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VERSION 2.0 IN PROGRESS

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II - the High Priestess
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A regal-looking woman, perhaps the legendary Pope Joan, sits on a throne with a Papal tiara and staff. She is flanked by columns, one light and one dark. A cheetah sits obediently at her feet. Her robe is decorated with gilt doves, and she cradles a large red book.

My Interpretation: Female intuition. Spiritual awareness, and acceptance of life's mysteries. Secret knowledge, intelligence and intuition. Beware of overenthusiasm, and consider all factors before making an important decision. (Reversed: Misguided passion, adultery. Stupidity and ignorance. Conceit)

Edit notes to self: The composition of this card is similar to the Rider-Waite card, although their card departed from the traditional "female pope" figure and made it more of a Golden Dawn magick priestess. I've reverted to the literal tradition, as I love the medieval legend of the female pope (Pope Joan). I think this is similar enough to be familiar to RWD readers though - there's still a dark and light pillar. I've used doves on the robe instead of a crucifix for the christian symbolism, and a cat and the colour red instead of a moon for the feminine mystery theme. I'm happy to name it The High Priestess, though, as that name is more familiar to modern readers than The Papess or The Female Pope. Still to do - pretty happy with it.

Sources:

Base Pic: Vitale da Bologna, Italian painter, Bolognese school (b. 1289/1309, Bologna, d. 1359/69, Bologna); Madonna 1345 Tempera on wood, 155 x 73 cm Museo Civico d'Arte Industriale, Imola.

Columns, Vaulted Ceiling: Fra Angelico, Italian painter, Florentine school (b. cca. 1400, Vicchio nell Mugello, d. 1455, Roma); The Annunciation late 1430s Fresco, 230 x 321 cm Convento di San Marco, Florence.

Papal Hat, Book and Staff: Simone Martini, Italian painter, Sienese school (b. 1280/85, Siena, d. 1344, Avignon); The Cambridge Altarpiece Polyptych 1320-25 Tempera on wood, 59 x 35 cm Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge.

Black robe with gilt dove pattern: Pedro Serra, Spanish painter (active 1363-1399); Madonna with Angels Playing Music 1390s Panel, 196 x 130 cm Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya, Barcelona.

Cheetah/ Leopard: Benozzo Gozzoli, Italian painter, Florentine school (b. cca. 1420, Firenze, d. 1497, Pistoia); Procession of the Oldest King 1459-60 Fresco Chapel, Palazzo Medici-Riccardi, Florence.

Red and Gold Tiled Floor: Master of Saint Veronica, German painter (active 1400-1420 in Cologne); St. Veronica with the Holy Kerchief c. 1420 Tempera on oak, 78 x 48 cm Alte Pinakothek, Munich.

Parchment Text Panel: Unknown Illuminators, England; The Aberdeen Bestiary (Aberdeen University Library MS 24), written and illuminated around 1200. Aberdeen University, Scotland.

Gilt Border: Conrad Witz, Swiss painter (b. cca 1400, Rottweil, d. cca. 1445, Basel); King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba 1435 Panel, 84 x 79 cm Staatliche Museen, Berlin.