Tarot Cards - The Major Arcana

The Major Arcana : is at the heart of the Tarot.  A whole range of human life and experience is represented by the Major Arcana.  It is symbolic of physical, intellectual, emotional and spiritual aspects of humankind.  The cards are thought to illustrate the strengths, hopes and fears, weaknesses, the most godly and darkest parts of an individual.

Many of the Major Arcana cards show an archetypal figure, or in other words, a figure who is representative of the whole essence of a type of person.  Archetypes might include: a warm nurturing mother figure, a strong figure of authority, a formal traditional religious leader, or even a magical, mystical, mysterious person.  Archetypes can be representative of real people, whether it be in part or as an abstract symbol in one's life.

Each card that is represented below belongs to the Major Arcana and depending upon which way round the cards falls, its imagery is symbolic and represents both positive and negative forces. 
Although the cards are listed below with their meanings these are intended only as a guide, for information and reference purposes.  This is because the true meaning of the cards is dependent upon a variety of factors including: surrounding cards, the spread used, the nature of the question, the reader and the querent. All meanings attributed to the cards are subject to a great deal of interpretation.  

The tarot cards consist of 78 cards that are split into two main sections called the Major Arcana (containing 22 cards) and the Minor Arcana (containing four suits, namely: The Suit of Wands, The Suit of Cups, The Suit of Swords and The Suit of Pentacles. Each suit in turn consists of 14 cards each).  Below is a listing of the major arcana and below that links to the individual minor arcana suits.

Tarot Card Meanings Sheet TAROT CARD MEANING SHEET
All the tarot card menaings, upright and reversed, in our handy A4 meanings sheet.





The Fool
The Spirit of the Aether

Divinatory Meanings 

The Major Arcana Cards

 (22 cards)

These cards symbolise very powerful archetypes of spiritual states, people, virtues and circumstances



The Magician
The Magnus of Power


Divinatory Meanings




The Papess
The Priestess of the Silver Star


Divinatory Meanings

 




The Empress
The Daughter of the Mighty Ones


Divinatory Meanings

 




The Emperor
Son of Morning: Chief Among the Mighty


Divinatory Meanings

 




The Pope
The Magnus of the Eternal


Divinatory Meanings




The Lovers
The Children of the Voice; The Oracle of the Mighty Gods


Divinatory Meanings 

 




The Chariot
The Child of the Powers of the Waters; The Lord of the Triumph of Light

Divinatory Meanings

 




Strength (fortitude)
The Daughter of the Flaming Sword 

Divinatory Meanings

 




The Hermit
The Prophet of the Eternal;  the Magnus of the voice of Power

Divinatory Meanings

 




Wheel of Fortune
The Lord of the Forces of Life 


Divinatory Meanings

 




Justice
The Daughter of the Lords of Truth; The Ruler of the Balance

Divinatory Meanings

 




The Hanged Man
The Spirit of the Mighty Waters


Divinatory Meanings

 




Death
The Child of the Great Transformers; The Lord of the Gate of Death


Divinatory Meanings




Temperance
The Daughter of the Reconcilers; The Bringer Forth of Life

Divinatory Meanings

 




The Devil
The Lord of the Gates of Matter; The Child of the Forces of Time

Divinatory Meanings

 




The Tower
The Lord of the Hosts of the Mighty


Divinatory Meanings

 




The Star
The Daughter of the Firmament; The Dweller Between the Waters


Divinatory Meanings




The Moon
The ruler of the Flux & Reflux; The Child of the Sons of the Mighty


Divinatory Meanings

 




The Sun
The Lord of the fire of the World


Divinatory Meanings

 




Judgement
The Spirit of the Primal Fire


Divinatory Meanings

 




The World
The Great One of the Night of Time


Divinatory Meanings

 

The Minor Arcana suits and cards (56 cards):

The Suit of Wands

The Suit of Cups
The Suit of Swords
The Suit of Pentacles

In order to fully understand and to read Tarot cards, it is important, before starting, to consult a good 'Teach Yourself Tarot Guide' and gather as much information on the subject as possible.  The volume of information required is beyond the scope of this document and the Tarot topic covered on Paranormality.  Please see below for recommended reading.

NB: Illustrations from Universal-Waite Tarot Deck reproduced by permission of U.S. Games Systems, Inc., Stamford, CT 06902 USA,  Copyright 1990 by U.S. Games Systems, Inc.  Universal Waite is a registered trademark of U. S. Games Systems, Inc.  Further reproduction prohibited.
Visit the world's best source for tarot decks at: U. S. Games Systems Inc.

Useful Links
U. S. Games Systems Inc. - The world's best source for tarot decks! please visit!


Recommended Reading
Emily Peach - Discover Tarot (Understanding & Using Tarot Symbolism) - The Aquarian Press - An Imprint of Harper Collins Publishers: 77-85 Fulham Palace Road, Hammersmith, London W6 8JB - ISBN: 1 85538 048 X


Reader Comments


Recommend a Link




Tarot Card Meanings AppDISCOVER TAROT ON iPHONE, iPAD AND ANDROID.

Learn Tarot Card Meanings, what they mean when combined in a reading, test your knowledge in the Tarot Quiz and reveal what the future may hold with the Tarot Reading App.