In a Tarot deck, there are two major categories of cards: the Major and Minor Arcana. In this two part series, I’ll be talking about these two different card groups and their specific meanings!
Here, we will start with the Major Arcana. If you are vaguely familiar with Tarot cards, these are probably the cards that will look most familiar to you. They’re the most recognizable and impactful cards in the deck. They generally provide guidance and perspective through more major life decisions. There are 22 of them, and when presented in order, the cards tell a complete story in themselves. They follow an individual through their life journey, including all of the trials and setbacks that all of us face.
0 – The Fool
Represents: blind faith in the universe, innocence, courage, the beginning of a journey
1 – The Magician
Represents: trickery, skill, enterprise and initiative, recognition of your own unique talents
2 – The High Priestess
Represents: deep knowledge, intuition, foresight, intelligence, listening to your inner voice
3 – The Empress
Represents: strong feminine energy, compassion, beauty, maternal energy, fertility
4 – The Emperor
Represents: strong masculine energy, authority, leadership, power, structure
5 – The Hierophant
Represents: religion, forgiveness, mercy, spirituality and guidance
6 – The Lovers
Represents: love, close relationships, union, vices
7 – The Chariot
Represents: drive and determination, competition, ambition, a sudden occurrance, victory or triumph
8 – Justice
Represents: balance, karma, fairness, integrity
9 – The Hermit
Represents: solitude, looking within, withdrawal, contemplation, protection
10 – The Wheel of Fortune
Represents: cycles of life, sudden luck, unexpected events, ups and downs
11 – Strength
Represents: resilience, fortitude, strength of mind, endurance
12 – The Hanged Man
Represents: sacrifice, delay, readjustment, rejection, being in limbo
13 – Death
Represents: loss, transition, transformation, the end of a cycle, the chance for a new beginning
14 – Temperance
Represents: moderation, patience, self-control, harmony
15 – The Devil
Represents: restraint, powerlessness, temptation, mystery, feeling trapped by your own limitations
16 – The Tower
Represents: disruption, devastation, an aspect of your life crumbling around you, rising from the ashes
17 – The Star
Represents: hope, recovery, faith, good prospects, a gift from the universe
18 – The Moon
Represents: internal darkness, uncertainty, deception, illusion
19 – The Sun
Represents: brightness, peace, contentment, joy, optimism
20 – Judgement
Represents: rebirth, renewal, your past and future coming together, assessing where you need to go, promotion
21 – The World
Represents: completion, the end of a long journey, the universe, reward, great understanding