Tarot Basics - The Major Arcana

Tarot Major Arcana Defined
The Tarot archetypes are simply pictures representing life and the stages and experiences we all go Energy Light from birth until death.  They are symbols of all life cycles.  The first 22 cards, called the Major Arcana, are also called the "Fool's Journey."  It is the story of one's journey Energy Light life starting as The Fool: The Beginning,  youthful,  pure energy in spirit form.  The journey continues in the symbols, depicting events and cycles in one's life.  Completion is in "The World" archetype, the End, and the Fool has traveled to wholeness and completion of the cycle of life.  The other 56 cards, the Minor Arcana, describe the people, events, feelings, and circumstances we encounter on our personal "Fool's Journey." 

• Major Arcana = One's Life Journey

• Minor Arcana = People and Events along the way (Wands, Pentacles, Swords, Cups in the card decks)

• Wands - Fire - Intuition 

• Swords - Air - Thinking

• Cups - Water - Feeling

• Pentacles - Earth - Sensing

The cards are laid in a spread to answer a question (a reading) usually on the topics of love, relationships, family, wealth and money, stress, problems, life decisions, health, careers and work, meditation, daily guidance, prayer, and personal growth.  Order Your Personal Tarot Reading Today

Archetype Meanings & Keywords of the 22 Major Arcana Tarot Cards

The 22 symbol archetypes of the Major (Higher) Arcana tell us of the universal laws and lessons in life.  We then begin the journey to self-realization. We learn about the Law of Love from the Empress, the Law of Action from the Wheel of Fortune,  the Law of Karma from Justice, the Law of Acceptance from the Hanged Man. We also learn lessons of emotions Energy Light the Lovers, the Devil, and the Moon.  We have teachers along the way Energy Light the Hierophant, Hermit, and the Star.  Learning balance is the message of the Chariot, Temperance, Star, and the World.  The action of choosing is taught by the High Priestess and the lesson flexibility by the Fool. By studying and meditating on these 22 symbols many doorways open up in understanding the universal laws and lessons within each one of us operates.  We begin the journey at "0" and end at "22".

The Major Arcana demonstrates definite laws and lessons. When you turn up a symbol of the Major Arcana you know you are confronting a lesson or universal law.    It has a heavier  value than the Lower Arcana of Pentacles, Swords, Cups, and Wands.  These laws and lessons apply to everyone, no one is exempt.    It does not matter who you are or if you believe or disbelieve. The laws and lessons do not change. Therefore to understand them is to aid yourself and others.

The 22 Arcana cards are named traditionally: The Fool, The Magician, The High Priestess, The Empress, The Emperor, The Hierophant, The Lovers, The Chariot, Strength, The Hermit, The Wheel of Fortune, Justice, The Hanged Man, Death, Temperance, The Devil, The Tower, The Star, The Moon, The Sun, Judgment, and the World.  The archetypes and meaning for tarot interpretations are briefly below.

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# 0
The Fool

Keywords: The Beginning - spontaneous - folly - desire for change - faith in outcome - possibilities - new life - start of journey
Complete motion forward by faith. Beginning a journey because of belief in the journey.  The person is not listening to anyone, and appears to be walking off the edge of a cliff, which only a fool would do. knowing full well firm ground will appear and all will be well. Complete faith, knowing prayers will be answered because of the force of love and the laws of the universe.
 

#1
The Magician

Keywords: action - conscious power - knowledge - focus to explore - unknown abilities - magical, alchemist  -  change agent - All things are possible
Depicts the ability to create whatever is wanted, having all ingredients needed.  By aspiring one can bring down all the power needed in order to attain what is desired. By utilizing the power of the universe, they can create what is desired with energy, and need only to begin creating. This is the invitation to use all levels of personal, worldly, and spiritual power.
 

#2
The High Priestess

Keywords: non-action - not consciously aware - mystery - dreams - feminine wisdom - intuition - hidden spiritual mysteries - Choice
The responsibility of  decisions are ours alone. We must choose either to the positive or to the negative. We must always be sure our thoughts are positive so the choices we have to make come easily.    If you do take the path to the negative, rest assured you will return to the feet of Isis again and again until you do choose the correct path. Your words and actions are your law.

#3
The Empress

Keywords:  nature, fertility - mothering - nurturing - abundance - success - creative - sensate - earthy - She's Mother. She's Gaia, the womb of creation and earth.  Conscious mother.
Divine Mother and Divine mother love. Feminine aspect, patient, loving, giving, generous. Whether male or female, it is the feminine aspect within needed to continue the journey and complete the task at hand; the relationship to self and others in the world. Balance of all aspects of the mother within and without.
 

