Published 14/10/2026 • Updated 14/10/2026 by Joanne Jones

The High Priestess Tarot Card Meaning

Written by Joanne Jones, Founder of Trusted Psychics

The High Priestess is card II of the Major Arcana. She represents Intuition, mystery, hidden knowledge, patience and the subconscious.

If you’ve pulled her and you’re wondering what you should do next, it may actually be nothing. Well, not yet anyway.

The High Priestess is a tarot card that asks you to watch what is unfolding, acknowledge your instincts and understand that you may not have all the information.

There’s a difference.

During a tarot card reading, the High Priestess represents the uncertainty you are feeling but doesn't mean you have evidence that makes it reality.

Key message: Trust your instincts, but do not force an answer before the truth has had time to reveal itself.

Quick answer: The High Priestess represents Intuition, patience, mystery, and information that has not yet been revealed. Upright, she encourages observation and trust in your inner response. Reversed, she can point towards confusion, secrecy, or difficulty distinguishing Intuition from fear. In love tarot reading, she often represents unspoken emotions, private feelings, or uncertainty about a relationship.

If you are still learning how card imagery, spread position and surrounding cards work together, our guide to Tarot Card Meanings: Complete Guide to all 78 Cards explains the wider interpretation process.

What Does the High Priestess Symbolise?

We can take many things from The High Priestess. In the Rider–Waite–Smith Tarot, she sits between two pillars. There is also a veil behind her, and she is holding a scroll which is half hidden, with the crescent Moon at her feet.

These all help represent the card's meanings. Intuition, mystery, and patience. What we know and what is still unknown.

The Black and White Pillars

The black and white pillars are represented by the letters B & J, which stand for Boaz and Jachin, which were the 2 pillars of Solomon's Temple.

We can also look at the colour of these pillars, which can symbolise good and evil or light and dark, conscious and subconscious or the known and unknown.

The High Priestess is sitting in between these pillars, which for me represents that there isn't always a clear-cut answer. Sometimes you just have to accept that there may not be an answer just yet.

The Veil

The veil that is shown on The High Priestess represents what we know and what we don't know.

It doesn't always mean someone is hiding something from you or lying to you. It could just be that you don't know everything that is going on.

This can be a good card to come up in a reading when you're unsure about a relationship. We often think people are hiding things from us when we are feeling unsure.

The Scroll

The scroll that the High Priestess is holding is half hidden. It says TORA, which means knowledge and sacred teachings. The scroll is partly hidden, which may represent that there is knowledge that we have yet to learn.

The Moon

When you look at The High Priestess, there is a crescent moon at her feet, symbolising Intuition, feelings, cycles, and our subconscious.

There is also water, which can relate to our dreams and feelings which we may not fully understand. Together, these symbols may indicate that even when we think we know something, it may also not be the truth that we know.

For me, I think the High Priestess is not necessarily saying:

“You already know the answers"

Her message may be closer to:

“Pay attention to what you are noticing while you wait to learn more.”

Joanne’s Insight: Intuition Is Different From Certainty

Since finding Trusted Psychics in 1992, I’ve spent more than 30 years immersed in the world of psychic and spiritual readings.

One thing I have noticed over the years is how quickly people can turn an intuitive sensation into a certainty.

I prefer to take a more cautious stance with The High Priestess:

“The High Priestess can make you stop and listen to yourself. But I would never suggest that everyone who has a gut feeling is always right. Sometimes your Intuition is speaking to you; other times, it could be fear, hope, or your past experiences talking. What matters is learning to recognise the difference.” Joanne, Trusted Psychics.

The High Priestess Upright Meaning

When The High Priestess appears upright, the central themes are Intuition, patience, observation, and information that has not fully emerged.

You may be trying to make sense of a situation before you have enough information, or perhaps someone’s behaviour doesn't quite match their words.

Maybe an opportunity looks good on paper, but something is making you hesitate; maybe you’re asking others for advice before you have really thought out the situation.

