The cards representing this gallery show The High Priestess, and, at her feet, The Hierophant. The theme of this set is “heresy,” in the sense of unusual, problematic readings of traditional religious imagery. When upright, The Hierophant represents orthodoxy, institutions, tradition, and established religious authority. Here, supine and turned counter-clockwise, he becomes perhaps the clearest tarot symbol for dissent: questioning doctrine, rejecting institutional religion, spiritual independence, heterodoxy, or even heresy. Thematically, in the context of this gallery, this card suggests forging one’s own spiritual path rather than accepting inherited beliefs.

Similarly, The High Priestess represents hidden wisdom, esoteric knowledge, and mysteries outside official institutions. She further evokes traditions suppressed or excluded by orthodox religion such as Gnosticism and intuitive spirituality.

This discussion will help in understanding the imagery of the “Dark Madonna” – also thought of as the Great Whore of Babylon, as well as the Gnostic evocations of Christ and various patron Saints. Images shown here are mostly oil paintings on canvas; a few are still in the state of digital sketches.