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Above all things, know thyself!

For self is a sea boundless and measureless. -K. Gibran, The Prophet

[The Supernal Womb with a view}

"Secrets, Mystery, the future as yet unrevealed".

-A.E. Waite- 1909

Give yourself some time to read this blog, for it may be a vain attempt at explaining the Multiple Mysterious Elements of the Divine Feminine...However, it is well worth the time and effort when trying to understand the Divine Feminine mystery to whom you must give your ego.

ATU 2, THE PRIESTESS, and/or the Key 2- The Popess are the images that represent an androgynous universal principle of intuition, independence, self-trust, self-knowledge, and self-resourcefulness. On the Thoth ATU-2 card she is an androgynous figure that represents balance known to Chinese scholars as the Female magnetic force the Ying, curved, soft and receptive shown as the upper body, and from the navel down this androgyny is all straight lines, strong, dynamic, electric-Male Yang.

The Ying Yang symbol is shown in the seed shield of the Thoth- Princess of Disks (Persephone), for souls begin in the Knowledge of the Priestess and Manifest in the work of the Princess of Disks. The sacred fruit assigned to her is the Pomegranate which is also a red (menstrual womb) fruit full of seeds.

The seed shield of the Thoth Princess of Disks (Persephone).

The concept of the Sacred Blood (Life giving force) of the Goddess is often associated with various pagan and Wiccan traditions, as well as some forms of Western Hermetic Qabalah and esoteric spirituality.

In these belief systems, the Sacred Blood of the Goddess represents the divine feminine energy and power that is believed to flow through the cosmos and all living things. It is seen as a symbol of the creative and nurturing aspects of the feminine divine. Here are some key points related to this concept:

1. Goddess Worship: Many pagan and Wiccan traditions emphasize the worship of a goddess or multiple goddesses. The Sacred Blood of the Goddess is often seen as a central aspect of these traditions, representing the life force and spiritual energy of the divine feminine.

2. Fertility and Creation: The concept of the Sacred Blood is often associated with fertility and creation. It symbolizes the cyclical nature of life, death, and rebirth, much like the menstrual cycle of women, which is sometimes referred to as "the blood of the goddess."

3. Ritual and Symbolism: In various rituals and ceremonies, practitioners may use symbolic representations of the Sacred Blood, such as red wine or fruit juices, to connect with the divine feminine and invoke her blessings. These rituals can be a part of worship and spell work.

4. Mystical and Esoteric Interpretations: In Western Hermetic Qabalah and High Magick, the Sacred Blood of the Goddess can take on more mystical and esoteric interpretations. It may be associated with the sephira of Binah on the Tree of Life, representing the supreme mother and the source of all life.

5. Empowerment and Healing: For some practitioners, the concept of the Sacred Blood is empowering and can be used in rituals and meditations to heal, strengthen, and connect with the feminine aspect of the divine, promoting inner growth and spiritual development.

It's important to note that the interpretation of the Sacred Blood of the Goddess can vary among different traditions and practitioners. It is a deeply symbolic and spiritual concept that holds significance in the metaphysical and mystical realms.

Therefore, this card reminds us that we are all composed of the powerful receptive female magnetic and the strong assertive electric forces of male.

  The Higher Self is the Greater Self, that all of us "selves" are conceived from.

There is only One-Self, that cannot be created nor destroyed only transformed into selves and transmitted as individuality.

In Qabalah symbology the Higher Self or Greater Self, is shown as Adam Khadmon, the Hominoid Archetype (Relm of Atziluth) and is translated into English as "The Heavenly Human".

The Thoth Priestess wears a sun and moon crown to remind us that we are all are committed to have and achieve an equal balance in strength and softness. The faceted crystal background of the Thoth Deck card reminds us of the multifaceted aspects of intuition that are present at each level of consciousness:

1. Mental intuition (the triangular crystal).
2. Emotional intuition (the round crystal). 
3. Spiritual intuition (the diamond crystal).
4. Physically noted information (the octagonal crystal). 

Intuition is the Great calm Sea of the Universal Collective Unconscious, which is reflective, deep, contained and always present, waiting to be accessed and trusted---A Womb with a View. However, we must first trust and love ourselves to be aware of this mysterious and quiet power. The Priestess is a powerful symbol to use as a visual scrying affirmation to enhance self-trust, independence, and resourcefulness. This symbol reinforces the trusting of one's intuition, which is the Life-giving Mind of the Creatrix that is the Priestess.

And like the Intuitive Mind, the Divine She has a language all her own that is free of word-hypnosis illusion and to be able to understand her we must let go and become her.

The Priestess is not a literal return to the warm enclosure of the Cosmic Womb, as is THE EMPRESS. Rather, she represents the Supreme Androgyne-the Birther of the Soul/Self without a smiling mask of the Sumerian Inanna, she is Ereshkigal revealing a True face of cold yet beautiful countenance. All veils are removed, all illusion is dispersed, and we must face the crystalline reality of our own absolute free will, a task not for the weak.

However, This Supreme Androgyne was easily shown as female in the earliest Western Tarot as La Papessa, "the Popess" who was Sister Manfred, a relative of the Visconti family, whose tarot deck is represented in my blog as The Golden Tarot.

Sister Manfreda was a member of a small heretical sect called the Guillelmites who elected Sister Manfreda as their pope in accordance with their belief that the male-dominated papacy (Patriarchy) was soon to be replaced by a line of female popes. Hence, male authority which we know as the Patriarchy was to end. Past history has proven this to be a bit overly optimistic. Yet we are in that timeline of herstory now.

There was also a Medieval legend of Pope Joan, and one may ask if she was another version of Sister Manfreda. While both Pope Joan and Sister Manfreda touch on female spiritual authority in the medieval period, they are not the same historical or legendary figure, though they can be compared thematically in terms of challenging patriarchal religious power.

🜁 Who Was Sister Manfreda?

