The High Priestess II in the Rider Waite Tarot
Table of contents
Table of contents
See another card
- The Fool
- The Magician I
- The High Priestess II
- The Empress III
- The Emperor IV
- The Hierophant V
- The Lovers VI
- The Chariot VII
- Strength VIII
- The Hermit IX
- Wheel of Fortune X
- Justice XI
- The Hanged Man XII
- Death XIII
- Temperance XIV
- The Devil XV
- The Tower XVI
- The Star XVII
- The Moon XVIII
- The Sun XIX
- Judgement XX
- The World XXI
- Ace of Wands
- Two of Wands
- Three of Wands
- Four of Wands
- Five of Wands
- Six of Wands
- Seven of Wands
- Eight of Wands
- Nine of Wands
- Ten of Wands
- Page of Wands
- Knight of Wands
- Queen of Wands
- King of Wands
- Ace of Cups
- Two of Cups
- Three of Cups
- Four of Cups
- Five of Cups
- Six of Cups
- Seven of Cups
- Eight of Cups
- Nine of Cups
- Ten of Cups
- Page of Cups
- Knight of Cups
- Queen of Cups
- King of Cups
- Ace of Swords
- Two of Swords
- Three of Swords
- Four of Swords
- Five of Swords
- Six of Swords
- Seven of Swords
- Eight of Swords
- Nine of Swords
- Ten of Swords
- Page of Swords
- Knight of Swords
- Queen of Swords
- King of Swords
- Ace of Pentacles
- Two of Pentacles
- Three of Pentacles
- Four of Pentacles
- Five of Pentacles
- Six of Pentacles
- Seven of Pentacles
- Eight of Pentacles
- Nine of Pentacles
- Ten of Pentacles
- Page of Pentacles
- Knight of Pentacles
- Queen of Pentacles
- King of Pentacles
The High Priestess Rider Waite Smith : meaning and interpretation
Major
Water
Moon
The High Priestess is the card of intuition, mystery and the sacred feminine. The second major arcanum, she follows The Magician: while he acts in the visible world, she works in the invisible. It represents hidden knowledge, silent wisdom and the power of inner listening. This card often appears when it is time to withdraw, to be silent, to observe rather than intervene. It symbolises secrets, unrevealed truths, but also the promise of deep understanding for those who know how to wait. She invites you to trust your feelings, even if they go against apparent logic. The High Priestess doesn’t speak: she knows. And this knowledge is also within you. Her presence in a reading is a call to introspection, patience and faith in the invisible. She is a powerful guardian, gentle yet firm, protecting what is sacred within you.
RWS Tarot : Arcana The High Priestess readings
Love / Sentimental reading
with the card The High Priestess
In love, The High Priestess is a card of mystery, silence and intuition. It can represent a secret, hidden or still unborn relationship, where feelings are not fully expressed. It invites you to listen to your heart and intuition, rather than trusting appearances or words. If you are single, it suggests a period of introspection, conducive to understanding your deepest desires, but also a subtle, almost magnetic encounter. As a couple, this card suggests a phase of calm, even emotional withdrawal, where communication is more non-verbal. It may indicate that one of the partners is keeping things to themselves, or that a mystery hangs over the relationship. This is not necessarily negative, but she advises against forcing things: let it happen, listen, feel. Love here is about depth and trust, not control.
Professional / Work reading
with the card The High Priestess
Professionally, the High Priestess embodies discretion, reflection and inner knowledge. It is perfectly suited to professions related to intuition, psychology, teaching, spirituality and research. This card can indicate that important things are going on behind the scenes, or that you are in a phase of observation and preparation. It’s not a question of taking action yet, but of gathering information and thinking deeply about your objectives. It encourages you to follow your inner voice rather than external advice. It can also indicate that certain truths are hidden in your working environment: not everything is being said, you need to read between the lines. Finally, if you are waiting for an answer or a change, it suggests patience. Everything comes to those who wait… and listen.
