The difference between the High Priestess and the Moon.

[Moon-Hermit]

I’ve always been struggling with these two’s meanings and symbolisms. From what I’ve learned so far, the High Priestess means personal mystery, the hidden unconscious part of one’s self; while on the other hand, the Moon represents external mysteries, hidden truths and uncertainties you have to solve outwardly, if that makes sense.

I wanted to know if anyone has a deeper (or even more personal) comparisons between these two cards? And, how can we apply their meanings to everyday’s situations in a more practical way?

[RunningWild]

I see The Moon as things being seen in a half-light.  Situations aren’t clear.  You don’t have all the information.  You’re fumbling around in the dark.  

 

The High Priestess might also not have all the answers but might intuitively know where to start looking.  To me, she’s ruled by the moon.  She’s the psychic and used to mysteries.

 

So, for me, in a reading and depending on where things fall if I’m doing a spread,  The Moon in an outcome position would mean I don’t have all the information yet and won’t for the foreseeable future.  And if it were the HP, I would probably take that as needing to rely on my intuition to sort things out, to listen to my inner voice.  Obviously YMMV and all cards are subjectively interpreted.

 

Perhaps @DanielJUK or others from the old AT forum might be able to link you to the excellent card explanations/definitions on that forum.    I can’t seem to do it on my tablet (but I’m tech-challenged so I’m certain it’s operator error).  

Edited August 28, 2024 by RunningWild

[SilverFox]

 

I don't see anything in common between these two cards.... There's no similarity at all.

The #2 Popess is spiritual authority (in female form, role). Nun, spiritual mentor (godmother), teacher...Like an archetype. She is somewhat similar to...the goddess Vesta....

The #18 Moon – is the moon ) It's night. Darkness. Like an archetype.... Like #19 The Sun -- is a day, light.

It's simple....for me.

Edited August 28, 2024 by SilverFox

[DanielJUK]

They are quite connected, I mean most HP cards have a crescent moon in there somewhere and a moon headdress. Also the HP is ruled by the Moon in astrology associations, and the Moon by Pisces.

 

The High Priestess sits in a gateway between two dimensions, the conscious world and the unconscious world, there is a curtain so we cannot see in. She holds scrolls of knowledge and info. She is like a guardian and interpreter, she takes what is true and filters it for us to know what we need. She is the gateway to higher knowledge and wisdom, she knows the secrets of the unconscious. If she came up in a reading, especially an advice type question, it's about trusting your feelings or intuition. You are getting a intuitive message and this is not about thinking with your head or logic. For example, if you go to look at a home you want to buy and it makes you feel bad about it, that is an important message to regard.

 

The Moon is different, it's an untamed world, with wild strange animals. Nothing seems quite real. Some people have a tarot theory that this world is the other side of the HP's gateway, beyond the curtain. At night, moon light is strange and eerie, we cannot see anything around us by that light (unless it's a bright Full Moon), this is different to the sun in the day. What is that shadow? is it a threat? What is over there in the darkness? This is why some people associate it with our shadow sides, we also all have darkness, an area we are not sure we should explore or not. It's a very psychological card about our fears and illusions, it's also about cycles in our lives. The Moon is like the raw version of the HP, there is no filter or interpreting, it's the unconscious with scary things and it's easy to get lost or stray from that path. I think @RunningWild is right about it's a realisation you don't have all the knowledge and not everything is clear. It's okay to feel confused and not have all the knowledge right now, it's a feeling to sit with and just realise that. More insight could come in future.

 

Both cards are really very psychic and "feeling" type cards, they can be great in association with divination subjects and as messages. I think the HP is about trusting your intuition, the message is right. The Moon is an exploration, maybe doing some work on a psychic connection or exploring your fears. The Moon is quite mysterious and tricky to interpret, I don't like to think of it as all negative though, it rules cycles and the tides in our lives. It has an important function and it shines a little light on our path at night. It's great for working on your fears and realise what is an illusion.

[DanielJUK]

31 minutes ago, RunningWild said:

Perhaps @DanielJUK or others from the old AT forum might be able to link you to the excellent card explanations/definitions on that forum.    I can’t seem to do it on my tablet (but I’m tech-challenged so I’m certain it’s operator error).  

 

Did you want the old AT meanings page? 🙂 

https://www.aeclectic.net/tarot/tarot-card-meanings/

 

It seems to have been recently reorganised to make it more annoying to browse!

[RunningWild]

21 minutes ago, DanielJUK said:

 

Did you want the old AT meanings page? 🙂 

https://www.aeclectic.net/tarot/tarot-card-meanings/

 

It seems to have been recently reorganised to make it more annoying to browse!

 

😆  Yes, that’s the one!  Thank you!

[Moon-Hermit]

Thanks to everyone for your help, it makes so much more sense now!🙏🌹

 

And I totally agree with the raw energy of the Moon, as DanielJUK said. I also see the HP as being wild and raw just like the Moon, though hers is more concealed; Especially in the Rider Waite’s deck, despite her overall calmness, I’ve always felt as if she’s ready to pounce at any moment lol.

[DanielJUK]

I've moved this thread to the Individual Card Meanings area of the forum 🙂 

[Misterei]

On 8/28/2024 at 10:18 AM, Moon-Hermit said:

I wanted to know if anyone has a deeper (or even more personal) comparisons between these two cards? And, how can we apply their meanings to everyday’s situations in a more practical way?

I see the deck used as very important. It changes according to deck [i.e. Moon is more sinister in some decks and more benign in others]

 

For RWS deck:

Priestess shows secrets and mysteries

Moon shows deceptions / delusions / illusions

 

I personally disagree with Waite's astrology on these two cards and reverse them in my reading style, but that isn't your original topic.

[Kluizenaar]

To me they are quite different. The High Priestess represents inner wisdom, intuition, and the pursuit of hidden knowledge, urging introspection and trust in one’s inner voice. (the stage of conjunction or inner union.)

In contrast, The Moon symbolizes illusion, confusion, and the influence of the subconscious on perception, highlighting external uncertainty and the need to navigate through emotional and mental fog. (the stage of distillation or separation.) 

 

While The High Priestess is about mastering the inner self, The Moon reflects the challenges of understanding and overcoming subconscious fears and illusions.

[Moon-Hermit]

11 hours ago, Misterei said:

I see the deck used as very important. It changes according to deck [i.e. Moon is more sinister in some decks and more benign in others]

 

For RWS deck:

Priestess shows secrets and mysteries

Moon shows deceptions / delusions / illusions

 

I personally disagree with Waite's astrology on these two cards and reverse them in my reading style, but that isn't your original topic.

Thank you for explaining, @Misterei🙏

And I agree, Waite’s astrology doesn’t make sense sometimes. It’s a personal preference, I suppose.

[Moon-Hermit]

1 hour ago, Kluizenaar said:

To me they are quite different. The High Priestess represents inner wisdom, intuition, and the pursuit of hidden knowledge, urging introspection and trust in one’s inner voice. (the stage of conjunction or inner union.)

In contrast, The Moon symbolizes illusion, confusion, and the influence of the subconscious on perception, highlighting external uncertainty and the need to navigate through emotional and mental fog. (the stage of distillation or separation.) 

 

While The High Priestess is about mastering the inner self, The Moon reflects the challenges of understanding and overcoming subconscious fears and illusions.

Thanks for the clear comparison, @Kluizenaar!🙏✨