Aspect of Consciousness: Subconsciousness
The passive knowing of recorded memory and
deductive elaboration. Subconsciousness is the mode of life which
occurs below the level of our conscious awareness. Subconsciousness
controls our bodily functions and growth. It has perfect memory. It
controls all forms of life below that of human self-conscious awareness.
It is receptive and thus subordinate to self-consciousness - it is amenable to
suggestion. Subconsciousness has the power of deduction, in that it
will elaborate suggestions given to it by the self-conscious.
Subconsciousness exists at both the personal level (our personal subconscious
mind), and at the Universal level (the Universal Subconscious, also known by
various names such as: Prakriti, Binah).
Hebrew Name: Gimel (camel)
The camel (a ship of the desert) is a means of transportation and
communication which therefore connects and brings places closer together.
So too, subconsciousness is the medium which connects all things. The
Hebrew letter "Gimel" is a double letter, and so has the pairs of
opposites Peace and Strife associated with it. This is because
harmony and conflict are both a result of the subconscious response to those
things which it is in contact with.1
An ancient symbol for Gimel was that of a bow. Subconsciousness (the bow)
is the propulsive force behind self-consciousness (the arrow).
Qabalistic Intelligence: The Uniting
Intelligence
Subconsciousness is the uniting and connecting medium which connects all
things.
Astrological Correspondence: The Moon
The moon (a ship of the sky) is a symbol for memory, rhythm, subordination
(a satellite of Earth). It is also the symbol of emotion and instincts
(subconscious patterns).
Number: 2
Two is "a symbol of duplication, reflection, copying, transcription,
reproduction, and so on, it relates definitely to memory, the basic function of
subconsciousness. The number 2 also suggests the ideas of duplicity, deception,
untruth, illusion, error and delusion. This is correct, because
subconsciousness [(being at all times uncritically amenable to suggestion)]
repeats and elaborates the mistaken results of faulty, superficial
self-conscious observation." 2
Color/Note: Blue / G#
Symbolism:
(Summarized from "The Tarot", by P.F.Case)3
The Scene: A young woman sits receptively on a cube between two pillars. The key symbolizes the Seven Hermetic Principles (mentalism, correspondence, vibration, polarity, rhythm, cause and effect, gender)
The Woman: A virgin moon goddess (Diana, Hecate, Artemis, veiled Isis, the Virgin Mary, and Eve before her union with Adam), representing cycles, changes in moods, instinct, intuition, impressibility, habits, memory, reflection, and receptivity.
The Scroll: The TORA - the body of divine knowledge and Law. The memory of all events both personal and universal (Akashic records).
Her Garments: Blue symbolizing the Moon, water, and the primary root substance of all creation. The solar cross on her chest shows the union of positive and negative, (male/female) and is a form of the Hebrew letter Tav, which hints at the completion of the entire series of Keys. She is chaste, but is receptive to her final union to come. From her wavy garment comes a stream of water - the source of the river and all pools of water in subsequent tarot keys.
Her Crown: Silver crown showing the waxing, waning, and full moon.
The Pillars: Symbolize all pairs of opposites. White Pillar - yes, positive. Black Pillar - no, negative.
The Veil: The symbol of virginity. Subconsciousness is only potentially reproductive. Only when the veil is rent or penetrated by acts of attention at the self-conscious level may the creative activities of Subconsciousness be released.
The Waters: Subconsciousness is like water in that it reflects and flows.
The challenge is to consciously apply the principle of the High Priestess to everyday life:
 | Receptivity: You are interconnected with all things, and are receptive to the influx of higher knowing. |
| Deduction: (from the general to the particular). You elaborate all premises to their conclusions. As Subconsciousness is always amenable to control by suggestion, take care what seed thoughts you plant. |
| Recall: Everything is listed upon the records of the Universal Mind. You have only to concentrate (reflect) and apply the laws to recall and access them. These are: Similarity, Contrast, Nearness in time or space, Frequency. |
In "Living the Tarot", Amber Jayanti provides some suggestions for integration and application of The High Priestess:
| The Imagery of the High Priestess can be used as a reminder to:4 Recall that we are all interconnected through the Universal Subconscious. be more in touch with the flow of life. [Be calm, reflective, and receptive.] |
| Ask yourself the following questions:5 What pattern or habit in my daily routine would benefit from examination? How might I improve my memory skills? What have I been reacting to? How might the mass mind be influencing how I handle my career, social or family life? What memory might prove useful to reflect upon?
|
Illustrations from the Universal Waite Tarot Deck reproduced by permission of
U.S. Games Systems, Inc., Stamford, CT 06902 USA. Copyright ©1990 by U.S. Games
Systems, Inc. Further reproduction prohibited.