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![]() VI – The Lovers |
The Full Moon![]() XX – Judgement |
The Waning Moon![]() XV – The Devil |
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Significator #1![]() XVI – The Tower |
Significator #2![]() II – The High Priestess |
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The Dark![]() XVII – The Star |
The Secret of the High Priestess![]() IX – The Hermit |
The Light![]() X – The Wheel of Fortune |
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The Next Step![]() IV – The Emperor |
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Significator #1
XVI – The Tower
The Tower indicates your pond turning over, a major change. Resistance to change has already been torn down and renewal is at hand. It is indicated that the smoke is clearing on this your new playing field! False structures and beliefs are dramatically tumbling down! Tumbling down suddenly, violently, and all at once.
Grief may be present but be mindful not to re-hydrate old fears as they fall of their own accord. Breathe in the change. Enjoy and take in what remains first. You may have just dismissed single-mindedness!
No-one said this one's gonna be easy, but smile. This is you. . .only NEW!
* A manner of reading a reversal is to emphasise rather than a reversed meaning, an internal meaning relating more to one's inner self than indicating the outer world. Read the card with your inner context, what it says to you about your inner person.
Significator #2
II – The High Priestess
The High Priestess indicates inner illumination, you giving form to the formless, developing your creative conceptions with hidden influences actively at work. You may feel an unrevealed future as you put things together intuitively. Look into the night sky. The moon may resonate more with you at this time. Feel through tricksters like knowing the moon does not have its own light, but reflects in its own, powerful way.
Now is a powerful time to forge ahead with your projects, things you are working on.
* A manner of reading a reversal is to emphasise rather than a reversed meaning, an internal meaning relating more to one's inner self than indicating the outer world. Read the card with your inner context, what it says to you about your inner person.
The Waning Moon is the influence that you are putting behind you, as it moves into the past.
XV – The Devil
The Devil indicates earthly desires rising in you. Mind that such feelings are nothing to fear, be ashamed of, or avoid so long as you are compassionate with yourself. Inhibitions can enslave as easily as excesses.
It is indicated that your expectations can be blind spots OR magical and invisible connections between things. It is also indicated to be mindful of your intensities. Your tethers are loose at this time. Don't let your intensities take you by surprise as you use the greater mobility.
Earthly desires can light you up and inspire you and make you feel great! Unrequited anything may be hurtful. Abolish your toxins of fear and you may very well feel the purity of your desires. Ambitions you have may be frightening and dangerous, but feel how they can be less frightening and dangerous than the subtle decay present if your hands are idle.
This is a strong time to start learning how it feels to be honest and alive inside and out!
The Full Moon is the current influence at this time.
XX – Judgement
Judgment indicates a weightlessness of memory in mind that exacts a heavy toll or provides one with a breadth of self-born experience. It is indicated to not dig in your dirt at this time in respect for your own dead. In respectful remembrance forget them to sprouting and flowering naturally as you simply amend your soil.
It is indicated that you alone carry your memories into the present, no more at the mercy of your past, than you are of old photo albums. Take more pictures! Judgment indicates the respectful remembrance of perennials poking their noses up in newly amended soil.
Now is indicated to be a time where the cycles of your memories will flourish.
* A manner of reading a reversal is to emphasise rather than a reversed meaning, an internal meaning relating more to one's inner self than indicating the outer world. Read the card with your inner context, what it says to you about your inner person.
The Waxing Moon indicates what is on the horizon; the approaching influence.
VI – The Lovers
The Lovers indicate vibrant joineries embedded in a mutual harmony. Indicates a coming together of lovers, of ideas, of energies. Feel the vibrancy of your confidence and purpose. Feel your wholehearted respect in powerful witness with your love. There is vitality at every scale for you at this time! Now is a grand time for enhancing and strengthening partnerships in your personal and business realms.
The Light is what is clearly recognized.
X – The Wheel of Fortune
The Wheel Of Fortune indicates big things. Luck, change, and fortune. Abundance, prosperity, and happiness. Is there a dollar on the sidewalk? The Wheel indicates change in a manner that almost always brings joy along with it. Place yourself where you want to be and flow naturally without force. . .such as. . .as you do your work, think only of the doing of your work and lose yourself in it for a bit mindfully. Reasons have gone wonderfully missing here. This is a time of being comfortable with the not-knowing. Stay aware and enjoy things simply happening as they do.
The Dark shows what is there but not fully perceived, though it has been noticed on a deeper level of consciousness.
XVII – The Star
The Star indicates continually finding your cosmic groove and going for it! Eternal hope in the diamond-like seat of your mind-body-beautiful is indicated to be sparkling brightly! The Star card indicates the immutable and vibrant presence of your memories, your hope, and your knowledge.
The Star encourages you to shift your focus and re-direct your scale without moving the gaze upon your focus. Even the smallest star provides a glimmer of hope.
This is a bright time for feeling your possibilities expanding!
The Next Step is the near future, where this journey will take you.
IV – The Emperor
The Emperor indicates you have the power and vision to see the big picture. Established context or developed place is also indicated. Plan and explore your ideas with deliberate action. Going step by step, even in surprise, you can re-align the pace and direction of the whole system as you go along. You are the genius of your location. Mind your placement with attentive and patient presence.
Feel the manifestations of your bigger dreams building on a strong foundation!
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.
IX – The Hermit
The Hermit indicates inner activity and the clarity you see in the mysteries and seeming lack of form in darkness, indicates walking the cloister of your mind. You may be acutely aware of cycles of experience completed at this time. Identify them clearly and meditate on them from within. Be inwardly active. Others may not see what you see or feel what you feel. The Hermit is not stationary. Do not maintain or hold static perspectives. Now is a poignant time to sense YOUR perspective, and believe what you feel.
