2 The High Priestess

The High Priestess: number two - 6^th chakra - Inner Vision

(All 22 cards may be viewed under tab "Tarot", above)

She is the subconscious. She is the lunar mystery which lies behind the veils of all that is seen in our waking life. Behind the mundane lies a vast realm of dream-forms which are mostly ignored, or feared, or regarded as unimportant but these are our pure symbolic elementals which – if allowed to surface into our conscious minds and examined – would prove to be of great benefit in communicating to ourselves our personal karmic condition. These can only be fully accessed without fear when we no longer are at the mercy of the consequences our own past actions, or are clinging to harmful negative ideas and ideals. Much  cleansing is required to clear the slate of the mind to a window-like surface as it’s the residue of all that is unresolved that lurks there, which clouds our vision and our very lives and keep us captives of ourselves.

   But to wait until ‘the slate is clean’ before we begin to delve into our own minds would be most counterproductive, as it’s the very act of delving which will begin the process of unraveling our own tangled mess. Success depends upon the amount of truthfulness we can summon in facing our own shortcomings. We must face down the harmful tendencies, fixations and cravings, habituation   which keep us enslaved – and demand to know from where they originate, why we hold them tight. When we’ve come to a firm resolve to rid ourselves of them,  we may begin the work of dissolving them, of breaking their hold and conquering them. 
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  Many of our troublesome visions are only apparitions and specters, injected into our subconscious by parents, childhood taunts or societal conventions. Many of our most revered artists have grabbed hold of these ghosts and called them out to the light of day, thus portraying them to the world. This seems to be of great value to others as well, as art is so treasured. 
  But if our torment arises from some act of transgression upon another, we must then deal with that in a very direct way, by making amends with the parties involved in whatever way possible, even by turning ourselves over to the law, should it be so serious. If a wrong were done to us, then maybe the only way to clear our conscience is through forgiveness. 
   Whatever the degree of seriousness, to hold on to denial, fear or resentment will only strengthen the grip on the mind, so a very tough and honest approach has to be taken.

   This work will pave the way through the maze to the heart center of what the High Priestess really has to offer: the inner joyful world of our true birthright -  unimpeded access to the wealth and beauty of our clear, unobstructed minds.

By Ananda G. Brady copyright 2011