Major Arcana Meanings: Life's Big Lessons

Written By Ngoc Doan

Greetings, fellow readers! When you sit down with your cards, there’s a quiet excitement that comes from shuffling the deck and waiting for a message. But when one of the major arcana cards appears, you know it’s not just a message—it’s a major signpost on a life's journey. These cards don't speak of the day-to-day; they speak of the profound, the spiritual, and the monumental shifts of your path.

This guide is for you, the tarot reader and the sincere seeker, to dive deep into the major arcana meanings and unlock their wisdom. We’ll explore the foundational narrative of the tarot fool’s journey, the upright and reversed major arcana interpretations, and how these major arcana archetypes can transform your readings and your life.

The Fool’s Journey: A Story We All Live

The tarot fools journey is the foundational narrative of the 22 major arcana cards. It tells a timeless story of a soul's spiritual journey, from a place of innocent potential (The Fool) to a place of complete, divine wholeness (The World). This journey is a metaphor for our own lives, with each card representing a universal challenge, a key lesson, or a moment of profound growth.

Understanding this journey is the key to mastering the Major Arcana. When you see one of these cards in a reading, you can ask yourself: “Where is my querent on this journey? What part of this story are they living right now?”

A Deep Dive into the Major Arcana Meanings

The major arcana meanings are vast and complex, but at their core, they speak of archetypes. Here is a look at each of the 22 major arcana cards, their core meanings, and how to read them for personal and spiritual growth.

0. The Fool

  • Upright: The Fool represents new beginnings, a leap of faith, and innocence. It's a beautiful sign to trust the universe and step into a new, exciting journey.

  • Reversed: The reversed Fool can signify recklessness, a fear of the unknown, or a hesitation to take a necessary risk. It's a gentle nudge to pause and find your balance before you move forward.

I. The Magician

  • Upright: The Magician is the master of manifestation. He reminds you that you have all the tools, skills, and resources you need to create your reality. It's a call to action and a sign that you are ready to make a change.

  • Reversed: The reversed Magician can signify manipulation, a feeling of being powerless, or a misuse of your talents. It's an invitation to check in with your intentions and make sure you're acting with integrity.

II. The High Priestess

  • Upright: The High Priestess is the voice of your intuition. She encourages you to look inward, listen to your quiet inner voice, and trust the mysteries of the universe.

  • Reversed: The reversed High Priestess can mean you are ignoring your intuition, hiding secrets, or have a fear of your own inner wisdom. It's a sign to find a quiet space and reconnect with yourself.

III. The Empress

  • Upright: The Empress is the archetype of abundance, nurturing, and creativity. She is Mother Earth, a reminder to be kind to yourself, to create, and to find beauty in the world around you.

  • Reversed: The reversed Empress can signify a creative block, a feeling of being smothered, or a need for more self-care. It's a nudge to look at where you're not giving yourself enough love.

IV. The Emperor

  • Upright: The Emperor represents authority, structure, and leadership. He is the master of a stable domain. He reminds you that having a solid foundation is crucial for success.

  • Reversed: The reversed Emperor can signify a misuse of power, a lack of boundaries, or a feeling of being too rigid. It's an invitation to look at where you need more structure or flexibility.

V. The Hierophant

  • Upright: The Hierophant represents tradition, spiritual guidance, and community. He is a teacher, a mentor, and a guide. He reminds you to find a source of wisdom that resonates with you.

  • Reversed: The reversed Hierophant can signify a rebellion against tradition, a lack of spiritual guidance, or a fear of being a leader. It's a sign to question your beliefs and find your own path.

VI. The Lovers

  • Upright: The Lovers is a card of connection, choices, and harmony. It’s a beautiful sign of a strong, healthy connection and a reminder that true love is about two souls coming together in a place of mutual respect and alignment.

  • Reversed: The reversed Lovers can signify a blockage in communication, disharmony, or a difficult choice. It’s an invitation to look at where the connection needs more attention.

VII. The Chariot

  • Upright: The Chariot represents willpower, determination, and victory. It’s a call to action and a sign that you have the power to steer your own course and move forward with confidence.

  • Reversed: The reversed Chariot can signify a lack of control, inner conflict, or a feeling of being directionless. It’s a nudge to find your focus and commit to a decision with courage.

VIII. Strength

  • Upright: The Strength card represents courage, patience, and inner strength. She reminds you to use your gentle power, not force, to overcome challenges.

  • Reversed: The reversed Strength card can signify self-doubt, a lack of confidence, or a fear of your own power. It's a beautiful sign to reconnect with your inner strength and resilience.