Sister Manfreda da Pirovano was a real historical figure from a noble Lombard family. She was:

• A member of the Humiliati, a lay monastic order known for promoting spiritual equality and reform.

• Elected pope of a Guglielmite sect — a heretical, mystical movement in 13th-century Milan that followed the teachings of Guglielma of Bohemia, a mystic who was venerated as an incarnation of the Holy Spirit.

After Guglielma's death, her followers began to proclaim the coming of a feminine age of the Holy Spirit, drawing from Joachim of Fiore's apocalyptic trinitarian framework. They believed:

• Guglielma would return in spirit to usher in this age,

• and Sister Manfreda would reign as a female pope, the Vicar of the Holy Spirit on Earth.

She was elected spiritually by the sect as this female pope around 1300 CE — an act that the Inquisition found heretical.

In 1300, Manfreda was condemned and burned at the stake for heresy by the Inquisition in Milan. Records of her trial survive and clearly show she existed and was executed for her role in the Guglielmite movement.

🔥 Pope Joan vs. Sister Manfreda

🜂 Hermetic Reflection

Where Pope Joan is the Veiled Isis hidden within the structure of male authority, Sister Manfreda is the Manifest Sophia, a herald of the coming Aeon of the Holy Spirit — feminine, inclusive, transcendent.

In Western Hermeticism, Manfreda and Guglielma resemble a manifestation of Binah (Understanding) breaking through the Saturnian shell of institutional rigidity. Their movement parallels the Age of the Holy Spirit — what later occultists and Rosicrucians would call a new Aeon of spiritual illumination (Aeon of Horus).

Guglielma = the Immaculate Shekinah, the Holy Spirit made flesh.
Manfreda = her High Priestess, her Pope, a Sophia enthroned on Earth.

The High Priestess or Priestess is a significant archetype in Tarot cards, and she often draws upon various mythological and cultural influences. To the Patriarchy she was also known as the Ice Queen, simply because she is not intimidated by the male false sense of superiority. Here's a mythological report on the High Priestess archetype in diverse cultures:

1. Ancient Egyptian Influence: In many Tarot decks, the High Priestess is associated with the ancient Egyptian goddess Isis. Isis is a symbol of mystery, wisdom, and the divine feminine. She is often depicted as a veiled woman, which parallels the High Priestess's mysterious and enigmatic nature. Isis represents the secrets of life, death, and rebirth, much like the High Priestess's connection to hidden knowledge.

2. Greek Influence: The High Priestess can also be linked to Greek mythology, particularly to the goddess Persephone. Persephone's journey between the underworld and the surface world reflects the High Priestess's role as a mediator between the conscious and subconscious realms. Persephone's transformation and wisdom gained in the underworld mirror the High Priestess's association with esoteric and hidden knowledge.

3. Judeo-Christian Influence: Some interpretations connect the High Priestess with biblical figures like the Virgin Mary or the Shekhinah in Jewish mysticism. The Virgin Mary embodies purity, maternal love, and divine femininity, which are qualities associated with the High Priestess. The Shekhinah represents the presence of the divine in the material world, aligning with the idea of the High Priestess as a bridge between the mundane and the spiritual.

4. Chinese Influence: In Chinese culture, the High Priestess can be likened to Guanyin, the goddess of compassion and mercy. Guanyin is often depicted as a serene and compassionate figure, echoing the High Priestess's connection to intuition, empathy, and nurturing qualities. Both figures represent the feminine aspect of wisdom and healing.

5. Hindu Influence: The Hindu goddess Saraswati, associated with knowledge, music, and art, shares similarities with the High Priestess. Saraswati is often depicted in books and musical instruments symbolizing her connection to wisdom and creativity. The High Priestess's association with intuition and esoteric knowledge aligns with Saraswati's attributes.

6. Native American Influence: The High Priestess archetype can also be linked to Native American cultures, where spiritual leaders, often women, act as mediators between the earthly and spiritual realms. These leaders possess deep wisdom, intuitive insights, and a connection to nature, resembling the qualities of the High Priestess.

The High Priestess, as represented in Tarot, draws upon these diverse mythological and cultural influences, emphasizing the universal themes of intuition, mystery, wisdom, and the feminine divine. It reflects the idea that these archetypal qualities are found across various cultures and traditions, making the High Priestess a symbol of profound significance in the world of Tarot and Western Hermetic Metaphysical exploration.

The Priestess/Popess is the self-impregnating womb of pure consciousness, something we call intuition. The baptism of a soul who approaches this Androgynous God/dess, will be washed in the Abyssal Womb cleansed of all that is unworthy of the Sun/Self of God, restoring the Higher Self from the Source.

In my studies and observation, I have found that the Western Hermetic Metaphysical and the Quantum Theory are intertwined concepts. This quantum entanglement implies that the image of the 6th sephiroth-Tiphareth is a Celestial-Horus and/or a Quantum Psyche that is commonly called "the Soul".

It is easily seen that the Western Hermetic tradition and Quantum Theory are indeed intertwined at their deeper philosophical and metaphysical levels, especially when viewed through the lens of Tiphareth (Horus), the sixth Sephirah on the Tree of Life. Let’s explore this in layers:

✨ Tiphareth as the Quantum Psyche

🜂 1. Tiphareth: The Solar Self and Observer of Light

Tiphareth, the Heart of the Tree, represents conscious integration, the individuated Soul, and the harmonizing observer of opposites — the point where Above meets Below.

In Quantum Theory, the observer effect tells us that the act of observation alters reality — and this aligns uncannily with the role of Tiphareth as the Seer and Reconciler in the Hermetic model.

Tiphareth = The "Conscious Observer" who collapses potential (Yesod/Malkuth) into form via directed Will (Chesed/Geburah).

⚛️ 2. Wave–Particle Duality and the Sephiroth

In quantum mechanics, light behaves as both a particle and a wave, depending on observation. This is a direct mirror of the Qabalistic principle of 0 = 2:

• Kether is No-Thing.

