between these pillars hangs a curtain with a design of pomegranates.
Story
Continuing his journey, the Fool comes upon a beautiful and mysterious veiled lady enthroned between two pillars and illuminated by the moon. She is the opposite of the Magician: quiet where he was loquacious, still where he was in motion, seated while he stood, shrouded in the night where he was out in the bright of day. She is the High Priestess and she astonishes the Fool by knowing everything about him.
"Since you know me so well, perhaps you can help me," says the Fool, laying out his sword, chalice, staff and pentacle. "The Magician showed me these tools, but now I'm in a quandary. There's so many things I could do with them. I can't decide."
In answer, the High Priestess hands over to him a pair of ancient scrolls. "These will teach you how to decide."
Seating himself at her feet, the Fool reads by the light of her crescent moon. Finally, the Fool knows enough that he can now decide what he wants, where he will go, and what he will do. Though he suspects that the High Priestess has even more secrets she could teach him - like what lies behind the pomegranate curtain - he is focused and ready to be on his way. Thanking the High Priestess, he heads off.
Divinatory Meanings
Knowledge, secrets, mysteries. Illumination, especially the bringing to light of knowledge. Silence, tenacity.
Reversed
Secrets kept concealed. Alternately, secrets that should not be revealed are: secrets that are hurtful or damaging.
The Fool | The Magician | The High Priestess | The Empress | The Emperor | The Hierophant | The Lovers | The Chariot | Strength | The Hermit | Wheel of Fortune | Justice | The Hanged Man | Death | Temperance | The Devil | The Tower | The Star | The Moon | The Sun | Judgement | The World
