The High Priestess Knows The Secret

"That which constitutes the essence of heaven, earth, air and water, and that which embraces the life of man, as well as that which the fiery God creates in the whole world: I, Philosophia, bear all in my breast."...Albrecht Durer

For many a year I have been interested in the symbolism pictured on the tarot cards, since my initiation into Freemasonry I have found the symbolism in the cards has taken on a different meaning. Call it a coincidence (although I think not); call it synchronicity, no matter what you call it any observant mason will quickly find familiar symbols, especially in the case of the High Priestess.
I am sure most of my Masonic brothers are familiar with the tarot, but I am not sure if most are similar with the shared symbolism, I think it will surprise and enlighten, literally.
The High Priestess, a defined by Wikipedia, The High Priestess wears plain blue robes and sits with her hands in her lap. She has a lunar crescent at her feet, a horned diadem centering a globe on her head and a large cross on her breast. The scroll in her hands, partly covered by her mantle, bears the word TORA. She is seated between the white and black pillars—'J' and 'B' for Jachin and Boaz—of the mystic Temple of Solomon. The veil of the Temple is behind her: it is embroidered with palm leaves and pomegranates. Further behind all of that is what seems to be a body of water, most probably the sea.

According E. Swedenborg (1688-1772) Blue signifies the celestial love of truth. That "blue" has this signification, is because it belongs to the color of the sky, and because by this color is signified truth from a celestial origin. Although I have many other references to blue, I found Swedenborg’s very universal and most likely considering what our Priestess is sitting between, the pillars often symbolizing the entrance of the “Hall of Truth“.

“The High Priestess stands at the entrance to the spiritual and mystical world that lies beyond the material. She will not step aside to allow anyone to enter easily into the hidden sanctuary, but what she will do is point people in the right direction. Similarly to the teachings of Buddha, the High Priestess will show the way of truth but man must walk the path on his own.”

As for the scroll on the lap of our priestess some would say it is the Torah, the Holy Scriptures in which God's will is revealed. Others see it as the Divine Plan of man, or the Book of Wisdom. What is agreed on is that this scroll holds many secrets which should not be revealed to those who aren't yet ready for them.
Not to be missed by masons is the seven pomegranates, who adopted pomegranates as the symbol of plenty. In the world of the esoteric the pomegranate is a symbol of the resurrection and the hope of eternal life, the seeds bursting forth from the pomegranate are also likened to Christ bursting forth from the tomb. (Please beware of literal translation)

While researching the symbolism of the High Priestess I came upon a passage written by P. D. Ouspensky, talk about beautiful:

When I lifted the first veil and entered the outer court of the Temple of Initiation, I saw in half darkness the figure of a woman sitting on a high throne between two pillars of the temple, one white, and one black. Mystery emanated from her and was about her. Sacred symbols shone on her green dress; on her head was a golden tiara surmounted by a two-horned moon; on her knees she held two crossed keys and an open book. Between the two pillars behind the woman hung another veil all embroidered with green leaves and fruit of pomegranate.
And a voice said:
"To enter the Temple one must lift the second veil and pass between the two pillars. And to pass thus, one must obtain possession of the keys, read the book and understand the symbols. Are you able to do this?"
"I would like to be able," I said.
Then the woman turned her face to me and looked into my eyes without speaking. And through me passed a thrill, mysterious and penetrating like a golden wave; tones vibrated in my brain, a flame was in my heart, and I understood that she spoke to me, saying without words:
"This is the Hall of Wisdom. No one can reveal it, no one can hide it. Like a flower it must grow and bloom in thy soul. If thou wouldst plant the seed of this flower in thy soul--learn to discern the real from the false. Listen only to the Voice that is soundless... Look only on that which is invisible, and remember that in thee thyself is the Temple and the gate to it, and the mystery, and the initiation."

To be continued…..