Continuing my series of Major Arcana, we have the High Priestess. This was quite a challenge as starting with the conventional seated figure using the usual symbols resulted in a very stiff image with little character. I’ve changed it up a fair bit and here’s the result.
She’s positioned between the pillars of Boaz and Jachin (“strong” and “established”), indicating the centre, wisdom and perception. I have her leaning on “strength”, which for me works better compositionally as well as being symbolical.
Her conventional triple moon crown has been substituted for a headdress that still retains the waxing and waning crescents (as does the armband) referring to the importance of natural timing and patience. She’s also usually depicted with an equal-armed cross over the heart, symbolic of the importance of balance. It’s actually there but you can’t see it, though the design on the hem of her robe also reflects this.
The traditional iconographty has a crescent moon literally at her feet, which to my eye looks just plain odd. After much experimentation I turned this into a floor tile instead, retaining the meaning derived from the moon's position (that the Priestess has control over secret thoughts).
Pomegranates are featured in the conventional representation to express the fruitfulness of our subconscious minds (pomegranates symbolise fertility). I’ve done this using a William Morris pomegranate design on a curtain, to coherently integrate the motif into the overall scene.
Finally, she holds a scroll symbolic of information, education, and perfect knowledge. This is about the only bit I DIDN’T mess around with!
DS3 as usual with no postwork. Enjoy J « Less
