Major Arcana Tarot Meanings: Complete Guide to the 22 Major Arcana Cards
Introduction to the Major Arcana
The Major Arcana cards are the heart of any tarot deck. Unlike the Minor Arcana, which deal with day-to-day situations, the Major Arcana represents universal themes, spiritual archetypes, and turning points in life’s journey. When one of these 22 cards appears in a reading, it often signals a deeper lesson or life event that can shape your path.
Together, the Major Arcana tarot meanings reveal a story known as the Fool’s Journey. This narrative begins with innocence and potential in The Fool and ends with fulfillment and wholeness in The World. Along the way, each card acts as a stepping stone, guiding us through challenges, growth, and transformation.
This guide explores the Major Arcana tarot card meanings, including upright and reversed interpretations, archetypal symbolism, and how these cards influence readings.
Major Arcana Cards: An Overview of the 22 Major Arcana Cards
There are 22 Major Arcana cards in a standard tarot deck. Each card has a unique symbolism tied to major life themes. Collectively, they represent the archetypes of human experience, from love and power to change, awakening, and completion.
Here’s a quick list at a glance:
0. The Fool
I. The Magician
II. The High Priestess
III. The Empress
IV. The Emperor
V. The Hierophant
VI. The Lovers
VII. The Chariot
VIII. Strength
IX. The Hermit
X. The Wheel of Fortune
XI. Justice
XII. The Hanged Man
XIII. Death
XIV. Temperance
XV. The Devil
XVI. The Tower
XVII. The Star
XVIII. The Moon
XIX. The Sun
XX. Judgement
XXI. The World
Each of these Major Arcana cards carries a powerful energy that goes beyond the everyday concerns found in the suits of Wands, Cups, Swords, and Pentacles.
The Tarot Fool’s Journey Explained
The Tarot Fool’s Journey is the central story of the Major Arcana. It begins with The Fool, a symbol of innocence and potential, stepping onto the path of life. As the journey unfolds, each card represents a key milestone: learning skills (The Magician), trusting intuition (The High Priestess), establishing structure (The Emperor), embracing love (The Lovers), and eventually reaching enlightenment (The World).
The Fool’s Journey is often interpreted as a metaphor for personal and spiritual growth. Along the way, challenges like The Tower and The Devil appear, testing resilience and self-awareness. The journey shows that life is cyclical — endings (Death) bring new beginnings, and every phase prepares us for transformation.
Including this narrative in tarot readings helps deepen Major Arcana interpretations, giving context to the cards drawn.
Upright and Reversed Major Arcana: How Interpretations Shift
In tarot, cards can appear upright or reversed. With the Major Arcana, upright meanings typically reflect the positive or direct expression of the archetype, while reversed cards often highlight blockages, lessons, or the shadow side.
Upright Major Arcana: clarity, progress, universal lessons, aligned energy.
Reversed Major Arcana: resistance, denial, delays, or internalized struggles.
For example:
The Chariot upright = control, willpower, victory.
The Chariot reversed = lack of direction, scattered energy, power struggles.
Understanding both upright and reversed Major Arcana tarot meanings adds nuance and allows readers to see whether an archetype is helping or challenging the querent.
Major Arcana Tarot Card Meanings (Upright & Reversed)
Below is a concise guide to the 22 Major Arcana cards with keywords and interpretations.
0. The Fool
Upright: new beginnings, innocence, potential, adventure.
Reversed: recklessness, hesitation, fear of the unknown.
I. The Magician
Upright: manifestation, skills, resourcefulness.
Reversed: manipulation, wasted talent, illusions.
II. The High Priestess
Upright: intuition, inner wisdom, mystery.
Reversed: secrets, blocked intuition, hidden agendas.
III. The Empress
Upright: abundance, nurturing, creativity, fertility.
Reversed: dependence, creative block, disharmony.
IV. The Emperor
Upright: structure, authority, stability.
Reversed: control issues, rigidity, domination.
V. The Hierophant
Upright: tradition, spiritual guidance, conformity.
Reversed: rebellion, personal beliefs, breaking free.
VI. The Lovers
Upright: love, union, choices, harmony.
Reversed: disharmony, imbalance, poor decisions.
VII. The Chariot
Upright: determination, success, discipline.
Reversed: lack of control, self-doubt, defeat.
VIII. Strength
Upright: courage, inner strength, patience.
Reversed: fear, insecurity, weakness.
IX. The Hermit
Upright: introspection, wisdom, solitude.
Reversed: isolation, withdrawal, loneliness.
X. The Wheel of Fortune
Upright: cycles, destiny, luck, change.
Reversed: bad luck, resistance to change, setbacks.
XI. Justice
Upright: truth, fairness, accountability.
Reversed: dishonesty, injustice, avoidance of responsibility.
XII. The Hanged Man
Upright: surrender, new perspective, letting go.
Reversed: stalling, indecision, resistance.
XIII. Death
Upright: transformation, endings, rebirth.
