I kind of see the High Priestess as that "as above, so below" mirror. If she shows up as a significator, it’s usually a nudge to check whether you’re actually walking your talk.
She’s not a higher power herself, more like someone who knows one exists, and that knowledge comes with weight. Not perfect, not fake. When reversed she can point to someone holding flawed beliefs - about themselves, their spirituality, or their connection to something bigger - but who at least knows those beliefs are shaky.
She’s not timid. Usually she knows she’ll have to face her choices eventually, even if she’s convincing herself she’s justified for now.
About the “selfish gains” angle, it depends. Using your skills and experience to make a living isn’t necessarily selfish, it’s just life. But if someone’s pretending to understand deeper stuff like karma or spirit when they don’t, that tips into fraud. I’ve seen that a lot - lots of folks start a spiritual path and never go past the basics, and sometimes the student ends up outgrowing the teacher.
