Key 3

The High priestess is assigned to the Hebrew letter Gimel, the uniting intelligence. As such, she symbolizes the communication between the conscious and subconscious mind, and the link between Chokmah and Binah, Wisdom and understanding. She is the alchemical prima matera (first matter). She is the virgin Isis, the Goddess Diana.

The partially concealed book she holds symbolizes both the outward expression of religion, and the hidden, mystical aspect. The ocean behind her represents the subconscious mind and the waters of Binah. The pillars are the outermost pillars of the Tree of life, and also the pillars of the Temple of Solomon, Jakin and Boaz (wisdom and strength, according to the Masons). Also echoing Solomon’s temple are the pomegranates and palm trees adorning the veil, which is in imitation of the veil of the Holy of Holies- the inner sanctum of the temple, wherein one communicates directly with God. When the opposing poles are united and balanced, communication with the divine is made possible.

The bottom of her robe becomes water, representing the flow of wisdom from the subconscious. She stands on a crescent moon, another symbol of concealment, echoed again in her headdress, which is a thinly disguised symbol of Pisces. Pisces is ruled by the moon, and symbolizes secrets and hidden knowledge.

Key	3
Name(s)	The High Priestess (Papess)
Divinatory Meaning/interpretation	Memory, receptivity, subconcious, reflection, psychic ability
Hebrew letter/meaning	Gimel/Camel
Path on the Tree of Life
Intelligence	Uniting
Planet/Zodiac sign	Pisces

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Related Resources:

• Alchemy
  Turning lead into gold? Immortality? Proto-chemistry or spiritual transformation? Discover the spiritual tradition that gave birth to modern science.
• Hermetic Tradition
  Named after Hermes Trismigestus (Hermes the three times great), the Greek moniker of the Egyptian God Tehuti (Thoth), alleged author of hundreds of mystical tractates, the Hermetic tradition is an eclectic spiritual tradition that encompasses elements from from many religions.
• Ritual Magick
  Ritual Magick, also known as Ceremonial Magick, one of the most mysterious and misunderstood spiritual traditions, dates back in various forms to the beginnings of human culture, and has been continually practiced through to the present day- inspiring movements as diverse as Wicca, Theosophy, and the New Age, as well as such diverse disciplines as Chaos magick, Aeonic magick, and Thelema.