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 IV – The Emperor	The Full Moon VIII – Strength		The Waning Moon King of Coins
	Significator #1 Eight of Wands	Significator #2 I – The Magician
The Dark XVI – The Tower	The Secret of the High Priestess XI – Justice		The Light XV – The Devil
	The Next Step Nine of Cups

Significator #1 

Go for it! Clear skies and smooth sailing ahead. Rapidly moving toward the achievement of your goals. Good news is coming. Renewed vigour and energy for an endeavour. Spontaneity. Embarking on an exciting journey. Operating out of a sense of urgency.

Significator #2 

You need more knowledge, experience or skills in order to succeed. Someone is being a trickster or huckster – sly, cunning or sneaky.

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

A miser or someone who ignores issues of poverty and deprivation in others. A warning about being motivated by greed. Materialism is the root problem. Cheating others out of what is rightfully theirs. Being inflexible, stubborn, or set in your ways.

The Full Moon is the current influence at this time. 

An unjust decision, perhaps based on bias, bigotry, or deceit. Delays in the delivery of a decision. Irresponsibility. An inability to make a decision. Being treated unfairly or with prejudice.

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

The Father archetype, which implies things like strictness, providing for others, and having respect and recognition from others. The ability to rationally resolve issues and problems. Having structure, stability, and order in your life. An authority figure, a person who is in a position of power.

The Light is what is clearly recognized. 

Materialism or superficiality. Negative thinking. A dysfunctional relationship. Being self-destructive or caught in a bad situation of your own making through vices such as greed, addictions, or hubris. Giving in to temptation. Feeling like you're going through Hell. Egotistical power struggles. Dealing with someone you think is evil, although s/he may be merely exhibiting shortcomings that you have but don't want to face in yourself.

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

The end or resolution of a crisis. A time to pick up the pieces and move forward. Alternately, an inability to move forward because you feel confined by powers beyond your control. The discovery that a crisis that you hated was actually 'a cosmic kick in the pants' which has liberated you from a bad situation.

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

Dreams or wishes fulfilled. Enjoyment of luxury and friendships. Being satisfied with a positive outcome. The ability to appreciate what you have. Having a generous nature. Being happy for others when they succeed.

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. 

Having Inner strength. Resolving problems with patience, composure, compassion or understanding. An ability to control your baser instincts. Facing trials and hardships with courage. Finding a peaceful resolution to an angry or violent situation. Seeing the best in others.