Secret of the High Priestess Spread
Difficulty: Average
This spread makes a nice alternative to the Celtic Cross, which covers basically the same ground. It is useful when a question doesn't quite call for the Ankh spread. This tarot spread is helpful for looking into a current trend. The High Priestess may or may not present a mysterious secret to be analysed after the rest of the spread.
1. & 2. Main impulses representing the topic at hand. They may compliment or oppose one another.
3. This is the current influence at this time.
5. The Waning Moon is the influence that is moving into the past.
4. The Waxing Moon indicates what is on the horizon, or the approaching influence. This is the immediate future.
7. The Light is what is clearly recognized, consciously.
6. The Dark indicates what is there but not fully perceived, though noticed on a deeper level of consciousness.
8. The Next Step is the near future, where this journey leads.
9. The final tarot card, only if it happens to be of the Major Arcana, reveals the Secret of the High Priestess. This is a special message that should be given added weight.
Your Secret of the High Priestess Reading
The Waxing Moon  X – The Wheel of Fortune (La Roue de Fortune) |
The Full Moon  Ten of Coins |
The Waning Moon  III – The Empress (L'Impératrice) |
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Significator #1  Deuce of Cups |
Significator #2  Seven of Coins |
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The Dark  XVI – The Tower (La Maison Dieu) |
The Secret of the High Priestess  XIII – Death (La Mort) |
The Light  XIIII – Temperance |
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The Next Step  Valet of Batons |
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Significator #1
Deuce of Cups
The Deuce of Cups symbolises emotional unity, balance, and harmonious partnerships. It represents the coming together of energies in love, friendship, or collaboration.
Symbolism: Two elegant cups stand symmetrically, connected by a shared floral motif, symbolising the bond between two entities. The balanced design reflects harmony and mutual respect.
In Relationships: A romantic bond deepens, or a new partnership begins with mutual understanding and affection.
In Work: Collaboration and teamwork thrive, fuelled by shared values and trust.
Spiritually: The card reflects the union of dualities within oneself, urging the seeker to embrace inner harmony.
When ill-dignified: Disconnection, imbalance, or strained partnerships. It warns against selfishness or a lack of reciprocity in relationships.
Significator #2
Seven of Coins
The Seven of Coins signifies patience, evaluation, and long-term planning. It reflects the need to assess progress and make adjustments for future growth.
Symbolism: Seven coins are arranged in an uneven pattern, with budding leaves suggesting slow but steady growth. The design emphasises reflection and the rewards of cultivation.
In Relationships: A relationship enters a reflective phase, where mutual effort and commitment are assessed.
In Work: Progress may feel slow, but perseverance and thoughtful adjustments will yield results.
Spiritually: The card urges the seeker to remain patient and trust the process of spiritual growth.
When ill-dignified: Impatience, dissatisfaction, or poor planning. It warns against abandoning efforts prematurely or ignoring the need for evaluation.
The Waning Moon is the influence that you are putting behind you, as it moves into the past.
III – The Empress (L'Impératrice)
This card signifies the creative force in its most abundant and fertile form. It represents growth, nurturing, and the life-giving power of nature.
Symbolism: Her sceptre symbolises authority rooted in creativity and love, while the shield bearing an eagle emphasises vision and protection. The Empress's seated posture on her throne exudes a sensual yet controlled energy, symbolising the harmony between fertility and structure. Her crown and flowing robes represent her connection to divine beauty and earthly abundance.
In Relationships: The blossoming of love or a nurturing, supportive relationship. It is a call to cultivate affection with care and patience.
In Work: A time of prolific creativity and the manifestation of projects. Trust your ability to bring ideas to fruition.
Spiritually: The Empress guides you to honour your divine creative potential, celebrating the interplay between spirit and matter.
When ill-dignified: Overindulgence, stagnation, or excessive control. It warns against smothering growth or being consumed by material concerns.
The Full Moon is the current influence at this time.
Ten of Coins
The Ten of Coins symbolises legacy, prosperity, and long-term security. It reflects the culmination of efforts to create a stable and abundant future for yourself and others.
Symbolism: Ten coins are arranged in a pair of X's, forming a harmonious and interconnected pattern. The abundance of detail reflects wealth, tradition, and the enduring rewards of hard work.
In Relationships: A stable and enduring partnership that focuses on building a shared future. It suggests family or community ties.
In Work: The successful completion of a project or the establishment of lasting financial security.
Spiritually: The card reflects the integration of material success with spiritual fulfilment, encouraging gratitude and generosity.
When ill-dignified: Materialism, stagnation, or the fear of losing what has been built. It warns against clinging to tradition at the expense of growth.
The Waxing Moon indicates what is on the horizon; the approaching influence.
