Perhaps the most notable characteristic of The High Priestess is their affiliation with intuition. I've long struggled with the concept of intuition (just as I was never great with manifestation), perhaps because I was overly eager or simply missed the experience altogether because my expectations were too high (you know, that whole "a watched pot never boils" kind of thing). Tarot has helped me understand a lot about intuition, and my study of Human Design has also taught me that some people are better guided by intuition and others by instinct. My Human Design chart tells me I have "splenic authority," which tells me I do better in trusting my immediate instinctive responses to situations rather than needing time to evaluate and process an intuitive suggestion. The alternative would be someone with a "sacral" authority, who fares better making decisions based on intuition.

Of course, just because you lean to one side does not mean that you do not have one skill or the other; it is not a black-and-white trait. It takes work, but it is possible to open yourself to intuition, even if it is hard to come by.

Understanding Intuition and Instinct

Intuition and instinct are basic aspects of human behavior and knowledge, yet they operate in distinct ways. Intuition, often described as a gut feeling or inner knowing, arises from subconscious processing and emotional intelligence and experience. It involves the ability to identify and discern information beyond our typical rational thought, drawing upon our accumulated knowledge, experiences, and emotions. It's like the difference between reading a book and reading music - you process the information in different ways - one with literal reading and the other with an emotional interpretation.

Instinct, on the other hand, refers to the innate, automatic behaviors that have evolved over generations to ensure survival, like pulling your hand away from a hot skillet. These are primal responses to specific experiences that are hardwired into our brains to keep us and others safe. While both intuition and instinct influence decision-making and behavior, they operate on different levels of awareness and serve different functions, not only for us as human beings but especially so as parents.

The Role of Intuition in Parenting

Parental intuition can be a funny thing that often leaves our children scratching their heads and wondering if we're psychic. It's a powerful force that goes beyond logic and reasoning and plays a pivotal role in understanding and responding to the needs of our children. I like to equate this unique skill with learning to "read a room." When you walk into a new place, you can usually pick up on a general "vibe" or energy in the environment that tells you to either be on your guard or get ready to mingle. This is not that different from interacting with your children.

Our sense of intuition provides something of a compass for our children's emotions, well-being, and development. It's this intuition that tells us something is "off" with our kid, maybe something happened at school, perhaps they're getting sick, or maybe there is just something that is bothering them. The subtle cues and signals that we pick up without being told are a key component to that intuitive connection between parent and child. Whether it's deciphering a baby's cries, interpreting a teenager's mood swings, or feeling out a child's unspoken fears, our sense of intuition enables us to tune into the deeper dimensions of our children's experiences. (Of course, puberty throws a wrench in everything because it's all just... weird.) By trusting these insights, we can forge stronger connections with our children, keep them safe, and help and navigate the challenges and difficulties of raising a child with a little more sensitivity and empathy.

The Role of Instinct in Parenting

Instinct is also an important part of a parent's skillset. Instinct is the primal survival mechanism that serve as the foundation of parental behavior, particularly in moments of crisis, danger, and generally scary situations. When we're faced with threats to our children's safety or well-being, we instinctively react in a way to ensure our children's safety, if not survival. How many TikTok videos have we seen where a dad instinctively grabs a kid as they are falling off the counter? I dare say those types of situations are a combination of intuition and instinct.

Traditionally, a mother's instincts are characterized by an innate nurturing instinct and fierce protectiveness towards one's children. We see this represented in The Empress card. That's not to say a father's instincts aren't the same - roles can certainly be reversed or generally inclusive, but most people would recognize a mother's instinctive need to nurture and care for a child; even Tarot has separated out emotional and logical development between The Empress and The Emperor. Paternal instincts typically manifest as a strong sense of responsibility and commitment to providing for and protecting the family and the traditional "hierarchy of needs" and are reflected in The Emperor. While instincts may vary in intensity and expression from one individual to another, they serve as a powerful motivator for parental actions and behaviors.

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