Layout "The Secret of the Pope", or as it is also called, “The Secret of the Priestess,” was created by the famous Western tarot reader H. Banzhaf as an alternative to the popular “Celtic Cross” layout. It is good because it not only shows the trend in the development of events, but can sometimes reveal a secret, tell about the hidden reasons for what is happening.
The layout is done on a full deck.
Answers the questions:
What is the cause of something?
At what level is (such and such) located?
How will my plan develop regarding so-and-so?
What will happen to my such and such business, work, etc.?
Attention!
The ninth card is laid out face down and remains so until the end of the reading of the layout. They read it last.
Card meaning:
1+2 card. Two simultaneous impulses. They show the essence of the problem, two main driving motives that can either reinforce each other or contradict one another.
3 card.- A force that has an impact here and now (if about the present) or was the main one (if the past is considered).
4 card. A force winning or beginning to influence. A factor that is gaining strength.
5 card. Forces that initially influenced the situation, but then lost. A factor that is gradually losing power.
6 card. That which is in the shadow (was). Something quite real, but not yet realized, although the questioner may already have some assumptions or concerns. Subconscious urges.
7 card. That which is in the light. What we know, realize and, as a rule, quite adequately evaluate.
8 card. Result. Where does this path lead, what will happen in the near future.
9 card. THE SECRET OF THE POPE, her view of the situation. It matters if only in this place Major Arcana. This means that the Pope revealed her secret, and this card will show us the background and true reasons for the situation of interest.
If it lies there Junior Arch n, this means that this time the Pope refused to reveal her secret, because the situation has not yet stabilized and is not completely clear. If we talked about the past, the situation will continue; if we talked about the present, then it is necessary to repeat the situation in a month (approximately). You need to put this card back into the deck, the rest of the cards in the layout are interpreted as usual.
Nuances of the layout:
It is better to start by identifying the main driving motives in positions 1 and 2. Check how both of these cards relate, whether they complement each other, support or, conversely, contradict and interfere with each other. In this case, the first card always shows the original motive, the initial one, and the second one - an accompanying or additional one. Then check which factors influence the course of events in their chronological order - 5, 3, 4.
Before analyzing a person's subconscious motivations (6), consider his conscious desires or expectations (7). However, keep in mind that unconscious motivations often play a much larger role than conscious ones.
Then look at the map of the near future (8) and try to create a holistic picture of this future using cards 4 (factor that will act), 6 (motives that will be realized later) and 8 (prospect for the development of events).
When you open card 9 and, if it is the Major Arcana, try to penetrate its deep meaning.
The High Priestess is a sacred tarot card that stands above all other High Arcana. It symbolizes the entire unconscious, the inner spiritual world of a person, deep hidden knowledge, as well as understanding of the Highest truths through dreams, intuition, telepathy, etc.
Description of the High Priestess card
At the feet of the Priestess there is a crescent moon - a symbol of mystery and at the same time the cyclical nature of all processes occurring in the world. On the scroll in her hands is inscribed the sacred word “Torah,” that is, the Supreme, Secret, Sacred Law.
The priestess sits between black and white columns - a symbol of eternal opposites, such as day and night, man and woman, life and death. The crown of Isis on her head symbolizes the physical and spiritual worlds. Behind her is visible the curtain of the Temple, embroidered with pomegranates and palm trees.
The folds of the High Priestess's robe flow like running water, and her robe shimmers mysteriously. She is the very personification of the occult and hidden knowledge, the secret Church, as well as all the power of the human subconscious, which can manifest itself in intuition, prophetic dreams and the gift of foresight.
Meaning of the card in the upright position
The High Priestess tarot card literally means that in your situation common sense will certainly triumph, although all decisions will be made intuitively, with the heart.
At the moment, the situation around you may be influenced by important factors that you are not even aware of, and there may be characters involved who are hiding their involvement or their true colors from you.
However, the card says that even without seeing the whole picture, you are following the right path. The main thing is to remember to listen to the advice of your intuition, as well as the people you trust. Their knowledge and experience can be decisive for you.
Basic interpretations of the direct card The High Priestess
- Spiritual wisdom, hidden knowledge, understanding the situation
- Foresight, intuition
- Knowledge, education, clarity of thought, ability to learn and teach
- Hints and secrets, silence, secrets, uncertainty in the future
- A woman who is interested in the questioner
Reversed card meaning
In an inverted meaning, the High Priestess tarot card warns that your arrogance can greatly harm you in the eyes of others, and also interfere with important matters. In addition, under the influence of fleeting emotions, you are capable of impulsive, ill-considered actions, the consequences of which you will have to deal with for a long time.
The downside of arrogance - hesitation and uncertainty - can manifest itself at the most inopportune moments, causing you to waste time and miss lucky chances provided by fate.
To overcome the negative prediction of the reversed High Priestess card, get your thoughts and feelings in order. Do not rely on the voice of desires and emotions, which you can now easily confuse with the voice of intuition.