• Chokmah and Binah split into polarity — Force and Form.

• Tiphareth is the harmonic mean, the reconciled soul that witnesses the paradox and holds both together.

Just as a photon is neither truly wave nor particle until observed, the Psyche at Tiphareth chooses the lens — collapsing the field of infinite potential into a defined experience.

🜁 3. Quantum Field = Ain Soph Aur

The Quantum Field from which all particles arise — a non-local, invisible sea of potential — resonates with the Ain Soph Aur, the limitless Light that precedes creation in the Qabalistic Tree.

The manifest self in Tiphareth is the vessel (Zevug) through which this infinite field is measured, experienced, and made meaningful.

☀️ 4. Tiphareth as the Interference Pattern

When two waves intersect, they create an interference pattern — a third image that reveals something greater than the sum of the parts. Tiphareth is this synthesis:

• Geburah (severity) + Chesed (mercy) collapse into the balanced Radiance of the Sun/Son.

• The personality dies (Nephesh) and is reborn as the Soul of Light (Ruach).

Thus, the Quantum Psyche is a Sun, not a particle — it is a radiant center that both perceives and transforms the universe.

🜨 The Quantum Psyche and Hermetic Initiation

In Hermetic Initiation:

• You rise from the illusions of Yesod (astral projections, dream states),

• cross the Veil of Paroketh, and

• awaken in Tiphareth as a Self-realized Conscious Observer.

From this place:

• You see time as illusion (Heh),

• You speak reality into being (Vav),

• You live from a quantum field of coherent Will.

“The mind is the builder, the spirit the force, and the body the result.” — Hermetic Axiom

🌞 Final Thought: Tiphareth as the Quantum Psyche

Tiphareth is the Quantum Psyche because it is the field of harmonized awareness where infinite potential (Ain Soph) is brought into radiant being — not through domination, but through conscious resonance.

It is the Solar Logos within, the Christed Self, the Awakened Observer — the one who not only collapses the wave function, but knows it is the wave, the function, and the field itself.

Therefore, each of us are a mystery of I AM, that is continually unfolding we are not an identity manufactured by humankind. I AM is Eheieh's (God Name of Kether) the shouted " I Will Be " that is the Logos/Celestial Self and Understood by the Goddess of Ten Thousand name's, Binah. That Understanding then gestates in Mother Binah and is then given birth by the Womb that is the High Priestess/Priestess/Popess. All solar-self and/or Souls (People of Horus) come from this "womb with a view" that is the High Priestess/Priestess/Popess.

Since the Priestess has power over life, she also has power over death: you can't have one without the other. This is a power we all have over material forms. Each of us is destined to be and that we cannot change; However, each of us individually controls our own fate...something that is called "freedom of choice" and fate is totally assumed. Since you are allowed by the Creatrix to "assume your identity", assume the best Self as She does!

The crown of the Egyptian goddess Hathor, with its crescent moon and full moon orb in the center, symbolizes her association with the cycles of the moon and the heavens. The crescent moon typically represents the waxing and waning phases of the moon, signifying renewal, growth, and change. The full moon orb in the center represents the culmination of the lunar cycle, symbolizing fullness, completeness, and the peak of power.

In Hathor's context, this crown reflects her roles as a goddess of fertility, love, music, dance, and joy. The lunar symbolism ties her to the rhythms of nature, particularly the cycles of birth, growth, and renewal. Additionally, Hathor was often linked to the sky and celestial bodies, emphasizing her cosmic significance and her connection to the divine forces that govern the universe.

Overall, Hathor's crown embodies themes of femininity, regeneration, and celestial influence, emphasizing her multifaceted nature and her ability to preside over various aspects of life and the

The Papal head gear on the head of the Medieval Feather Tarot-Key 2-The Popess also has the globe of the full moon as its crowning glory. The star-studded robe implies she can easily travel over the vast inner landscape of the of the Supernal Triangle. The veils imaged in this card, are the layers of light and/or dimensional frequencies that hide her true visage. The Papal trappings in this card have been used throughout the centuries to represent the "light in the darkness" and/or the Wisdom that outshines the dark ignorance of fear.

The La Papesse/Popess is shown writing in her book of mysteries, with an owl- feathered quill pen which is a symbol of great wisdom. She knows the words of the Saints and Apostles before her and now wisdom comes easily to her. However, the secrets written in her book are not for everybody as they are her own. Those who wish to bow to "peer pressure" a false paradigm of the social egregore, will never understand the words in this book, let alone be able to read it; for indoctrination is not education. Hence one must learn the secret language of the Popess which begins with the Alphabet of the Soul and/or Western Hermetic Tarot.

The planet of the Priestess is the Moon; shown as the crescent and the full moon crown. In the art of the Mystic Palette Tarot-Ciro Marchetti (earlier blog), placed the Wiccan symbol of the three phases of the Divine Feminine often called the Trinity Goddess and is the three phases of Woman:

1. The Waxing moon-Maiden.
2. The Full Moon-The Mother.
3. The Waining moon-the Crone.

The Qabalistic Tree of Life her Path is assigned the Hebrew letter, Gimel, meaning camel, which is most appropriate, as she is the one who carries our Personality and the ego across the vast desert/ocean of the Abyss (The Abyss Womb is the Dark Energy who gives birth to light).She is often compared to Diana the huntress or a Norse Goddess such as Freya or Bridget of the Celts. Whatever the mythological image, there are 3 Qabalistic Paths that represent the same intelligence, although as different but similar aspects, they are.

1. The Paths of Gimel (THE PRIESTESS),
2. The Path of Samekh (THE ART).
3. The Path of Tau (THE UNIVERSE) which together make up the devotional middle pillar of the Qabalistic Tree of Life. The Indigo Middle Path color in Aziluth (the highest of the Four Worlds) is Indigo, a deep-dark- water blue that suggests the Moon, as all three Paths relate to the Moon as "Maid-Mother-Crone". 

