major arcana

The Major Arcana as a gateway to your life lessons

The Tarot deck comprises two distinct components: the Minor Arcana, consisting of 56 cards, and the Major Arcana, which comprises 22 cards. In this exploration, I elucidate the profound significance embedded within the Major Arcana.

While the Minor Arcana delves into the nuances of your everyday existence, the Major Arcana is helps you to transcend your everyday life to offer a soul’s journey perspective. Major Arcana cards unravel insights into universal experiences and the archetypal forces that shape our lives. Themes such as love, hope, temptation, desires, order, and rules are encapsulated within the Major Arcana, recurring in the context of our daily challenges in the Minor Arcana.

Major Arcana Cards

  • The Fool (0)
  • The Magician (1)
  • The High Priestess (2)
  • The Empress (3)
  • The Emperor (4)
  • The Hierophant (5)
  • The Lovers (6)
  • The Chariot (7)
  • Strength (8)
  • The Hermit (9)
  • Wheel of Fortune (10)
  • Justice (11)
  • The Hanged Man (12)
  • Death (13)
  • Temperance (14)
  • The Devil (15)
  • The Tower (16)
  • The Star (17)
  • The Moon (18)
  • The Sun (19)
  • Judgment (20)
  • The World (21)

The Fool’s Journey

Embarking on the Fool’s Journey unveils a narrative within the Major Arcana sequence. From The Fool’s initial stride into the unknown to encounters with various characters, it’s a captivating saga of learning, falling, and rising—an unceasing journey akin to heroic myths.

While memorization isn’t imperative, recognizing the logical order of this story aids in tarot interpretation. Each card intricately links to its predecessor and successor, creating a seamless progression. Read the whole Fool’s Journey story in my book Tarot Guide for Beginners.

Archetypes in the Major Arcana

Archetypes in the Major Arcana embody the motives of characters, making complex concepts more accessible. Take the Death card, for instance—initial apprehension transforms as we perceive the Grim Reaper, symbolizing the impermanence of life and the urgency to fulfill earthly desires.

Other archetypes, such as the whimsical fool or the nurturing Empress, resonate as familiar figures offering insights into our lives. Ultimately, the Major Arcana prompts introspection into the mythic narratives shaping our existence.

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