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 Stakes	The Full Moon Seven of Stakes		The Waning Moon Two of Swords
	Significator #1 Ace of Cups	Significator #2 Five of Cups
The Dark King of Pentagrams	The Secret of the High Priestess Three of Swords		The Light Nine of Pentagrams
	The Next Step XI. Justice

Significator #1 

Reversed
Symbolism:
A pale hand drains the life force out of a female who has sacrificed herself to fill an unholy grail. This act of devotion and consumption illustrates the intense, transformative power of emotional energy. The grail symbolizes the heart, while the act of sacrifice represents the giving and receiving of love, both nourishing and consuming.

Meaning:
The Ace of Cups represents new beginnings in matters of the heart, overflowing with emotional potential. It is a card of love, joy, and emotional fulfillment, suggesting the start of a fresh emotional journey or a deepened connection with others. It signifies a time of abundance, where feelings of happiness, empathy, and compassion can fill your life.

Reversed, it warns of emotional instability, deceit, or manipulation. It can signal that emotional needs are being ignored or that love has been tainted by false intentions.

Keywords:
Reversed: Emotional instability, deceit, unfulfilled emotions, manipulation.

Significator #2 

Reversed
Symbolism:
Five toppled cups form a pentagram, with something undiscernible at the center. The destruction and loss are apparent, yet the hidden element suggests that something valuable might still remain.

Meaning:
The Five of Cups represents loss, grief, and emotional upset. It suggests the need to process and mourn a loss, be it personal or emotional. This card encourages you to acknowledge your sorrow while being open to healing. It is also a reminder to focus not just on what has been lost but on what remains.

Reversed, it indicates recovery, the return of what was lost, or the resolution of past grief. It may also point to false hope or unresolved emotional baggage that still lingers.

Keywords:
Reversed: Recovery, resolution, overcoming grief, false hope, emotional baggage.

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

Reversed
Symbolism:
A sword protrudes from the mouth of a female, symbolizing a smooth talker or someone who has the ability to communicate forcefully.

Meaning:
The Two of Swords represents difficult decisions, indecision, and mental conflict. It suggests being at a crossroads, where a choice must be made, but there is uncertainty or unwillingness to make it. This card symbolizes balance and the need to weigh options carefully.

When reversed, it indicates dishonesty, manipulation, or a refusal to face the truth. It can also suggest that the choice has been made, but with negative consequences such as betrayal or deception.

Keywords:
Reversed: Betrayal, deceit, falsehood, avoidance.

The Full Moon is the current influence at this time. 

Reversed
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.

Reversed, the card warns of indecision, confusion, or embarrassment. It may also signal an overreaction to perceived threats, leading to unnecessary conflict.

Keywords:
Reversed: Indecision, confusion, overreaction, fear, uncertainty.

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

Symbolism:
The King of Stakes sits confidently in his domain, surrounded by the grim trophies of his reign. His impaled victims act as a wall of protection, symbolizing his authority, control, and the cost of maintaining power.

Meaning:
The King of Stakes represents authority, leadership, and honesty. He encourages you to act with integrity and take responsibility for your decisions. This card often signals success, stability, or the arrival of significant news, particularly regarding inheritance or financial matters.

Keywords:
Upright: Leadership, authority, honesty, stability, success, responsibility.

The Light is what is clearly recognized. 

Reversed
Symbolism:
A voluptuous woman with her familiar in hand prepares for astral travel, representing accomplishment and the ability to reach higher realms. She symbolizes wisdom and the ability to manifest one's desires through focused intent.

Meaning:
The Nine of Pentagrams represents success, accomplishment, and the manifestation of your goals. It signifies that you have worked hard to achieve security and comfort and that your efforts are beginning to bear fruit. This card encourages confidence and a sense of accomplishment.

Reversed, it warns against vanity, insecurity, or unfulfilled projects. It may indicate that your success is threatened by your own egotism or a lack of confidence in your abilities.

Keywords:
Reversed: Vanity, insecurity, missed opportunities, egotism.

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

Symbolism:
A wise king adorned with a large pentagram holds his reign in a posture of strength and control. He represents mastery over material resources and the ability to wield power with integrity and wisdom.

Meaning:
The King of Pentagrams signifies success, mastery, and the completion of a journey towards wealth and stability. This card speaks to practical wisdom, resourcefulness, and the ability to create long-lasting success. It encourages you to embody leadership and strategic thinking in your endeavors.

Keywords:
Upright: Mastery, success, leadership, stability, resourcefulness.

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

Symbolism:
Justice is depicted as a pale, vampiric figure holding a pair of scales in one hand and a blood-stained sword in the other. One side of the scale holds a black feather, while the other holds a human heart, symbolizing the balance between moral accountability and emotional truth. Her blindfold is sheer, hinting at impartiality tempered with insight. Behind her, a blood-red curtain reveals fragmented mirrors reflecting distorted truths.

Meaning:
Justice embodies fairness, truth, and accountability. She calls for honesty and objectivity in your actions and decisions, ensuring that you consider all perspectives before rendering judgment. This card often signals the need to weigh your choices carefully and to take responsibility for the consequences of past actions.

Keywords:
Upright: Fairness, truth, accountability, integrity, balance, objectivity, karma.

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. 

Reversed
Symbolism:
Three swords pierce a heart, and darkness looms in the background, indicating sorrow, emotional pain, and heartbreak.

Meaning:
The Three of Swords signifies emotional pain, heartbreak, and mental suffering. It points to grief, loss, and the pain of separation. It suggests that painful truths are being faced or that an emotional wound is still raw. It is a card of sorrow, regret, and mental anguish.

Reversed, it signals recovery from emotional turmoil or a lesser degree of pain. Alternatively, it may represent denial or avoidance of the emotional truth, preventing full healing.

Keywords:
Reversed: Recovery, emotional release, confusion, disorder.