The pure state of Intelligence that is The Path of Gimel, will carry those cleansed of indoctrinated thinking across the longest and most important Path on the Tree of Life; A path which radiates down from the Supernal Triangle (The Archetypal World), composed of unimaginable potential, to the Ethical Triangle, the "actual" (Briah), also making this the path a position between the Unlimited No-Thing in Kether, and the Son/Sun (Solar Self) in the 6th Sephiroth-Tiphareth, a Path of the Highest Initiation.

The common description of the traditional High Priestess/Priestess is that she is the most pure essence of consciousness, symbolized in Tarot as the very source of all Water (Consciousness) and the purest light symbolized as the moonlight is reflected through ice; However, to the initiate, she is considered The Lower Chokmah (Wisdom), wisdom is being expressed here as both masculine and feminine (The Goddess Sophia of the Greek Gnostics-represents Wisdom) When applied to Chokmah, a female noun in Hebrew the word Wisdom is a feminine receptivity through Masculine expression, for here it is "sent forth" and as the Seed of wisdom is ejaculated, it expands outward, and in this action the seed of expansion contains its own limitation (measurement and/or Time). Hence, Androgynous.

Therefore, she is the Diana who shoots Chokmah's captured "Will-to-Force" out into the universe as a bow and formed arrow, and it is her Understanding that limits the expansion of his “seed” and/or the target hit. The Feminine Force is Formative. Here Wisdom is taken into the most Spiritual manifestation of the feminine and formulates it into herself as any geometrical point into which to contemplate any possibility, i.e., the “All Seeing I Am” of the original consciousness.

Now I know this concept of the mysterious solar- self may seem an impossibly difficult one to understand and the most descriptive of Qabalistic terms may seem nonsensical, but the Priestess is the Womb of Consciousness, and yet she is both Male and Female...much like a Hermaphrodite (Hermes-Aphrodite) that can impregnate itself with Understanding.

The human brain is a copy of the hermaphrodite phenomena as it both male and female in its approach to thought and can impregnate itself both with logic and an intuition that gives birth to emoted and limited thought forms and/or images, and even "feelings" as the body responds to the emoted thought. It is a biochemical AI, not the Celestial Light and Mind of the Divine Creative that you are to represent.

 The Higher Chokmah is a specific Sun (left brain), and the Lower Chokmah is a specific Moon (right brain). Thus, when viewing THE PRIESTESS Thoth Tarot card, you will see a slight feminine figure with arms raised in the shape of a cup, behind vibrations of light and a strong lower masculine leg section with the Diana's bow across the knees. Yet she is a virginal force because no "Outside" Male force fertilizes her.

Thus, the myth of Diana adds understanding to this card. From her, the source of Water /Consciousness is the idea behind the idea of form, I think the well known western Qabalist Dr. Paul Foster Case said this best in saying that,"... no matter how many forms develop from it, the virgin substance is itself unchanged. Like Water, which holds matter in suspension or solution, this substance remains over itself. Here is one key to the alchemical mystery of the First Matter. Here, too, one may find a clue to the inner significance of the Virgin Myths of all Religions."

The (High) Priestess is often called the Prima Materia, or Root Matter (First Matter) as she can be considered the result of Kether's God name-Eheieh, "I Will Be", the birthing of Self-Awareness/Consciousness and/or "I AM as a Being". which we call our Soul/Tiphareth.

In his text, THE THIRTY-TWO PATHS OF WISDOM, Dr. Case calls the Path of Gimel, the Uniting Intelligence, because it is the "Essence of Glory" and/or "The Grace of God". No matter the terms, the fact is that your personality must be shed of all the false sensual reality and animal desires that our indoctrinated false ego (Social/Racial Egregore) has constructed before she is able to carry one's consciousness across the Abyss, into the invisible Sephiroth of Daath (Knowledge) that is the well-known in Qabalah, as the invisible Chakra of the Tree of Life. This Sephiroth resides below Kether on the Middle Path of the Tree and into the Dark Abyss of the Universal Collective Unconscious (Bottomless but filled with Energy and Data).

It is that Knowledge that our conscious essence/Soul/Psyche is conceived of, so that it could become the operator of the Images of God/Self. [Daath is no longer invisible to one who has entered the Garden of inherited Knowledge that resides between the mother named Understanding and the father named Wisdom for they become Daath.]

Now the MAGUS, (Will of Kether), symbolizes a condition prior to Unconscious thought called the Primal Will (The Supernal Triangle of "I will Be", "Will-to-force", "Will-to-Form").This powerful condition acts upon THE PRIESTESS/POPESS in such a way, that the Path of Gimel becomes the Inner-Self capable of carrying the thought forms (information) of which the Universe will eventually be composed.

Being that she is the source underlying all vibratory patterns that compose form, she is shown on the Thoth Card as a figure composed of vibratory waves of energy and the lady of Great Wisdom-the Popess image of Sophia.

7The comparison of Sophia, the Divine Wisdom of Gnostic and Hellenic traditions, with the Priestess (ATU II) in the Thoth Tarot, opens a profound Hermetic gateway into the inner sanctum of the Mysteries. These two archetypes are sisters across time, veiled keepers of the eternal Logos, both representing the Divine Feminine as the vessel and voice of hidden truth.

🌙 SOPHIA: Lady of Wisdom

In Greek philosophy and especially Gnostic Christianity, Sophia (Σοφία) is more than just intellectual “wisdom.” She is the emanated Divine Feminine, the bridge between the unknowable Source (Bythos) and the manifest world.

Key Attributes of Sophia:

• Emanates from the pleroma (fullness of divine realms).

• Seeks to know the Unknowable, which causes a Fall — not a sin, but a descent into matter and fragmentation.

• She gives birth to the Demiurge, the blind craftsman who shapes the physical world.