#4
The Emperor

Keywords: Power, authority - fathering - structure - regulating - initiating - confident - manifest materially - Experience, Learning, Knowledge,
The Emperor has won the battle of life, earning a position within life.  While earning it, past experiences, skills, talents and knowledge were learned. Now care must be to not become too aloof and withdrawn, as the bare mountains are behind him. The future will depend on how  knowledge gained from previous experience is used.  The call is to balance power.

#5
The Hierophant

Keywords: Beliefs, values - education - knowledge, not knowing, knowledge - philosophy - conforming - traditional - divine - spiritual - religion - groups - Seeking guidance
It is wise to consult someone who has knowledge   and authority. The person needs answers which someone else can give them.  This is usually spiritual  knowledge.  As each person seeks spiritual advancement they must eventually seek out a teacher.  This teacher will then give them the keys to the knowledge they need to take the next step on the journey.

#6
The Lovers

Keywords: Relationships - love - personal beliefs - sexuality - choices - consequences - harmony, union - Indecision - Confusion - Love. It's about finding your other self.
Perfect communication, about finding something your soul requires. Choose what you need, trust your instincts, no matter how scary,  difficult, irrational or troublesome. Love may be sudden and unexpected, a compete change in plans; but this is Love, without which you cannot be whole. True love of all things is the call for you.

#7
The Chariot

Keywords: Will power - asserting - victory of obstacle - control - discipline - aggressiveness - adversity - obstacles - Drive - Movement and control; the drive to proceed after goals.
The path is defined and one is determined to get there.  On a basic level, it implies war, a struggle, an eventual, hard-won victory; either over enemies, nature obstacles, the beasts inside you,  Balance and control are needed to proceed in life with an understanding of the universal laws.

#8
Strength

Keywords: Compassion - self-control - will power - strength - endurance - determined energy - patience, self esteem - Strength to overcome - Relying on spiritual powers to handle the situation at hand.  Fearlessness. By drawing upon the understanding of the spiritual forces available to help: 'ask and you will receive'.  Help and strength come to  overcome the obstacles which crop up in life.  Inner strength is more powerful than exterior physical strength, One can control only the self having developed inner resources.

#9
The Hermit

Keywords: Searching - guiding - solitude - look within - seclusion - lonely -  illumination - Knowledge is needed for the journey.  One who seeks.
One must wander alone at times with only the single soul flame to guide the way
Listen very closely to the inner self to find the answers needed . The light is always shining for those who pursue knowledge. There are always those ready to help, if we are ready to listen. Meditations and prayer shall open the door for the teachers, therefore 'seek and ye shall find'.  We know the answer within ourselves, and need only to look.

#10
Wheel of Fortune

Keywords: Destiny - Karma- fate - new direction - new life path - changes and choices - law of three - movement - vision - Action -  Change - Life changes.
Through these changes knowledge is being gained. There must be movement within life. Only by giving it substance, can we learn the force of life can lift us into knowing.  The speed of life varies. Learn from the cycles of speed or calm. Put new knowledge to work. This is all about big things, luck, change, elevation, and fortune. Abundance, joy, and happiness.

#11
Justice

Keywords: Justice - balance -  responsibility - fairness - cause & effect - equality - union - law- court - reason - What you put out will come back.  Law of Karma.
Life is a balance of physical and spiritual. Strength tells us of our physical world.  Justice tells us of our spiritual world. Justice is the personification of the Law of Karma, the law of cause and effect, what you put out  you will get back. Every thought, every word and every action is returned to you.  You are responsible for you, at all levels of your existence.  Thoughts are powerful, so let us make them positive, happy thoughts which will be reflected into our words and action.

#12
The Hanged Man

Keywords: Letting go to gain - reversal - suspension - sacrifice - devotion - need to change - delays - Acceptance of Reversals. On the journey of life we encounter conditions which we would rather not have. The call is to accept the situation.  We learn to live and cope with the situation at hand. Bring down the forces of love, faith and strength to handle reversals that come into life.  Accepting situations allow us to take actions to change.  Denial is useless. Until one accepts reversals totally, they only ignore the situation.  It will not go away until you have completely recognized and accepted it, and acted to change.