Basic interpretations of the reversed High Priestess card
- Empty self-confidence, ignorance, passivity
- Lack of intuition and foresight, unrealized opportunities
- Strong conflicting emotions, rash actions
- Tendency to compromise, weakness, hesitation, inability to understand the situation
The full name of this Tarot spread is “The Secret of the High Priestess.” It was formed on the basis of the symbolism of the Second Arcana in the Rider-Waite deck.
The layout is good because it shows not only the external side of the development of the situation and the general perspective, but also reveals the veil of secrecy, telling about the hidden reasons for what is happening. You can see undercurrents, subconscious impulses that turn things in this direction, and not in another, obstacles .
Therefore, the “Priestess” Tarot Layout is used in cases where it is necessary to study the hidden or obscure. He, showing manifestations on the external plane, also gives an answer to the eternal question “Why did this happen?”, “What secret forces control the process?”, “What lies behind the event?” The “Mystery Priestess” layout is used not so much to get an answer to the question “What will happen?”, but rather to understand why this will happen.
Despite the fact that the layout was formed on the basis of the Priestess from the Rider-Waite deck, it is now generally accepted and can be laid out on any deck that you like.
The question for the “Secret of the Priestess” layout sounds something like this: “What will happen to my business?”, “How will the development of my plan regarding so-and-so go?”
The threefold lunar goddess is revealed to us in nine cards of the layout. The cards are laid out according to the arrangement of the main symbols, which are shown in the picture of the Second Major Arcana.
Position meaning
1 and 2– This is a cross on the chest of the Priestess.
Both positions are considered as a single one; they show the essence of the problem, 2 driving motives that can either support each other or interfere, extinguish and contradict one another. The card in position 1 is the soil on which the situation arose, its basis. And the card in the 2nd position is the driving force. She is the one who makes active changes. Its horizontal position, overlapping the first card, seems to emphasize the fact that it, crossing the essence, the question itself, gives him an alternative direction of movement, which he himself, by virtue of his nature, would never choose. But this is if the cards contradict each other. Like, for example, Cups of Swords.
3 ,4, 5
– These are the three lunar phases, symbolized by the Priestess’s crown.
These positions indicate the main factors that determine the entire course of the event.
3 Position – Full Moon: it personifies the main active factor, it works in full force and right now. The querent feels it because It is this impulse that is now most noticeable.
4 Position– Waxing Moon: this factor is only gaining its strength and has not yet manifested itself in the material world. But this is something that will actively influence in the future.
5 Position— Waning moon: a factor that is fading, it gradually loses its strength. But this is something that has had an active influence in the past.
6 and 7– Two columns on each side of the throne of the High Priestess. Boaz and Jakin.
6 Position (Boaz)– something that is in the shadows, a secret tendency. It is difficult to see and understand, and it frightens with its unknown. This is already quite real, but is not yet realized, although the Querent already has vague premonitions and suspicions about this. Intuition works at the level of subconscious motivation. Since this factor is already present, it must be consciously understood as early as possible, brought out of the darkness and taken into account.
7 Position (Jakin)- what is in the light. This is something we know about, consciously and adequately evaluate. Visible manifestation of active forces. But this is a visible outer shell, which is often just a mask and is deliberately put on display.
8
– The Ship of the Moon is at the feet of the High Priestess. The Further Path.
8 The position talks about what will happen in the near future. A perspective on the development of the problem or issue being discussed.
9
– The Book of Secret Knowledge, which lies closed on the Priestess’s lap. The Secret of the Great Arcana.
The card in this position is crucial for the entire layout. This is the key to it. But it is not always given, but only in case of the favor of the Great Priestess! This card answers the question Why and Why does this happen.
9th position– this card is opened only after the entire layout has been read! Only after careful interpretation of the previous positions do we turn over the ninth card. If the Major Arcana appears, this is a sign that the Priestess has revealed her secret to you. And it is this map that will show the true reasons and secret background of the situation that interests us. A drop in the 9th position of the Minor Arcana indicates that the Priestess refused to reveal the secret. There is no hidden meaning in the situation. And it’s worth studying the Minor Arcana in position 9 only if it is directly related to the question asked. But in any case, we turn this card back face down. The ninth card is not interpreted, Quint is not taken into account in the calculation, the remaining cards are read as in the usual layout in their positions.
It is necessary to begin the interpretation of the “Secret of the Priestess” layout from the central positions – 1 and 2. These are the main driving motives. Evaluate how these cards interact with each other, complement each other, or block and conflict. The kata in the first position shows the initial motive, and the second - an additional, accompanying one, which arose during the development of the situation.
Before reading the subconscious impulses in the 6th position, first read the card in the 7th position - a conscious desire, a visible manifestation. But don’t forget that the unconscious plays a much larger role than what we are aware of. This is a deeper level.
Then evaluate future prospects. At the same time, take into account the influence of several cards from: 4 positions - a factor that will act, 6 positions - tendencies and impulses that will be realized a little later; and 8th position – the prospect of development, how it will all end.
Only after all this open the card in the 9th position!