The Clergy of the Major Arcana
Imagine this in a Celtic Cross Spread. The High Priestess is in the Crossing position; the Hermit in the final outcome position. These cards showed up in these positions yesterday. I won’t say more about that specific reading so as not to betray a client’s confidentiality. But I do want to say more about those two cards, the High Priestess and the Hermit.
I often see the High Priestess and the Hermit as being birds of a feather, so to speak. Both are spiritual, internal, intuitive and alone. They are both seekers. They both hold wisdom. Neither shares their wisdom without being asked.
There are differences, too. The High Priestess is a Water card, the Hermit is Earth. The High Priestess is usually shown as female, the Hermit is usually male. The High Priestess, as card two, is an even number. The Hermit, card nine, is an odd number.
Together in a tarot spread they seem to magnify each other, speaking of the arduous journey toward personal spiritual wisdom. The High Priestess journeys into the subconscious. The Hermit journeys to the top of a snowy mountain.
I often wonder what would happen if these characters encountered each other in the real world. Would they simply ignore each other, each focused on their own journeys? Would they see the similarities in each other and become friends? Would they write a book together about their shared knowledge? Would they fall in love?
They each bear a relationship to the Hierophant as well. The Hierophant is the priest, while the High Priestess is, well, the priestess. The Hierophant, also an Earth card, is like a less-wise little brother to the Hermit, or an extroverted priest versus a silent monk.
Together, I see the High Priestess, the Hierophant and the Hermit as the clergy of the Major Arcana. The Hierophant is also a teacher, as the Hermit can also be in specific situations. The Hierophant aches to share his wisdom, the Hermit makes you work for it. The High Priestess, on the other hand, is complete simply knowing what she knows.