#13
Death

Keywords: Ending - transition - change - renewal - passage - transforming - elimination - loss - relentless forces - Rebirth and release of old conditions. On the journey of life one moves away from conditions which cause pain and hurt.  As the past falls away,  new life and events take place.  Remove the old to make room for the new.  Release the past, but realize from the experience.  Much has been learned.  Know it is knowledge and Knowing which are one's true companions. The mystic rose on the flag demonstrates it is our own inspirations which aid us in rising above the old conditions and lead us towards the new life cycles and rhythms.

#14
Temperance

Keywords: Temperance - moderation - balance - middle path - conservation - equality - health
Blending of all circumstances to create balance. How to blend the material and spiritual path one is on is the challenge at this step.  How to merge and blend what appears to be polar opposites. How to balance the different conditions in life. One is learning to blend the different aspects of life, thereby creating harmony.  This step also shows the importance to measure what is to included and what is to be excluded.  How much of the past is retained?  How much of the future is to be lived in? Is living balance in the present of now the ultimate goal?

#15
The Devil

Keywords: Bondage, slavery - materialism - hopelessness - despair - face fears and motives - evaluate intentions. To manage one's emotions on the path of life is necessary.  The step challenges emotions or imagination that are part of our shadow and the subconscious.  Even with the best intentions, you can be wrong, your mind can be leading you astray.  Look closely at the guides and inspirations received.  Do they measure up to the standard you want? By obtaining more knowledge you can overcome the trappings of the subconscious mind and rise above everything, even your own desires, as there la no devil except of our own making.

#16
The Tower

Keywords: Rapid disaster - chaos - forced change - release - downfall - revelations - sudden breaks - upheaval - Beware of unexpected happenings. There are times in life when events occur which destroy everything we have built. How fast can we rebuild and recover? This is the life test.  Beliefs are being tested by events over which we have no control. One can succumb to fear and indecision, or one can rebuild, quickly, in positive knowledge of the laws.  Personal actions and beliefs, without high motives, may also bring on the Tower.  Life can come tumbling down. The challenge is to build a foundation that is sound to withstand the storms of life.

#17
The Star

Keywords: Faith - inspiration - happiness - bliss - beauty and joy - optimism - hope - serene - giving back.  Learning is given and returned to refill the self.  Being able to give unconditional love, compassion, gratitude, forgiveness, and understanding.  It is a delicate balance to give out this knowing and knowledge. To find the correct balance is the key. The ability is there to pour back into others and life using a controlled, balanced manner, taking the energy given and changing it into a positive source for helping others. At the same time as one is helping others one is also feeding their own reservoir of spirit and knowledge, so one will not run dry.

#18
The Moon

Keywords: Subconscious - fears - illusions - bewildered - imagination - dreams - mother - cycles - change - regeneration.  The Moon is all about visions and illusions, madness, genius and poetry.  It has to do with sleep, with both dreams and nightmares. Intentions, the shadow of self, and the dark cloud decision and action.  Check the honor, nobility, and valor of motives, making sure you are being honest and not deceiving yourself.  Be sure you don't lose everything you have worked for by getting a false sense of your own importance, ego and ego attachments. Creativity, genius, clear vision, clear voice awaits one who passes this life challenge.

#19
The Sun

Keywords: Enlightened - vital - confidence - energy renewal - assured - greatness - joy - source of life - optimism.  Growth, Reward, Truth and Progress. Beginning a new cycle of life. The trials of the past are put behind and they are now ready to proceed ahead learning from experience. There comes a time when we must embrace the Laws and allow spirit to rule our lives. One is called to be ready to achieve on the inner plane what the Sun accomplishes In giving life and warmth to the earth. Now Is the time to reap those benefits.  Therefore proceed ahead and enjoy your rewards. Clarity and clear voice have arrived.

#20
Judgment

Keywords: Transforming - change - rebirth - awaken - inner call - absolution - forgive - result of past actions.  Accepting results of your decisions and actions on the life journey. The challenge is to now experience the results of past choices, beliefs, actions, thoughts. At some time previously choices were made, now you reap the rewards and results of the choices. Full complete personal responsibility occurs here.  Whether a choice was a good one or not, the consequences of it must be borne. If the end result Is how you wanted it, be thankful and proceed on. If the end result Is not as good as you like it to be, now is the time to change.

#21
The World

The End - completion = integrated - spiritual alignment - perfection - reward - accomplishment - outcomes
Attainment.  One who attained their goals and overcame all the difficulties encountered on the way.  The negative has been brought under control . The positive and negative are completely balanced.  The material and spiritual worlds have blended into one.   The laurel wreath offers protection, due to the balance they have achieved.  Life has meaning and peace.  One is connected to self and to spirit.

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