Reversed: fear of change, stagnation, clinging to the past.
XIV. Temperance
Upright: balance, moderation, harmony.
Reversed: excess, imbalance, conflict.
XV. The Devil
Upright: temptation, materialism, bondage.
Reversed: breaking free, awareness, detachment.
XVI. The Tower
Upright: upheaval, sudden change, revelation.
Reversed: avoidance, fear of disaster, resisting change.
XVII. The Star
Upright: hope, healing, inspiration.
Reversed: despair, loss of faith, discouragement.
XVIII. The Moon
Upright: illusion, intuition, dreams, subconscious.
Reversed: confusion, deception, fear.
XIX. The Sun
Upright: joy, success, vitality.
Reversed: sadness, overexposure, false optimism.
XX. Judgement
Upright: awakening, renewal, clarity.
Reversed: self-doubt, denial, stagnation.
XXI. The World
Upright: completion, achievement, fulfillment.
Reversed: lack of closure, delays, unfinished business.
These summaries provide quick insight into arcana meanings, but each card invites deeper reflection depending on context.
Major Arcana Archetypes and Symbolism
Each card in the tarot Major Arcana represents an archetype — universal figures or energies found across mythology, psychology, and human experience. For example:
The Magician = creator, manifester.
The High Priestess = wisdom, hidden knowledge.
The Devil = shadow, attachment.
The World = wholeness, completion.
The Emperor – The father, lawmaker, or authority figure.
The Tower – Destruction and rebirth through chaos.
By studying the Major Arcana archetypes, readers connect tarot to deeper layers of meaning, from Jungian psychology to spiritual traditions. These archetypes are timeless and show up in every stage of human growth.
Suggested Spreads for the Major Arcana
Since the Major Arcana are such powerful cards, they are best used in spreads that are designed for deep spiritual inquiry.
The Fool's Journey Reflection Spread (5 Cards)
This spread helps you understand where you are on your spiritual journey and what lessons you're currently learning.
Card 1: Where are you on the Fool's Journey?
Card 2: What is the lesson you are learning right now?
Card 3: What is a hidden blessing on your path?
Card 4: What is a challenge you need to face?
Card 5: What is the next step on your journey?
The Three-Card Journey Spread (3 Cards)
Card 1: The Past (Where you've been on your journey)
Card 2: The Present (Where you are now)
Card 3: The Path Forward (The direction you are heading)
Conclusion: The Power of the Major Arcana
The Major Arcana Tarot card meanings are more than definitions—they are doorways into universal truths. Each card holds a mirror to the soul, reminding us that life is both a personal journey and a shared human experience.
By studying the 22 Major Arcana cards, exploring upright and reversed interpretations, and connecting to the archetypes, you deepen your practice and unlock wisdom for both self-discovery and spiritual growth.
When the Major Arcana appears in a reading, it’s an invitation to step back and see the bigger picture: What lesson is the universe teaching me right now?
To dive deeper into all the meanings of the 78 tarot card meanings, I invite you to explore our comprehensive guide: Tarot Card Meanings: Unlocking the Magic of All 78 Cards.
FAQs on Major Arcana Tarot Card Meanings
Q: What are the Major Arcana cards in tarot?
The Major Arcana are the 22 powerful cards that represent universal themes and archetypes. They differ from the Minor Arcana, which deal with everyday situations.
Q: How many Major Arcana cards are there?
There are 22 Major Arcana cards, beginning with The Fool (0) and ending with The World (XXI).
Q: What do Major Arcana cards represent in a tarot reading?
They signify life-changing lessons, karmic influences, and deep spiritual themes. When multiple Major Arcana cards appear in a spread, it usually signals a significant turning point.
Q: What is the Fool’s Journey in tarot?
The Tarot Fool’s Journey is the symbolic story of personal growth, told through the sequence of Major Arcana cards. It reflects the stages of life, from innocence to wisdom.
Q: What are upright and reversed Major Arcana meanings?
Upright cards reflect the clear, aligned expression of an archetype.
Reversed cards highlight resistance, inner conflict, or lessons to be learned.
Q: Which Major Arcana card is the most powerful?
There isn’t one single “most powerful” card — it depends on the reading. However, The World often represents ultimate completion, while The Fool symbolizes unlimited potential.
Q: How do I learn the Major Arcana tarot meanings as a beginner?
Start with keywords for each card, then explore upright and reversed meanings. Studying the archetypes and symbolism will deepen your interpretations.
Q: Are Major Arcana archetypes linked to psychology?
Yes. Many readers connect them to Jungian archetypes — universal figures like the Mother (Empress), Wise Old Man (Hermit), or Shadow (Devil).
Q: Do reversed Major Arcana cards always mean something negative?
Not necessarily. A reversed card often points to an internal process, delay, or hidden influence rather than outright negativity.
Q: Can a tarot reading be done with only Major Arcana cards?
Yes. Some spreads use only the Major Arcana to focus on spiritual lessons or big life questions.
