The Three Temples in Tarot

Have you ever wondered what's happening with those 3 pillared cards in tarot? With such striking visual similarities, there must be something connecting this series of cards, right?

Since 2020, we've developed a particular interest in, and spent a great deal of time contemplating these keys and how they may connect to one another.

We're talking specifically about The High Priestess (2), The Hierophant (5) and Justice (11).

The fact that each of these archetypes sits on a stone bench, between 2 pillars, with a veil behind them (obvious at least in the HP and Justice), tells us there is something connective here. They are each, in a sense, guardians to their particular temple. But, where do those temples lead and how can we gain access to them?

One way we've come to understand them simply, is as teachers.

The High Priestess is the inner teacher. She connects us to the subconscious and all the information that space holds (both personal and collective). This is indicated by the Tora scroll she holds, the deep body of water behind her and the crescent moon by her feet. All of these symbols point to a lunar/water connection which is all related to the subconscious.

The Hierophant is the outer teacher.  The Hierophant is associated with Taurus, an Earth sign. We also see outer institution heavily depicted in this scene with the two disciples, pope and crosses. In that sense, The Hierophant translates what is found on the subconscious plane and turns it into understandable, earthly wisdom and knowledge. Of course, those translations aren't always accurate. They can be misunderstood at best or manipulated at worst. Sometimes we must take up the practice of accessing our own inner hierophant in order to understand "the text" (instead of relying on external sources).

Justice is the cosmic teacher. Justice explains the mechanisms and workings of the universe, and our place within them i.e. cause and effect, "karma" etc. Without an understanding of universal law, everything can appear random and chaotic. Justice makes sense out of everything. When we can clearly see what is happening and why, we can also then accurately predict what's to come. Justice allows us to get away from the trees so we can see the whole forest. It offers us a much higher vantage point than what we ordinarily have access to in our day-to-day lives.

Each of these teachers stands alone, but also build off one another. For example, The High Priestess may provide the raw material for The Hierophant to translate, and it is the proper translation of this material that then becomes doctrine. This doctrine may then allow us to see into and also beyond the self, into the greater workings of the universe i.e. its patterns.

In The Pictorial Key to The Tarot, Waite addresses the matter in a couple passages. He says: “Pictures are like door which open into unexpected chambers.” “[The] pillars of Justice open into one world and the pillars of The High Priestess into another.”

All in all, we see these three cards as something of a "holy trinity". The High Priestess as subconsciousness, The Hierophant as self-consciousness and Justice as super-consciousness. Alone they can give us insight, but together is when the real magick happens. This is why it's so important to have your sub- and self-conscious minds connected and working in tandem. As The Lovers teaches us, it is through this "marriage" that we can begin to reach those super conscious planes.

Of course, nothing here is conclusive! These are just ideas that we've come to by means of our own study and exploration. Be empowered to take what resonates, discard what doesn't fit your paradigm or make adjustments where necessary. Tarot is personal, flexible and dynamic - always.