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 Seven of Pentacles, Reversed |
The Full Moon VII – The Chariot |
The Waning Moon Eight of Swords |
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Significator #1 King of Cups, Reversed |
Significator #2 VIII – Strength, Reversed |
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The Dark Six of Pentacles, Reversed |
The Secret of the High Priestess Three of Wands, Reversed |
The Light Seven of Wands |
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The Next Step Five of Wands |
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Significator #1
King of Cups, Reversed
The King of Cups represents emotional mastery, compassion, and wisdom. As a ruler of the suit of cups, this king embodies the perfect balance between emotion and intellect, demonstrating how to navigate the realm of feelings with maturity, understanding, and composure. He is a figure of emotional authority, someone who has learned how to handle intense emotions without being overwhelmed. The King of Cups is empathetic and caring, but he knows when to show restraint and when to express his feelings, always maintaining control over his emotional responses.
Reversed, the King of Cups can indicate emotional imbalance, manipulation, or a lack of emotional clarity. The reversal suggests you may be struggling to manage your emotions, possibly suppressing them. It may also indicate a tendency to use emotional intelligence in manipulative ways or to avoid confronting emotional issues. The King of Cups reversed invites you to reassess your emotional health and relationships, encouraging you to cultivate more honest emotional expression. It also signals the need to work on self-discipline in handling emotions, ensuring that feelings are expressed constructively.
In Relationships: The King of Cups represents a strong emotional connection based on mutual respect, understanding, and balance. This card suggests you may experience a relationship where emotional maturity and stability play a central role. The King of Cups is supportive, compassionate, and capable of offering guidance and comfort in times of need while maintaining emotional composure. This card indicates a period of emotional harmony, where both partners communicate openly, understand each other's needs, and offer unconditional love and support. The King of Cups encourages you to express your feelings with integrity and approach love with a calm, steady heart.
In Work: The King of Cups suggests you are or will soon be in a position of leadership, where your emotional intelligence, wisdom, and empathy will be highly valued. This card indicates you may be called upon to guide others, offering support, mentorship, or emotional guidance in your professional environment. The King of Cups represents a leader skilled in their field who can manage relationships, build trust, and create a harmonious atmosphere. This card also emphasises the importance of maintaining emotional balance in the workplace, ensuring you do not allow stress, pressure, or conflict to affect your emotional state. The King of Cups advises you to rely on your emotional intelligence to succeed, leading with compassion, patience, and wisdom.
Spiritually: The King of Cups represents emotional and spiritual maturity, along with a strong connection to the higher self. This card suggests you may have reached a stage in your spiritual journey where you can approach your path with understanding, balance, and inner calm. The King of Cups encourages you to trust your emotional wisdom and intuition, knowing that your feelings can serve as a guide towards spiritual fulfilment. This card also suggests the need for emotional healing for you or those you serve, encouraging a compassionate, healing approach to others on their spiritual journey. The King of Cups teaches that spiritual growth is not just about intellectual understanding but also mastering the emotional realm with love, empathy, and wisdom.
Significator #2
VIII – Strength, Reversed
Strength represents courage, resilience, patience, and control. It embodies the power of taming inner fears, overcoming adversity with gentleness, and having the fortitude to face challenges with grace. A woman calmly holding the jaws of a lion signifies the balance between power and compassion, where strength comes not from force, but from a sense of inner calm and self-confidence. The woman's serene expression conveys that this strength is not aggressive, but is instead the ability to remain composed in the face of difficulty, harnessing personal power through self-discipline and understanding.
Reversed, Strength can indicate a lack of confidence, difficulty controlling emotions, or an overwhelming sense of vulnerability. It may suggest you are feeling weak, overwhelmed, or unable to tap into your inner strength, possibly because of fear or self-doubt. This card reversed advises you to reconnect with your sense of inner power, find calmness in the midst of chaos, and face your challenges with patience and trust in yourself. It may also indicate that you are struggling with your approach to difficult situations, possibly using force or aggression rather than compassion and patience.
In Relationships: Strength speaks to the power of patience, understanding, and unconditional love. It suggests you may be called upon to show compassion and support, particularly in times of difficulty or uncertainty. This card signifies the need for gentle, yet firm, emotional strength in navigating challenges, and reminds you that love is based on mutual respect, trust, and the ability to remain calm and supportive through all circumstances. It encourages you to act from a place of empathy, understanding that love is about partnership and compassion.