• Her journey is one of exile, suffering, and return, symbolizing the soul’s descent into form and re-ascent to Spirit.

Sophia is the womb and the yearning, the logos made maternal, and the one who carries the divine spark into flesh.

🔮 THE PRIESTESS (Thoth Tarot, ATU II)

In the Thoth Tarot, The Priestess is the initiatrix who stands between the two pillars of duality — Jachin and Boaz — veiling the Mysteries behind the curtain of Da’ath, the Abyss.

Key Attributes of the Thoth Priestess:

• Assigned to the Hebrew letter Gimel (ג), meaning camel — the one who crosses the desert of the Abyss.

• Path between Kether (Crown) and Tiphereth (Beauty) — the channel of pure Light and Gnosis.

• Sits enthroned with the Bow of Artemis, the Moon at her feet, and the Tora (secret wisdom) in her lap.

• Represents pure receptivity, intuitive insight, and pre-formal thought — the matrix before manifestation.

She is the embodiment of silence, inner vision, and lunar gnosis, and like Sophia, she dwells in the veil between Spirit and Matter.

🜁 COMPARATIVE ELUCIDATION: SOPHIA ≈ THE PRIESTESS

🜂 Hermetic Insight: The Divine Feminine As Initiatrix

Where Sophia seeks to know and is cast down, the Priestess knows by being and remains hidden. Together, they tell the twofold journey of the soul:

• Sophia is the active seeker — the soul fallen into matter but burning to return.

• The Priestess is the silent holder of the flame — she stands still, that others may pass through her gateway.

From a Qabalistic-Hermetic standpoint:

• Sophia is the manifestation of Binah reaching downward.

• The Priestess is the Gimel path from Kether to Tiphareth — she is the narrow channel that must be walked to integrate divine wisdom into solar consciousness.

🜨 Final Reflection

Sophia teaches through experience. The Priestess teaches through silence.
Together, they form the two halves of the Grail — one descending into the world to ignite the spark, the other preserving the sacred pattern in the hidden temple of the soul. These two halves are shown on the Thoth Tarot-ATU 11-Lust and the ATU-7 -The Chariot. The Blue Grail is the preserving sacred pattern hidden in the temple of the soul and the Red Grail is the is the descending spark associated with the original lust to be.

In Western Hermetic Qabalah and Tarot, serpents and serpent force carry deep esoteric symbolism, primarily representing wisdom, transformation, and spiritual power, often tied to concepts of initiation, energy, and the balance between higher and lower states of consciousness. Below is an exploration of how serpents are interpreted in both systems:

1. Serpents in Hermetic Qabalah

In the Hermetic Qabalah, serpents are closely associated with the life force energy known as the Kundalini in Eastern traditions, often referred to as the "serpent power." This energy is coiled at the base of the spine and represents latent spiritual potential (inherited from the Anunnaki). When awakened, it ascends through the central column of the Tree of Life, mirroring the spiritual ascent of the soul.

Key Representations:

• Serpents in the Tree of Life: The paths on the Tree of Life, particularly the Middle Pillar (representing balance between severity and mercy), are sometimes associated with the ascent of serpent power. The Middle Pillar practices, particularly those rooted in the awakening of energy centers (like the chakras in Eastern systems), involve a serpent-like rise of energy through Malkuth (the physical plane) to Kether (the crown, divine consciousness).

• The Serpent of Wisdom: In the Qabalistic tradition, serpents can symbolize knowledge and the secret wisdom of the mysteries. The serpent appears in connection with the Garden of Eden myth, where it offers the fruit of knowledge, representing the movement from innocence into a deeper awareness of duality and the forces of creation and destruction.

• Nechushtan (Copper Serpent): The symbol of the bronze serpent lifted by Moses in the wilderness (Numbers 21:8) is often referenced in Hermetic traditions as an emblem of healing and redemption, also suggesting the interplay of divine power, wisdom, and the descent into matter for the purpose of spiritual elevation.

2. Serpents in Tarot

In the Tarot, the serpent appears in several key cards, where it symbolizes both the subtle energies of transformation and the secret, initiatory knowledge granted through the spiritual path. Crowley's Thoth Tarot and the Rider-Waite-Smith Tarot both present serpents in significant ways.

Key Tarot Cards Featuring Serpents:

• The Lovers (Key VI) - Rider-Waite-Smith: The serpent wrapped around the tree in the Lovers card recalls the story of Eden, representing knowledge and the temptation to evolve through experience. It symbolizes the initiation into duality (good and evil, masculine and feminine) and the choices that come with deeper understanding.

• The Magus (Key I) - Thoth Tarot: In Aleister Crowley’s Thoth Tarot, the Magus (or Magician) is surrounded by serpentine symbolism, reflecting the manipulative and transformative power of the mind. The serpent is often considered a representation of the creative force that the Magus channels into form, guiding the act of will and creation.

• The Wheel of Fortune (Key X): The Wheel of Fortune depicts a serpent descending on one side of the wheel, symbolizing involution—the movement of spirit into matter. This is balanced by the ascent of spirit represented on the other side, suggesting the eternal cycle of rise and fall, creation and dissolution.

• The Devil (Key XV): The serpent in relation to the Devil card represents the raw, primal force of desire and instinct. In the context of the Thoth Tarot, the serpent force (also understood as Set) embodies the untamed power that must be harnessed through spiritual discipline to achieve transcendence.

• The Universe (Key XXI) - Thoth Tarot: In Crowley’s system, the serpent is intertwined with the figure in the Universe card, symbolizing the completed spiritual cycle. The serpent here is a force of wisdom, representing both the culmination of the Great Work and the mastery over the physical and spiritual realms.

3. Kundalini and the Serpent Power:

The concept of serpent energy, as understood in Hermetic Qabalah, is influenced by the Eastern idea of Kundalini. When Kundalini energy rises through the body, it is described as moving like a coiled serpent up the spine, through the energy centers, or Sephiroth, on the Tree of Life.

