Tarot Cards
- Lauren
- Feb 21
- 8 min read
The Major Arcana of the Tarot deck is a collection of 22 cards that represent significant life lessons, spiritual journeys, and transformative experiences. These cards are the heart of the Tarot and often offer profound insights into larger, overarching themes of existence, consciousness, and personal growth.
Each Major Arcana card is deeply symbolic and reflects archetypal energies that span across all cultures and history, making them universal in nature. Below, I'll dive deeper into the symbolism and meanings of each of the 22 cards in the Major Arcana:
1. The Fool (0)
Keywords: New beginnings, innocence, adventure, spontaneity, freedom.
Symbolism: The Fool represents a fresh start, the limitless potential of the unknown, and the courage to take a leap of faith without knowing where it will lead. This card is associated with trusting the journey and embracing the unknown with a sense of wonder.
Lesson: The Fool encourages you to trust the process of life, take risks, and let go of fear or doubt. It represents stepping into something new, full of possibilities.
2. The Magician (I)
Keywords: Manifestation, resourcefulness, power, creativity, skill.
Symbolism: The Magician stands with one hand pointing to the heavens and the other to the earth, symbolizing the connection between the divine and the material world. He has all the tools necessary to manifest his desires: a wand (willpower), a cup (emotion), a sword (intellect), and a pentacle (material resources).
Lesson: This card calls for the use of your inner resources and talents to manifest your desires. It’s about harnessing your personal power and being proactive in creating your reality.
3. The High Priestess (II)
Keywords: Intuition, mystery, inner wisdom, secrets, the unconscious.
Symbolism: The High Priestess sits between two pillars, representing balance and duality. She holds the Torah (the Book of Knowledge) and is associated with the moon, symbolizing intuition, cycles, and the hidden aspects of life.
Lesson: The High Priestess invites you to trust your intuition, connect with your inner wisdom, and explore the mysteries of the unconscious. She reminds you that not everything is meant to be revealed at once and that patience and reflection are key.
4. The Empress (III)
Keywords: Nurturing, fertility, abundance, creativity, mothering.
Symbolism: The Empress is the embodiment of fertility, creation, and the nurturing force of life. She sits in a lush garden, symbolizing abundance, while her flowing gown connects her to the Earth. The Empress is associated with maternal energy and the creative forces of nature.
Lesson: The Empress encourages you to nurture yourself and others. It's a card of creativity, abundance, and caring for the world around you, as well as for your own emotional needs.
5. The Emperor (IV)
Keywords: Authority, structure, stability, leadership, order.
Symbolism: The Emperor sits on a throne, representing authority, power, and control. He holds a scepter and is often depicted with armor, signifying protection and leadership. He is a symbol of order and structure.
Lesson: The Emperor teaches you the importance of discipline, organization, and leadership. It’s about creating a solid foundation for yourself and establishing boundaries that bring stability.
6. The Hierophant (V)
Keywords: Tradition, spirituality, guidance, conformity, wisdom.
Symbolism: The Hierophant is a spiritual figure, often depicted as a priest or teacher. He holds the keys to spiritual wisdom and serves as a bridge between the divine and humanity. He often represents organized institutions, such as churches or schools.
Lesson: The Hierophant encourages you to seek guidance and wisdom from established sources or teachers. It also speaks to the need to find your place within the larger traditions of your culture or community.
7. The Lovers (VI)
Keywords: Love, partnership, choices, unity, alignment.
Symbolism: The Lovers card depicts two figures, often representing a romantic connection. The angel above them symbolizes divine guidance. This card represents deep connection, love, and the choices that come with intimacy.
Lesson: The Lovers card is about understanding and nurturing the relationships in your life, particularly romantic ones, but also those with family, friends, and yourself. It also represents the choices we make and how they shape our path.
8. The Chariot (VII)
Keywords: Willpower, determination, victory, control, self-discipline.
Symbolism: The Chariot features a warrior driving a chariot pulled by two sphinxes, representing the balance of opposing forces. The charioteer holds the reins, symbolizing control and willpower.
Lesson: The Chariot urges you to focus on your goals, stay determined, and maintain control over your emotions and actions. Victory is achieved through discipline and persistence.
9. Strength (VIII)
Keywords: Courage, inner strength, patience, resilience, compassion.
Symbolism: Strength depicts a woman gently holding the mouth of a lion, symbolizing the mastery of raw emotion and power through patience and compassion. The card suggests strength is not about brute force but inner resilience.
Lesson: The Strength card teaches you to tap into your inner courage and patience. It emphasizes the power of gentle persuasion over force and the importance of controlling impulses.
10. The Hermit (IX)
Keywords: Solitude, introspection, wisdom, guidance, spiritual quest.
Symbolism: The Hermit is a solitary figure holding a lantern, symbolizing the search for truth and inner wisdom. The card represents spiritual searching, introspection, and finding guidance within.
Lesson: The Hermit encourages you to take time for self-reflection and introspection. It’s a reminder that answers come from within and that solitude can offer clarity and insight.
11. Wheel of Fortune (X)
Keywords: Fate, cycles, luck, change, destiny.
Symbolism: The Wheel of Fortune depicts a large wheel, symbolizing the cyclical nature of life—rising and falling in waves. It often shows figures on the wheel representing different phases or fates.
Lesson: This card represents the unpredictable nature of life and the cycles of fortune. It suggests embracing change and understanding that life is full of ups and downs, and everything is part of a greater cycle.
12. Justice (XI)
Keywords: Fairness, balance, truth, accountability, cause and effect.
