When most folks think about Tarot, they most likely recall images from the Major Arcana. Its universal themes, vices, virtues, and recognizable images of good and evil grip our psyches. The Major Arcana’s symbolic power is palpable, but its messages are often misunderstood through a black-and-white lens, sparking fears or misguided attachments. In practice, one must approach the Major Arcana with open curiosity and a grounded understanding of nuance.
The cards of the Major Arcana inform us of significant spiritual lessons and energetic shifts in our personal lives. While the predictions of the Minor Arcana are more readily amenable to our use of free will to define our fate, the Major Arcana cards can show us a destined outcome or present circumstance that we must face. To understand the specifics of these powerful messages, we must zoom out and view the Major Arcana as a whole.
Essential to this understanding is knowing that the Major Arcana revolves around the story arc of The Fool. As number 0, this figure is the newborn child of the world. We all start as beginners in this lifetime, learning many lessons as we reap the rewards and suffer losses, large and small. From 0 (The Fool) to 21 (The World), the 22 Major Arcana cards speak to the obstacles, characters, and opportunities we encounter on this universal hero’s journey.
Although the Major Arcana moves sequentially, the path of The Fool, like any newborn, is not always linear. Each card is a different path we may take on our karmic spiral of ever-evolving consciousness. No two people will ever take the same route; in this way, the Major Arcana speaks to where you are presently on your journey. Perhaps you are on the brink of uncovering hidden truths or need a reminder that your suffering has a greater purpose. Our lives are a gradual unfolding, and what we slowly glean from our experiences eventually takes us from the innocence of The Fool to the all-knowing wisdom of The World.
Of the 22 Major Arcana Cards, twelve have an associated Zodiac sign, and all have an astrological association. You will also find repetitions in color, numerology, and symbolism. These patterns and correspondences will help you to get a clearer idea of who and what may be involved in your Tarot reading. As with The Fool’s journey, these pages are ever-evolving, so go ahead and customize your descriptions and change them as you progress in your understanding. These personalized notes can include the names of anyone in your life. Perhaps the patriarchal Emperor reminds you of a father figure, or the Strength card reminds you of your best friend, who is a Leo. The more you associate each card with your personal life, the faster your learning progresses.
