The Major Arcana: The Big Picture

The first twenty-two tarot cards are known as the Major Arcana cards. They deal with the “major” aspects of our lives–who we are, what we want, and what we need to do in order to get it. 

Think “big picture”. 

The Major Arcana cards are the most powerful cards in the deck. Because of this, they are also called the “trump” cards. They can even be used on their own for some spreads. 

Starting out in tarot? Check out our introduction to Tarot Cards.

What Do the Major Arcana Cards Mean? 

It’s important to remember that the Major Arcana cards can be interpreted as themes, concepts, situations, or as people/personalities, depending on context. 

Another important note is that the gender of the cards don’t always match the gender(s) of the people involved in the reading. 

Now let’s dive in. 

The Rider Tarot Deck by US Games Systems

The Major Arcana, From The Fool to The World: 

0 - The Fool

The Fool’s primary meaning is that it’s time to trust in the universe. Now is the perfect time to start chasing your dreams. There’s nothing to lose. This also can signify the need to take a leap of faith and trust yourself, even if you don’t feel “ready”. 

Keywords: optimistic, leap of faith, adventure, journey. 

I - The Magician 

The Magician is the ultimate professional. He is also the master of his own destiny. Pulling this card is a sign that it’s time to be more confident in yourself because you are able to do anything you put your mind to. You’re more competent than you realize. 

Keywords: confidence, “make the magic happen”, skilled, determination

II - The High Priestess

The High Priestess primarily has to do with our intuition. She appears when we’re neglecting a feeling that we have about something– or when we’re refusing to see what’s obviously hidden just beneath the surface. She is a sign to trust our instincts. 

Keywords: instinct, intuition, spiritual studies, hidden truths 

III - The Empress 

The Empress is the epitome of divine feminine power and motherhood. She is all things creative energy and unconditional love. She is a good sign for love readings, fertility, and pregnancy–literal or metaphorical. 

Keywords: inspiration, motherly love, healing energy, creativity 

IV - The Emperor 

The Emperor is the male counterpart to The Empress– he represents divine male energy and fatherhood. He is the ultimate leader; he is fair and just, a protector and a guide. The Emperor provides stability for everyone in his circle. 

Keywords: stability, authority, fatherly love, powerful leader 

Native American Tarot deck by Lo Scarabeo

V – The Hierophant 

The Hierophant is a religious counterpart to The Emperor and a male counterpart to The High Priestess. As such, he represents those times when it’s best to seek out mentors for guidance rather than rely on one’s instincts alone. The Hierophant emphasizes a need to follow pre-established rules and regulations. 

Keywords: conformity, doing research, mentorship, following rules & regulations 

VI - The Lovers 

The Lovers card is a fan favorite because of its implications for romance, but it isn’t always indicative of a love match. This card is all about relationships, of course–but it’s also about all relationships: romantic, platonic, business…and with ourselves. It’s also a card about choices, and how they affect those relationships. 

Keywords: alignment, partnerships, love & devotion, choices

VII - The Chariot 

The Chariot represents a time of action in our lives. We can either be the driving force in our lives, or we can be controlled by others. This card asks us what’s holding us back from chasing what we truly desire–and encourages us to take a step toward our goals. 

Keywords: Seize the day, determination, no excuses, control 

VIII - Strength 

Strength might make us think of physical strength, but it often has to do with fortitude– mental fortitude. This card represents our inner strength, our courage, and our ability to get through anything. It also represents how vulnerability is a strength, too. Sometimes it’s OK to rely on others in a time of need. 

Keywords: compassion, inner strength, true friendship, perseverance 

IX - The Hermit 

The Hermit comes up when we need to slow down and think about the choices we have in front of us. Sometimes we need to take time to ourselves in order to come up with the best decision. This symbolizes a time to rely less on others’ opinions. 

Keywords: looking inward, rest, introspection, thinking before acting 

X - The Wheel

The Wheel (sometimes “The Wheel of Fortune”) is a card that primarily deals with the concept that energy is always changing, and as a result, so is our luck and our reality. In other words, when this card appears, it’s a sign that your situation is about to change in a big way.

Keywords: things change, good luck, karma, destiny 

XI - Justice

Justice has to do with a need to proceed as fairly as possible. This is a time to see all sides for what they are and not give in to personal bias. The truth always comes out, so it’s best to offer up and seek out the truth as much as possible right now. 