Symbolism: Justice shows a figure holding scales and a sword, symbolizing fairness, truth, and the importance of balance. It is a card of making decisions based on integrity and truth.
Lesson: Justice encourages you to act with fairness and integrity. It’s about making decisions that align with truth and accountability, knowing that actions have consequences.
13. The Hanged Man (XII)
Keywords: Sacrifice, letting go, surrender, new perspective.
Symbolism: The Hanged Man is depicted as a person hanging upside down, symbolizing a suspension of action and the need for a shift in perspective. This card speaks to surrendering to a higher process.
Lesson: The Hanged Man teaches you to let go of old patterns, make sacrifices, and look at the situation from a different perspective. Sometimes, surrendering to life’s flow is necessary to gain deeper insight.
14. Death (XIII)
Keywords: Transformation, endings, renewal, transition, rebirth.
Symbolism: Death is often depicted as a skeleton in armor riding a horse, symbolizing the end of one cycle and the beginning of another. It represents profound transformation and the shedding of old aspects of life.
Lesson: The Death card teaches you that endings are part of life’s natural flow. It’s not about physical death, but about letting go of what no longer serves you to make space for renewal and growth.
15. Temperance (XIV)
Keywords: Balance, moderation, harmony, healing, patience.
Symbolism: Temperance shows an angel pouring liquid between two cups, symbolizing the blending of opposites and the need for balance in life. It speaks to the virtue of moderation.
Lesson: Temperance encourages you to find harmony in your life by practicing balance and patience. It asks you to moderate your desires and actions, seeking long-term peace over short-term gains.
16. The Devil (XV)
Keywords: Temptation, addiction, materialism, bondage, shadows.
Symbolism: The Devil shows a figure with bat wings, chained figures beneath him, representing temptation, addiction, and the things that bind us. It’s a card about our shadow self and the traps we create for ourselves.
Lesson: The Devil urges you to confront your attachments, addictions, and limiting beliefs. It’s about freeing yourself from the chains you’ve placed on your soul and embracing personal empowerment.
17. The Tower (XVI)
Keywords: Sudden upheaval, destruction, chaos, revelation, awakening.
Symbolism: The Tower depicts a structure being struck by lightning, with people falling from it. It represents the sudden and dramatic destruction of false structures or beliefs.
Lesson: The Tower warns that an unexpected event or crisis may shake things up
18. The Star (XVII)
Keywords: Hope, inspiration, healing, renewal, spiritual guidance.
Symbolism: The Star depicts a woman pouring water from two jugs, one onto the land and one into a pool, symbolizing the balance between the physical and spiritual realms. The stars above her represent guidance, light, and hope.
Lesson: The Star offers healing and reassurance. It encourages you to remain hopeful and trust in the divine guidance that is available to you. The card represents a time of renewal, peace, and spiritual clarity after turmoil. It suggests you are being led toward a brighter, more enlightened path.
19. The Moon (XVIII)
Keywords: Illusion, intuition, dreams, subconscious, confusion.
Symbolism: The Moon shows a path leading through a dark landscape, flanked by two towers, with a wolf and a dog howling at the moon. The card represents the interplay between light and shadow, the known and the unknown. The moonlight symbolizes intuition and the subconscious.
Lesson: The Moon teaches you to trust your intuition and to be cautious of illusions. It can signify that things are not as they seem, and you may need to examine situations more carefully. The Moon encourages exploration of your subconscious mind and paying attention to dreams and hidden fears.
20. The Sun (XIX)
Keywords: Joy, success, vitality, clarity, optimism.
Symbolism: The Sun card shows a child riding a white horse, symbolizing innocence, joy, and a sense of freedom. Bright rays shine down, dispelling any darkness and bringing clarity and warmth. It’s a card of illumination and truth.
Lesson: The Sun brings a sense of confidence, success, and clarity. It encourages you to embrace joy, vitality, and optimism. It is a reminder that after difficult times, happiness and clarity are attainable, and your efforts will lead to positive results. This card represents enlightenment, achievement, and the abundance of life.
21. Judgment (XX)
Keywords: Redemption, self-reflection, awakening, forgiveness, transformation.
Symbolism: Judgment depicts a figure blowing a trumpet, with people rising from their graves, symbolizing spiritual awakening and rebirth. The card reflects the need to examine your past and make decisions that will lead to personal transformation and healing.
Lesson: Judgment calls for self-reflection, a deep evaluation of past actions, and the release of guilt or shame. It’s a card of redemption, signaling a time of awakening, transformation, and renewal. This card encourages you to forgive yourself and others, as well as to embrace a higher sense of purpose and clarity.
22. The World (XXI)
Keywords: Completion, wholeness, fulfillment, celebration, achievement.
Symbolism: The World shows a figure dancing within a wreath, symbolizing the completion of a journey or cycle. Four figures (usually representing the four fixed signs of the zodiac) are positioned at the corners of the card, representing balance and integration of all elements. The card depicts harmony, unity, and the achievement of one's goals.
Lesson: The World card signifies completion, achievement, and fulfillment. It suggests that you have successfully navigated a cycle or stage in your life and are now ready to move into a new chapter. It’s a card of celebration, mastery, and recognition. You’ve gained a sense of wholeness and are in alignment with your highest potential. The World signifies that you are ready to expand further and embrace the fullness of your being.
The Major Arcana holds immense depth in its symbolism, each card offering a gateway to spiritual understanding, personal reflection, and universal truths. Whether used for self-discovery, guidance, or divination, these cards offer a powerful tool to connect with deeper layers of the psyche and the mysteries of life.
Would you like to dive deeper into any specific Major Arcana card or learn how to interpret them in a spread?
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