In Work: Strength represents the inner resilience needed to overcome obstacles and persevere in the face of professional challenges. It suggests your path to success will require patience, determination, and a steady hand in difficult situations. This card advises you to rely on your inner strength, confidence, and emotional intelligence to navigate challenges in the workplace, whether dealing with difficult colleagues, demanding tasks, or career setbacks. Strength encourages you to move forward with grace and conviction, trusting that inner resilience will lead you to success.
Spiritually: Strength signifies the mastery of the self, the ability to conquer one's inner demons, and the courage to follow one's spiritual path. This card calls you to dig deep within yourself for the fortitude to face your fears, heal emotional wounds, and cultivate peace. Strength emphasises that true power comes from compassion, inner harmony, and the ability to work through difficulties with faith and patience. It invites you to trust your spiritual journey and allow understanding to guide your growth.
The Waning Moon is the influence that you are putting behind you, as it moves into the past.
Eight of Swords
The Eight of Swords represents restriction, entrapment, and mental imprisonment. This card suggests you feel trapped or bound by a situation, often because of limiting beliefs, fears, or self-doubt. The image of a blindfolded figure bound and surrounded by swords indicates a state of confusion, where you can't see a way out of your problems or challenges. The Eight of Swords highlights how the mind can create a sense of imprisonment, making obstacles seem insurmountable, even when they may not be. It's a card that invites you to examine the mental barriers you've placed on yourself and realise that you may have more freedom than you perceive.
This card suggests you may feel overwhelmed or constrained by your circumstances, but the key message is that these limitations are often self-imposed. The swords represent mental conflict and anxiety, and the blindfolded figure symbolises a lack of understanding. The Eight of Swords is a reminder that the first step towards freedom is changing the way you perceive the situation. By confronting fears, challenging negative thoughts, and gaining clarity, you can free yourself from this mental prison.
In Relationships: The Eight of Swords suggests a situation where you feel trapped, restricted, or emotionally bound. This could indicate feelings of helplessness or fear that prevent you from moving forward. The Eight of Swords may also represent a situation where you feel stuck due to insecurities or fears about opening up or making changes in the relationship. The card encourages you to examine your mental and emotional limitations and recognise that these barriers are not insurmountable. It may also suggest that you need to free yourself from old wounds, negative beliefs about love, or toxic patterns to move forward in a healthier and more fulfilling way.
In Work: The Eight of Swords indicates you may feel trapped in your current job, position, or professional situation. You may feel like you have no options or are constrained by circumstances beyond your control. The Eight of Swords suggests you are experiencing a mental block, feeling stuck, or doubting your abilities to break free from your current work situation. This card encourages you to challenge your own thinking and recognise that the restrictions you feel are often mental rather than physical. The Eight of Swords advises you to seek new perspectives, find creative solutions, and have the confidence to move past your self-imposed limitations to achieve career growth and fulfilment.
Spiritually: The Eight of Swords represents a state of spiritual confusion or entrapment. You may struggle with limiting beliefs, fear, or doubt preventing you from embracing your spiritual path. This card suggests you may feel disconnected from your spiritual practice or trapped in a cycle of negative thought patterns. The Eight of Swords invites you to examine your mental state and recognise that your limitations may be self-created. It encourages you to release these fears, allowing yourself to move along your spiritual path with greater freedom and openness.
The Full Moon is the current influence at this time.
VII – The Chariot
The Chariot represents determination, willpower, victory, and control. It embodies the energy of triumph over obstacles, achievement through effort, and the mastery of one's emotions and environment. A strong figure drives a chariot, guided by inner strength and unwavering resolve. The charioteer holds the reins, symbolising the control and discipline needed to direct the forces of will, both within and without. Two sphinxes pull the chariot, looking in opposite directions, representing the balancing of opposing forces that must be harmonised to achieve success.
The Chariot is a card of action and victory, signalling that through persistence, focus, and determination, you have the power to overcome challenges and achieve your goals. This card emphasises the importance of controlling your emotions, desires, and external circumstances to move forward confidently. The Chariot reminds us that success often comes from hard work, resilience, and the ability to stay focused on the desired outcome when the path is difficult.
In Relationships: The Chariot signifies a time of forward movement and decisive action. It suggests you are ready to take control of your romantic life and move past obstacles or doubts. This card can indicate overcoming challenges, gaining clarity about your desires, or taking the lead in matters of the heart. The Chariot encourages you to stay determined and confident, pursuing love with focus and a clear sense of direction. It may also signal a period of growth in a relationship where both partners are moving forward together with shared goals and mutual understanding.
