Major Arcana
The High Priestess
Although Ted is definitely a male bear, he is perfectly capable of taking on a feminine guise to represent a female character, and here we see him as the High Priestess.
The High Priestess sits on a cushion in her Temple. The colour of the cushion, and of her clothing, is pale blue, symbolizing purity and a strong link to all that is divine. Christians will recognize it as the traditional colour of the robes of the Virgin Mary. The veil is also emblematic of innocence and purity, but here it is thrown back to show that she no longer has any need to conceal her inner nature.
This card is associated with the Moon, which is seen in the background, and on the High Priestess’s headdress. In the western tradition, the Moon is a feminine influence, underpinned by firm connections between the conscious and unconscious mind. It can be highly introspective when the need arises.
The High Priestess sits between two pillars, black and white. These represent the pillars at the entrance of the great Temple built by King Solomon, as described in the Bible, where they are named as Boaz and Jachin. Depicting them as black and white is a modern interpretation, designed to reinforce their dual aspect. This dualism is itself open to different interpretations, but for our present purposes we shall consider it to represent the dual forces of creation and destruction. It is easy to see this as good and evil, with evil as something to be driven away — but things are not as simple as that. Destruction is an essential part of the life of the Universe; that which is dead or decayed must be swept away (destroyed) so that new life can be created and thrive. Stripped of their colours, the pillars may be seen to have a slightly different significance: in certain traditions, the left pillar represents a foundation of strength, while the right pillar establishes a new structure, the two pillars in combination forming a stable and enduring whole.
The black and white pavement reinforces the creative/destructive duality, emphasising that the two aspects are inextricably interlinked, and that any path of progress must necessarily pass through both aspects in turn. This applies not only to personal progress, but to the progress of anything, from the smallest atomic particle to the entire universe.
On the ground lies a scroll. This is a scroll of learning, of divine knowledge to be passed on by the High Priestess. But it is not forced upon the recipient; rather, it is to be picked up and absorbed by those who feel called upon to do so.
Behind the figure is a curtain. This represents the veil of King Solomon’s Temple, concealing the Holy of Holies, which could only be entered by those considered most worthy to approach a manifestation of the divine presence, and then only on special occasions. The veil is decorated with pomegranates, a symbol of fecundity and nurturing.
Divination
Hidden depths. Harmony, understanding, balance, sensitivity. Calm containing inner power, concealed but able to manifest when required. Control, but with gentleness. Mysteries, secrets, unknown influences. The future as yet unrevealed. Going beneath the surface of things, inner perception, inner reflection, self-knowledge. Possibly the start of a psychic or spiritual journey. The “woman within,” the feminine side of the querent’s inner nature, no matter whether they are a man or a woman. Sometimes the card may signify a person, in this case a young unattached woman.
For experts
- Hebrew letter Gimel ג
- (Double letter: Planet The Moon ☾)
- Tree of Life Gevurah to Binah
You can see these cards at their best in the finished deck of Ted’s Tarot. Buy it here.