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 IX. The Hermit	The Full Moon III. The Empress		The Waning Moon Ten of Swords
	Significator #1 Ace of Swords	Significator #2 VIII. Strength
The Dark Seven of Stakes	The Secret of the High Priestess XX. Judgement		The Light Knight of Pentagrams
	The Next Step Ten of Cups

Significator #1 

Reversed
Symbolism:
A hand emerges from the clouds, gripping a freshly used sword. The sword gleams with power, representing intellectual triumph and clarity that has recently been achieved. The imagery suggests that a great mental breakthrough has just occurred or is about to.

Meaning:
The Ace of Swords represents new ideas, clarity, and breakthroughs. It symbolizes the power of the mind, sharp thinking, and intellectual triumph. It is a card of victory through the use of force or the triumph of reason and logic. It suggests clear communication, decision-making, and the overcoming of challenges.

Reversed, the Ace of Swords signifies confusion, indecision, or an inability to see the truth. It may also represent false starts, miscommunication, or mental blocks.

Keywords:
Reversed: Confusion, falsehood, mental block, indecision.

Significator #2 

Symbolism:
Strength is portrayed as a vampiric figure gently taming a feral wolf under the light of a crescent moon. The figure's touch is both commanding and tender, symbolizing the balance of power and compassion. The wolf, once a creature of wild aggression, now gazes at its tamer with loyalty and calm. Around them, thorny vines twist, a reminder of the challenges inherent in mastering one's inner beasts.

Meaning:
Strength embodies courage, inner power, and the triumph of compassion over brute force. It urges you to face challenges with patience and resilience, relying on your inner calm to overcome fear and adversity. This card often signals the need to master emotions, demonstrating that true strength lies in self-control and grace.

Keywords:
Upright: Inner strength, courage, resilience, patience, self-control, compassion, calm.

The Waning Moon is the influence that you are putting behind you, as it moves into the past. 

Symbolism:
A male figure lies lifeless, his body pierced by ten swords. The brutality of the scene mirrors the infamous murder of the Black Dahlia, evoking themes of ultimate betrayal and victimization. Blood pools beneath him, symbolizing the depth of his suffering and the irreversible nature of the event.

Meaning:
The Ten of Swords represents total defeat, betrayal, and hopelessness. It signifies the end of a cycle or the culmination of pain, where there is no further descent. Despite its grim nature, the card also holds the promise of new beginnings, as the worst has already passed.

Keywords:
Upright: Betrayal, victimization, despair, emotional devastation, endings, hopelessness.

The Full Moon is the current influence at this time. 

Reversed
Symbolism:
The Empress sits upon her throne, her presence commanding yet nurturing. She holds the Hand of Glory, a macabre artifact symbolizing her power to claim whatever she desires. Her surroundings are lush and fertile, with dark roses blooming amidst the decay—symbols of beauty and abundance arising from even the grimmest conditions. Her expression is one of calm authority, radiating life-giving energy.

Meaning:
The Empress represents creation, fertility, and the nurturing aspects of life. She signifies abundance and the ability to bring ideas, projects, or relationships to fruition. This card invites you to connect with your creative or maternal instincts and embrace the cycles of growth and renewal. It may also point to emotional or physical abundance and a celebration of life's pleasures.

Reversed, the Empress warns of stagnation, overbearing tendencies, or emotional imbalance. It may point to neglect, smothering, or difficulties in manifesting creativity.

Keywords:
Reversed: Stagnation, neglect, overbearing, creative block, emotional imbalance.

The Waxing Moon indicates what is on the horizon; the approaching influence. 

Reversed
Symbolism:
The Hermit is depicted as an ancient vampire cloaked in tattered robes, holding a lantern that emits an eerie, bluish glow. He stands atop a desolate mountain peak, surrounded by swirling mist. The lantern's light reveals faint traces of hidden paths, while his posture suggests quiet contemplation. The darkness around him symbolizes isolation, while the light represents the wisdom gained through introspection.

Meaning:
The Hermit signifies solitude, introspection, and the search for deeper truths. He encourages stepping back from external distractions to seek clarity and wisdom within. This card often appears when you need time alone to reflect on your journey or make decisions based on your inner guidance. It may also indicate the guidance of a mentor or wise figure.

Reversed, the Hermit warns against excessive isolation, withdrawal, or fear of confronting the truth. It may suggest a refusal to seek or accept guidance when it's needed.

Keywords:
Reversed: Isolation, loneliness, avoidance, overthinking, fear of change, denial.

The Light is what is clearly recognized. 

Reversed
Symbolism:
A knight bearing a pentagram signals the arrival of important news, symbolizing responsibility, discipline, and service. His steady demeanor suggests that success is achieved through diligent work and careful planning.

Meaning:
The Knight of Pentagrams represents service, responsibility, and a strong work ethic. It suggests that you are in a position to fulfill your obligations and take care of important matters. This card encourages patience and diligence in your endeavors.

Reversed, it points to laziness, stagnation, or a lack of progress. It may indicate that you are avoiding responsibilities or failing to take action in a timely manner.

Keywords:
Reversed: Laziness, stagnation, procrastination, neglect of duty.

The Dark shows what is there but not fully perceived, though it has been noticed on a deeper level of consciousness. 

Symbolism:
Seven stakes hold yet another of Vlad's impaled victims, a stark message to those who would challenge his authority. The grim imagery portrays valor and defiance in the face of overwhelming odds. The stakes symbolize both the challenges and the power of standing one's ground.

Meaning:
The Seven of Stakes is a card of courage and determination. It urges you to stand your ground and defend your beliefs, even when faced with opposition. Success is possible, but it requires resilience and confidence in your convictions. This card often appears when there is competition or conflict, serving as a reminder to hold firm.

Keywords:
Upright: Valor, perseverance, defiance, determination, strength.

The Next Step is the near future, where this journey will take you. 

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. 

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.

Keywords:
Upright: Awakening, renewal, self-assessment, reckoning, forgiveness, rebirth, transformation.