The Pictorial Key to the Tarot
The Pictorial Key to the Tarot
The Pictorial Key to the Tarot
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II. <strong>The</strong> High Priestess<br />
sacred-texts Waite Index Previous Next<br />
II<br />
<strong>The</strong> High Priestess<br />
She has <strong>the</strong> lunar crescent at her feet, a horned diadem on her head, with a globe in <strong>the</strong> middle place, and<br />
a large solar cross on her breast. <strong>The</strong> scroll in her hands is inscribed with <strong>the</strong> word Tora, signifying <strong>the</strong><br />
Greater Law, <strong>the</strong> Secret Law and <strong>the</strong> second sense of <strong>the</strong> Word. It is partly covered by her mantle, <strong>to</strong><br />
shew that some things are implied and some spoken. She is seated between <strong>the</strong> white and black pillars--J.<br />
and B.--of <strong>the</strong> mystic Temple, and <strong>the</strong> veil of <strong>the</strong> Temple is behind her: it is embroidered with palms and<br />
pomegranates. <strong>The</strong> vestments are flowing and gauzy, and <strong>the</strong> mantle suggests light--a shimmering<br />
radiance. She has been called occult Science on <strong>the</strong> threshold of <strong>the</strong> Sanctuary of Isis, but she is really<br />
<strong>the</strong> Secret Church, <strong>the</strong> House which is of God and man. She represents also <strong>the</strong> Second Marriage of <strong>the</strong><br />
Prince who is no longer of this world; she is <strong>the</strong> spiritual Bride and Mo<strong>the</strong>r, <strong>the</strong> daughter of <strong>the</strong> stars and<br />
<strong>the</strong> Higher Garden of Eden. She is, in fine, <strong>the</strong> Queen of <strong>the</strong> borrowed light, but this is <strong>the</strong> light of all.<br />
She is <strong>the</strong> Moon nourished by <strong>the</strong> milk of <strong>the</strong> Supernal Mo<strong>the</strong>r.<br />
In a manner, she is also <strong>the</strong> Supernal Mo<strong>the</strong>r herself--that is <strong>to</strong> say, she is <strong>the</strong> bright reflection. It is in this<br />
sense of reflection that her truest and highest name in bolism is Shekinah--<strong>the</strong> co-habiting glory.<br />
According <strong>to</strong> Kabalism, <strong>the</strong>re is a Shekinah both above and below. In <strong>the</strong> superior world it is called<br />
Binah, <strong>the</strong> Supernal Understanding which reflects <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> emanations that are beneath. In <strong>the</strong> lower world<br />
it is MaIkuth--that world being, for this purpose, unders<strong>to</strong>od as a blessed Kingdom that with which it is<br />
made blessed being <strong>the</strong> Indwelling Glory. Mystically speaking, <strong>the</strong> Shekinah is <strong>the</strong> Spiritual Bride of <strong>the</strong><br />
just man, and when he reads <strong>the</strong> Law she gives <strong>the</strong> Divine meaning. <strong>The</strong>re are some respects in which<br />
file:///C|/My%20Documents/Spiri<strong>to</strong>ality/Books/<strong>The</strong>...0<strong>to</strong>%20<strong>the</strong>%20<strong>Tarot</strong>%20-%20A.E.%20Waite/pktar02.htm (1 of 2) [15/07/2001 23:10:12]