 
typical
symbols of
THE HIGH PRIESTESS card
- Crescent
Moon - inner illumination, spiritual
enlightenment.
- Cup - a symbol of
knowledge and preservation. One of the four
suits, the element of water.
- Full Moon
Crown with Waxing and Waning Moons - all
virgin goddesses.
- Pentacle
- the pentagram in the form of an amulet. One of
the four suits, the element of earth.
- Pillars
- These appear in the description of Solomon's Temple, 1 Kings 7:15-22 and 2 Chronicles 3L14-17. The pillars are named Boaz
(severity) and Jachim (mercy). The immediate source is almost certainly the Order of the Golden Dawn and Freemasonry since both use the pillars in their ceremonies. 1 Kings 7:19 also mentions that the capitals surmounting the pillars were flower-shaped which may explain the lotus shape found on the
Waite/Smith card and earlier decks.
- Pomegranates
- female life force.
- Reaching
- with wand in hand the Magician reaches up for
power, while reaching to the earth with the
other, power from above used to manifest on the
material plane. Through his will he unites
spirit and matter.
- Red Roses
- these are usually seen above the Magician's
head, symbolizing desire.
- Robe -
his inner garments are the white of purity,
while his outer robe is the red of desire,
activity and passion. The robe trails off the
card, symbolizing the stream of
consciousness.
- Rose
Arbor - may be a reference to Rosicrucianism.
Members of the Rosicrucian orders, such as the
inner order of the Golden Dawn, were considered
to be great magicians and alchemists.
- Scroll
- esoteric wisdom, sometimes inscribed with the
word 'Tora' (divine law).
- Serpent
- the serpent swallowing his own tail is the
universal symbol of eternity.
- Solar
Cross - a cross with arms of equal length,
the balance of positive and negative.
- Sword
- activity, either destructive or constructive.
One of the four suits, the element of air.
- Veil
- virginity. Decorated with pomegranates
(female) and palms (male), the potentiality of
reproductivity.
- Wand -
a symbol of will and power. A phallus symbol.
One of the four suits, the element of fire.
- White Lilies
- abstract thought.
|
Textbook
of the Tarot by Janet Berres of the International
Tarot Society
A Complete Guide to the Tarot by Eden Gray
Sources of the Waite/Smith Tarot Symbols
info
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