The High Priestess Upright Can Suggest:

The card can feel frustrating when it appears in a tarot reading when you are looking for a definite answer.

However, sometimes “wait and see” really is the more useful answer.

The High Priestess Reversed Meaning

The High Priestess reversed can represent disconnection from your Intuition, confusion, secrecy, or difficulty separating what you sense from what you fear.

Often, we may choose to ignore an instinct because we do not like what it is telling us, when at other times we are so anxious about a situation that every anxious thought begins to feel intuitive.

The reversed High Priestess therefore asks you to examine what you are calling Intuition:

Is there something concrete behind the feeling?

Are you ignoring behaviour you have repeatedly observed?

Or are you filling gaps in the information with the outcome you most fear, or most want?

In relationships, the reversed card can also point towards poor communication, emotional withdrawal or things being left unsaid. This does not automatically mean betrayal or a secret, very often it’s just two people who are not being honest with each other.

The High Priestess Tarot Card Meaning in Love

In love readings, The High Priestess often points towards what is not being said which can be causing doubts within the relationship.

Love and relationships are among the most common subjects people bring to readings. In the Trusted Psychics Customer Survey 2026, 92% of 1,622 voluntary respondents said they had sought love and relationship guidance.

There may be attraction, emotional depth, or uncertainty beneath the surface, but this is not a card I would use to make definitive claims about another person’s private thoughts.

If you are dating somebody new, the High Priestess appearing in a reading often suggests allowing the connection to reveal itself gradually, rather than rushing into a decision that you have found your soulmate.

Watch what they do.

Notice how you feel around them.

Listen to what they say.

Give yourself enough time to see whether someone’s pattern of behaviour is consistent, if they provide support and show you respect and honesty.

In an established relationship, the High Priestess may point towards emotional distance, private feelings or something that needs a more honest conversation.

Your partner may be worried about something, processing their own emotions or simply finding it difficult to express themselves.

If something genuinely does not feel right, do not ignore that feeling, however, don't use a Tarot card reading as proof of something you haven't established either.

The High Priestess for Singles

For singles, The High Priestess can suggest taking time to understand what you genuinely want before rushing into a new relationship.

You may meet someone intriguing but difficult to read, or a new connection may develop more slowly than expected. Allow their actions, communication, and consistency to reveal who they are rather than filling uncertain spaces with assumptions.

The card can also encourage you to notice your own relationship patterns. Are you listening to your instincts, or are previous experiences shaping how you interpret somebody new?

The High Priestess does not promise that a secret admirer or soulmate is approaching. She asks you to remain open while allowing trust and understanding to develop naturally.

The High Priestess Reversed in Love

Reversed, The High Priestess can make relationship uncertainty feel louder.

Communication may be poor as one person may be withdrawing and their feelings may not be expressed clearly.

You might also be questioning your own judgement. perhaps your partner says everything is fine, but their behaviour has changed.

Or perhaps nothing concrete has happened, yet previous relationship experiences are making you expect something to go wrong.

Instead of asking:

“Does this card prove they are hiding something?”

Try:

“What has actually made me feel that something is wrong?”

That separates the interpretation from the evidence and helps you respond to what is actually happening rather than what you fear might be happening.

The High Priestess as Feelings

A common question about The High Priestess is:

What does The High Priestess mean when asking how someone feels about you?

As a feelings card, The High Priestess can suggest emotions that are private, complicated, or not yet being expressed.

There may be attraction or emotional curiosity. The person could be thinking carefully about the connection rather than showing everything they feel.

However, there is another possibility worth considering:

You may simply not know how they feel yet.

That is arguably one of the purest High Priestess interpretations, silence is not proof of hidden love.

Somebody thinking about you is not necessarily the same as somebody wanting a relationship.

Tarot cannot independently verify if someone loves you, the High Priestess can encourage patience, but their communication and behaviour will ultimately tell you more than the card can.

