The Major Arcana
The Major Arcana in tarot deals with the grand life themes that we all experience. It is a series of cards, archetypes, symbolizing important steps in our personal and spiritual development, based on archetypes in the human psyche. From the beginning, where we are like the Fool—innocent and unaware—to the end, where we reach wholeness and insight with the World. Each card represents a part of the journey: love, challenges, change, insight, and balance. These cards not only reflect external events but also how we grow and develop on the inside.
Archetypes are symbols deeply embedded in the collective unconscious of humanity, representing universal patterns of behavior, thoughts, and emotions. While their meaning may seem simple, they carry a deeper significance; any story can fundamentally be built by weaving in various archetypes. They affect us all, regardless of time, culture, or place, and appear in our dreams, myths, and stories. The concept of ”archetypes” was coined by Carl Jung, and these symbols hold a meaning that only those who truly delve into the nature of consciousness can fully understand.
The Major Arcana Cards and Their Meanings
Click on a card to read its meaning.
Major Arcana
The Fool’s Journey Through the Major Arcana – From Ignorance to Transcendence
It begins with The Fool, an innocent soul setting out on a journey through life without preconceived notions. The Fool represents the start of a journey toward self-realization, where naivety and openness to new experiences guide him forward, still unaware of the challenges that await, his soul in its pure and untainted state.
The Magician’s Secret
Along the way, the Magician appears, a master of forces invisible to the unprepared. ”Everything you seek,” the Magician whispers, ”is already within you.” The Fool realizes that life is a reflection of his will—every thought, every feeling shapes the reality around him. But power is dangerous if unbalanced. And so, fate leads him to the High Priestess, a silent and mysterious guardian of the hidden worlds within him. Through her veil, he glimpses fragments of his own subconscious—deep, dark waters reflecting his innermost dreams and fears. Here lay the answers he had never dared to seek.
With insights from the hidden rooms of his soul, he meets the Empress, a symbol of motherhood and creation. She represents life’s cycles—birth, growth, death, and rebirth. Under her blessing, he learns to receive the universe’s fruits and to nurture both body and soul. But it is when he meets the Emperor that he understands balance is not only about emotions and intuition but also about discipline and structure. Here, he shapes the world through his own order, and power over his destiny becomes his.
Temptation and Choice
But life, as always, had more to offer. On the path stands the Hierophant, a spiritual guide who leads him through the gate of knowledge. The Hierophant shows him the wisdom in traditions and the unspoken laws that bind the universe together. However, understanding everything comes at a price—questioning. And with this comes the encounter with the Lovers, where he faces a deep internal conflict. Every choice he makes, every bond he creates, defines who he is and who he will become.
As the journey continues, the Chariot rolls in—a symbol of willpower and triumph. He grabs the reins and drives his soul forward through obstacles and challenges, fueled by sheer strength. But just when victory seems near, he meets Strength—not external strength, but the inner power needed to overcome fears, to tame his darkest desires. With a smile, he realizes that strength is not always physical; it lies in mastering the soul.
The Dark Night: Death and the Tower
And then, when he least expects it, he encounters the Hermit. He must turn inward, into solitude, to find the true path. In the darkness, he finds the answers, and by shining his own light, he discovers the wisdom in silence.
But the journey is far from over. The Wheel of Fortune spins, reminding him that fate and the universe are in constant flux. His time at the top is as fleeting as the calm before the storm. And soon, the winds of change blow stronger than ever. When Justice arrives, he is reminded that everything in life has consequences. Every action is weighed, and he stands before the judge of his own choices.
But it is when he meets the Hanged Man that his life truly turns upside down. Suspended in the tree of life, he sees the world from a new perspective. What once seemed like obstacles are now opportunities, and in his stillness, he finds inner peace. But no peace lasts forever. For when Death arrives, it is not the end he fears but transformation. Death represents the greatest crisis yet—a total change, a loss of everything he thought he was. But through loss, he finds new life, and from the ashes, a new soul rises, stronger and wiser.
After the great crisis, Temperance guides him to balance. He learns to walk the path between worlds, to integrate all aspects of himself, and find harmony between chaos and order. But nothing lasts forever, and soon he faces the Devil. Here, he is tempted by material desires and physical traps, finding himself chained by his own habits and illusions.
But just when the darkness feels most overwhelming, The Tower arrives. Everything he had built crumbles, a sudden and violent change shattering all illusions and constraints. He stands in the ruins of his old self but sees more clearly than ever before. From the devastation rises the Star, the light of hope, whispering of a new beginning. He starts to see his true self, free from the chains that once bound him.
The Shadows of the Moon and the Clarity of the Sun
As he continues his journey, he walks under the Moon. Here, he faces his deepest fears, the shadows that have haunted him, but also his intuition and creative potential. The Moon is both illusion and insight, and it is here he learns to navigate through uncertainty and dreams. Then, the Sun appears, a time of clarity and truth. Everything stands clear now—life is not just a journey, but a radiant dance between darkness and light.
The journey nears its end, and as he stands before Judgment, he no longer judges himself harshly. Instead, he realizes that every step on the journey was necessary. He is not judged by any external force; he finds himself in his full truth.
The World’s Completion
And finally, when all cycles are complete, he reaches The World. Here, at the journey’s end, he stands in perfect harmony with the universe. He has achieved transcendence, and the soul that was once the Fool is now one with the all—fully whole and forever transformed.
The Journey That Never Ends…
The story of The Fool is a reflection of every human’s life—a journey through the archetypes that shape us both spiritually and psychologically. Every card in the Major Arcana is not just a symbol of external events but a mirror of the inner landscape. The Fool begins as a blank slate, untouched by life’s experiences, but through his journey, he undergoes a profound transformation. He encounters the forces within us all—the willpower of the Magician, the wisdom of the High Priestess, and the balance between chaos and order in Temperance.
