The Major Arcana



Major Arcana: Your Spiritual Milestones
Welcome to your destiny, the path of least resistance—the eye of the storm that you are becoming. The Major Arcana carries different meanings depending on your beliefs. Universally, they represent situations or people essential to your soul’s development. They are mile markers in your life, moments to reflect upon.
Depending on your worldview, Major Arcana cards can be seen as Acts of God or hands of fate. These cards are the most influential in a spread and should always capture your attention. A single Trump card can change the meaning of the entire reading.
- The Sun illuminates the spread, bringing out the most positive interpretations.
- The Devil casts a darker influence, showing challenges or hidden struggles.
Psychological vs Spiritual Interpretations
Some cartomancers approach the Major Arcana psychologically, connecting the cards to stages of human development. Others view them spiritually, tracing the journey from the innocent Fool to the completion represented by The World.
My Interpretation: The Soul’s Journey
I see the Major Arcana as the literal journey of the spirit:
- The Fool (0): Observing life from a state of innocence and potential.
- Manifestation/Birth: The soul is born through innocence and potential.
- Guidance from parents and mentors: We rely on mothers, fathers, and divine authority.
- Exploration and Love: Life unfolds; we experience growth and relationships.
- Challenges: Loss, endurance, and sacrifice shape our character.
- Reflection and Judgment: Our soul’s value is weighed through the consequences of our choices.
- Limbo (Temperance): Post-death, material attachments keep us tied to the earthly realm.
- Healing and Renewal: Shedding pain and guilt allows hope to return.
- Ultimate Judgment: Our cumulative experiences and lessons are assessed.
- The World: The union of all lives, lessons, and wisdom; the soul rejoins the collective and may reincarnate.
Callout idea: Use a sidebar or boxed list of this journey with icons for each stage, so readers can visually track the arcana’s spiritual flow.
Fate, Free Will, and the Tarot
Major Arcana also raise questions about destiny and free will. Tarot often reflects the path of life. Do we have the power to choose, or is life pre-determined?
Major Arcana: The Soul’s Journey
- 🃏 The Fool (0): Innocence, potential, new beginnings
- 🌱 Manifestation/Birth: Emergence of the soul, early growth
- 👨👩👧 Guidance: Learning from parents, mentors, and divine influence
- 💖 Exploration & Love: Relationships, personal growth, life experiences
- ⚔️ Challenges: Loss, endurance, and testing of character
- ⚖️ Reflection & Judgment: Assessment of choices and consequences
- 🌀 Limbo (Temperance): Shedding attachments, learning patience, healing
- 🌞 Healing & Renewal: Rejuvenation, hope, preparation for new cycles
- 🧭 Ultimate Judgment: Review of all experiences, spiritual evaluation
- 🌍 The World: Completion, unity, integration into the collective, reincarnation
Consider this:
“You are standing at a fork in the road. Your instinct tells you to go left, but you want to go right. If you go right, are you defying destiny or following the plan?”
Tarot invites exploration: read, reflect, learn, and trust yourself. Some answers are clear, others unfold over time.
Start Your Major Arcana Journey
0: The Fool »»
Articles
- 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