The High Priestess After a Breakup: No Contact & Reconciliation

The High Priestess can often show in a reading after a breakup when they are questions you want answered about unresolved issues and unspoken emotions about your previous relationship.

Do they miss me?

Are they thinking about me?

What did they want from me?

Will I get back together with my ex?

When you are going through a time of no contact when there may be no communication these questions may be linked to your heartbreak where you may be hoping for a reconciliation.

While there may be more to learn about your relationship, the High Priestess is unable to give you answers about how someone else feels.

Does the High Priestess Mean My Ex Misses Me?

The High Priestess can indicate there may be unresolved feelings where you both miss each other. Those emotions may be unclear as the situation has not been resolved and either party is unsure of what direction they wish to follow.

During periods of no contact or communication there may be frustrations, as either one or both partners need to understand if there are feelings still present or are the emotions being felt just due to hopes of a reconciliation or the fear of being alone.

During a love tarot reading this card may indicate unresolved emotions, but it cannot truly confirm that your ex misses you.

Does the High Priestess Mean My Ex Will Come Back?

No. Not on its own.

The High Priestess can appear when there are unresolved feelings or unanswered communications and doesn't necessarily mean that your ex will return.

Ask yourself these questions if you’re hoping for a reconciliation.

• Is there any communication going on?
• Have things changed since your breakup?
• Have the problems that led to your breakup been resolved?
• Have they shown that they want to try a reconciliation?

When your honest with yourself these questions can help you determine whether a reconciliation is a possibility.

When your heart is broken, you want all the answers, so Tarot can become a tool to keep searching for answers that provide reassurance that only your ex can answer.

If the High Priestess keeps appearing in your tarot reading after a breakup, try asking yourself.

"What do I need to know about this relationship?" rather than just asking does my ex miss me, as most ex-partners will miss each other in one way or another.

For me, the most important message of the High Priestess is breakups are filled with uncertainties which may or may not lead to a reconciliation but should guide you to explore the answers you need to determine your best direction.

Joanne’s Insight: Do Not Turn Silence Into the Answer You Want

Love readings are where Joanne believes The High Priestess requires particular care. I always feel when reading The High Priestess for love that we should be mindful of impressions vs interpretations.

In a love psychic reading people are most likely looking for answers to understand what led to the breakup and by knowing those answers they may help them to find the best direction forward. When we don’t have all the information, we often listen to outside influences which can be bias or even negative. The High Priestess can remind you to listen to your Intuition and do not assume other people must have feelings for you that may not have been established.

The High Priestess as Advice

In a reading when the High Priestess appears as an advice card her messages can be simple:

Don't rush just because uncertainty is uncomfortable. Allow yourself time to sit back and see what happens or if there's more information you should know.

Maybe speak to someone about how you are feeling instead of jumping to conclusions and learn to trust you intuition over others’ opinions.

Patience is not always passive, sometimes waiting is the best decision.

The High Priestess Tarot Card Career Meaning

In a career reading, The High Priestess can suggest discretion, observation and information that has not yet become available.

Perhaps you are considering a new career but do not know enough about the organisation, or maybe something in your current job feels unsettled.

The High Priestess encourages you to research all options and pay attention to any warning signs before making any commitment.

This card is often associated to careers where listening, emotional intelligence, research, counselling, creativity, or thoughtful analysis matter.

The High Priestess Tarot Card Money Meaning

For money, The High Priestess suggests caution around incomplete information, if something financial is not clear, find out more before acting.

That might mean checking the terms of an agreement, reviewing your spending, or waiting until you understand an investment rather than being pressured into making a quick decision.

The useful High Priestess message here is much simple: If you do not fully understand any situation, do not proceed until you can confirm the facts.

Is the High Priestess a Yes or No Card?

The High Priestess should be interpreted as maybe, wait or not enough information yet rather than a straightforward yes.

This card may lean towards yes when your question concerns believing in your instincts or yourself, depending on what other cards are around her

If your question pertains to someone and if they have feelings for you, the answer may be unclear. For career choices you may need more information to make the best decision or if someone is hiding something from you the situation may still be unclear.

