Major Arcana Cards

The Major Arcana, also known as the trump cards, form the foundation of the tarot deck and consist of 22 cards numbered from 0 to 21. These cards represent life's karmic and spiritual lessons and describe the human journey toward spiritual awareness and completion, often called "The Fool's Journey" as it begins with The Fool (0) and ends with The World (21).

Meaning of The Fool card
The Fool (0) represents new beginnings, innocence, and spontaneity. As the first card, it symbolizes the start of a journey, taking risks, and embracing life's adventures with an open heart. The Fool carries minimal baggage, suggesting the importance of traveling light through life's experiences. [See full card details]

Meaning of The Magician card
The Magician (1) embodies manifestation, resourcefulness, and power. This card suggests that one has all the tools needed to succeed and represents the ability to channel universal energy into concrete action. The Magician stands at his table with the symbols of all four suits before him, indicating mastery over the elements. [See full card details]

Meaning of The High Priestess card
The High Priestess (2) symbolizes intuition, mystery, and inner knowledge. She sits between two pillars of duality, representing the conscious and unconscious minds. This card encourages listening to one's inner voice and trusting in unseen wisdom. [See full card details]

Meaning of The Empress card
The Empress (3) represents fertility, nurturing, and abundance. She embodies the divine feminine and mother nature, suggesting creativity, growth, and the flourishing of projects or relationships. Her presence often indicates a time of prosperity and nurturing care. [See full card details]

Meaning of The Emperor card
The Emperor (4) symbolizes authority, structure, and stability. He represents masculine energy, leadership, and the establishment of order. This card suggests the importance of discipline, control, and creating solid foundations. [See full card details]

Meaning of The Hierophant card
The Hierophant (5) represents tradition, spiritual guidance, and conventional wisdom. This card often appears when seeking guidance from established institutions or learning from traditional sources. It can indicate formal education or spiritual mentorship. [See full card details]

Meaning of The Lovers card
The Lovers (6) symbolizes relationships, choices, and harmony. While often associated with romantic love, this card more broadly represents important decisions and the integration of opposing forces in one's life. It speaks to alignment with one's values and making choices from a place of authenticity. [See full card details]

Meaning of The Chariot card
The Chariot (7) represents determination, willpower, and victory. This card suggests movement forward through the force of will and the ability to overcome obstacles through focus and determination. It often appears when one needs to take control and maintain direction. [See full card details]

Meaning of Strength card
Strength (8) symbolizes courage, patience, and gentle power. The card typically shows a woman taming a lion, representing the triumph of inner strength over raw force. It suggests mastering one's passions through compassion rather than brute force. [See full card details]

Meaning of The Hermit card
The Hermit (9) represents introspection, solitude, and inner guidance. This card suggests a time of withdrawal from the external world to seek inner wisdom. The Hermit's lantern illuminates the path for others while maintaining solitary contemplation. [See full card details]

Meaning of The Wheel of Fortune card
The Wheel of Fortune (10) symbolizes cycles, destiny, and turning points. This card reminds us that life is in constant motion, with ups and downs being natural parts of existence. It often appears during times of significant change or when fate seems to take a hand. [See full card details]

Meaning of Justice card
Justice (11) represents fairness, truth, and cause and effect. This card suggests the importance of balance and accountability in all things. It often appears when important decisions need to be made with careful consideration of consequences. [See full card details]

Meaning of The Hanged Man card
The Hanged Man (12) symbolizes surrender, letting go, and gaining new perspectives. This card suggests that sometimes we must suspend action and view things from a different angle. It often indicates a time of productive waiting and spiritual growth. [See full card details]

Meaning of Death card
Death (13) represents transformation, endings, and renewal. Rather than literal death, this card suggests the natural conclusion of cycles and the transformation that follows. It indicates profound change and the release of what no longer serves. [See full card details]

Meaning of Temperance card
Temperance (14) symbolizes balance, moderation, and harmony. This card suggests the blending of different elements in life and finding the middle path. It often appears when there's a need for patience and careful combination of forces. [See full card details]

Meaning of The Devil card
The Devil (15) represents bondage, materialism, and shadow aspects. This card often reveals where we are bound by our own fears and limiting beliefs. It can indicate unhealthy attachments or the need to confront our darker impulses. [See full card details]

Meaning of The Tower card
The Tower (16) symbolizes sudden change, upheaval, and revelation. This card suggests the breaking down of false structures and beliefs, often in sudden or dramatic ways. While potentially disturbing, these changes ultimately lead to truth and freedom. [See full card details]

Meaning of The Star card
The Star (17) represents hope, inspiration, and spiritual connection. Following the upheaval of The Tower, The Star brings healing and renewed faith. It suggests a time and trust in the universe. [See full card details]

Meaning of The Moon card
The Moon (18) symbolizes illusion, intuition, and the subconscious. This card suggests a time of uncertainty where things may not be as they appear. It often indicates the need to trust one's intuition while navigating through unclear circumstances. [See full card details]

Meaning of The Sun card
The Sun (19) represents joy, vitality, and enlightenment. This card brings warmth and clarity to any situation, suggesting success and positive outcomes. It indicates a time of confidence and clarity. [See full card details]

Meaning of Judgement card
Judgment (20) symbolizes awakening, renewal, and reckoning. This card suggests a time of evaluation and answering a higher calling. It often indicates important realizations and the acceptance of past actions. [See full card details]

Meaning of The World card
The World (21) represents completion, integration, and accomplishment. As the final card of the Major Arcana, it suggests the successful conclusion of a cycle and the integration of all lessons learned. It indicates wholeness and the achievement of important goals. [See full card details]

These 22 cards work together to tell the story of spiritual development and life's major themes. When they appear in readings, they often signal important life lessons or significant turning points in one's journey. Their rich symbolism provides guidance and insight for those seeking to understand their life path and personal development.

What are the Major Arcana cards in tarot?

The Major Arcana are 22 powerful cards in the tarot deck that represent key spiritual lessons, life events, and universal archetypes.

How many Major Arcana cards are there?

There are 22 Major Arcana cards, starting with The Fool (0) and ending with The World (21). The Major Arcana are the first 22 cards in the tarot deck, and they represent the journey of the Fool's Journey.

What is the difference between the Major and Minor Arcana?

Major Arcana cards address significant life themes and transformative moments, while Minor Arcana cards reflect everyday situations and challenges. Also the Minor Arcana are 56 cards, while the Major Arcana are 22 cards. The Minor Arcana are divided into four suits: Cups, Pentacles, Swords, and Wands.

What do the Major Arcana cards represent?

They symbolize life's spiritual and emotional journey, encompassing stages of growth, self-discovery, and transformation. The Major Arcana cards are often used in readings to address major life events, such as career changes, relationships, and spiritual awakenings.

What is the "Fool's Journey"?

The Fool's Journey is a metaphorical story connecting the Major Arcana cards, representing the stages of personal development and enlightenment. The Fool's Journey begins with The Fool (0) and ends with The World (21).