• The Serpent and the Ouroboros: The Ouroboros, the serpent devouring its own tail, is a significant symbol in alchemical and Hermetic traditions. It represents the cyclical nature of life, death, and rebirth, as well as the unity of opposites. This concept is echoed in Tarot, particularly in the World (or Universe) card, where the circular shape of the serpent indicates completion, wholeness, and the eternal return.

4. Sexual Energy and the Serpent:

In Hermetic thought, serpent energy is also linked to the sexual force, which, when properly understood and directed, can lead to spiritual enlightenment. This is seen in the relationship between Yesod (the Sephirah associated with the moon and the sexual energies) and Tiphereth (the heart and higher self). The refinement of raw sexual energy into spiritual force is part of the journey of the serpent as it rises along the Tree of Life.

Conclusion:

In both Western Hermetic Qabalah and Tarot, the serpent symbolizes the process of transformation, the movement from ignorance to wisdom, and the rising of spiritual energy that leads to enlightenment. It is a potent emblem of both the hidden dangers and the profound wisdom that comes from traversing the spiritual path. The serpent’s duality—as both a symbol of temptation and of ultimate knowledge—mirrors the initiate's journey through the Tree of Life and the Tarot's archetypal stages.

A further example of this Trinity Goddess format is that nothing can grow in the Garden of the Empress without this wave structure that underlays energy. It is for this very reason that the Moon is assigned to this path, for it is a pattern of waxing and waning, fluctuation, dualities and tides, waves of magnetic energy in a vibratory pattern. Here, the Goddess is both Force and Form, and as a Moon she controls the tides of consciousness. Hence the Cresent Horned crown with a full moon center that is worn on her head.

In some esoteric traditions, particularly within Tantra and certain forms of sex magic, there is a belief that the combination of the sacred fluids of a woman and the seminal fluids of a man can be used to create a potent elixir or magic drink. This practice is a High Priestess temple ritual that is often associated with the idea of harnessing and transmuting sexual energy for spiritual and magical purposes. For the Divine She invented Sexual gender and the resulting communion. Here are some key points:

1. Sacredness of Sexual Energy: These traditions view sexual energy as a powerful and sacred force. It is believed that this energy can be directed and transformed to achieve spiritual growth, heightened consciousness, and magical results.

2. Union of Opposites: The mixing of the sacred fluids from both the female and male is seen as a symbolic and literal union of opposites, representing the duality of masculine and feminine energies. This union is believed to create a harmonious and balanced energy that can be channeled for various purposes.

3. Alchemy and Transformation: This practice has elements of alchemical symbolism, where the combination of fluids represents the transformation of base matter into a higher, spiritual form. It is often seen to elevate one's consciousness and connect with the divine.

4. Intent and Ritual: The process of mixing the fluids is typically performed within a ritual context. Intent, visualization, and focused energy play crucial roles in these rituals. Practitioners may have specific goals, such as spiritual enlightenment, healing, or magical manifestation.

5. Privacy and Consent: It's important to note that these practices, when involving sexual fluids, should always be consensual and conducted in a safe and private setting between willing participants. Consent and ethical considerations are of utmost importance.

6. Secrecy and Discretion: Many practitioners of these esoteric traditions keep their practices private and may not openly discuss them with others. They are often considered advanced and are typically not part of mainstream or widely accepted spiritual practices. These practices are called "High Magick" rituals and are not for the Human Stain and/or the Mundane. The kundalini must have risen in both parties and that practice alone is extremely dangerous to the mundane personality.

It's essential to approach these topics with sensitivity and respect for the diversity of spiritual and magical beliefs. These practices are not universally accepted or understood, and they should only be explored by individuals who are well-informed and consent to participate in such rituals. If you are interested in the complete release of your magick bodies abilities to transcend through ecstasy and high magick you must be without ego and have practice Tantra Yoga meditations for some time. Otherwise, you risk insanity!

Now if you wish to scry this card, remember, she is Pure Virginal Conscious and without empathy; she is as Durga, the Hindu Destroyer Goddess or the Ice Queen, Hel, of the Norse. You will encounter what Dang Olsen (Dream Tarot) called, "Brutal Holy Cosmic Vibration".

Unless you have a mentor, who has been through the initiation (descent into the Underworld of the Subconsciousness) of THE PRIESTESS/POPESS of the Greater Self, you may find her Cold Beauty shockingly destructive to your emotional sensibilities. For she strips your personality of all that is not worthy of Pure Self Conscious, including the sensuality of ego and "feelings "you are so dedicated to and call "your Identity"; She is Pure I AM and what you think you are...is pure fantasy/illusion. She Knows you into existence as the Sun of God, and/or a Being of the family of Tiphareth/Horus: She is Kundalini.

As the Goddess Durga Her many hands, really represent the many attributes of this High Priestess of Ten Thousand Names. She has, sword/dagger for pruning unworthy bits, and her many forms of the many named goddess are shown as individual composite aspects in her many arms.

Oh, I know her as Elizabeth (Elisheva), as She is permanently aware of her initiates and often renames them, she called me Prometheus during my dark night of the Soul, which I translated into the Qabalistic Eli Serabeth (Temple/House of the Fiery Daemon/Seraphim). She is an awe inspiriting Beauty who will assist you in self-dissection.... often without permission even when familiarity is gained and she will name you in her language.

To those who think bravery is an ego trip, don't try meeting the High Priestess- ever! If you wish to hold on to your false ego that enslaves your identity to make sure it stays ignorant of your true darkness! Ask a true priestess and/or a mother of children, what bravery is, then do your best to incorporate that idea into your heart.

