Description:
This is a beautifully serene card. The HP glides on the deep green sea aboard a moon - boat. She holds a finger to her lips. Her hooded robe a saturated lavender, her head crowned by the crescent moon. She carries her book of knowledge, green with an inverted red triangle, resting securely in her right arm. Behind her in the darkening blue sky the moon is full. The sea that churns before is in quiet repose behind her. It is a simple card that invites on to stay awhile and discover its mysteries.

*Text From The Alchemical Tarot. Guuiley/Place, Thorosons ISBN 1 85538 301 2

P 2 /3 pa 74 :
"When we attune to the energies of the High Priestess we come into contact with the Great Goddess, who governs the cycles and rhythms of nature -- the very mysteries of life. Her Moon, which waxes and wanes -- the rhythms of life -- symbolizes the highest expression of female spirituality; it is the origin of all mystery traditions. She is luna, the feminine aspect of our hermaphroditic soul.

The High Priestess expresses an estoeric spirituality; this is not found in books but comes from direct experience and initiation into the mysteries. Like the mysteries of life hidden in the womb of the great Goddess, the wisdom of the High Priestess is hidden. Thus, her book is closed, and she is silent. She beckons to lead us to a Gnostic, or personally realized spirituality, but once we are at her gateway we must discover her secrets ourselves by solving her riddles and deciphering her symbols.

P 5:
Tarot Wisdom: Two is the number of openings, because two halves create a space between each other, as in the image of a doorway. The High Priestess opens the door for us to probe the mysteries that lie beneath our experiences. She encourages us to look for what is hidden -- to read between the lines, to find subtitles and nuances. This is the card of intuition, dreams and esoteric knowledge."

There are several reasons I find the Alchemical HP appealing. First it is not a cluttered card. Which I feel lends it self to the idea that mysteries are waiting to be found within us, listening to our own rhythms, accessing the memories and lessons stored deep in our kidneys and marrow, still deeper into akashic records. It is not a card filled with obvious ritual which makes it easier for those that are not comfortable with the symbolism associated with particular paths. Don't get me wrong, I believe ritual is important but for some it is an idea that must come gently. I like that she is not the young and beautiful woman represented in some decks but rather one that has seen more than a few cycles of the moon and sun, her book of knowledge has weathered many seasons.

The framing of these cards lend themselves well to personal meditations having a clearly marked entry. I am currently enjoying the Opus meditation using the active imagination technique based on the methods used by the Golden Dawn as suggested in the book. This is an example of using ritual that appeals to me.

I have used this deck in several readings with two friends that are both pharmacists and they seem to be able to relate easily to the imagery and willing to explore a little deeper with each reading.

Needless to say this does not really begin to cover the possibilities of this deck but is at least a small taste. This a new deck for me and I am sure my perspectives will grow and possibly change as I progress.

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