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  0 – The Fool |
The Full Moon  Ace of Staves |
The Waning Moon  Knight of Coins (artwork from another Visconti deck) |
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Significator #1  XI – Strength |
Significator #2  King of Coins |
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The Dark  XXI – The World |
The Secret of the High Priestess  Four of Cups |
The Light  Five of Coins |
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The Next Step  Four of Coins |
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Significator #1
XI – Strength
Strength symbolises courage, patience, and the mastery of inner power. It reflects the triumph of compassion and self-control over brute force.
Symbolism: The figure's calm restraint of the lion reflects the balance of strength and gentleness. Her finely detailed garments and the rendering of the lion's mane reflect Renaissance artistry, while the golden background elevates the scene to a symbolic level.
In Relationships: A time to practise patience and understanding. Strength signals harmony through compassion.
In Work: Success through persistence and confidence. Strength encourages inner resolve rather than aggressive tactics.
Spiritually: Strength represents mastering the ego and cultivating inner peace through compassion.
When ill-dignified: Aggression, self-doubt, or weakness. It warns against succumbing to fear or forceful behaviours.
Significator #2
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.
The Waning Moon is the influence that you are putting behind you, as it moves into the past.
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 Full Moon is the current influence at this time.
Ace of Staves
The Ace of Staves represents the spark of creation, vitality, and the raw energy of new beginnings. It embodies the potential of a seed, ready to sprout and grow into something magnificent. This is the card of inspiration, energy, and the initiation of new ventures.
Symbolism: The upright staff, with its textured bark and emerging sprout, symbolises the beginning of a new cycle, full of potential and promise. The plain tan background highlights the purity and simplicity of the elemental energy, inviting you to step forward with enthusiasm and confidence. The sprout near the base reminds you that all growth begins with a single step.
In Relationships: A new beginning or a burst of passion in your romantic life. The Ace invites fresh energy and the excitement of new connections or the rekindling of a relationship.
In Work: The birth of a new project or opportunity. The Ace of Staves signals that now is the time to seize your creative potential and pursue your ambitions.
Spiritually: A call to action. The Ace suggests you are on the verge of spiritual awakening or taking a new path. Trust your instincts and take the first step towards growth.
When ill-dignified: Lack of direction or motivation, possibly feeling uninspired. You may be hesitant to begin, caught in uncertainty or fear of failure.
The Waxing Moon indicates what is on the horizon; the approaching influence.
0 – The Fool
The Fool symbolises new beginnings, innocence, and an open-hearted journey. He represents the spirit of adventure and trust in the unknown, unburdened by experiences or material concerns. His path is one of discovery, where curiosity leads the way.
Symbolism: The vagabond's tattered clothing reflects detachment from societal norms, while his staff and bundle suggest minimal baggage—both physical and emotional. The golden background highlights his eternal and universal journey. His carefree, open-mouthed expression conveys both the naivety of youth and the wisdom of freedom from expectations.
In Relationships: A signal to take risks or approach relationships with spontaneity and trust. It cautions against naivety or reckless behaviour.
In Work: An invitation to embrace a new path or project with an open mind. The Fool encourages experimentation and trust in one's instincts.
Spiritually: The Fool represents faith in the journey ahead and the courage to step into the unknown. He invites the seeker to trust the divine flow.
When ill-dignified: Foolishness, poor judgement, or recklessness. It warns against ignoring practicalities or rushing ahead blindly.
The Light is what is clearly recognized.
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 Dark shows what is there but not fully perceived, though it has been noticed on a deeper level of consciousness.
XXI – The World
The World represents completion, wholeness, and the harmonious integration of all aspects of life. It is the last card of the Major Arcana, signalling the end of one journey and the beginning of another.
Symbolism: The two ethereal figures holding the globe or portal represent the union of duality and the achievement of balance. The rolling plains and distant mountains beneath the golden sky symbolise the vast potential of the world, and the figures' gesture of offering suggests a celebration of accomplishment. The card evokes cosmic harmony, completion, and the endless cycles of existence.
In Relationships: The World signifies a complete and fulfilling relationship, one where both partners are in harmony and balanced with each other. It's a time of celebration and unity.
In Work: Completion of a major goal or project. The World indicates the successful culmination of efforts, with new horizons opening up in your professional life.
Spiritually: A time of wholeness. The World signifies a sense of fulfilment and oneness with the universe, representing the final stage of spiritual evolution.
When ill-dignified: Incompletion, being stuck, or an inability to move forward. This card warns of a lack of closure or an unfinished journey that hinders your growth.
The Next Step is the near future, where this journey will take you.
Four of Coins
The Four of Coins represents stability, security, and holding onto material wealth. It suggests a need for caution and conservatism, especially with finances or possessions. This card speaks to the desire for safety and control but warns against becoming too rigid or possessive.
Symbolism: The symmetrical arrangement of the four coins creates a sense of groundedness and stability. Their equal spacing emphasises the need for balance and security in your material life.
In Relationships: A need for security or stability. The Four of Coins may suggest that you are holding onto someone or something too tightly, creating a sense of possessiveness.
In Work: Focusing on building and preserving financial stability. This card suggests a cautious approach but warns against being too conservative or resistant to change.
Spiritually: A focus on building material security at the cost of spiritual growth. The Four of Coins encourages you to be mindful of becoming too attached to the material world.
When ill-dignified: Greed, possessiveness, or excessive control. The Four of Coins warns against hoarding or becoming attached to material things at the expense of personal growth.
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.
Four of Cups
The Four of Cups speaks of refined introspection, indulgence, and the ennui that follows excess. Here, we see the weight of luxury—the satiety that dulls desire. It is the pause after fulfilment: the moment abundance becomes a gilded cage.
Symbolism: Four golden chalices evoke noble refinement and privilege, yet they are static, their contents untouched. The rich ornamentation surrounding them suggests a world of opulence, but one where satisfaction remains elusive. The card carries the energy of those who have tasted life's finest pleasures and now wonder—what next?
In Relationships: A moment of emotional detachment, not from lack, but from overindulgence. The heart, accustomed to grandeur, may grow numb to love's simpler joys. This card asks: Are you dismissing true connection because it does not dazzle?
In Work: A sign that your position may be comfortable—even prestigious—but lacking in passion. Material success alone does not sustain the spirit, and this card invites you to seek deeper fulfilment beyond the mere trappings of status.
Spiritually: A period of contemplation, but not of deprivation—rather, the quiet reflection that comes when one has everything except a sense of purpose. The Four of Cups calls for reawakening to life's meaning beyond luxury and routine.
When ill-dignified: Dissatisfaction amid excess. A refusal to engage with new opportunities, dismissing them as beneath you. Beware emotional torpor—even the most lavish court can become a prison if one ceases to dream. This is not the stagnation of the ordinary, but of those who have had their fill of the extraordinary and now seek something more.