Keywords: fairness, truth, law, lies uncovered 

Rider Tarot Deck by US Games

XII - The Hanged Man

The Hanged Man is a reminder to consider alternative perspectives right now. It’s a sign to take some time out, consider new ways of thinking, and discard any thoughts that no longer serve you. Take a “wait and see” approach while you gather your thoughts. 

Keywords: letting go; new perspectives; trust the universe; self-reflection 

XIII - Death 

This card is one of the most iconic tarot cards, but also one of the most misunderstood. 

Death represents a major change or transformation. Rarely, if ever, does it represent a literal death. Most often, it represents the “death” of a cycle, a situation, a mode of thinking, etc. 

Keywords: change, transformation, turning point, transition, or ending 

XIV - Temperance 

Temperance is a card signifying balance and harmony. This card often points to a need to consider whether there’s excess in one’s life, and to figure out what steps need to be taken in order to reintroduce balance. 

Keywords: balance, harmony, alchemy, taming vices 

XV - The Devil

The Devil, on the other hand, is all about extremes–lust, obsession, indulgence, and more…all the things that can lead to self-destruction, if left unchecked. This card can also be a sign that we need to loosen up and break the chains of what’s been holding us back. 

Keywords: freedom, inhibition, leaning on vices, intrusive thoughts 

XVI - The Tower 

This is another card that’s often misunderstood. While The Tower indicates a sudden change–and change can be scary!--this doesn’t always imply that the change will be destructive. It simply means you need to be prepared that something in your life is going to change in a big, unexpected way–and quickly. 

Keywords: sudden change, turning point, breaking habits, new beginning 

XVII - The Star 

This card is one of the luckiest in the bunch because it’s a sign that everything is going to be okay, regardless of how bleak it may seem at the moment.  “Wish upon a star” and your wish is going to be granted. This is a gentle push to keep going. 

Keywords: good luck, renewed purpose, positive omen, wishes granted 

Native American Tarot deck by Lo Scarabeo

XVII - The Moon 

The Moon is about what’s going on underneath the surface. It also has to do with reflections, illusions, and anxieties. It reflects the need to jump into things with your eyes wide open, so that you don’t get lost in false pretenses. 

Keywords: illusions, trusting gut feelings, hidden meanings, intuition 

XIX - The Sun 

The Sun is another incredibly positive card. It radiates warmth and optimism. It’s a good omen for all inquiries–be it related to relationships, business, or personal growth. If you’re looking to start something new, now is the time. 

Keywords: celebration, bright outlook, optimism, luck is on your side 

XX - Judgment 

Judgment can be best understood as “you reap what you sow”. In other words, this card can serve as a reminder to take a personal inventory every now and again. Make sure that your words and actions line up with your values. This is the basis for which we are “judged”. 

Keywords: self-reflection, accountability, snap judgments, clarity 

XXI - The World 

The World is the ultimate resolution–our journey has finished, this cycle is complete, and it’s time to celebrate everything we have accomplished along the way. This card is a sign that we’re ready to tie up loose ends and start something new. 

Keywords: completion, wholeness, resolution, success

What Does it Mean When a Major Arcana Card Comes up in a Reading? 

If a Major Arcana card comes up in a reading, it’s a sign to pay extra attention to what that card is telling you.                                                         

You can do this in a few ways.

First, you should look at the card on its own. Make sure that you understand what the individual meaning is. Then, think about all the ways in which it applies to your inquiry. 

Then, take this meaning and apply it to the other cards in your spread– separately, and together. Take note of any common themes between them. It’s also important to consider how this Major Arcana card influences the others–as well as how it might connect them, or even contradict them.

This is because the themes found in the Major Arcana often represent major life lessons to learn, karmic cycles that you may be in, or other all-encompassing energies of that nature. 

The presence of a Major Arcana card can completely change the vibe of a reading because it holds so much weight.

 Author, Amber Mason has a strong interest in tarot and green witchcraft but loves all things related to paganism & the esoteric. When she isn’t studying the tarot or meditating in the woods, she can be found traveling as far as 3500 miles or more in order to witness historic events in the underground electronic music scene that she’s taken a special journalistic interest in."