The High Priestess is asking whether you have enough information to answer the question responsibly and that waiting for the situation to become clearer may be the best way to proceed,

The High Priestess Spiritual Meaning

Spiritually, The High Priestess card can represent knowledge from within. It can represent your intuition, mysterious qualities, and your subconscious mind. It also represents your feminine side.

Many people relate this card to spiritual awakening, meditating and understand your dreams, whilst learning about your psychic abilities and connecting to yourself on a deeper level.

If you use the tarot to gain knowledge about yourself, the High Priestess encourages greater self-awareness to better understand your own emotions.

Joanne’s High Priestess Reality Check

After more than three decades around psychic and spiritual readings, Joanne uses a simple distinction when considering intuitive experiences:

Ask Yourself Why It Matters:

• What did I actually sense? Separates the original impression from later interpretation.
• What did I already know? Helps identify information that may have influenced you.
• What am I hoping or afraid is true? Emotion can shape interpretation.
• Is there evidence outside the reading? Intuition and verification are different things.
• What remains unknown? Prevents uncertainty from being turned into certainty.

You don't have to prove an intuitive feeling is meaningful.

The High Priestess: Past, Present and Future

The card’s position in a spread changes how its themes may apply.

Past

In the past position, The High Priestess may point towards something previously left unsaid, a period of introspection or an earlier instinct that influenced where you are now.

Present

In the present position, information may still be developing.

This is the strongest “observe before acting” position.

You may benefit from waiting, asking another question, or simply paying closer attention to what is happening.

Future

In a future position, The High Priestess does not mean a secret event is destined to occur.

A skilled tarot reader may suggest entering a period where patience, discretion or Intuition becomes important.

Something may become clearer gradually rather than through one dramatic revelation.

Joanne's View: How I Interpret the High Priestess in a Reading

When I am reading and the High Priestess appears in the spread, I will consider the question I am being asked and what other cards surround it.

The High Priestess often suggests you may have an important decision you need to make.

Whether the card is reversed or upright will play into how I read her traditional meanings as well.

For me, a meaningful Tarot card reading isn't about giving every card a fixed interpretation, it’s about understanding the connection between the cards and explaining their relevance to the person receiving the reading.

So, you can see why The High Priestess could mean many things when she shows up in a reading.

The High Priestess Tarot Card Combinations

When together with other Tarot cards the High Priestess will have different meanings. These can be used to depict relationships, growth, secrets, and decisions. It depends on what other cards are around her, there position and what you're asking.

The High Priestess + the Magician

The High Priestess means inner knowledge and wisdom. The Magician means taking action and your ability. When combined together it could mean that you should act on what you know instead of just waiting and hoping for things to happen.

The High Priestess + the Empress

The High Priestess can pair well with The Empress as both cards bring together intuition nurturing, love, and growth. When this card appears in a love reading it may be guiding you to recognise your emotional needs and consider if the relationship meets your expectations and the respect you deserve.

The High Priestess + the Lovers

When paired with The Lovers the High Priestess represents love and relationships with important choices to be made. Maybe there is something you know, but you aren't sure what to do about it.

The High Priestess + Two of Cups

The two of cups symbolises an emotional connection between two people, but there are some things that you need to talk about. Don't assume that the other person knows what you're thinking or feeling.

The High Priestess + the Moon

Both the High Priestess and the Moon card deals with Intuition and the subconscious. When they are paired together, they can represent uncertainty and feelings of being emotionally overwhelmed. You may be worrying for no reason because you do not understand the whole situation.

The High Priestess + the Hermit

The High Priestess and the Hermit card can be a very self-focused combination. It can represent pulling away from others and spending time by yourself. Perhaps clearing your mind of other opinions and reflecting on your own feelings and expectations.

