Overview: The High Priestess & The Twos

The first step towards gaining a deeper understanding of the Tarot, and something a lot of people forget to do, is to break down the 56 minor arcana cards into 14 groups - the aces, the twos, threes, and so on. So instead of having 56 cards, you only have one set of 14 cards, each with four different suits, coupled with a card from the major arcana as an influence of those cards. In a previous post we discussed the suits and the difference aspect they symbolise, now it's just a matter or leaning the 14 different groups of cards, and their relationship with their "parent" major arcana.

In this lesson, we shall be discussing the twos and the High Priestess

The High Priestess & The Twos

The High Priestess

This card depicts a woman seated between two pillars marked B and J, this represents the word and phrase inscribed upon the pillars in King Solomon's temple. Those words are Boaz and Joachim, the words can loosely be understood to stand for strength and unity. There's a cloth behind the high priestess depicting pomegranates, a sign of prosperity and ambition to the Egyptians, and a symbol of death and the after life to the Greeks. The high priestess holds a scroll, as a keeper of secret knowledge. She holds down the moon, a symbol of mystery, beneath her foot. She does not represent creation, but rather inspiration - the middle ground between the idea supplied by the magician,  and the creation which will be inspired by the empress. 

The Twos

The number two suggests duality, a point between two choices, a fork in the road, our decision as to whether or not a new path will be taken. Twos are the fork in the road. Do you follow the path which takes new ideas into fruition, or do you take the other route? The twos also represent instinctual wisdom, the twos are undirected energy, pure potential waiting to be channelled into a new direction. Do you dare to explore your options.

The Two of Swords

The two of swords show the image of a blindfolded woman with crossed swords, suggesting a clash of ideas or words. Whilst remaining impartial, she holds the swords apart. The querant may feel in the middle of something, caught between two warring people or ideas within their mind. Whilst not choosing sides, the two of swords remains in the middle, at that crossroad, possibly being torn between the two choices.

The Two of Wands

The two of wands shows an image of a man standing with the world in his hands, but it isn't the world s a whole - it's his personal world. He stands between the two wands, his eyes looking exactly between the world he holds in his hands and that which lies beyond. Again, it's a struggle between choices, a journey to be set upon, not for fear nor love nor necessity, but for its own sake.

The Two of Cups 

The two of cups shows two people together, sharing, with one figure taking the cup of the other in exchange. These people are friends, or acquaintances coming together, an unexpected meeting which can change the course or direction. In the background you can see the intertwined snakes, kaduceus. This symbol represents the Roman God Mercury, who was said to watch over the trades. It's a recognised symbol of commerce and negotiation, knowledge of the trades, practical skills, writing and eloquence. So really, the two of cups has a wide spectrum of interpretation. Coming together, brotherhood, trades people, sharing, changing direction.

The Two of Pentacles

The two of pentacles shows the image of  man juggling two pentacles - trying to keep the other from falling, with the balls being tied to a symbol of infinity. The juggler is balancing the physical aspects of his life, be they health, finances or perhaps security. The man seeks to maintain the balls in motion, constantly making choices to keep his life in balance.