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  Five of Swords |
The Full Moon  King of Coins |
The Waning Moon  XIIII – Temperance |
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Significator #1  Queen of Batons |
Significator #2  IIII – The Emperor (L'Empereur) |
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The Dark  XVIIII – The Sun (Le Soleil) |
The Secret of the High Priestess  Nine of Batons |
The Light  Four of Batons |
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The Next Step  Five of Coins |
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Significator #1
Queen of Batons
The Queen of Batons represents creative leadership, warmth, and the nurturing of ideas and relationships. She inspires confidence and demonstrates the power of blending intuition with action.
Symbolism: Seated on her throne with a commanding yet approachable presence, the Queen holds her baton with purpose. The aura of growth and vitality surrounds her, emphasising her connection to creativity and nurturing energy.
In Relationships: The card signifies loyalty, passion, and the deepening of bonds through mutual inspiration. It suggests a partner who brings warmth and confidence to the relationship.
In Work: It highlights leadership, creativity, and the ability to inspire a team or execute a vision with determination and grace.
Spiritually: The Queen calls for alignment with your inner fire, trusting your intuition to guide your creative and spiritual pursuits.
When ill-dignified: Overconfidence, manipulation, or burnout. It warns against using charm for selfish gains or losing balance in the pursuit of ambitions.
Significator #2
IIII – The Emperor (L'Empereur)
The Emperor embodies structure, authority, and the power of order. He is the architect of stability, encouraging discipline and leadership in the material world.
Symbolism: The Emperor's throne and square-shaped setting symbolise structure and the solid foundation of his rulership. The sceptre and orb he holds reflect his control over earthly domains. His gaze is firm and unyielding, emphasising responsibility and focus.
In Relationships: Stability, loyalty, and shared goals define relationships under the Emperor's influence. It may also indicate a partner with strong authoritative traits.
In Work: Success through organisation, discipline, and strategic planning. Leadership is both a gift and a responsibility.
Spiritually: The Emperor teaches the balance between setting boundaries and allowing the divine to flow within the constraints of the physical world.
When ill-dignified: Rigidity, stubbornness, or misuse of power. It warns against being controlling or dismissive of emotional needs.
The Waning Moon is the influence that you are putting behind you, as it moves into the past.
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 Full Moon is the current influence at this time.
King of Coins
The King of Coins represents mastery, security, and leadership in the material realm. He embodies the culmination of efforts to achieve prosperity and the wisdom to manage it responsibly.
Symbolism: The King sits on his throne, holding a coin against his thigh. His rich attire and the solid, grounded posture of his figure reflect his wealth, stability, and ability to create and sustain abundance. His gaze suggests foresight and the ability to guide others.
In Relationships: A stable, protective partner who values commitment and security. The card encourages cultivating trust and shared goals.
In Work: Leadership, financial success, and the ability to manage resources wisely. This card highlights mastery in your field and the respect of peers.
Spiritually: The King teaches the value of integrating spiritual wisdom with material responsibility, urging you to be a steward of their blessings.
When ill-dignified: Greed, arrogance, or misuse of power. It warns against becoming overly controlling or neglecting emotional connections in pursuit of material gain.
The Waxing Moon indicates what is on the horizon; the approaching influence.
Five of Swords
The Five of Swords signifies conflict, tension, and the cost of victory. It reflects the complexities of human interaction, where ambition and ego can lead to hollow triumphs.
Symbolism: Four curved blades form an oval frame around one straight sword, with floral details disrupted by their arrangement. The imagery suggests discord and the difficulty in maintaining harmony.
In Relationships: Disputes or misunderstandings. It highlights the importance of humility and compromise.
In Work: Office politics or struggles for dominance may create tension. Focus on ethical choices and long-term goals.
Spiritually: The card challenges you to evaluate the price of your actions and realign with your inner truth.
When ill-dignified: Manipulation, deceit, or unnecessary hostility. It warns against prioritising personal gain over integrity.
The Light is what is clearly recognized.
Four of Batons
The Four of Batons represents stability, celebration, and the grounding of initial achievements. It reflects a moment of harmony and shared joy.
Symbolism: Four interwoven batons create a doubled cross, signifying stability and order. The balanced growth of leaves mirrors the fulfilment of early efforts and the foundations of future success.
In Relationships: Harmony and commitment. It may indicate joyful gatherings or milestones.
In Work: The achievement of an important goal or the establishment of a stable foundation for future endeavours.
Spiritually: A celebration of inner balance and alignment with the rhythms of life.
When ill-dignified: Restlessness or dissatisfaction with stability. It warns against taking harmony for granted or resisting change.
The Dark shows what is there but not fully perceived, though it has been noticed on a deeper level of consciousness.
XVIIII – The Sun (Le Soleil)
The Sun represents joy, success, and clarity. It is the card of illumination and vitality, promising growth, harmony, and the fulfilment of goals through clarity and connection.
Symbolism: Two children stand joyfully under the radiant Sun, surrounded by a protective wall. The Sun itself symbolises divine energy and enlightenment, while the figures reflect innocence, unity, and shared happiness. The vibrant rays evoke abundance and the thriving life force.
In Relationships: Mutual happiness, harmony, and a joyful connection. Relationships flourish under the light of clarity and love.
In Work: Success and recognition achieved through positivity and effort. It suggests a time of clarity and accomplishment.
Spiritually: The Sun calls for embracing the light within and aligning with your true purpose, radiating joy and love outward.
When ill-dignified: Arrogance, burnout, or overexposure. It warns against taking blessings for granted or letting ego overshadow gratitude.
The Next Step is the near future, where this journey will take you.
Five of Coins
The Five of Coins symbolises hardship, scarcity, and the challenges of material or emotional instability. It invites resilience and the recognition of available support.
Symbolism: Five coins form an X, reflecting imbalance and disruption. The floral embellishments suggest that growth is possible, even in difficult circumstances.
In Relationships: Struggles often involving feelings of neglect or emotional distance. It calls for mutual support and understanding.
In Work: Financial or professional difficulties that require perseverance and resourcefulness.
Spiritually: The card reflects the challenges of feeling disconnected from abundance, urging the seeker to rediscover faith and community.
When ill-dignified: Despair, self-pity, or a refusal to seek help. It warns against isolating yourself during difficult times.
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.
Nine of Batons
The Nine of Batons represents resilience, endurance, and the ability to protect what has been achieved. It reflects the final push before completion.
Symbolism: Nine batons intertwine in a dense arrangement, without foliage due to the weight of the structure. The card suggests strength under pressure and determination in adversity.
In Relationships: Protecting your emotional boundaries or working through challenges.
In Work: Hard work and vigilance are necessary to see a project through to completion.
Spiritually: The card reminds you of your inner strength and the importance of perseverance on the spiritual path.
When ill-dignified: Burnout, defensiveness, or a reluctance to seek help. It warns against isolating yourself in times of struggle.