What are the Major Arcana? |

The Major Arcana form the group of 22 Tarot cards considered by readers as referring to matters of greater effect or deep meaning. Each Major Arcana is a framework of symbols that basically represents people and situations. These symbols are intended to facilitate self-knowledge, provide prognoses for the near future and provide advice on the best attitude to adopt at a given time.

To better understand what a Major Arcana is, it is necessary to go over the meaning of the Tarot cards and how they work.

The Meanings of the Major Arcana

The Fool (learn more about this arcane by clicking here) – Arcane zero of the Tarot indicates chaotic and unexpected situations: a liberation or a complete destabilization. The Fool, at the top, takes his first steps
The magician – Arcanum I of the Tarot represents skill and dexterity, mastery of the situation
The Priestess (or The Popess) – The female figure, in this Arcanum II of the Tarot, is involved with a veil, symbolizing mystery, silence and reflection
The Empress – Arcanum III of the Tarot suggests an intense development and fruition of what was sown
The emperor – Arcanum IV of the Tarot shows a figure of majesty, which means strength, authority and power
The Priest (or The Pope) – The Arcanum V of the Tarot brings the meaning of morality, trust and commitment
The Lovers – Arcanum VI of the Tarot enacts the encounter with doubt, falling in love and the awareness of strong – sometimes contradictory – desires
The car – This Tarot Arcanum VII reveals the chariot driver, dressed in armour, and symbolizes victory, obstinacy and a straight line towards the goal
The Justice – Arcane VIII of the Tarot embodies a period of inner balance, concentration, detachment and self-control
the hermit – In this Arcanum IX of the Tarot, the meaning of interior recollection predominates, of maintaining concentration on what is essential and of maturity acquired through experience
The Wheel of Fortune – Arcanum X of the Tarot represents the altercations and fluctuations that we all go through in life. It’s the machine of change
The power – In this Arcanum XI of the Tarot, we are confronted with obstinacy, sensuality, the notion of body and the search for both self-control and the domain of the passions
The Hanged (or the Hanged) – Arcanum XII of the Tarot reflects the consequences of intransigence, the difficulties and sometimes the dedication spent on a greater cause
The death – In this Arcanum XIII of the Tarot, we have the image of sudden cuts, terminations and dissolutions necessary for there to be renewal
The Temperance – The uninterrupted movement of the jars of Arcanum XIV of the Tarot suggests moderation and patience in the face of sluggishness. Points out boredom and demands perseverance
The devil – Arcanum XV of the Tarot refers to the deepest passions and impulses, to the animal side that cries out for expression. It is the card of instinct and dependencies
The tower – Arcanum XVI of the Tarot conveys the idea of ​​dismantling false structures, liberation from illusions
The star – In this Arcanum XVII of the Tarot, purification, predestination and simplicity prevail. Symbolizes enlightenment in the midst of darkness
The moon – Arcane XVIII of the Tarot invokes fears, illusions, fantasies and dangers
The sun – In this Arcanum XIX of the Tarot, enthusiasm is the key word. It represents light, lucidity and harmony between consciousness and existence.
The judgement – The figure of this Arcanum XX of the Tarot opens up the revelations of a new time and news. It is the card of healing and effective transformation of situations.
The world – The figure of this Arcanum XXI of the Tarot represents the culmination of an idea or the completion of a project. Letter of fame, projection and blessings. The Fool reaches the top

The Four Elements in the Major Arcana

As well as in the Minor Arcana (see what they mean in this article), the four elements of nature are also present in the Major Arcana of decks considered traditional (Tarot de Marseille, for example): on the table of O Mago and around the maiden of the world. They represent, in these cards, the way the person handles or manipulates the available elements (The Magician) and what he achieves with them and through them (The World).

In Temperance, in the Star and in the Moon, the element Water predominates. The Magician wields his wand, symbolizing the will of the Fire element.

The Empress and Emperor have their shields close, symbols of Earth’s protection. The sword and scales of Justice refer to the intellect, governed by the element of Air.

The Fool sets out in search of full wisdom

The classic numbering of the Major Arcana begins with The Fool and represents this arcane’s journey towards wisdom. Just like the human condition, according to which a person is born and develops according to choices and circumstances, towards fulfillment, the 22 main Tarot cards make up this process. It is a framework that presents life’s allies, pitfalls, and rewards.

From The Fool to the Hermit, there are all well-determined social figures, transmitting authority, power and free will through their clothes. From The Wheel of Fortune to the Tower, the clothes are simpler, with no sign of nobility. Among the few human figures, there are some animals and fantastic beings that refer to the beginning of the transition to the immaterial plane, as well as to more subjective symbolisms: unforeseen events, problems, ruptures, patience, transformation, etc. Already from A Estrela ao Mundo, there is the presence of nudity and environments of nature, meaning self-knowledge, freedom and harmony. In addition, there are many celestial figures, indicating the arrival of spiritual elevation.

What is Tarot for?

Bearing in mind the idea that the Tarot is a framework of symbols, it is easy to see that it basically works as a representation of situations or people. In the predictive approach, it serves to predict the future, analyze past events and assess what is at stake in the present, but always depending on the context in which it is used. The orienting approach, on the other hand, analyzes the cards, associating them with the stages we are in at a certain moment and how we can solve problems, take the right actions and enjoy what is important.

Reading the Tarot is projecting what we want to know about a moment, situation or person, representing the object and defining its course or the most prudent attitude towards it. Click here to see the Tarot games available on .

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