In Work: The Chariot is a powerful card, representing the determination and drive needed to achieve professional goals. It signifies a time to harness your inner strength and take decisive action towards your ambitions. This card encourages you to stay focused on your objectives, overcoming any obstacles or challenges that may arise. The Chariot reminds you that success will be achieved through perseverance, self-discipline, and maintaining control over external distractions. It can also indicate a journey of personal and professional growth, where you can push past your limits to achieve greatness.
Spiritually: The Chariot represents the mastery of one's inner forces and the ability to direct energy towards personal transformation. This card encourages you to use your willpower and focus to overcome spiritual challenges and obstacles, remaining determined on your path of growth and enlightenment. The Chariot invites you to embrace your power, channelling it towards spiritual advancement. It also speaks to the importance of balance and self-control, urging you to stay grounded and focused as you move forward on your spiritual journey.
The Waxing Moon indicates what is on the horizon; the approaching influence.
Seven of Pentacles, Reversed
The Seven of Pentacles represents patience, assessment, and the long-term view. This card embodies the energy of re-evaluating progress and taking a moment to reflect on the work and effort invested so far. It depicts a figure looking at a garden or crop they've cultivated, considering the growth that has occurred and pondering whether the investment of time and resources has been worth it. The Seven of Pentacles asks you to pause and assess your progress, take stock of what you have achieved, and determine whether your efforts are leading you towards the desired outcome. It is a card of reflection, patience, and understanding that rewards take time to manifest.
Reversed, the Seven of Pentacles suggests impatience, frustration, or dissatisfaction with progress. You may feel that your efforts are not paying off or question whether your hard work is leading to the desired results. The reversal can also indicate a tendency to give up too soon, to neglect reflection, or to avoid assessing your situation altogether. The Seven of Pentacles reversed urges you to take a step back, reassess your approach, and understand that success takes time and requires continuous effort. It may also indicate that you are rushing through the process or losing sight of the long-term goals in favour of short-term gratification.
In Relationships: The Seven of Pentacles suggests you may be reflecting on the progress of your relationship. This card can indicate a need to reassess where the relationship is heading and whether it is yielding the desired results. You may question whether you have invested enough effort, or if more work is needed to nurture the relationship. It may suggest that the relationship has reached a plateau or both partners are pausing to consider their future together. The Seven of Pentacles encourages patience and contemplation, reminding you that love, like any long-term endeavour, requires ongoing effort and time to flourish. It invites you to reflect on whether the relationship is fulfilling and worth continuing to invest in.
In Work: The Seven of Pentacles signifies a time of assessment, where you take stock of the work you've put into your professional endeavours. It can indicate that you have been putting in significant effort over time and are now reflecting on the progress you've made. The card encourages you to consider whether the work you are doing is leading you towards the outcomes you desire, or if changes need to be made to align your efforts with your goals. The Seven of Pentacles suggests that success is often built through sustained effort, and sometimes it is necessary to take a step back, re-evaluate, and make adjustments before continuing forward. It encourages patience and persistence, reminding you that rewards may take time to materialise.
Spiritually: The Seven of Pentacles represents a time of reflection and evaluation on the spiritual path. You may question your progress in your spiritual practice or life journey. This card invites you to pause and evaluate whether you are moving in the direction you want to go or need to adjust your approach. The Seven of Pentacles suggests spiritual growth is a gradual process that requires patience and consistent effort. It encourages you to trust that your efforts lead towards a deeper understanding, even if the results are not apparent. The card asks you to consider whether you are invested in your spiritual journey and whether you are allowing enough time and space for growth and transformation.
The Light is what is clearly recognized.
Seven of Wands
The Seven of Wands represents perseverance, defence, and standing your ground in the face of challenges. It indicates a time when you are confronted with competition, opposition, or criticism, but must remain firm and assertive in protecting your position or beliefs. Depicted as a figure standing on higher ground, holding a wand to defend themselves against several others below, the Seven of Wands suggests rising above obstacles and confronting adversity head-on. This card calls for courage and determination, encouraging you to defend what you have achieved or believe in when it feels like others are challenging you.
The Seven of Wands speaks to a moment where you may feel like you are being attacked or overwhelmed by external forces. However, the figure's elevated position suggests that with the right mindset and perseverance, you have the advantage. This card encourages you to remain steadfast in your actions and decisions, knowing you are in a position to succeed despite the opposition. It reminds you to trust in your abilities and be confident that you can overcome any challenges that arise.