Life’s journey is not linear. We spin on the Wheel of Fortune, we face change and crisis in Death, and we are shattered by the Tower only to rise stronger. But it is also a journey of enlightenment, where we find the light in The Sun and clarity in Judgment, before finally reaching harmony with The World.
The archetypes we encounter on this journey live within us all—they speak to our deepest fears, our greatest desires, and our eternal quest for balance.
But even when the journey seems complete, new challenges will arise, for life is a cyclical dance between growth and rest, between chaos and order. Those who dive deep into consciousness and reach insight will understand that consciousness oscillates between awareness and forgetting. In awareness, you see the value of the small, the experience, where consciousness chooses to return, to forget, which in turn means you once again become a seeker of answers, and in a way, become the Fool again.
Archetypes are deeply rooted in the human psyche, beyond what many are able to perceive in the materialistic everyday life that constantly pulls our attention outward. They are a deeply rooted reality that reflects the outer in the inner and stretches beyond what most can imagine but are well known in psychology.
Examples of Interpretations with a Major Arcana Card
Three-Card Spread: Inner Change and Outer Adjustment
Past: Three of Pentacles
The Three of Pentacles represents collaboration and building. You have previously worked with others or focused on building something material or career-related. This card indicates that you have laid a solid foundation in your work or projects and sought collaboration to create something lasting.
Present: Death (Major Arcana)
Here, Death plays a central role. It is a card that does not deal with physical death but with transformation and change. In your current situation, you are facing a significant internal change that requires you to let go of old patterns or projects to move forward to something new. In this spread, where the Three of Pentacles shows structured groundwork in the past, Death suggests that you need to embrace the change and allow the old to fall away to create space for new opportunities.
Future: Ace of Swords
The Ace of Swords shows that the transformation represented by Death leads to new clarity. This card signals that after going through the change, you will achieve a new mental perspective or insight that gives you clear direction. This new perspective will give you the strength to act and make decisive choices moving forward.
Focus on Death:
In this spread, Death is the heart of the process. It marks that transformation is inevitable and that you must let go of the past (represented by the Three of Pentacles) to reach the insight and clarity offered by the Ace of Swords. It is an invitation not to fear change but to see it as a necessary part of personal development.
Five-Card Spread: Finding Balance in Challenges
Past: Nine of Swords
The Nine of Swords represents a period of anxiety and worry. You have gone through difficult mental or emotional challenges, where sleepless nights and self-condemnation have marked your situation. This card shows that you have struggled with inner demons and faced mental challenges that have been heavy to bear.
Present: Justice (Major Arcana)
Justice stands at the center of the spread and speaks of a time for balance and responsibility. This card urges you to evaluate your current situation objectively and seek justice and balance in your life. Justice is about understanding the consequences of your actions and seeking balance between different forces in your life. It suggests that now is the time to find equilibrium after the mental strain of the Nine of Swords. In this situation, you may be reminded that every action has a consequence, and it is time to weigh the pros and cons before moving forward.
Obstacle: Five of Wands
The Five of Wands shows that there are challenges and conflicts in your environment that may disrupt your pursuit of balance. You may experience competition or resistance from others, making it difficult to maintain a harmonious situation. This card urges you to be mindful of these disruptions and not let them affect your inner balance.
Advice: Queen of Pentacles
The Queen of Pentacles advises you to focus on practical stability and self-care. By maintaining order in the material world, you can create peace within. The Queen urges you to be grounded and to care for both your practical needs and those close to you. Keep your focus on what truly matters and nurture what gives you security and stability.
Future: Four of Cups
The Four of Cups suggests that in the future, there may be a feeling of stagnation or indifference. After struggling with balance and conflict, you may feel emotionally disconnected or dissatisfied, despite the practical successes you’ve achieved.
Focus on Justice:
Justice plays a key role in this spread, signaling that you are at a critical stage where balance and fairness are essential. After the mental stress represented by the Nine of Swords, it is time to find justice and objectivity to make the right choices. This card serves as a reminder that you need to carefully weigh all factors to create harmony in your life, despite any obstacles that may arise (Five of Wands).
Four-Card Cross Spread: A Decision That Changes Everything
Situation: Two of Pentacles
You are facing an important decision where you are juggling multiple responsibilities. The Two of Pentacles is about balance between two forces—this could be work and personal life, finances, or relationships. There is a need to make a decision and find stability.
Challenge: The Tower (Major Arcana)
The Tower is the challenge in this spread, signaling that no matter what decision you make, it could lead to a sudden change or crisis. The Tower represents a radical upheaval, where old structures collapse. In this situation, you must be prepared for the decision you face to change everything, and it will not necessarily be a smooth transition. The Tower brings with it a sense of chaos but also an opportunity for liberation and transformation. You will need to let go of the old and be open to a new direction, even if it is hard to foresee.
Advice: Three of Cups
The Three of Cups advises you to seek support from close friends or a community. Despite the upheavals that the Tower may bring, there is safety and joy in surrounding yourself with people who can offer emotional support. This card encourages you not to face this challenge alone.
Future: Nine of Pentacles
The Nine of Pentacles shows that if you can navigate the crisis that the Tower brings, you will reach a place of independence and material success. This card indicates that despite the upheaval, you will have the resources and strength to build something stable and secure.
Focus on the Tower:
In this spread, The Tower is the pivotal card signaling that a major change is on the way. Despite the decision that needs to be made (Two of Pentacles), the Tower warns that the outcome of the decision may bring sudden and drastic changes. It is a reminder that no matter how well we plan, life can surprise us with upheavals that require us to adapt and find new paths forward.