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<\/a><\/p>\n\nI decided to get a hold of the Etteilla Tarot<\/a> deck today. Even though the principles behind that deck have been largely debunked by the discovery of the Rosetta Stone, I still feel like it could inform my work in a constructive way somehow, considering its historical significance. How exactly I don’t know. So I ordered a copy today. <\/p>\n My decision to go with “The Popess” instead of the more commonly known “High Priestess” is because of the direct translation from the French “La Papesse” and in keeping consistency with the strange lettering decisions of the Marseille Deck, that could inspire certain types of readings. Also the association with the legend of Pope Joan<\/a> is a deep myth-well, worth dipping into for inspiration while considering the card. <\/p>\n My most significant revelation about The Popess today, is her layered connections with The Magician. Her associations with Mary and Isis, virgin birth, cosmic motherhood, as well as a conveyor of secret maternal wisdom implies that she is the one who gave birth to the Magician or possibly she is the hermetic darkness through which the Magician must travel to reach the heights of Heaven. She is certainly a gate and the initiator of Soul knowledge, whereas the Magician is all Spirit. <\/p>\n The following are my notes. Sorry about the handwriting:<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n