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  King of Swords |
The Full Moon  Knight of Coins (artwork from another Visconti deck) |
The Waning Moon  Five of Staves |
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Significator #1  King of Coins |
Significator #2  Six of Coins |
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The Dark  Five of Coins |
The Secret of the High Priestess  Knight of Cups |
The Light  Seven of Coins |
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The Next Step  Nine of Staves |
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Significator #1
King of Coins
The King of Coins signifies mastery of wealth, business, and material resources. He is a figure of authority and stability, using his intelligence and experience to build lasting wealth. This card speaks to leadership, responsibility, and achieving long-term financial success.
Symbolism: The King's commanding posture and golden robes reflect his mastery and authority in the material world. The coin he holds symbolises his wealth, and the background design speaks to the regal nature of his position.
In Relationships: A stable partner focused on creating long-term prosperity for their family. The King of Coins encourages a mature, responsible approach to relationships.
In Work: Mastery in your career or business, especially in financial management. The King of Coins represents achieving a position of leadership or success through wisdom and effort.
Spiritually: Mastery over your material world and the wisdom to balance it with your spiritual life. The King of Coins suggests stability and prosperity grounded in wisdom.
When ill-dignified: Materialism, greed, or a desire for control. The King of Coins warns against focusing only on wealth at the expense of relationships or spiritual growth.
Significator #2
Six of Coins
The Six of Coins represents generosity, charity, and balance in giving and receiving. It speaks to the flow of wealth, where resources are shared. This card emphasises the importance of fair exchange and the joy of helping others.
Symbolism: The even arrangement of the six coins suggests balance and fairness. The vertical alignment represents the flow of giving and receiving, highlighting harmony in financial or material exchanges.
In Relationships: A balanced relationship where both partners give and receive equally. The Six of Coins encourages acts of kindness, generosity, and mutual support.
In Work: Financial generosity or fair exchanges at work. This card suggests that assisting others can bring abundance and harmony into your career.
Spiritually: The spiritual law of giving and receiving. The Six of Coins encourages you to give freely, knowing that your actions will come back to you in time.
When ill-dignified: Imbalance in giving or receiving, manipulation, or exploitation. The Six of Coins warns against selfishness or using generosity to manipulate others.
The Waning Moon is the influence that you are putting behind you, as it moves into the past.
Five of Staves
The Five of Staves represents conflict, competition, and challenge. It symbolises the tension that arises when different forces or perspectives clash, but also the opportunity for growth through these struggles.
Symbolism: The five staffs crossing at various angles evoke discord, but the composition remains visually balanced. This dynamic tension suggests the conflict is not necessarily destructive, but a part of the process of growth and resolution. The flowers in the background underscore that this challenge is a natural, even necessary part of the journey.
In Relationships: Tension or conflict may arise, but this card suggests that healthy competition or differing viewpoints can lead to growth if managed properly.
In Work: Competition, challenges, or rivalry may be present. The Five of Staves urges you to stay focused and resilient, as this conflict can sharpen your skills and propel you forward.
Spiritually: Conflicts or challenges may arise, but they are opportunities to refine your beliefs and strengthen your character.
When ill-dignified: Escalating conflict or unnecessary competition. This could indicate that the struggle is becoming unproductive, leading to frustration or exhaustion.
The Full Moon is the current influence at this time.
Knight of Coins (artwork from another Visconti deck)
The Knight of Coins represents diligence, responsibility, and slow, steady progress. It symbolises a person dedicated to their work, committed to long-term goals, and willing to work hard to achieve success. This card speaks to patience and perseverance.
Symbolism: The steady horse and calm posture reflect the Knight's disciplined nature. The horse's grounded movement contrasts with the dynamic energy of other Knights, highlighting the Knight of Coins' deliberate pace.
In Relationships: Steady, dependable progress. The Knight of Coins represents a relationship based on responsibility, loyalty, and commitment.
In Work: Diligence and hard work towards career goals. The Knight of Coins emphasises patience and consistency in achieving professional success.
Spiritually: A time of steady spiritual progress. The Knight of Coins invites you to commit to your spiritual practices with consistency and patience.
When ill-dignified: Stagnation, stubbornness, or an inability to adapt. The Knight of Coins warns against becoming too rigid or focused on minor details, preventing growth.
The Waxing Moon indicates what is on the horizon; the approaching influence.
King of Swords
The King of Swords represents intellect, authority, and decision-making. This card signifies mastery of the mind, with the ability to use reason and logic to lead and protect. It highlights the power of wisdom, strategy, and clear judgement.
