The Writer's Arcana: Crafting Compelling Character Arcs with Tarot
- Julie Embleton
- Sep 24
- 8 min read
Chapter Three: The High Priestess Whispers
Welcome to Chapter 3 of the Writer’s Arcana Series! For this next instalment, we’re stepping into the moonlit realm of The High Priestess; a card of intuition, mystery, and the feminine wisdom that lives just beneath the surface. In both tarot and storytelling, The High Priestess invites us to trust our inner voice, embrace the unknown, and discover the magic that happens when we listen to what can’t be seen or explained. If you’re new to this series, skip back to Chapter 1, The Fool’s Leap. No tarot experience required to dive in and take part, just your curiosity!
Chapter Three: The High Priestess
The High Priestess sits at the threshold between conscious and subconscious, holding the secrets of the universe. She represents deep knowing, spiritual insight, and the quiet power of trusting your gut.
Who is The High Priestess?
Known as the guardian of the unconscious, the High Priestess is typically depicted sitting in front of a veil, the scene behind hidden from sight. She knows how to access this realm and tells us we can too, but only through connecting to intuition, paying attention to dreams, and being open to signs, symbols, and synchronicities. In your writing life, the High Priestess manifests as the nudge to pay attention to hunches, dreams, and those flashes of inspiration that seem to come from nowhere. Have you ever experienced a character poking for attention? You’ve confidently plotted their path and know exactly how their story will unfold, but suddenly you ‘hear’ them whispering their opinion or suggestion, and quite suddenly, new inspiration ignites. That’s the magic of the High Priestess.
Writing Prompt:
Think back to a time when you trusted your intuition—either in your writing or your life. What happened as a result? Free-write your memories or feelings about that experience for ten minutes.
Feminine versus Masculine energy with The High Priestess
The High Priestess represents feminine wisdom, but duality is also an important aspect of this card, so it further invites us to examine the roles of both masculine and feminine energy in our characters—especially if there’s imbalance, or the need for a shift from one to the other.
Characteristics of feminine energy include empathy, intuition, compassion, creativity, and nurturing. A character rooted in feminine energy (regardless of gender) is more open to collaboration, is emotionally intelligent, and tends to focus on the power of relationships and connection.
When it comes to masculine energy, the focus is on logic, problem-solving, and practicality. Characters embracing this energy favour autonomy, independence, and decisiveness. They prefer to be grounded and take a focused approach. Relying on intuition, creative thinking, and compassion typically don’t come into play with characters anchored into masculine energy.
Remember, masculine and feminine traits are not restricted to a particular gender. Strong female leads often display masculine energy, while ‘Golden Retriever’ type male characters can behave with aspects of feminine energy.
Writing Prompt:
Consider a character with strong feminine traits—one you’ve written, or from literature. Now imagine this character goes against these traits. How might it impact the storyline? Write a short scene where this character opposes compassion, nurturing, or refuses to listen to their intuition.
Using The High Priestess in Character Development
Characters inspired by The High Priestess are often mysterious, wise, or attuned to forces others might miss. She can show up as a mentor, a keeper of secrets, or even as the protagonist’s own inner voice. These characters might not always be the loudest in the room, but they’re often the most perceptive. Here are some ways to weave The High Priestess into your characters.
Characters who trust their gut, even when logic says otherwise:
A detective who follows a hunch rather than the evidence, leading to an unexpected breakthrough in a case.
A young woman who chooses a new career path because of a recurring dream, despite family pressure to “play it safe.”
A healer in a fantasy world who senses danger before it arrives and prepares the village, earning trust (or suspicion).
Secret-keepers, or those who protect hidden knowledge:
The town librarian who knows the truth about the haunted house but keeps it quiet to protect an old friend.
A member of a magical order who guards ancient prophecies, revealing them only when the time is right. (Solomon from my Coveted Power series)
A teenager who discovers a family secret and struggles with whether to share it or keep it hidden.
Mentors or guides who appear at pivotal moments:
The mysterious stranger who gives the protagonist a cryptic message just when they’re about to give up.
An elderly neighbour who offers wise advice at a crossroads, steering the main character toward their destiny.
A dream guide who appears in visions, nudging the hero toward self-discovery.
Protagonists with a rich inner world, dreams, or psychic flashes:
A main character who journals vivid dreams that start predicting real events.
An artist who paints scenes from their imagination, only to realize they’re glimpses of the future.
A sensitive child who “just knows” when someone is upset or lying, even if they don’t understand why.
Individuals who value silence and reflection over action:
A monk who offers wisdom through quiet presence, rarely speaking but deeply respected by others.
A writer who spends long hours in solitude, drawing inspiration from meditation and stillness.
A character who listens more than they speak, noticing details others miss and offering insights at key moments.
Writing Prompt: ‘I See Dead People!’
Create a character who has a keen sixth sense, and despite how their insights are brushed off by everyone around them, this character holds firm in their self-belief and follows their intuition. What truths do they uncover? Perhaps someone who dismissed their gifts hides the biggest secret of all?
Bonus Prompt: A Mysterious Source
Write a scene where your main character receives guidance from a mysterious source. What form does this guidance take—a dream, a stranger’s words, a sudden insight?
A 3-card Tarot Spread for Writers
Here’s a tarot spread you can use to connect with your own High Priestess energy and unlock new layers in your writing:
What hidden wisdom wants to come through in my story right now?
How can I better trust my intuition during the writing process?
