The High Priestess, a card of profound mystery and duality. The High Priestess can represent inner perception, strong creative and artistic abilities, a thirst for knowledge, and a desire for independence. Reversed, it is a sign of latent talents, fear of commitment, hypocrisy, and difficulties in physical and emotional relationships.
The Papess suggests authority and knowledge. Crowned with her papal tiara, the Papess owes her status to a 12th-century legend according to which Pope Joan, born in Germany to English parents, was elected pope in 855 under the name of John VII.
But some see in Joan the manifestation of Juno, and the dais placed behind her head could be a reference to the horned headdress of Isis, representing a crescent moon.
The book she holds on her lap is the symbol of wisdom and esoteric law, of knowledge and spiritual teaching, and of divination powers. In some decks, she is depicted with a partially unrolled scroll bearing the letters TORA, which is believed to be the TORAH, or Divine Law.
The Popeess was very early associated with Juno in her dual aspect as queen of the sky, protector of women, and queen of the dead; Juno, in turn, was conflated with the Egyptian goddess Isis and with Diana, goddess of the Moon, but since the Middle Ages, she has been depicted in ecclesiastical vestments and called the Popeess.
Bathed in a veil of light, The High Priestess, or the term Priestess, possesses inner perception and knowledge.