Perhaps one of the most well-known cards in the entire Tarot deck, the High Priestess is steeped in mysticism, myth and legend. She sits regally between two pillars inscribed with the letters B and J and we are reminded of the first ancient Hebrew temple in Jerusalem, King Solomon’s temple, which had the words Boaz and Jachin emblazoned on each copper temple, together meaning “Lord God establish you in strength.” Behind the High Priestess, a colorful veil hangs between the two pillars – covered in ripe red pomegranates which often appeared historically along the hems of Jewish priestly vestments, being associated with the richness in the promised land of Israel.
In her hands, the High Priestess holds a scroll entitled Tora, referring to the famous Jewish teachings or laws that were handed down from God through Moses and are also known as the Five Books of Moses, described in detail in the Old Testament. Her robe partially conceals these important documents, but we are still made aware of her expansive knowledge and insight. The crown on her head supports a large, white, full moon and at her feet an even larger yellow crescent moon sits tangled in her robes, which cascade over her legs like water. Intuition pulses in this card, bringing an ethereal light to the moons and infusing the High Priestess with life so that we can almost see her breathing, gazing at us with those clear, deep eyes of hers which beckon us to lift the veil behind her and discover our own deepest, darkest secrets.
Do we dare? If we study Tarot, how dare we not? This is one of basic tenets of the Tarot – unfolding here with this lovely, serene, intelligent deity. The Magician precedes this card, and comparing the two, we see how activity needs repose, how outward observations and decisions need reflection, how magic must connect with a larger life force – a collective unconscious as psychiatrist Carl Jung so adeptly described. The High Priestess urges us to investigate the darker aspects of ourselves, to journey inward with honesty, respect and awareness – so that we may discover our core selves where our intuition and instincts reside. When she appears in a reading, the time to connect with our intuition is profoundly needed – a vast expanse of knowledge is just at our fingertips if we have the courage to dip into those unknown waters, those inner currents of emotion, insight and reflection. If we choose to connect, if we lift the veil, there is a power waiting for us – a self-knowledge which can guide us towards a magical life filled with authenticity, contentment, inner peace and tranquility. A knowledge that can help support us during the trials and tribulations which inevitably come to all of us at one time or another. Are we ready to lift the veil? The High Priestess says “Yes.” The High Priestess says “Now.”
To help us travel into unknown realms, we turn to a tree that grows in dry tropical forests of Central and South America, from Mexico down to Guatemala and further south into Colombia and Ecuador. Called Palo Santo, (Bursera graveolens) which means ‘Holy Wood,’ the fragrant wood and resin of this tree was so named by Spanish monks, discovering its important shamanic use amongst South American native peoples. Indeed, its use spans back to at least the 15th century when Incan “Curanderos,” or local medicine men, burnt it or used its oils during rituals to help them drive off evil spirits and cleanse the land and its inhabitants from dark energies. A cousin of both frankincense and myrrh, Palo Santo releases lemon, mint, and pine notes when burnt —an invigorating yet grounding fragrance that is believed to be calming and can aid in meditative states of mind. However, the rich history of this special tree makes contemporary use tricky if it is not accompanied by respectful understanding of the indigenous practices so integral to its identity and use. Beware of cultural appropriation. Also important to note is that the wood isn’t ready to be burnt until it dies naturally (usually around 50 to 70 years old) and is allowed to decompose for at least an additional 5 to 8 years, which gives the oils in the wood enough time to fully mature before it can be harvested and processed into sticks or essential oils. Because of this, it is easily overharvested in forests which are already facing decimation due to land being used for raising cattle. When purchasing Palo Santo, buy from small, local producers and look for certifications from sustainable organizations like the Forest Stewardship Council or Rainforest Alliance, which guarantee sustainable harvesting practices.
What lies beyond the veil? For courageous journeys of self -discovery, let us first consider aligning ourselves with the High Priestess and her companion, Palo Santo. They will help prepare us for the rich lessons ahead. Like a potent key that can help us unlock the secrets to our deeper, unconscious selves, the Tarot encourages us to eventually merge our intuition with our action for the chance to become a more complete and potentialized human being. Here is our invitation to begin.
*Tarot reading is based on the Rider-Waite Tarot Card deck, illustrated by Pamela Colman Smith
References
Martin, Crystal. “Is Palo Santo Endangered?” The New York Times, 16 December 2019. https://www.nytimes.com/2019/12/16/style/self-care/palo-santo-wood-endangered.html
Monzote, Lianet, Hill, Gabrielle M, Cuellar, Armando et al. “Chemical Composition and Anti-Proliferative Properties of Bursera graveolens Essential Oil.” National Center for Biotechnology Information, 7 November 2017. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23285824/
Nunez, Kirsten. “What Is Palo Santo, and How Is It Used Medicinally?” Healthline, 11 August 2020. https://www.healthline.com/health/palo-santo-benefits
Pollack, Rachel. Seventy-Eight Degrees of Wisdom. San Francisco, Red Wheel/Weiser, LLC, 2007. P35-42
