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![]() Six of Pentagrams |
The Full Moon![]() Seven of Pentagrams |
The Waning Moon![]() Ace of Pentagrams |
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Significator #1![]() Page of Cups |
Significator #2![]() Queen of Cups |
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The Dark![]() XX. Judgement |
The Secret of the High Priestess![]() Queen of Swords |
The Light![]() XVIII. The Moon |
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The Next Step![]() Ten of Cups |
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Significator #1
Page of Cups
Reversed
Symbolism:
A young vampire sits in a prostate position, poised to consume a chalice filled with the most desirable sustenance. The image conveys a sense of eagerness and anticipation, focused on a new emotional journey or experience.
Meaning:
The Page of Cups represents youthful enthusiasm, creativity, and emotional curiosity. It symbolizes the beginning of new emotional experiences, such as love, art, or self-discovery. This card often represents an individual who is open-hearted, sensitive, and in tune with their emotions. It can also indicate a message or invitation related to feelings or creative pursuits.
Reversed, the Page of Cups suggests emotional immaturity, manipulation, or being too consumed by fantasy and illusion. It may indicate deception, emotional instability, or the inability to express one's true feelings.
Keywords:
Reversed: Emotional immaturity, manipulation, deception, instability, fantasy.
Significator #2
Queen of Cups
Symbolism:
The beautiful Queen of Cups toasts to the abundance of victims willing to sacrifice themselves for the vampires' pleasure. The Queen embodies nurturing energy but also the darker, seductive side of emotional power.
Meaning:
The Queen of Cups represents emotional wisdom, intuition, and nurturing. She is deeply connected to her emotions and offers guidance in matters of the heart. This card symbolizes compassion, empathy, and the ability to heal through love. The Queen also represents a woman who has a strong emotional presence and offers emotional support to those around her.
Keywords:
Upright: Emotional wisdom, intuition, compassion, nurturing, healing, emotional intelligence.
The Waning Moon is the influence that you are putting behind you, as it moves into the past.
Ace of Pentagrams
Symbolism:
A pentagram rests as an orb upon a sceptre, impaling a female vampire in the heart. This act is not one of violence, but of love—symbolizing a powerful force that connects creation and destruction. The pentagram, a symbol of power and balance, represents material beginnings, prosperity, and the strength that lies within one's creative or financial pursuits.
Meaning:
The Ace of Pentagrams signifies new beginnings in material or financial matters. It heralds prosperity, intelligent planning, and the initiation of creative projects. It may point to the birth of an idea that will grow into something tangible and successful. This card invites you to tap into your skills and resources to manifest your desires.
Keywords:
Upright: Prosperity, new beginnings, material success, creativity, financial opportunity.
The Full Moon is the current influence at this time.
Seven of Pentagrams
Reversed
Symbolism:
A gravedigger stands proudly, posing for a photograph while covering his tracks. This card speaks to the satisfaction derived from one's labor, but also hints at the pride that can arise from success.
Meaning:
The Seven of Pentagrams represents work well done, success in business, and careful management of resources. It highlights the importance of planning, trade, and the use of one's skills in order to reap the benefits of hard work. It invites a reflection on the value of patience and long-term effort.
Reversed, it warns against bad deals, financial anxiety, or arguments over resources. It may suggest a failed business venture or dishonesty in financial exchanges.
Keywords:
Reversed: Bad deals, financial strain, dishonesty, anxiety.
The Waxing Moon indicates what is on the horizon; the approaching influence.
Six of Pentagrams
Symbolism:
Two men beg a seductive vampire, one drained, the other eager for his turn. This scene represents generosity, power dynamics, and the exchange of resources—both material and emotional.
Meaning:
The Six of Pentagrams signifies giving and receiving, with a focus on generosity and balance in exchanges. It may indicate a time when you are helping others or receiving aid, and it highlights the importance of fairness and reciprocity. It suggests prosperity through kindness, vigilance, and prudence.
Keywords:
Upright: Generosity, aid, balance, prosperity, reciprocity.
The Light is what is clearly recognized.
XVIII. The Moon
Symbolism:
The Moon is depicted as a blood-red orb casting an eerie glow over a desolate landscape. Two wolves—one dark and one light—howl at the moon, representing instinct and duality. A twisted, thorn-covered path winds between them, leading into a dense forest shrouded in mist. Shadows shift and twist unnaturally, suggesting the illusions and fears that dwell in the subconscious.
Meaning:
The Moon symbolizes intuition, dreams, and the realm of the subconscious. It warns of illusions, hidden truths, or fears clouding your judgment. This card encourages trusting your instincts and exploring your inner world to uncover what lies beneath the surface.
Keywords:
Upright: Intuition, dreams, subconscious, illusion, mystery, emotions, uncertainty.
The Dark shows what is there but not fully perceived, though it has been noticed on a deeper level of consciousness.
XX. Judgement
Reversed
Symbolism:
Judgment depicts a haunting scene of the dead rising from crypts bathed in an eerie, silvery glow. A vampire angel hovers above, blowing a trumpet, its sound visible as luminous, curling waves. The figures below lift their arms skyward, drawn by the call to awakening. A massive, ancient tree stands in the background, its roots tangled with bones, symbolizing the cyclical nature of life and death.
Meaning:
Judgment signifies renewal, self-assessment, and a call to rise above the past. It asks you to confront your actions, choices, and truths, encouraging accountability and forgiveness. This card often appears during moments of profound transition, marking the opportunity to shed old burdens and embrace a higher purpose.
Reversed, Judgment warns of self-doubt, avoidance, or fear of change. It suggests a resistance to growth or ignoring the need for reflection.
Keywords:
Reversed: Self-doubt, avoidance, fear of change, lack of reflection, denial, stagnation.
The Next Step is the near future, where this journey will take you.
Ten of Cups
Symbolism:
Ten used cups sit in storage, while a skull watches over them. The imagery suggests a sense of completion, fulfillment, and the closing of a chapter, but also a reminder that all things come to an end.
Meaning:
The Ten of Cups represents emotional fulfillment, contentment, and happiness in relationships. It is the ultimate expression of emotional satisfaction, often symbolizing harmony in family life, long-lasting love, or the completion of an emotional journey. It suggests a sense of peace and joy, where all emotions align, and dreams come true.
Keywords:
Upright: Emotional fulfillment, harmony, happiness, peace, contentment, family unity.
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.
Queen of Swords
Symbolism:
The Queen of Swords stands tall, her gaze unwavering as she flaunts herself with calculated poise. Her demeanor combines sorrow and sharpness, reflecting wisdom earned through hardship. A single sword rests in her hand, pointed skyward, symbolizing clarity, truth, and intellect. The surrounding environment is barren yet serene, highlighting her emotional resilience and detachment.
Meaning:
The Queen of Swords represents intellect, independence, and clear judgment. She is a figure of sharp wit and decisive action, unafraid to make difficult choices. This card often symbolizes someone who has weathered emotional storms and now relies on logic and fairness to navigate life. It calls for honesty, objectivity, and discernment in your decisions.
Keywords:
Upright: Independence, intellect, clear judgment, fairness, decisiveness, honesty.