In Relationships: The Seven of Wands indicates tension or rivalry. This could manifest as external pressures, such as family or friends interfering, or internal struggles where both partners may experience differing needs or desires. You may need to stand your ground in protecting the relationship or asserting your boundaries. This card encourages you to remain firm and assertive in your beliefs about love and relationships, even if you face opposition from others. It may also suggest that you must fight for your connection, whether confronting misunderstandings or pushing back against external forces that threaten your unity. For single individuals, the Seven of Wands can indicate the need to stay true to your values and not be swayed by external influences in romance.
In Work: The Seven of Wands signals a time when you may be facing competition, criticism, or challenging circumstances. This card suggests you are in a position of advantage, but you must defend your place to maintain your success. The Seven of Wands indicates you will face obstacles, but it encourages you to remain strong, assertive, and confident in your abilities. It may point to the need to stand up for your ideas, work, or career goals, especially when others question or oppose them. This card advises you to avoid complacency and engage with challenges, knowing that overcoming them will only strengthen your position. It is a reminder that success often requires persistence and the ability to rise above opposition.
Spiritually: The Seven of Wands indicates a time of spiritual challenge or inner conflict, where you may feel the need to defend your spiritual beliefs or practices. The card suggests you are on a path that may be difficult to navigate, and you may face external criticism or doubt from others. However, the Seven of Wands encourages you to remain firm in your spiritual convictions and trust that you are on the right path. It also suggests you may need to stand up for your beliefs, even if you feel isolated or misunderstood. This card encourages inner strength and the courage to defend your truth while remaining open to growth and deeper understanding on the spiritual journey.
The Dark shows what is there but not fully perceived, though it has been noticed on a deeper level of consciousness.
Six of Pentacles, Reversed
The Six of Pentacles represents generosity, balance, and the exchange of resources. This card embodies the energy of giving and receiving, and the importance of fairness and reciprocity in material and emotional exchanges. The figure on the card holds scales, distributing coins to those in need, symbolising the act of sharing resources fairly. The Six of Pentacles signifies a period where you may be called upon to give to others, but it also suggests you could find yourself in a position to receive help, support, or resources from others.
Reversed, the Six of Pentacles suggests an imbalance in the giving and receiving dynamic. You may be giving too much of your time, energy, or resources, leading to a feeling of depletion, or you may be in a situation where you are not receiving what you need, either materially or emotionally. This card reversed warns against being taken advantage of or neglecting to ask for help when needed. It may also indicate that you struggle with fairness in your interactions or feel resentful about unequal exchanges. The Six of Pentacles reversed encourages you to assess your relationships and ensure balance in your interactions. It may suggest the need to set boundaries, reassess who is giving and receiving, and restore fairness in your dealings.
In Relationships: The Six of Pentacles indicates a relationship with a healthy exchange of energy between partners. This card suggests a balance between giving and receiving, where both parties contribute equally to the relationship, whether emotionally, materially, or in terms of effort. The Six of Pentacles encourages you to consider whether the relationship is balanced or if one partner gives more than the other. If there is an imbalance, this card advises you to address the issue and ensure that both individuals are contributing fairly. The card also speaks to the idea of supporting one another in times of need and being willing to offer help and care when needed.
In Work: The Six of Pentacles suggests you may experience a period of financial stability, where you can share your resources with others or receive help or recognition for your work. This card may indicate a raise, promotion, or an opportunity to assist others. It speaks to the importance of using your success to support others and create balance within the workplace. The Six of Pentacles can also suggest that you may be in a position to mentor or share your knowledge with others, promoting fairness and equal opportunity. It encourages you to remain generous and fair in professional dealings and trust that your efforts will be reciprocated in future rewards.
Spiritually: The Six of Pentacles represents the balance between giving and receiving within one's spiritual practice. You may be in a position to share your insights, wisdom, or resources with others, or you may require guidance. This card encourages you to embrace the concept of reciprocity in your spiritual journey, understanding that growth comes not just from personal practice but also from helping others and being open to receiving insights. The Six of Pentacles reminds us that spirituality is about balance—about being generous with one's knowledge and resources but being open to receiving guidance and nourishment from others or the universe. It calls for an equal exchange of energy, whether in prayer, meditation, or community.
The Next Step is the near future, where this journey will take you.
Five of Wands
The Five of Wands represents conflict, competition, and the challenges that arise from differing opinions or approaches. It indicates tension or struggle, often within a group or community. Depicted as multiple figures engaged in a chaotic situation, each holding a wand and vying for position, the Five of Wands symbolises conflict that arises from differences in perspective, ambition, or goals. However, this card does not suggest that the conflict is destructive, but an opportunity for growth and learning through challenges.
