{"id":807,"date":"2020-03-29T12:03:12","date_gmt":"2020-03-29T18:03:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vekkesind.com\/?p=807"},"modified":"2023-05-21T06:04:43","modified_gmt":"2023-05-21T12:04:43","slug":"how-to-use-the-major-arcana-tarot-cards-a-complete-guide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/vekkesind.com\/how-to-use-the-major-arcana-tarot-cards-a-complete-guide\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Use The Major Arcana Tarot Cards, A Complete Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

At first glance, a Tarot deck is complex. A Tarot deck includes four main suits, various court cards, numbers, and is divided into two categories of cards (major and Minor Arcana). So much information already! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When I first began to read Tarot, I felt that the Major Arcana cards specifically were intimidating. Unlike their Minor Arcana counterparts, the cards did not follow an easy to understand pattern.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this article, I would like to go through\nthe Major Arcana cards of the Arcana Deck to help you to <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Have you ever been curious about why a Tarot\ndeck is separated into Major and Minor Arcana, or are you looking for ways to\nnot struggle with reading Major Arcana cards? Has the Major Arcana piqued your\ncuriosity with learning about its history? This article is for you! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This guide will support you with understanding the Major Arcana and working with the cards on a deeper level. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this article, much of the specific information will pertain to the Rider-Waite-Smith style for Tarot<\/a>. However, Major Arcana cards exist in the other styles of Tarot (Tarot of Marseilles<\/a>, Thoth Tarot<\/a>, Wild Unknown<\/a> and many more). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Though some details of this article will not directly apply, the methods of reading can be transferred to other deck styles. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Additionally, Major Arcana cards are\nclassically gendered, but this does not necessarily mean that a Major Arcana\ncard only applies to people who identify as the gender(s) depicted. There are\nmany Tarot decks being released that use gender-neutral labels. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the purposes of this article, some cards will be referred to as he\/she to reference the Rider-Waite-Smith illustrations<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Once you have read this article, you can read the Completed Guide to the Minor Arcana here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Major Arcana – The Fool\u2019s Journey<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Major Arcana are numbered from 0 to 21 (22 cards total) and they outline the Fool<\/a>\u2019s Journey. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is symbolic of experiences in life that one must go through for self-discovery. After acknowledging this and learning about how these cards represent themes, the roman numeral ordering maintains order for the story. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Of course, our life path may not take us on the exact order that the Fool<\/a> did in their journey but viewing the Major Arcana cards as a story will help greatly with interpretation. If you would like to read the Fool\u2019s Journey in more detail, visit this website: http:\/\/www.learntarot.com\/journey.htm<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To summarize the Fools Journey\u2026 The Fool<\/a> represents a person who is a blank slate who is eager to take on the world. The Fool<\/a> ventures into the world and comes across significant figures that teach him about love, confidence, reflection, and society. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are also difficult life choices that the Fool comes across that will teach him acceptance and strength. Overall, we can journey with the Fool as well as we recognize the significance of the lessons he learns. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here’s an article that talks about the Fool: The Fool Tarot Card, A Complete Guide!<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Summary Chart for the Major\nArcana<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

First, let\u2019s look over a summary chart of the\nMajor Arcana. Keep in mind that this is simply a summarized and simplified\nversion of the information available. When reading, use your intuition and\nother knowledge sources to determine the meaning of a card. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This can be used as a quick reference tool in\ncase you are struggling with an interpretation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Name<\/strong> <\/td>Roman Numeral<\/strong><\/td>Buzzwords<\/strong><\/td>Element<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
The Fool<\/a><\/td>0<\/td>Blank slate, new beginnings<\/td>Air<\/td><\/tr>
The Magician<\/a><\/td>I<\/td>Creation, resourcefulness, capabilities<\/td>Air<\/td><\/tr>
The High Priestess<\/a><\/td>II<\/td>Intuition, subconscious, knowledge<\/td>Water<\/td><\/tr>
The Empress<\/a><\/td>III<\/td>Nurturing, fertility, nature, femininity<\/td>Earth<\/td><\/tr>
The Emperor<\/a><\/td>IV<\/td>Strength, wisdom, structure, power<\/td>Fire<\/td><\/tr>
The Hierophant<\/a><\/td>V<\/td>Tradition, religion, conformity<\/td>Earth<\/td><\/tr>
The Lovers<\/a><\/td>VI<\/td>Unity, oneness, connection<\/td>Air<\/td><\/tr>
The Chariot<\/a><\/td>VII<\/td>Control, decisions, willpower<\/td>Water<\/td><\/tr>
Strength<\/a><\/td>VIII<\/td>Confidence, capability, strength<\/td>Fire<\/td><\/tr>
The Hermit<\/td>IX<\/td>Introspective, self-reflection, retreat<\/td>Earth<\/td><\/tr>
Wheel of Fortune<\/a><\/td>X<\/td>Fate, success, cycles<\/td>Fire<\/td><\/tr>
Justice<\/a><\/td>XI<\/td>Balance, responsibility, truth<\/td>Air<\/td><\/tr>
The Hanged Man<\/a><\/td>XII<\/td>Sacrifice, alternative perspectives<\/td>Water<\/td><\/tr>
Death<\/a><\/td>XIII<\/td>Transformation, change, renewal<\/td>Water<\/td><\/tr>
Temperance<\/a><\/td>XIV<\/td>Balance, emotions<\/td>Fire<\/td><\/tr>
