The second card of the Major Arcana, the High Preistess represents ancient wisdom and secret knowledge. Between the two pillars of dark and light, she is seated with a scroll of TORA, spiritual law, a solar cross on her neck, and a cresent moon at her feet. The sun and moon are more symbols of enlightenment, intuiton, and duality. Her crown alludes to that of Hathor, an Egyptian goddess that was mother to Horus, god of the sky, and Ra, god of the sun. 
 
The imagery on the back of the vessel is inspired by Swiss Symbolist artist Arnold Böcklin's "Isle of the Dead" painting. I chose this image because the shape of this vessel is my recreation of a Lekythos Greek vase, which was traditionally used for ceremonial purposes to carry perfumed oil. This oil was used to anoint the bodies of unmarried women who have passed away.
 
I wanted imagery that would honor the divine feminine, as well as allude to the mystic afterlife. "Isle of the Dead" represents that transition from the earthly realm to the beyond. To me, it is not a fearful thing, but something mysterious and sublime and powerful. Cypresses are often symbols of death, as they fail to regenerate when cut back too severely. Cypresses are often found in many of my favorite artist's paintings as well, such as Van Gogh. 
 
Lastly, the pomegranates on the handle and the back of the vessel represent the abundance and the divine feminine, alluding to Persephone as well as Eve. 
 
Porcelain with black underglaze and clear glaze, gold luster accents. 17 1/8” H x 5.5” W x 5.5” L