Today's Tarot: The High Priestess (secrets, internal awareness, independence)

(Secrets, Internal awareness, Independence)

In my mind, there are two big archetypical women in the deck. The first is the Empress, who represents the caring, mothering aspect. Then, there is the High Priestess who represents the strong, independent aspect. She holds herself to herself, knows what she wants, and gets the job done.

She is fiercely independent. The trouble is, even she sometimes needs a helping hand, but often, she is too independent to ask. And, she might feel that showing vulnerability is a sign of weakness so she carries on but therefore perhaps misses out on opportunities for growth and connection. That reluctance to ask for help, reliance on secrecy, and reticence can bring their own share of troubles. First, if we stay quiet about needing help, we miss opportunities to learn other ways of doing things. Second, we run the danger of becoming like the little hamster running in a wheel. The little guy runs, runs, runs, but he never gets anywhere.

Chances to change, learn, and grow must be grasped and utilized. If we don’t, then we run the risk of remaining in a sort of stasis, like a deserted island. Sure, the island is pristine and lovely, but there’s no life on it to bring it energy and vitality. 

The agitation that comes from stepping out of your comfort zone brings that spark and High Priestess can use that spark to fan all sorts of flames if she has the courage to make the choices that she internally knows she must make. But, often, the High Priestess remains a little removed from the mess of the every day and although she remains pristine, she also remains untouched and untouchable.