Financial / Material / Money reading
with the card The High Priestess
As far as finances are concerned, the High Priestess indicates a period of prudence, even restraint. This is not the time to make impulsive financial decisions. She invites you to trust your intuition and your feelings when faced with a proposal or a money situation. It can indicate uncertainty: not all the information is available yet, or someone is not telling you everything. If you are waiting for a sum or a result, it may take some time. It also suggests that you could benefit from hidden or unexpected resources, provided you explore other avenues or trust yourself. On another level, this card speaks of material detachment: it encourages you to review your relationship with money, to base your security not just on having, but also on being and inner wisdom.
Family reading
with the card The High Priestess
In the family sphere, the High Priestess evokes calm and intimacy, but also the unspoken. She may represent a wise or discreet woman in your circle (mother, grandmother, aunt) who has a great silent influence on the household. This card often indicates family dynamics that are not expressed clearly, but felt very strongly: intuitions, forebodings, buried emotions. It invites you to trust your feelings and pay attention to what is not being said. In some cases, it may herald the imminent revelation of a secret or family truth. It invites you to be gentle, to respect each person’s rhythm, and to listen sympathetically. It is also the symbol of a deep spiritual or emotional bond within the family, which goes beyond words and is lived out in silence or simple gestures.
Spiritual reading
with the card The High Priestess
On a spiritual level, the High Priestess is the archetype of inner wisdom, sacred mystery and intuitive knowledge. She represents the gateway between the visible and invisible worlds, the conscious and unconscious. It invites you to slow down, to enter into yourself, to meditate, to listen to the messages of your soul. This card often indicates a moment of deep spiritual awakening, but silent, almost secret. You may be in the process of opening your consciousness to greater truths, to cycles of inner understanding. This is also the card of synchronicities, message-carrying dreams and subtle connections. It urges you to cultivate silence, read sacred texts, study or practise in depth. She is the guardian of the inner temple. Its presence heralds an elevation, but a discreet one, with no outward glitter, that transforms profoundly.
See another card
- The Fool
- The Magician I
- The High Priestess II
- The Empress III
- The Emperor IV
- The Hierophant V
- The Lovers VI
- The Chariot VII
- Strength VIII
- The Hermit IX
- Wheel of Fortune X
- Justice XI
- The Hanged Man XII
- Death XIII
- Temperance XIV
- The Devil XV
- The Tower XVI
- The Star XVII
- The Moon XVIII
- The Sun XIX
- Judgement XX
- The World XXI
- Ace of Wands
- Two of Wands
- Three of Wands
- Four of Wands
- Five of Wands
- Six of Wands
- Seven of Wands
- Eight of Wands
- Nine of Wands
- Ten of Wands
- Page of Wands
- Knight of Wands
- Queen of Wands
- King of Wands
- Ace of Cups
- Two of Cups
- Three of Cups
- Four of Cups
- Five of Cups
- Six of Cups
- Seven of Cups
- Eight of Cups
- Nine of Cups
- Ten of Cups
- Page of Cups
- Knight of Cups
- Queen of Cups
- King of Cups
- Ace of Swords
- Two of Swords
- Three of Swords
- Four of Swords
- Five of Swords
- Six of Swords
- Seven of Swords
- Eight of Swords
- Nine of Swords
- Ten of Swords
- Page of Swords
- Knight of Swords
- Queen of Swords
- King of Swords
- Ace of Pentacles
- Two of Pentacles
- Three of Pentacles
- Four of Pentacles
- Five of Pentacles
- Six of Pentacles
- Seven of Pentacles
- Eight of Pentacles
- Nine of Pentacles
- Ten of Pentacles
- Page of Pentacles
- Knight of Pentacles
- Queen of Pentacles
- King of Pentacles
5-Card spread
The High Priestess and its positions in a 5-card draw.
Want to better understand how to interpret the card The High Priestess according to its position in a cross drawing? What does it symbolise as a situation, obstacle, resource, piece of advice or way out? Explore its many facets and find a detailed reading of the card The High Priestess in every position of the 5-card cross spread Rider Waite.