The Devil<\/a><\/td>XV<\/td>Temptation, addiction, self-inflicted difficulties<\/td>Earth<\/td><\/tr>
The Tower<\/a><\/td>XVI<\/td>Change, revelation<\/td>Fire<\/td><\/tr>
The Star<\/a><\/td>XVII<\/td>Hope, renewal<\/td>Air<\/td><\/tr>
The Moon<\/a><\/td>XVIII<\/td>Mystery, intuition, uncertainty<\/td>Water<\/td><\/tr>
The Sun<\/a><\/td>XIX<\/td>Optimism, happiness<\/td>Fire<\/td><\/tr>
Judgment<\/a><\/td>XX<\/td>Surrender, sacrifice, forgiveness<\/td>Fire<\/td><\/tr>
The World<\/a><\/td>XXI<\/td>New cycle, completion<\/td>Earth<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Similarities to the Minor Arcana <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Major Arcana is different from the Minor Arcana\nbut is also similar in many ways. If you are looking for more detailed\ninformation about the structure of the Minor Arcana, you can read this article:\n(insert article here) <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Minor Arcana cards associated with an element <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The Minor Arcana, being divided into suits,\nare also divided into elements. Fire is wands, water is cups, earth is\npentacles, and air is swords. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The elements also represent various themes, as\ndepicted in the chart below: <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fire<\/td>Creativity, passions<\/td><\/tr>
Water<\/td>Emotions, relationships<\/td><\/tr>
Earth<\/td>Finances, tangible means<\/td><\/tr>
Air<\/td>Communication, thoughts<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Minor Arcana is presented in a\nstraightforward manner with this information (an example of this would be \u2018Ten\nof Pentacles\u2019). Although the Major Arcana do not follow the same naming\nstructure, they too have an elemental association. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the summary chart of the Major Arcana\n(above), you will see that there is an element associated with the card as\nwell. You can use this information to help you with remembering the cards\u2019 meaning\nor being able to interpret a reading. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Does a reading show up with many \u2018water\u2019 or\ncup based cards? Consider if your inquiry needs considerations towards\nemotional aspects of the situation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Similarly, if a reading draws multiple fire cards; is it time to begin a new creative venture? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Follows a path\/journey<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Like I discussed before, the Major Arcana are\nnumbered from 0 to 21 to represent The Fool\u2019s Journey. The Minor Arcana are\nalso numbered from 1 to 10 and have a journey of their own. For example, in a\nminor arcana card, an Ace (known as 1, or the first card in the suit) depicts\nnew beginnings. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This continues through a numeric system, where\nthe 10th card often will symbolize completion. The Minor and Major Arcana mimic\neach other in a sense that the numbers they follow are not simply random and\nfurther assist in understanding the cards. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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When Major Arcana Shows Up in a\nReading<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Next we will review how to interpret a Major\nArcana card in a reading if you are using an entire Tarot deck (both Major and\nMinor Arcana). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Significant Events<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Think of the Major Arcana as MAJOR information! Like the Fool\u2019s Journey, the Major Arcana may be informing you of something to consider on your life journey. In comparison, the Minor Arcana cards outline the everyday emotions, trials, and tribulations we experience. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is, however, not to imply that Major Arcana are more important than Minor Arcana cards. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When a Major Arcana pops up, or multiple of\nthem appear, I see this as a message to pay attention to. It can also be\nrepresenting a significant theme relating to the inquiry at hand. How will you <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Number of Major Arcana Cards<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Maybe your reading is filled with only Major\nArcana cards! What could this be trying to say to you? What is the context of\nthe question being asked? Is there a deeper aspect of the question that needs\nto be considered before moving on? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Like indicated before, Major Arcana often\nrepresents major information; what are the cards attempting to inform you? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For example, you do a reading for yourself about something you are struggling with at work. You pull multiple Major Arcana cards, such as The Fool, The Magician<\/a>, and Strength. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although your perceived inquiry may present as\nminimal initially, a spread with multiple Major Arcana seem like they are\npresenting a strong message of creating change that you may have not\nconsidered. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Perhaps the change offered is significant and\npivotal, such as moving workplaces or changing careers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Position of Major Arcana Cards<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Tarot can be read in many unique styles. Some\nreaders will pull cards in no particular order and see how the cards interact\nto tell a story. Other readers can set an intention of what each position will\nrepresent and pull cards in this manner. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you read like this, it\u2019s important to consider where a Major Arcana card is placed in the card spread. If a Major Arcana card is placed in a \u201cfuture actions\u201d section, use the power of this card and meaning to move forward with what needs to be done to achieve a goal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I wrote a couple of posts about different types of Tarot Spreads, find them here:<\/p>\n\n\n\n