X – The Wheel of Fortune (La Roue de Fortune)
The Wheel of Fortune symbolises the ever-turning cycles of life, fate, and destiny. It teaches the importance of adaptability and trust in the rhythms of change.
Symbolism: The wheel is adorned with figures ascending and descending, representing the rise and fall of fortunes. Its circular motion evokes the cyclical nature of existence, while divine forces implied by the card's design suggest that some aspects of life are beyond human control.
In Relationships: Changes in relationship dynamics or the appearance of new opportunities. Trust in the flow of events.
In Work: A shift in circumstances, often bringing unexpected opportunities. Stay flexible and open to change.
Spiritually: The Wheel of Fortune reflects the interconnectedness of life's cycles, encouraging surrender to the divine plan.
When ill-dignified: Resistance to change or clinging to outdated patterns. It warns of losing perspective during times of transition.
The Light is what is clearly recognized.
XIIII – Temperance
Temperance embodies balance, harmony, and the art of blending opposites into a unified whole. It is a card of moderation and integration, calling for patience and the gentle flow of energies.
Symbolism: An angelic figure pours water between two vessels, symbolising the interplay of opposites and the alchemical transformation process. One cup is blue, and the other is red, suggesting a balance between the material and the spiritual.
In Relationships: Harmony and mutual understanding within relationships. It suggests compromise and blending energies for a greater whole.
In Work: A need for patience and adaptability. Success comes through steady effort and the balancing of resources.
Spiritually: Temperance invites you to harmonise opposing aspects of your being and align with the universal flow.
When ill-dignified: Imbalance, impatience, or excess. It warns against pushing too hard or failing to find equilibrium.
The Dark shows what is there but not fully perceived, though it has been noticed on a deeper level of consciousness.
XVI – The Tower (La Maison Dieu)
The Tower signifies sudden upheaval, revelation, and the destruction of false structures. It is a powerful reminder that chaos and doom often precede transformation and growth.
Symbolism: A tower struck by lightning blows its top as figures fall to the ground. The lightning represents divine intervention, while the tumbling balls and figures symbolise the collapse of illusions and false foundations. The falling crown signifies the downfall of pride. Despite its dramatic imagery, the card hints at liberation and renewal.
In Relationships: A dramatic change, often revealing truths that must be addressed.
In Work: Sudden challenges or shifts that dismantle old systems. It's a chance to rebuild on a stronger foundation.
Spiritually: The Tower urges the seeker to let go of illusions and embrace the profound truth revealed in moments of crisis.
When ill-dignified: Resistance to change, denial, or clinging to crumbling structures. It warns against ignoring the signs of impending transformation.
The Next Step is the near future, where this journey will take you.
Valet of Batons
The Valet of Batons signifies the spark of inspiration, youthful enthusiasm, and the potential for growth. This card invites curiosity and encourages embracing the unknown with an adventurous heart.
Symbolism: The Valet stands tall, holding a large club as if discovering his power for the first time. His gaze forward is bright and inquisitive, embodying the spirit of exploration. The background suggests open horizons, symbolising untapped potential and the excitement of new ventures.
In Relationships: This card indicates fresh, playful energy in relationships, the thrill of beginnings, or the curiosity that fuels deeper connection. It encourages openness to new experiences and creative ways of building bonds.
In Work: It heralds opportunities for learning, experimentation, or pursuing passion. The Valet advises you to take the first steps with optimism, trusting that exploration will lead to growth.
Spiritually: The Valet represents the seeker at the beginning of their journey, filled with wonder and the readiness to embrace inspiration and guidance.
When ill-dignified: Impulsiveness, naivety, or lack of direction. It warns against abandoning curiosity out of fear or letting inexperience lead to recklessness.
The Secret of the High Priestess - if, and only if, this card a Major Arcana, it reveals the Secret of the High Priestess. This is a special spiritual message that you should pay extra special attention to. If it is not a trump, the Priestess has revealed no secret.
XIII – Death (La Mort)
Death signifies transformation, endings, and renewal. While often feared, this card speaks to the cyclical nature of life and the necessity of clearing away the old to make way for the new.
Symbolism: A skeletal figure wields a scythe, cutting through the remnants of the past—hands, heads, and plants alike. The barren ground reflects the stripping away of what no longer serves, while the sprouting flowers hint at rebirth and growth emerging from decay.
In Relationships: The end of a relationship or a transformative phase within one. It signals profound changes, often for the better.
In Work: A major shift, such as the end of a job or the restructuring of goals. It's a call to embrace new opportunities.
Spiritually: Death teaches the power of release and the necessity of embracing life's cycles to achieve transformation.
When ill-dignified: Fear of change, stagnation, or clinging to the past. It warns against resisting the natural process of renewal.