adminThe High Priestess
She is seated between the white and black pillars which have the letters ‘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 (male) and pomegranates (female). The scroll in her hands, partly covered by her mantle, bears the letters TORA (meaning “divine law”), which symbolizes the memory we carry inside about the past, present, and future (also known as Akasha).
We will explore the pillars to each side of the High Priestess with the letters J and B. In KJV bible (1 Kings 7:21), the pillars make reference to Jachin and Boaz, the names of two bronze pillars erected at the entrance of Solomon’s temple; Jachin is the pillar on the south of the entrance and Boaz is the one on the north side of the entrance. Jachin (pronounced yaw-keen) means “he will establish,” and Boaz signifies “in him is strength”. These pillars were either of brass or bronze. These metals came from a combination of “Sun” metal, that being copper, and “Moon” metal that being either tin or zinc. This mixture of Sun and Moon expresses harmony and balance. Passing through these pillars represents a chance for a new beginning and the mastery of equilibrium of opposing forces.
Construction of the temple in Jerusalem began in 966 BC and was finished seven years later. The story of the building of the temple is found in the bible in the books of 1 Kings 7 and 2 Chronicles 3.
One can imagine the details and magnificence of the pillars as described in scripture: “A network of interwoven chains adorned the capitals on top of the pillars, seven for each capital. [Hiram] made pomegranates in two rows encircling each network to decorate the capitals on top of the pillars. He did the same for each capital. The capitals on top of the pillars in the portico were in the shape of lilies . . . . On the capitals of both pillars, above the bowl-shaped part next to the network, were the two hundred pomegranates in rows all around” (verses 17–20).
In the Rider-Waite Tarot deck, you can see the variation of this interpretation by the two pillars on each side of the High Priestess. The tops appear to be Lillies and a Pomegranates tapestry hangs behind the pillars.
The pillars Jachin and Boaz were destroyed along with the rest of the temple by the Chaldeans (Jeremiah 52:17), but the names’ meaning lives on in the spiritual kingdom of God. The names of the pillars represent the strength and stability of God’s promises of a kingdom that will last forever (Daniel 6:26; Luke 1:33; Hebrews 1:8; Revelation 11:15).
The High Priestess is symbolic in the sense that she sits at the threshold of the conscious and subconscious mind (the duality of the pillars), she has an innate ability to travel between these realms effortlessly. She teaches you that the world is not always as it seems and more profound influences are often at play. She ushers you through the thin veil of awareness, offering you a deep, intuitive understanding of the Universe and a heightened awareness of secret or hidden information.
There are other symbols that stir within us deeper awareness, such as the cross on her breast, a reminder of the balance between the four elements; fire, water, earth, and air. And to many Christians, it also means a choice made in love and of willful humility.
The scroll in her hands, partly covered by her mantle, bears the letters TORA ( the book of Jewish scripture, meaning “divine law”), symbolizing the memory we carry inside about the past, present, and future, named Akasha ( Hinduism Sanskrit, means universal etheric field in which a record of past events is imprinted).
The High Priestess reminds you of your unlimited potential. You are simply a fragment of who you really are. Seek and you will find.
references:
Jachin and Boaz -https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org
Biblical reference for the description of pillars-
https://biblehub.com › 1_kings › 7-17
The First Temple: Crowning Achievement of King Solomon
https://www.ancient-origins.net/ancient-places-asia/first-temple-crowning-achievement-king-solomon-and-home-legendary-ark-covenant-021683
Metal Symbolism – https://www.ancient-symbols.com/metal-symbolism.html
Meanings, Properties & Powers -https://meanings.crystalsandjewelry.com/copper/
*extra
The Esoteric Meaning of the Twin Pillars Boaz & Joachim –
https://www.rimasons.org/trestleboard/212-the-esoteric-meaning-of-the-twin-pillars-boaz-joachim