What message am I not seeing that could help my characters or plot evolve?
Pull a card for each position, and journal your impressions. Let your subconscious speak! You don’t need any tarot experience to try this out, simply let your imagination have free rein and be open to whatever comes through. Oracle decks work too!
You can also try flipping the reading to align with a character’s challenge by asking:
What wisdom is hidden from your character at this time?
How can they better trust their intuition?
What message are they not seeing?
The High Priestess in Action
The High Priestess is the queen of intuitive plotting. Sometimes, the best story twists and character arcs aren’t planned—they’re felt. Trust those moments when your gut tells you to veer off outline, or when a character “wants” to do something unexpected. Allow space in your process for ideas to simmer quietly, and don’t be afraid to follow the breadcrumbs of inspiration, even if you don’t know where they lead.
Personal Example: The High Priestess in Action
While writing Haunted from the Turning Moon series, I introduced a new character; Tori, a vampire haunted by her past. As part of her backstory, I sketched a brief outline of her sire, a vampire I called Alexander. He was never meant to be anything more than a name, but as the story continued to evolve, Alexander became a very real—and persistent—voice in my mind. When I gave him the chance to speak, he came alive on the page, and turned out to be one of the most popular characters of the series. Allowing my intuition to align with my imagination took the series in a direction I hadn’t ever envisaged. Once Alexander began to unfold, I knew he’d change everything, and even though I had no idea how, I trusted the feeling. Whenever that beautiful High Priestess energy flows in, listen. True magic happens when she comes calling!
The High Priestess Reversed
When The High Priestess appears reversed, her energy signals a time when your inner wisdom feels inaccessible or muted. You might find yourself facing creative blocks—those frustrating moments when inspiration dries up and ideas refuse to flow. It’s also a sign that you may be ignoring your intuition, perhaps second-guessing your instincts or dismissing those quiet nudges that usually guide your process. This reversal can leave you feeling disconnected from your inner voice, making it harder to trust your creative decisions and/or recognise what your story really needs. Instead of moving forward with confidence, you might feel stuck, uncertain, or out of sync with your usual creative rhythm.
In stories, reversed High Priestess energy might show up as the following:
A protagonist who second-guesses every decision, leading to missed opportunities:
Imagine a main character who’s paralysed by self-doubt. Each time an opportunity arises—whether it’s accepting a new job, confessing feelings, or stepping into a challenge—they hesitate, replaying every possible outcome in their mind. Their inability to trust themselves means doors close before they ever step through, and they’re left watching others move forward while they remain stuck, haunted by “what ifs.” This can create a compelling internal conflict and drive the story’s emotional arc.
Secrets that weigh a character down, causing stagnation or regret:
Picture a character who uncovers a crucial truth—maybe about their family, a crime, or a magical legacy—but chooses to keep it hidden out of fear, guilt, or shame. Over time, the secret festers, affecting their relationships and personal growth. They might become withdrawn, irritable, or even physically unwell. The longer they keep the secret, the heavier it feels, preventing them from moving forward until they finally find the courage to reveal it (or suffer the consequences of keeping it too long).
A mentor who withholds guidance, leaving the hero lost:
A trusted guide or mentor senses the protagonist’s struggle but, for their own reasons—perhaps believing the hero must learn alone, or fearing the truth will hurt them—chooses not to share vital information. As a result, the protagonist stumbles, makes avoidable mistakes, or finds themselves in trouble. This can introduce tension in the mentor-mentee relationship and force the hero to dig deeper for answers, highlighting themes of trust and independence. (This example plays out in The Dawning of my Coveted Power series—but no spoiler alerts here, so that’s all I’ll say!)
A narrative that feels flat because the writer is overthinking instead of feeling:T
his can manifest as a story that’s technically sound but emotionally distant. The plot might tick all the boxes, but the characters lack depth, and the scenes don’t resonate. The writer may be so focused on getting everything “right” that the spark of intuition and authentic emotion is missing. Readers sense something’s off—they can’t quite connect with the story, because it’s missing that raw, intuitive energy that brings a narrative to life.
Writing Prompt 1: Second-Guessing and Missed Chances
Write a scene where your protagonist is faced with a pivotal decision. Instead of acting on their initial instinct, they hesitate and overthink, ultimately missing the opportunity. How does this moment of indecision ripple through the rest of the story? Show the emotional impact and any consequences that result from their self-doubt.
Writing Prompt 2: The Weight of a Secret
Create a character who is burdened by a secret that could change everything for themselves or others. Describe how keeping this secret affects their daily life, relationships, and sense of self. What finally pushes them toward revealing the truth—or what happens if they continue to keep it hidden?
The High Priestess reminds us that the greatest stories often come from the quietest places within. She invites you to honour your intuition—both in your writing and in your life. Let mystery be your muse, and see what unfolds when you trust yourself a little more.
Next up: Chapter 4 continues the Writer's Arcana series, where we’ll explore The Empress and the abundant, nurturing energy she brings to creative projects. Get ready to embrace growth, creativity, and a little bit of wild magic!
Ready to honour what’s whispering through? My Tarot Journal holds space for your spreads, symbols, and the quiet truths that shape the work. Check out the Creative Soul Tarot Journal to give those whispers a place to land.
If you have experience of The High Priestess in your writing life, let me know! Perhaps you’ve written a character that embodies this enigmatic archetype? You can reach me at julie@creativesoultarot.com