The High Priestess + the Devil

The High Priestess and the Devil card combination could be telling you to look at someone you're attached to. There could be some unhealthy emotions going on in your life. This does not necessarily mean someone is cheating on you but maybe take a look at certain actions or people in your life.

The High Priestess + the Tower

The Tower can mean unexpected changes due to revelations that have come to light. The high priestess can show you that you need time to reflect on your situation so you understand your position.

The High Priestess + the Star

The Star can give you positivity and hope to your situation. Together, they can suggest emotional healing, renewed confidence and direction allowing clarity to develop at a natural pace.

The High Priestess + Judgement

Judgement indicates realisations about something you've been trying to understand and have been holding back on deciding your next move.

Combinations can go many ways. Depending on the question that was asked, what cards are around it and where they fall in your reading.

Just because the High Priestess is next to a card doesn't always mean there is a secret going on. It can just mean to ask yourself what you know.

Is the High Priestess a Positive or Negative Tarot Card?

The High Priestess can be interpreted as a neutral Tarot card, with her meaning dependent on the surrounding cards and the question be asked.

The High Priestess can be reassuring when she encourages patience and self-trust. She can also be seen as a negative card if there are secrets or unanswered questions that have not yet been resolved.

Questions to Ask When You Draw the High Priestess

Instead of immediately asking what the card predicts, try asking:

“What information am I missing?”

“What am I sensing, and what evidence do I have for it?”

“Am I listening to Intuition or reacting to fear?”

“What am I assuming about another person?”

“Would waiting give me a clearer answer?”

“What do I know about this situation, and what do I not know?”

Those questions turn The High Priestess from a mysterious prediction into a card to help you reflect on your situation and understand your emotions.

The High Priestess Tarot Card FAQs

Why Is the High Priestess Number 2?

The High Priestess is numbered II in the Major Arcana. Symbolically, two suits her themes particularly well because the card repeatedly explores duality: conscious and subconscious, visible and hidden, certainty and uncertainty.

What Do the B and J Mean on the High Priestess Card?

In the Rider–Waite–Smith deck, the pillars are labelled B and J, commonly understood as Boaz and Jachin, referring to the two pillars associated with Solomon’s Temple.

Within the card, they contribute to its imagery of opposites, balance and the threshold between what is visible and concealed.

What Is the Difference Between the High Priestess and the Empress?

Both cards have traditionally feminine symbolism, but their emphasis differs.

The High Priestess turns inward towards Intuition, mystery and the subconscious, while The Empress is more strongly associated with creation, abundance, nurture and expression in the physical world.

What Zodiac Sign Is Associated With the High Priestess?

The High Priestess is most commonly associated with the Moon rather than one universally agreed zodiac sign.

Some modern correspondence systems connect her with Cancer because of the Moon association, while others treat the planetary Moon correspondence as the more important link.

Does the High Priestess Mean Someone Is Hiding Something?

I would say possibly there is information or feeling being kept hidden. But that doesn't mean someone is lying to you. Ask yourself what the question is about and see if any other cards back this up. And of course, see what is going on in real life.

Does the High Priestess Mean Someone Is Thinking About You?

In some cases, yes, it could represent hidden thoughts or feelings about you. However, we cannot know for sure what another person is thinking. So maybe you just don't have that information yet.

The High Priestess: Final Meaning

If you remember one thing about The High Priestess, make it this:

You do not always have to turn uncertainty into an answer.

In love, she can point towards feelings or conversations that are not yet clear.

In career and money, she encourages you to gather information.

Spiritually, she invites you to explore Intuition and your inner world.

When she appears around another person’s thoughts or feelings, she permits you to acknowledge something we often find surprisingly difficult to say:

I do not know yet.

That is not a weak Tarot interpretation, sometimes it is the wisest one.

Explore the High Priestess With a Trusted Tarot Reader

Would you like another perspective on The High Priestess or a wider Tarot spread?

Choose from one of our Top 10 Tarot Readers or browse all available readers, compare their experience and reading styles, and choose someone whose approach feels right for you.

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