IX. The Hermit

  • Upright: The Hermit represents solitude, reflection, and inner guidance. He is the wise one who goes inward, reminding you that sometimes, the most profound insights come from a place of quiet solitude.

  • Reversed: The reversed Hermit can signify isolation, a fear of being alone, or a refusal to seek inner wisdom. It's a gentle invitation to create a quiet space for yourself.

X. Wheel of Fortune

  • Upright: The Wheel of Fortune represents change, cycles, and destiny. It’s a sign that the universe is working in your favor and that a new cycle is about to begin.

  • Reversed: The reversed Wheel of Fortune can signify resistance to change, unexpected setbacks, or a feeling of being stuck in a cycle. It's a nudge to adapt to change and find the opportunity within the challenge.

XI. Justice

  • Upright: Justice represents fairness, truth, and cause & effect. She reminds you to seek balance in your life and to make decisions with integrity.

  • Reversed: The reversed Justice card can signify dishonesty, unfairness, or an inability to make a clear decision. It's a call to look at where you need to take personal responsibility.

XII. The Hanged Man

  • Upright: The Hanged Man represents surrender, a new perspective, and letting go. He reminds you that sometimes, the best thing to do is to stop struggling and see things from a different angle.

  • Reversed: The reversed Hanged Man can signify resistance to change, stagnation, or a fear of letting go. It's an invitation to trust the process of life.

XIII. Death

  • Upright: The Death card is not a sign of physical death. It represents transformation, endings, and new beginnings. It is a powerful sign that a part of your life is ending so a new, more beautiful one can begin.

  • Reversed: The reversed Death card can signify a fear of change, resistance to transformation, or a feeling of being stuck in the past. It's a nudge to let go and embrace the new chapter.

XIV. Temperance

  • Upright: Temperance represents balance, healing, and patience. She reminds you to find harmony in your life and to be patient with yourself on your healing journey.

  • Reversed: The reversed Temperance card can signify imbalance, extremes, or a lack of moderation. It's a sign to look at where you need to find more harmony in your life.

XV. The Devil

  • Upright: The Devil represents our attachments, our shadow self, and our primal desires. It is a card of our unconscious patterns. It’s an invitation to acknowledge and integrate these parts of ourselves.

  • Reversed: The reversed Devil can signify a breakthrough—a moment of breaking free from an addiction, a negative pattern, or an unhealthy attachment. It's a sign that you are reclaiming your power.

XVI. The Tower

  • Upright: The Tower represents sudden change, upheaval, and revelation. It is a sign of a necessary collapse of old structures that no longer serve you. It is a card of incredible healing.

  • Reversed: The reversed Tower can signify that you are resisting a necessary change or avoiding a truth. It’s a nudge to look at what structures in your life need to fall away.

XVII. The Star

  • Upright: The Star is a card of hope, inspiration, and renewal. She reminds you to trust your intuition and have faith in the universe. She is a beautiful sign of healing and inner peace.

  • Reversed: The reversed Star can signify a lack of hope, despair, or a feeling of being disconnected. It's a sign to reconnect with your inspiration and your inner light.

XVIII. The Moon

  • Upright: The Moon represents illusion, intuition, and the subconscious. It is a sign to trust your intuition and to look past the illusions in your life.

  • Reversed: The reversed Moon can signify a period of confusion or a release of fears. It’s a sign that you are coming to a place of clarity.

XIX. The Sun

  • Upright: The Sun represents joy, success, and clarity. It is a card of pure, unadulterated happiness. It’s a sign that your hard work has paid off and that you are in a place of light and abundance.

  • Reversed: The reversed Sun can signify a temporary setback, a lack of clarity, or a dimmed sense of joy. It's a nudge to find the light within you.

XX. Judgment

  • Upright: Judgment represents rebirth, self-reflection, and awakening. It’s a powerful sign that you are ready to let go of old guilt and forgive yourself.

  • Reversed: The reversed Judgment card can signify self-doubt, a refusal to learn from past mistakes, or an avoidance of a new beginning. It's an invitation to be kind to yourself and embrace your evolution.

XXI. The World

  • Upright: The World represents completion, integration, and a full cycle. It’s a sign that you have completed a major journey and are ready for a new, beautiful beginning.

  • Reversed: The reversed World can signify unfinished business or a fear of completion. It's a nudge to find closure and embrace the new chapter.

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)

Final Thoughts on the Journey

The 22 major arcana cards are a beautiful and timeless guide to our lives. They are not just cards; they are major arcana archetypes that live within us all. By understanding their major arcana meanings and working with the upright and reversed major arcana, you can tap into a source of profound wisdom and healing.

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.

 
Ngoc Doan
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