Mar 17 2009
Tarot Tuesday #3 - Sacred Circle High Priestess
The Sacred Circle Tarot is one of those visually stunning decks that seem to appeal to everyone. Rich color, layered symbolism, beautiful pictures - what more could you want from a deck? The High Priestess card is one example of how Anna Franklin has brought the images and elements of both Pagan Celtic tradition into the Christianized version of the cards that most people know best - the Waite deck. Franklin is herself a High Priestess, a practicing witch for over 30 years, and the author of a number of books on Tarot, tradition and the Craft. as her publisher puts it.
This card speaks to me so much more than the more traditional image of a stoic woman seated between two pillars, wearing ceremonial garb. This is a woman who walks through dreams and weaves moonlight into magic. The colors manage to be both vivid and dreamlike at once - much like intuition and that almost-knowing most of us are so familiar with.
The High Priestess is the card of subconscious awareness - of knowing that there are secrets beyond you, and that they are just outside your grasp. It is an invitation to find that place in yourself that connects to the unknown, and explore the path. When she appears in a reading, she is saying that there is much that is hidden from you still - but it’s not impossible to find. You just have to look for the right path to access the knowledge that is yours.
Very pretty. The color choice on this one is absolutely gorgeous. (I’m rather fond of this particular card; something about symbolism and the unknown just appeals to me.)
Have you considered doing side by side comparisons of the same card in different decks? It’d be interesting seeing which elements stay constant.
Happy Tarot Tuesday, hon! Great HP info and what a gorgeous card! I’m up with my usual meditation and this week is… same as yours! (thanks for the review at entrecard. Sorry I’m so MIA with my modem issues.