The High Priestess of the North

 

History

As a high priestess, she is ageless, and has been called occult science on the threshold of the Sanctuary of Isis, but she is really a key member of the Church of the Screaming Yellow Fish, the House which is of the stars and spirits. She represents also the Second Marriage of the sacred spirit who is no longer of this world; she is the spiritual Bride and Mother, the daughter of the stars and the Higher Garden of Eden. She is, in fine, the Queen of the borrowed light, but this is the light of all. She is the Moon nourished by the essence of the Supernal deity.

In a manner, she is also a Supernal deity herself; that is to say, she is the bright reflection. It is in this sense of reflection that her truest and highest name in bolism is Shekinah; the co-habiting glory. According to Kabalism, there is a Shekinah both above and below. In the superior world it is called Binah, the Supernal Understanding which reflects to the emanations that are beneath. In the lower world it is MaIkuth; that world being, for this purpose, understood as a blessed Kingdom that with which it is made blessed being the Indwelling Glory. Mystically speaking, the Shekinah is the Spiritual Bride of the just fox and fish, and when they read the Law, she gives the Divine meaning. There are some respects in which this card is the highest and holiest of the Major Arcana.

On a more mundane level, the High Priestess is a figure who has passed through most of life. She started as a novice when a child. Now She has grown and governs the convent which is Spiritual Reality. She knows God. She knows what we go through because She has been through it Herself. But She is also very strict. Laws are in place to stop the new set of novices from hurting themselves.

Counsel

Although she began as a symbol of conventional mysticism, the high priestess has been associated with heretics and saints, and has been replaced by pagan figures at times. Her enigmatic appearance encouraged students of occultism to project their romanticized fantasies onto her. By the time late century explorers arrived in the English-speaking world, her ancient roots were long forgotten. When tarot was incorporated into new-age, neo-pagan, and feminist subcultures in the mid-20th century, she morphed into a witch, sorceress, psychic or coven leader.

In spite of these radical changes, a continuous thread runs through her story. The high priestess is an icon of deep spirituality that transcends dogma and formal religion. She is a paragon of intuitive understanding who sees beneath the surface of superficial distractions. She calls to us to slow down, enter our own inner sanctuary, and discover the wisdom waiting for us there. When called upon for counsel or advice, her deep insight and thoughtfulness often provides a sense of trust as well as solutions, elucidations and resolutions to the most complex issues of the day.

Friendships

The high priestess is a recluse, and mostly keeps to herself. She does however keep a confidence of a very small select group of trusted confidents with who she has shared the deepest darkest secrets of mankind's desires and wishes. Amongst those in her most trusted inner circle are Sharky Yellowfish, the which the origin of their friendship are the things that legends are made of.