For your identity as an understanding Soul may then survive the ordeal of the "Dark night of the Soul" where you must face the falsehood that is what you think you are and lose all false desire and/or the illusion of the senses before you have shed the veils of lies and/or mask of words and "feelings" that compose your false ego identity. In other words, she will strip you of all Identity, as did Ereshkigal strip Inanna in her descent into the dark underworld and then reestablish the Pure Identity of the Sun/Solar Self of the Divine Creative and the will of the One, "I Will Be" (Eheieh), as your greatest passion.

The Wisdom of THE PRIESTESS.HIGH PRIESTESS is in regulation, as her fluctuation establishes the direction for the First Matter as it descends into greater and greater density. Thus, she is THE MOON that regulates the tides of the Waters of consciousness.

As stated before, the four paths rising into the Supernal Triangle each represent an Alchemical element, each a composite of the "Garden of Eden". THE (HIGH) PRIESTESS or THE SOPHIA, is the Uniting Spirit, the Fifth element, symbolized as the top point of the Pentagram. THE CHARIOT =Fire; Water= THE EMPRESS; LOVERS= Air; the HIEROPHANT=Earth.

Overall, THE (HIGH) PRIESTESS, is the vessel for all operations of the Supernal Triangle, she is the crucible/womb where the Alchemical activity of Mercury, Sulfur, and Salt take place. She is also the source of the Four Rivers of Paradise, The Pison (River of Fire), The Gibon (River of Water), The Hiddikel (River of Air) and the Phrath (River of Earth), which goes a long way in describing her fluctuating nature, as rivers are often waves of serpentine flow that also are influenced by the Moon.

As I have mentioned before, the journey up the Paths of the Tree of Life, (called the Serpent path) is about Remembering our beginning by removing the falsehood of egregore identity, a critical part of "Above all things, Know thyself” …the Qabalistic axiom. THE HIGH PRIESTESS/PRIESTESS conceals within Her Vibrations, all the knowledge/memories of the Race, as well as those of the Cosmos. She is the circle/sphere in which all is created, the Womb of the Supernal Trinity.

Behind her resides Daath (Knowledge), invisible because of Vibratory Veils of light as well-being subjective potential. These veils are shown as Light in vibratory form, on the Thoth Card and the veil combination of The High Priestess as shown on the Mystic Palette- High Priestess Tarot Card show hanging veils that are usually closed veils that block access to the Dark Abyssal Womb of the invisible Sephiroth of Supernal Knowledge-Daath.

The Thoth-ATU 2-Priestess, shows these veils of light as curved and straight lines. Curved being Female magnetic force and straight lines be linear electric- masculine force.

The Qabalist knows that it is Light that conceals the True Spirit---the one we've called "The Fiery Darkness", because Dark Energy is the birthplace of visible Light, as it is the substance of Supernal Potential and has no measurement, (beginning nor end to measure) making it infinite.; hence dark. It is said that to look upon the Light of the HIGH/ PRIESTESS, one must become Virginal in consciousness (2=1 and/or Androgynous). For her radiation of Light so bright one of mundane persona or material consciousness, cannot look upon it and keep sanity, and thereby, one will also be shocked right back into their Malkuth realm of the Egregore of Race sponsored consciousness.

If the egoic controlled desire of the survival subconscious aspect of mind is conquered and focused, the Light of the Priestess is welcoming, brilliantly beautiful...but without heat, thus it is a cool light resembling the dazzling brightness of Ice in full Moon Light. Passing through the "Light", one enters the Abyss of Dark Matter/Dark Energy of non-space where the only sense is the original "I" sight of the One who is All; also known as “the seed atom” (Theosophy) of your beginning as a Solar consciousness. Think of this as being comparable to reentering the womb and returning to the original "egg" of yourself, as True Spiritual "I Will Be".

In our Universe, it is known that a Black Hole, is concentrated gravity, which sucks up light at one end, dark and sinister, but empties out into another universe, as a White Hole, where visible light is now emptied and is comparable to the invisible Sephiroth Daath who is the High Priestess/ Priestess.

Obviously, when considering Light, the Qabalist must rethink the essence of Light as Self. It is apparent to the researcher that all religions which stress "the Light" as a high state of consciousness, are based on Tiphareth-The Sun/Son. For instance, religions based on the teachings of Christ, Buddha, Apollo, Osiris, Ahurda-Mazda, Mithra, etc. However, the Gnostic Mysteries, unlike organized religions, states that Light conceals, rather than reveals, by its very brilliance. Thus, visible light is measurable (186,000 miles per second) and finite. 

As does the Moon, so does the PRIESTESS/HIGH PRIESTESS go from brilliant light to absolute darkness (Dark Energy). Hence, the Mythology of the Moon and her deities, such as, Dianna-Artemis, Hecate, and He- el-Aine (Later as Helen, Helena, Elaine, and Eleanor), better known to those of Celtic origin as Elaine the Moon-Goddess and to the Norse as Hel the Goddess of the Underworld (Ice Queen). In all cases, expressing an image of Mysterious Abyssal Womb and its power over life-death and rebirth.

By trying to emphasize the Great Mystery of the Priestess, the Thoth Deck Card Shows THE PRIESTESS as Hecate-Selene (The Triple Goddess as described by Hesiod) which means -The Far Shooting Moon and is an aspect of Artemis. Artemis is also known as the "maiden of the silver bow", suggesting the lower aspect of THE PRIESTESS, (The ART card), which is Sagittarius, the archer. That is why she is illustrated on the Thoth card, with a bow across her knees. Artemis is the triple Goddess, represented as the Maiden, then the Orgiastic Nymph, then the Old Crone. As some say, Maid, Mother and Crone.

