The High Priestess

The High Priestess represents the subconscious mind, with the turning within that is necessary to know the inner desires and promptings that so often guide us, seemingly irrationally. As said by the mystics of old, it is imperative that we do this difficult work of knowing ourselves. 

To look within is part of us taking control of ourselves and our lives. It is a vital part of the maturing process and although often we don't want to face the truth about ourselves and other human beings, we must turn around and see ourselves for what we are. This is where change can happen. We need to take time apart from the noisy busyness of life and contemplate our essence. Who am I? Who are you? Do I really want to know?

Who, or What, is the Infinite, that Evolutionary Force that guides the Universe? To find the answer to that question, the only way is to open our subconscious mind to the possibility of its existence. This is the way to the Ultimate, should we choose to take it. Although it can be a rational decision that leads us to do this, we don’t reach the Great Spirit through our rational mind. The Way is through our subconscious mind, in the beginning, often using symbolism to help express the inexpressible.   

II

My Beloved

The Quest is begun

Step into our Vessel

Of Silver, Gold and Crystal

All is known here, all are known here

Truth is the pilot

Verity is the name

Stars light up the Darkness

Gifting Energy and Joy

Sails, fluttering petals

Plucked from the Lilies

Blowing in the Fields of Wisdom

Verity quivers, and carries us off

Across the Sea of Dreams

A cloud of Butterflies wing around us

Flashing gold, silver and white

Sheltering, shielding

As we speed swiftly o'er the Sea

To the Isle of Vision; Dreamworld

Where dreams come true

Smell the sweet odours

The heady scent of Contemplation

The incense of Meditation

The fragrance of the Isle of Dreams

Groves of sandalwood, myrrh and frankincense

Clothe these slopes

And laurel, the crown of poets

See the Land

Rising out of foam

See the Mystic Isle

Born of Hope and Faith

Framed in the splendor of Light

Set in the sapphire Sky of Serenity

Set in the still, clear Sea of Consolation

Hear the bells singing

From church steeples and temples

Stirring longings, reveries, deep within

Myrtle plays in the Wind

Reminding of Love Eternal

Lavender dances in the sunlight

Treasuring precious visions

We are here, dear Love. Step ashore

We go to meet the Lady of the Island

Lady of Mystery, Queen of Dreams

Who is she and where to be found?

See! Here is her dwelling, her Crystal Castle

Turn the golden key, and enter

Look within

Hear the calling of my Voice

Feel the power of my Love

Let your spirit reach out to Eternal Truth

The High Priestess

She sits bathed in ethereal glow

Between the Pillars of Wisdom

Male and Female; Light and Darkness; Wisdom and Foolishness, 

Polarized columns sustainers of all Life

Behinds her floats the Web of Creation

And in her hands

The Scrolls of Truths

She is crowned with the ever-changing Moon

Silver opaque orb

Reflector of Light into Secret Mysteries

Her mantle is the evening sky

Translucent

Glimmering with Stardust

Dream dust

Her gown, a filmy waterfall

Frothing with cloudy lace,

Cascades into a deep pool of Beryl

Lying at her feet

Behind her hangs a Veil of Gossamer

Undulating lightly, containing in shadowy depths

The Seeds of New Creation

On her breast, glowing

Rests the emblem of the Daystar

Affirming the Two, the Four

Matter and Spirit, Male and Female

And the Three

Father, Mother and Child

In One

Her hair drifts in the zephyr

Gently blowing across the water

Darkly it drifts, netted by the Milky Way

Caught by the Evening Star

Her hands hold the hidden Mysteries

Pearls of Wisdom

For her Love

Her eyes, her fathomless eyes

Reflect the Truth of Ages

All may approach

Look deep into those eyes

But beware! Beware

None may do so

And remain unchanged

She is High Priestess

In the Vale of Poppies,

Red Poppies, inert in soporific quiescence

Dreaming of Forget-me-nots

She is High Priestess

Leading the Dreamers from Darkness into Light

Red Poppies, turning towards the Sun

Her fragrance is of the Lily

The Lily of the Valley

Her smile sweet and welcoming

Brings the dawning of a new day

Her voice is the voice of the Turtle Dove

The voice of the ever-changing Sea

Singing in the West

Come, my Child

Search my Isle! Savour the sweet scents

With the hummingbird taste the nectar

Find the honey at the heart of each flower

Sip the heady mead

The sweet liquor of the honeybee

And find your Truth

My Love! My Love

You tremble like a field of grass in the Wind

Wild grass, whose seed must fall

Seeking the rich, moist earth

The wild Wind blows before the Thistledown is free

Freed to find the dark earth

And the Flower within

My Love! My Love

Be not afraid! Listen to my Voice

My still, small Voice, and I will guide your steps

Beside the pool that lies below the waterfall

There you will find the Golden Apples

Guarded by the lovely ones of the West

Giving life eternal

The lustrous Orb mutates to Noon-light

Blinding, burning

Her mantle blackens into deepest night

The endless night of timeless space

Her gown becomes a torrent hurtling into a vortex

Her hair streams out in swirling storm clouds

As the voice of the Dove becomes the Lion's roar

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