Symbolism: The King's confident posture and ornate throne signify his authority and mental mastery. The sharpness of the sword reflects his ability to lead with reason, while the metallic backdrop emphasises his regal nature.
In Relationships: Intellectual maturity and leadership. The King of Swords suggests a partner who leads with logic and fairness, maintaining emotional balance and clarity.
In Work: Mastery in your profession, especially in roles that require intellect, strategy, and leadership. This card encourages decisive and fair action.
Spiritually: Mastery over your mental and spiritual path. The King of Swords urges you to trust in your wisdom to guide others and yourself.
When ill-dignified: Rigidity, coldness, or controlling behaviour. The King of Swords warns against becoming too detached, manipulative, or authoritarian.
The Light is what is clearly recognized.
Seven of Coins
The Seven of Coins represents patience, investment, and assessment. It signifies a time to step back and evaluate the progress of your efforts. This card emphasises the importance of patience and the need to wait for the fruits of your labour to manifest.
Symbolism: The irregular arrangement of the seven coins suggests growth, progress, and the anticipation of results. Their grouping represents the natural rhythm of growth, with some efforts taking longer to bear fruit than others.
In Relationships: Reflecting on the progress of a relationship and taking stock of where things are headed. The Seven of Coins encourages patience and careful assessment before making major decisions.
In Work: Evaluating your career progress and investments. This card advises you to assess the returns of your efforts, as growth may be gradual.
Spiritually: A time of spiritual assessment, where you evaluate your progress on your path. The Seven of Coins encourages patience and trust in the process.
When ill-dignified: Impatience, frustration, or lack of faith. The Seven of Coins warns against rushing or abandoning your efforts prematurely.
The Dark shows what is there but not fully perceived, though it has been noticed on a deeper level of consciousness.
Five of Coins
The Five of Coins signifies hardship, financial loss, and feelings of exclusion. It represents times of struggle or difficult circumstances, often related to material or financial difficulties. However, it also highlights the importance of seeking help and support during challenging times.
Symbolism: The crossing arrangement of the five coins creates a sense of imbalance and struggle. Their positioning highlights uncertainty and the need for external help or support.
In Relationships: Feeling abandoned or unsupported. The Five of Coins suggests financial or emotional hardship and the need for mutual care and compassion.
In Work: Financial difficulty or job insecurity. This card calls for resourcefulness and suggests seeking help or guidance during tough times.
Spiritually: A sense of spiritual poverty or abandonment. The Five of Coins reminds you to seek support and remember that even in difficult times, there is a way forward.
When ill-dignified: Isolation, despair, or neglect. The Five of Coins warns against wallowing in difficulty without reaching out for assistance or hope.
The Next Step is the near future, where this journey will take you.
Nine of Staves
The Nine of Staves represents resilience, endurance, and standing firm against adversity. It symbolises the strength to keep going despite challenges or setbacks.
Symbolism: The nine staves crossing evoke the image of a protective barrier. The design reflects both endurance and vigilance, as each staff represents a test that has been overcome, yet the gaps remind you to stay aware. The pale tan background reinforces the card's quiet strength and perseverance.
In Relationships: Endurance and commitment through difficult times. The Nine of Staves suggests that, despite obstacles or struggles, you have the strength to maintain and protect the relationship.
In Work: Perseverance and resilience in your professional journey. This card suggests you may be nearing the end of a difficult period and are strong enough to push through.
Spiritually: The Nine of Staves reflects inner strength and resilience in your spiritual journey. You may face trials, but you possess the endurance to stay true to your path.
When ill-dignified: Exhaustion, defensiveness, or being overwhelmed. You may feel the burden of too much resistance, and it's time to evaluate whether you're pushing yourself too hard.
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.
Knight of Cups
The Knight of Cups represents emotional pursuit, idealism, and romanticism. It speaks to the pursuit of dreams, following one's heart, and embarking on emotional quests with passion and dedication.
Symbolism: The knight on horseback, holding a cup, exudes an energy of romantic idealism and emotional drive. The pale horse's steady gait and the knight's confident posture suggest a balance between passion and grace.
In Relationships: Pursuing romance with enthusiasm and idealism. The Knight of Cups suggests a time of emotional pursuit, whether the beginning of a romance or a passionate phase in an existing relationship.
In Work: A pursuit of creative or emotional fulfilment. This card represents following your heart and idealism in professional endeavours.
Spiritually: The quest for spiritual or emotional fulfilment. The Knight of Cups invites you to pursue your highest ideals and trust your intuition on your spiritual journey.
When ill-dignified: Impulsiveness, emotional highs and lows, or unrealistic expectations. The Knight of Cups warns against becoming too idealistic or pursuing unrealistic goals without grounding.