EXERCISE CT #13-1: High Priestess Triangular Layout
Date: Wed, 23 Jun 2004 22:26:28 +0200
From: Moonchild
To: Comparative Tarot http://comparativetarot.com
Created by Eva YaaAsantewaa
> The following exercise requires that you have access to at least three different Tarot decks. You will also need
a piece of note paper, your Tarot journal, and a pen or pencil. Select a High Priestess from each of three packs
of your choice ...The cards are from the Ancestral Path, Arthurian, and Dali decks.
> Take your note paper, and write a clearly-stated question or concern. Place it before you on your table.
How can I best manifest my inner wisdom? IOW, how can I better practice what I preach?
> Arrange the HPs around it in an upward-pointing triangle. ...
> The upward-pointing triangle, the cover symbol of the Alchemical HPs's book of secrets, represents fire and
transformation. You've handed over your concern to three wise, magickal women who will burn it in the
alchemical fires, returning it to you as gold. Meditate or even leave the layout for a while and do something that
occupies your conscious attention. When you return to the layout, look at the three HPs and listen for what they
have to say about your question.The Arthurian Lady of the Lake spoke to me first. She told me to go and read, so I did:
http://www.moonchild.ch/Tarot/personal/hq/Lesson15.htmlA very interesting chat about wisdom, and I was surprised to see the very phrase from my question: "practice
what I preach." I haven't come as far as I'd have liked to since the last time I visited her. If you physically are
"what you eat," the Lady teaches that this is true in the spiritual sense as well. Not by bread alone, it is said, but
by divine TORA. Enough of Koontz's psycho killers. Consume wisdom. (I'm reading _Zanoni_, but more
about that when I've finished it.)The Ancestral Path HP is telling me to go and write it. I've been considering writing letters of advice to my
daughter, based on Tarot cards. Also some stuff I'm trying to write about Tarot and the Bible. More about this
when I've made some progress.Dali's "La Sacerdotisa" reminds me of what Pope Joan must have been like under her disguise. In fact, the
red lines around her make her look like she has thrown off the red robe to reveal her blue robe underneath.
I don't know Spanish, and the title makes me think of "sacred sister." Actually, if I take apart the word, I get
"female who dotes on (adores) the sacred." She looks enraptured, ready to jump up and do God's Will the way
Joan of Arc did, or speak His Word.Coincidentally, I was reading an article today and came across this: "When that one arrives, the spirit of the truth,
[s]he will guide you into all the truth, for [s]he will not speak of [her] own impulse, but what things [s]he hears
[s]he will speak, and [s]he will declare to you the things coming." John 16:13If the Lady of the Lake represents reading, and the AP HP represents writing, "La Sacerdotisa" represents
talking. Since I've only recently recovered this missing card, I have a deep feeling for it as a long lost sister.
Everyone needs a "sister" to confide in. Mine moved to Minnesota, and I missed her on my last vacation, so
ended up spending two hours on the phone with her last time we talked. This card reminds me of the attitude of
my heart when I confide in my sister. Hard to explain, but maybe "feminine love" would be a good key phrase.
And, in truth, I do so love this HP! I could spend eternity in devotion at her feet. Who out there recognizes
feminine love, and how it is *so* related to talking? Do you feel this love for this or any other particular card?Anyway, there's not really two-way communication going on in my two different views. Rather, there are two
channels: me, unburdening my heart to her; and her, "oracling" (ITAW?). She doesn't reveal herself to me (must
be the Veil), only acts as a loving vessel. The Spirit of the Truth. Reverend Mother Tarot. = PSo I'm toying with how all this relates to my question. I put the words "Learn/Know" on my center paper and
went around the triangle to form the following interpretation: Listen and learn. Learn from what you read. What
you read, you know. Write what you know. Know what you speak. Speak what you know. Not really how I was
expecting it to turn out, but a nice concise instruction I can stick on the fridge.One Love All Love,
Moonchild
EXERCISE: High Priestess Triangular Layout p.s.
Date: Wed, 23 Jun 2004 22:40:37 +0200But wait, there's more! Just before I put them away, the HPs told me that I *do* have wisdom! I have to recognize
that, and stop imagining Wisdom as some mountaintop Hermit--a pinnacle to be reached, feet to be worshipped at.
I have to give myself credit that I have attained a measure of wisdom, and continue to do so, and stop seeing the HP
as outside of or beyond myself--an idol.OLAL,
Moonchild
This page is excerpted from my original contributions to the Comparative Tarot discussion group.
Graphics created and generously shared by Full Moon Graphics.
http://www.moonchild.ch/Tarot/personal/exercise/EX13_1.html
