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 0 – The Fool	The Full Moon Seven of Cups		The Waning Moon Ten of Swords
	Significator #1 VII – The Chariot	Significator #2 Nine of Coins
The Dark II – The Priestess	The Secret of the High Priestess Five of Wands		The Light Knight of Coins
	The Next Step Eight of Swords

Significator #1 

Feeling pulled in several directions at once. Feeling a loss of control in your life. An inability to properly master outside influences. Charging ahead rashly. Running roughshod over other people. Losing yourself in the role you have to play in order to succeed. Failure or a very costly victory.

Significator #2 

Things may not be as secure as they seem. Building success on shaky ground. Material success that is fragile or fleeting. Imprudent spending that undermines your security. Feeling unfulfilled by what you have. Feeling driven to 'keep up with the Joneses'.

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

Desperate actions in desperate times. A mess that no one wants to take responsibility for. Hitting rock bottom. Plans fall apart. Continuing to obsess about a situation even though it is finished already. Overkill. Feeling like you've been stabbed in the back. 'He who lives by the sword dies by the sword'.

The Full Moon is the current influence at this time. 

Daydreams, an overactive imagination, or general confusion make it hard to make a decision. Being wistful and fanciful. Seeing things the way you want (or fear) them to be, not as they are. You are being tested by alluring temptations. A confusing conflict between what your heart wants and what your head says. The need to weigh things more carefully and rationally.

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

A time to begin something new, especially when done without bias or preconceived notions. 'Leap and the net will appear'. Keep an open mind. A situation with promise or potential. 'Beginners luck'.

The Light is what is clearly recognized. 

A new source of income doesn't come through. Struggling to make ends meet. 'All work and no play;' a 'stick in the mud'. Being possessive with your things or defensive about your work. Losing interest in your work.

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

Try to listen more to the voice inside your heart. Not being able to express insights to others; your advice will be ignored or misunderstood. Beware of allowing your emotions to influence your decisions or actions. Someone is being secretive. Coldness, Detachment.

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

Gaining a healthy perspective of your problems. Ability to move forward after conquering self-imposed limitations. Not letting other people impose limitations or restrictions on you. Breaking through obstacles.

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. 

Finding a way to make a chaotic situation be productive instead. Rising above the chaos and turmoil around you. 'You can't make an omelette without breaking a few eggs'. Complications or problems in your life can be overcome with some effort. The end of struggles. You are being held back by your conflicted feelings about something.