The High Priestess
Clothed in white robes of good works with the sign of the cross and the blue mantle of grace partially hiding the Torah, she holds the mystery of God's Good News. More hidden than the extroverted displays of the Magician and more communal than the isolated Hermit, she is the invisible church in mystical union with Christ.
Mysterious and internal, she is also the counterpart to the Hierophant, the outward, institutional side of religion. Behind the twin pillars, water is visible, showing that she is fluid, flowing, and deep. The screen of pomegranates shows she may be a spiritual dimension of the Empress, who is more earthly in aspect.
She is the New Jerusalem coming down from heaven. That heaven is partially attained is evident from the throne and the crown. The time of fulfillment is coming and indeed is already here in part. As the woman in Revelation 12, the moon is at her feet. Reflecting God's glory in the darkness, she is yet to be fully revealed. She is the invisible church spanning all nations and all time.
The pillars are those of Solomon's temple in 1 Kings 7:21: B for Boaz ("He establishes") and J for Jachin ("in Him is strength"), here showing her temperance between the black and white extremes. She represents the true temple of God, which is his people built up as living stones, the communion of saints.
Behind the screen, flow the waters and mysteries of the Spirit. Just as no one knows the thoughts of people but the spirit that is within them, so no one know the thoughts of God, except the Spirit of God, which He has freely given us.
Spiritual things are spiritually discerned, and mysteries are revealed to God's children by the Holy Spirit. They walk in the new way of the Spirit and not the old way of the written code or letter of the law.
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