The Five of Wands often points to an environment of competition or rivalry, where individuals are trying to assert themselves or stand out. This card asks you to assess how you respond to challenges and whether you participate in unnecessary conflict. The energy of the Five of Wands can feel tense and frustrating, but it can also be a catalyst for innovation, as these challenges often push people to think creatively and find new ways to assert themselves. It suggests that conflict can be overcome with cooperation and a willingness to understand differing viewpoints.
In Relationships: The Five of Wands indicates a time of tension or conflict. This could manifest as disagreements, misunderstandings, or a lack of alignment between partners. It may also suggest competition, whether it's between romantic interests or external pressures affecting the relationship. The Five of Wands asks you to examine the nature of these conflicts—are they really important, or are they distractions? It may indicate that you and your partner need to find common ground and address underlying issues to move forward. This card can also indicate rivalry, whether dealing with external competition or navigating emotional struggles within the relationship.
In Work: The Five of Wands signals a competitive or challenging work environment. You may be facing conflict with colleagues, managers, or even clients, or there may be a struggle to assert your position in a competitive field. This card suggests that, while challenges are present, they are not necessarily insurmountable. The Five of Wands encourages you to stay focused on your goals and use the competition as a motivator for personal growth and innovation. Rather than being discouraged by conflict, you are urged to find ways to collaborate or think creatively to stand out from the crowd. The Five of Wands can also point to a need to choose your battles wisely.
Spiritually: The Five of Wands represents inner conflict or struggles in finding harmony with one's beliefs or spiritual path. This card may indicate that you are facing challenges in reconciling different spiritual practices or may feel torn between different aspects of your spiritual self. The Five of Wands suggests that conflict is part of the spiritual journey, but can also provide valuable lessons in growth, strength, and clarity. This card asks you to examine how you respond to inner and outer conflict and to integrate differing views or beliefs into a more cohesive understanding. It encourages you to embrace challenges as opportunities to refine your spiritual practice, understanding that discord can lead to greater personal and spiritual evolution.
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.
Three of Wands, Reversed
The Three of Wands represents expansion, progress, and the fruition of efforts. It signifies the point where initial planning and efforts begin to show tangible results. Depicted as a figure standing on a cliff, looking out over the horizon, the Three of Wands symbolises the anticipation of what is to come and the realisation that the groundwork has been laid for success. The figure is waiting for ships to return, signalling that the efforts made are now on their way to manifesting. This card speaks to the moment of watching your investments, actions, or plans come to fruition and awaiting the rewards of your previous work.
Reversed, the Three of Wands can indicate delays, obstacles, or a lack of progress. You may feel frustrated as your plans do not seem to be manifesting as expected. It can also suggest that you are focusing too much on short-term results and are losing sight of the long-term vision. The reversed Three of Wands advises you to remain patient and keep working towards your goals, even if you do not see immediate rewards. It may also indicate a need to reassess your efforts to ensure they are aligned with your long-term vision. This card reminds you that even in times of delay, progress is still being made, and you should trust the process and continue your momentum.
In Relationships: The Three of Wands indicates the relationship is progressing, and there's anticipation of the future. This card suggests you and your partner have laid a solid foundation, and now is the time to look ahead to the next phase. There may be plans for travel, a long-distance relationship, or even a period of growth within the connection. The Three of Wands encourages patience as both individuals continue to invest in the relationship, knowing the efforts made will eventually pay off. For those who are single, the Three of Wands suggests you are open to new possibilities in love and are looking ahead to future romantic opportunities, whether that involves waiting for the right person to come into your life or considering potential future relationships that align with your vision.
In Work: The Three of Wands signals that your hard work and planning are beginning to pay off. It indicates that the foundation for success has been established, and now you are in a phase of expansion and progress. This card suggests new opportunities are on the horizon, whether through new projects, partnerships, or ventures. It encourages you to look beyond immediate concerns and focus on long-term growth. The Three of Wands advises you to maintain a broad perspective and stay open to new opportunities. There may be a need to take risks or step outside of your comfort zone to realise the potential of the situation. This card indicates that things are on the right track, and with patience, you will see the rewards of your efforts.
Spiritually: The Three of Wands represents a time of growth, expansion, and spiritual exploration. It indicates that you are on the right path and that your spiritual journey is progressing. This card encourages you to look beyond your current understanding and be open to new teachings, practices, or experiences that will further your spiritual development. The Three of Wands suggests you have already achieved a certain level of spiritual awareness, and now you are ready to take the next steps on your journey. It encourages you to keep your vision wide, embracing the idea that spiritual growth is a continuous process, full of new horizons to discover.