Major Arcana
The Major Arcana in tarot represents the most significant archetypes, life lessons, and spiritual themes in the human journey. These 22 cards depict pivotal moments of transformation, personal growth, and the deeper forces at work in our lives. In readings, the Major Arcana often points to long-term influences, major decisions, karmic lessons, and moments that define our path. Upright, they reveal empowerment, awakening, and clarity about life’s purpose. Reversed or in challenging positions, they may suggest resistance to change, fear of transformation, or difficulty embracing life’s lessons.
The Fool
The Magician
The High Priestess
The Empress
The Emperor
The Hierophant
The Lovers
The Chariot
Strength
The Hermit
Wheel of Fortune
Justice
The Hanged Man
Death
Temperance
The Devil
The Tower
The Star
The Moon
The Sun
Judgement
The World
Major Arcana Overview
The Major Arcana represents the core archetypes and life lessons in tarot. These 22 cards reflect significant turning points, spiritual growth, and universal themes that shape the human experience. Each card offers guidance on personal transformation, challenges, and deeper truths beyond everyday concerns.
| Card | Keywords | Upright Meaning | Reversed Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Fool | Beginnings, Spontaneity, Faith | New journey, trust, embracing the unknown. | Recklessness, hesitation, missed opportunities. |
| The Magician | Manifestation, Power, Resourcefulness | Using skills, taking action, willpower. | Manipulation, poor planning, untapped potential. |
| The High Priestess | Intuition, Mystery, Wisdom | Inner knowledge, spiritual insight, stillness. | Secrets, withdrawal, ignoring intuition. |
| The Empress | Fertility, Nurturing, Abundance | Creativity, comfort, growth. | Dependence, neglect, creative block. |
| The Emperor | Authority, Structure, Stability | Leadership, discipline, control. | Rigidity, domination, lack of discipline. |
| The Hierophant | Tradition, Guidance, Belief | Spiritual wisdom, conformity, mentorship. | Rebellion, unconventional path, mistrust of authority. |
| The Lovers | Love, Union, Choices | Partnership, harmony, aligned values. | Disharmony, imbalance, difficult decisions. |
| The Chariot | Determination, Control, Victory | Willpower, overcoming obstacles, success. | Lack of direction, defeat, loss of control. |
| Strength | Courage, Compassion, Resilience | Inner strength, patience, influence. | Self-doubt, weakness, impatience. |
| The Hermit | Introspection, Wisdom, Solitude | Self-reflection, spiritual search, guidance. | Isolation, loneliness, withdrawal. |
| Wheel of Fortune | Change, Fate, Cycles | Good luck, turning point, destiny. | Bad luck, resistance to change, setbacks. |
| Justice | Truth, Fairness, Law | Accountability, clarity, balance. | Dishonesty, injustice, unfair treatment. |
| The Hanged Man | Perspective, Surrender, Pause | Letting go, new viewpoint, patience. | Stagnation, resistance, missed insight. |
| Death | Transformation, Endings, Renewal | Change, release, rebirth. | Fear of change, stagnation, resistance. |
| Temperance | Balance, Patience, Harmony | Moderation, purpose, healing. | Excess, discord, imbalance. |
| The Devil | Bondage, Temptation, Shadow | Attachment, addiction, materialism. | Freedom, release, reclaiming power. |
| The Tower | Upheaval, Revelation, Change | Sudden insight, transformation, awakening. | Avoidance, fear of change, delayed disaster. |
| The Star | Hope, Inspiration, Healing | Renewal, faith, spiritual clarity. | Despair, discouragement, lack of faith. |
| The Moon | Illusion, Intuition, Subconscious | Dreams, instincts, hidden truths. | Confusion, deception, fear. |
| The Sun | Joy, Success, Vitality | Happiness, clarity, celebration. | Sadness, lack of enthusiasm, delays. |
| Judgement | Awakening, Reflection, Renewal | Self-evaluation, purpose, rebirth. | Self-doubt, avoidance, missed call. |
| The World | Completion, Wholeness, Achievement | Fulfillment, accomplishment, unity. | Incomplete goals, delays, lack of closure. |
Real-Life Examples of Major Arcana Tarot Cards
The Fool
A person deciding to quit their stable job and start a new business, embracing uncertainty and adventure with an open heart and mind.
The Magician
Someone using their unique skills and creativity to launch a new product or initiative, manifesting their desires through hard work and focus.
The High Priestess
A person trusting their intuition before making a major decision, like buying a house or choosing a partner, relying on their inner wisdom rather than external advice.
The Empress
A nurturing parent who dedicates time and love to raising their children, creating a warm, supportive environment for growth and prosperity.
The Emperor
A leader in a company taking charge of a complex project, using their authority and organizational skills to bring stability and structure.
The Hierophant
A person joining a spiritual community or following traditional teachings to deepen their understanding of their faith or values.
The Lovers
A couple making a significant commitment, such as getting married or buying a home together, considering both their individual needs and shared goals.
The Chariot
Someone determined to achieve a personal goal, like running a marathon or overcoming an obstacle, pushing forward with confidence and control.
Strength
A person facing a challenging situation, like dealing with a serious illness or personal loss, showing inner strength, patience, and compassion.
The Hermit
A person who takes a period of solitude to reflect on their life, seeking wisdom through introspection and personal growth.
Wheel of Fortune
A person experiencing a significant shift in their life, like winning a lottery, getting a new job, or a sudden change of circumstances, both positive or challenging.
Justice
A legal professional working on a case where fairness and balance are key, ensuring both sides are heard and justice is served.
The Hanged Man
A person facing a situation where they need to pause, surrender, and see things from a different perspective, like reconsidering a career choice or relationship.
Death
A person going through a major transformation, like ending a toxic relationship or job, and embracing new opportunities for personal growth.
Temperance
Someone learning to find balance in their life, such as managing work-life balance or practicing moderation in habits like eating, drinking, or social media use.
The Devil
A person recognizing and breaking free from unhealthy attachments, addictions, or negative behaviors, such as overcoming a toxic relationship or dependency.
The Tower
An unexpected event, like a sudden breakup or losing a job, that shakes things up, forcing a person to rebuild their life from scratch.
The Star
A person recovering from a tough time, finding hope and inspiration, and focusing on healing and renewal, like recovering from illness or emotional hardship.
The Moon
A person feeling confused or uncertain about a situation, relying on intuition to make decisions, like navigating a complex relationship or career choice.
The Sun
A period of clarity and joy, where everything seems to be going right—personal growth, happiness, and success, like a wedding day or receiving a long-desired promotion.
Judgement
A person facing a significant decision that requires them to reflect on their past actions, make amends, and move forward, like changing a major life path or career.
The World
A person achieving their ultimate goal, feeling a sense of fulfillment and completion, like graduating, achieving a life-long dream, or completing a significant personal journey.