 To reiterate, THE PRIESTESS/HIGH PRIESTESS acts upon the First Matter of the MAGUS (Lord Python first husband of the Goddess Lilith/Ereshkigal the High Priestess), causing it to function in the pattern of a horizontal figure eight (lemniscate). This represents a unified energy cycle of both opposed and duplicated vibration; that forms twin circles in an unbroken line; therefore, infinite. This holding, enclosing, unbroken and duplicating function is that of the first female womb quality on the Tree of Life. Making 0 equal 2 and/or the duplicating of Mother-Binah (Understanding) and Father- Chokmah (Wisdom) in all things. Although the paths of the Tree of Life are shown as straight lines, each one is actually a lemniscate as the flow between connecting sephiroth is cyclic as if phases of the Moon.

The Priestess is the Goddess of Ten Thousand names and represents the Noncompliant woman who abolishes the misogynistically intimidated and compliant Eve.

In astrology, the Moon is considered one of the key celestial bodies, and it represents various aspects of an individual's personality, emotions, and inner self. Here are some key characteristics associated with the Moon in astrology:

1. Emotions and Feelings: The Moon is closely linked to emotions and the subconscious mind. It influences how individuals react emotionally to situations and people. The Moon sign in a birth chart reveals the emotional nature of a person.

2. Nurturing and Motherhood: The Moon is often associated with the archetype of the mother and represents nurturing, caregiving, and maternal instincts. It reflects how individuals express and receive love, especially within family dynamics.

3. Instincts and Intuition: The Moon is connected to intuition and instincts. It governs how people respond to their environment on an instinctive level and how they navigate their inner world.

4. Habits and Daily Routines: The Moon is linked to habits, routines, and the daily rhythm of life. It reflects a person's comfort zones and how they seek security and stability in their everyday life.

5. Imagination and Creativity: The Moon is associated with the imagination and creativity. It governs artistic expression and the ability to connect with one's inner, imaginative world.

6. Adaptability: The Moon is considered a fast-moving celestial body, changing its sign every 2 to 3 days. This reflects adaptability and a responsive nature, as individuals may find their emotions and moods shifting relatively quickly.

7. Relationship with the Past: The Moon is linked to memories, the past, and ancestral influences. It reflects how individuals are connected to their personal history and how they may be influenced by past experiences.

8. Feminine Energy: Traditionally, the Moon is associated with feminine energy, and it is often linked to the yin principle. It embodies receptivity, intuition, and the reflective nature of the feminine.

In an astrological birth chart, understanding the Moon's placement, sign, and aspects to other planets provides valuable insights into an individual's emotional landscape and how they navigate the world on a deeply personal level. It's important to note that the Sun sign represents the external self, while the Moon sign represents the internal, emotional self.

The Medieval Feathers Tarot-Key 2 -La Papesse is an image that can provide knowledge, patience, and fruitfulness all of which are attributed to the Higher Self. Here skill is represented as acquired through study, experience, or long gestation, all of which are the real weapons that help us drive out the demon-virus of the False Ego that we have all nurtured with our lives and that has become a profaned veil of lies between us and the Psyche/Soul/Solar-Self. The fact of her Mystery is shown in the art of this key 2 card, as a faceless power language that exists in the Darkness of the Abyssal Womb that harbors her wisdom.

The term "Abyssal Womb" or "Abyssal Womb" as presented in various esoteric and occult traditions, including Western Hermeticism, Qabalah, and certain branches of mysticism, the Abyssal Womb symbolizes the primordial or cosmic womb from which all creation emerges.

Here are some interpretations and implications of the term:

1. Primal Source: The Abyssal Womb is often seen as the ultimate source or origin of existence, akin to a cosmic womb from which all forms manifest. It represents the deepest, most profound level of reality, beyond ordinary perception.

2. Transformation and Rebirth: In some contexts, the Abyssal Womb symbolizes the process of spiritual transformation and rebirth. It represents a state of dissolution or annihilation of the ego, leading to a new, higher level of consciousness.

3. Unity of Opposites: The Abyssal Womb may also embody the concept of unity of opposites, where darkness and light, chaos and order, are harmoniously integrated. It signifies the transcendence of dualities and the realization of oneness.

4. Mystery and Depth: The term "abyssal" conveys a sense of profound mystery and depth, suggesting that the Abyssal Womb holds secrets and truths beyond ordinary understanding. It invites seekers to explore the depths of their own consciousness and the universe.

Overall, the concept of the Abyssal Womb encompasses themes of creation, transformation, unity, and mystery, offering a powerful symbol for contemplation and spiritual exploration in various mystical traditions.

If you have questions about this blog, or Thoth Tarot cards, or Thoth Tarot Master classes, Western Hermetic Qabalah or even your own layouts. Click on blue Chat button below and get quick and concise answers.

When the POPESS/LA PAPESSE or PRIESTESS, is thrown during a reading: for the non-initiated (who haven't experienced the dark night of the Soul and/or Her Pruning of the dead-Manmade ideas of self):

• The querent is experiencing the principle of self-trust, indicating an easily working state of harmony and inner independence.
• A self-knowing.   
•  Accessing hidden Knowledge from the unconscious.  
• Self-sufficiency, self-trust, and intuition.
• Binary.
• Good judgment.
• Platonic love.
• Spiritual evolution.
•  To the initiated male.
•   She represents the Spiritual Bride of the Just man (The Prince, no longer of this world) When he reads the Law, she gives him the Divine Meaning/Understanding of her language. 
• The Arcana is revealed, the Mystery is unfolded, and futures are seen.
• Anima-Life.
• To the Initiated Female.
• She is the Papess, associated with St. Mary Magdalene, or the Great Shakti of the triple Hindu Goddess Kali, or the Greek Gnostic Sophia, the original Mother of the Holy Trinity. 
• Considered one of the Highest and Holiest of the Major Arcana. Complete development of the Creatrix Feminine Powers (Womb rite) that go deeper in meaning than the words, intuition, or insight, can convey. 
• She is the Law of inherited Wisdom.

If ill defined by the surrounding cards, it implies:

• A time for action.
• Daydreaming.
• Escape from reality. 
• Moodiness.
• Phoniness.
• Existential dread.
• Proud and arrogant behavior.

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