♣ Major Arcana Meanings ♣
Overview Major Arcana Wands Cups Swords Pentacles
The Fool | The Magician | High Priestess | The Empress | The Emperor | The Hierophant | The Lovers
The Chariot | Strength | The Hermit | Wheel of Fortune | Justice | The Hanged Man | Death
Temperance | The Devil | The Tower | The Star | The Moon | The Sun | Judgement | The World
⇓ In Reverse ⇓
Disruption, Naivety, Foolishness, Scattered, Limited, Resistance.
Things are slow, brief, and pointless even. Nothing much will change, what's down remains down.
Hesitation can be a big theme. What if's arrest development and stall forward progress.
A new beginning is needed, but there are potential reservations.
Childish behavior and kid-like thinking, too.
♣ The Fool ♣
Potential, Foolishness, Purpose, Carefree, Vulnerability, New Phases,
Naivety, Innocence, New Journeys, Destiny, Freedom.
The Fool is the proverbial babe in the woods, the newly born— they who be ready to conquer the world. Ruled by the planet Uranus, The Fool is expansive and brilliant, seeking to better himself always and embrace the flow of life, even in difficult times. The Fool may seem unsophisticated all by itself, but its ruling planet brings the energy of breakthrough and genius, so even though The Fool is naturally stubborn and filled with potentially harmful optimism, this card represents hope from becoming jaded and wisdom from becoming naïve— it seeks this yin and yang.
The Fool as the Number Zero is the void, the plane of all possibility, and the zero-point energy where one realizes unimaginable things during their seeking. The Fool is filled with raw potential because of this boundless number, neither positive nor negative, and waiting to meet any destiny. As a person, they can be vulnerable, defenseless, unwise, naïve, and foolish at times when they don't weigh in all the potentials. The Fool is knowledge to be known, chances to begin. Paths to start.
The Fool is what exists in many situations and people, the opportunity and chance to grow into a particular direction. The card can represent a person in your life who has no plan or needs much education. It can represent a lack of maturity and a need to grow up. The Fool in the imagery seems to be feckless, self-endangering, unwise, vulnerable, a know-it-all, and very stubborn listening to the voice of reason.
In some negative accounts, The Fool represents a person who is absurd, unrefined, jaded, angry, bitter, stale, disconnected, anxious, or stressed. Since The Fool is essentially a novice at life, in the negative, there is detachment, whining, self-pity, selfishness, and childishness from a lack of self-command.
In the positive, The Fool can represent enjoying the moment, being carefree, a need to be open to new ideas, having some sophisticated fun, playing like a child, trying new things, exposing fallacy, gaining education, or discovering things. As children can be foolish requiring much nurture and guidance, they can also be clever teachers to adults about how beautiful the world is. For those older, The Fool shows how one exudes the livelihood of youth and enjoys life as it comes, good or bad.
♣ The Magician ♣
Source Connection, Action, Energy, Creation, Power, Consciousness, Awareness, Manifestation, Talents, Skill, Willpower.
The Magician is a boisterous, talented character with charisma. The scene depicts him raising a double-ended wand, a tool of transmutation and a symbol of “as above, so below," and in front of a table which symbolically holds the emblems of the minor arcana upon it. The scene is mirthful with the roses and lilies. All that is represented is power, manifestation, talent, mastery, and sorcery over the entire material universe. Ruled by Mercury, The Magician is concerned with communication, mentality, speech, thoughts, and consciousness.
The Magician is a symbol of being proactive and clever. He does this with knowledge and experience. As the Number One, he represents a new path using the prowess of one's healthy, enlightened consciousness. He embodies all of the positive goals of The Major Arcana— seeking to master temperance, justice, the self, introspection, ego-control, meditation, perspective, loss, evolution, wisdom, and spiritual enlightenment. He wants to learn, so he's fairly predictable in that he seems to always be in a state of repair, construction, motion, and general doing.
The Magician implores you to practice creating so that in moments of depression, self-doubt, or insecurity, you may be reminded of your worth— talents, skills, accomplishments, etc. —and he wants you to use them to solve problems. In the negative, The Magician can succumb to vice, self-sabotage, gradiose thinking, and trickery, which derives from his esoteric association with Strength and The Devil.
This card classically begs: What is your path or task at hand and how can you get to the final destination? What can you create with what little (or a lot) you have? When he appears, think about resources, avenues of exploration, skills possessed, and creative methods. Think about potential, creation, transmutation, power, and self-understanding. As for characteristics, The Magician is the opposite of The High Priestess. He is action, extroversion, the proverbial masculine, energy, motion, and starting points. But he can also be impatience, insolence, arrogance, disturbance, and destruction; knowledge is power; power is responsibility.
⇓ In Reverse ⇓
Abuse, Self-Interest, Arrogance, Disinterest, Decline, Weakness.
Selfish attitudes, deceiving, motivated by self interest, and personal ruin.
Greed can blind, power can corrupt, self feels lost.
Exploitation of the weak, succumbing to addiction, or abusing power.
Spiritual insolence.
⇓ In Reverse ⇓
Indecision, Confusion, Illusion, Ignorance, Hasty Thinking, Imbalance.
Clouded judgment can occur, fantasy over reality appeals, one may be overly selective, and irrational, thoughts occur.
Decisions can be skewed by emotions, insights skewed by fears or projections, and self-care can be neglected.
Misuse of knowledge happens, paths are misled, feelings seem imbalanced and fairly frantic.
Extreme introversion, shutting down, and isolation, also.
♣ The High Priestess ♣
Wisdom, Decision, Mystery, The Unconscious, Meditation, Mysticism, Contemplation, Patience, Obscurity, Searching Within.
The High Priestess should be known also as The Papasse because of her connection to The Hierophant, who is really a Pope. Therein she sits still and quiet between two ancient pillars, the black (Boaz) and white (Jachin) symbolizing duality and the beginning and end of time. She also holds the scroll of the Torah, indicating that she knows of the secrecy schools of wisdom.. a telling sign that she's filled with esoteric knowledge, capable of resolving inner-turmoil and solving any problem she's faced with. The rich symbolism stands out, like palms and pomegranates.
Ruled by The Moon, she represents the deeply emotional, intuitive inner self that lies within. She is the connection to the spiritual realm through what lies within our deep unconscious and mystical nature, whereas The Hierophant represents the communal mysticism (or sometimes religion) which we all obtain through culture and society. She knows of God's creation and plan from delving within herself in the study of her scroll of wisdom. She seems psychic and all-knowing, always several steps ahead, maybe because she's gifted or very intelligent, or maybe both.
Unlike her polar opposite, The Magician, who is extroverted, loud, loquacious, and seeks his understandings through external means, she is the proverbial feminine, quiet thinking and feeling, patience (seen as Inaction to onlookers, but she's actually a mental busy bee), intuitive and even psychic, and possibility through a profound lens of perspective. So it's due to her deep self-knowing that she is very emotionally intelligent— she can easily recognize the feelings and moods of others.
Being the Number Two, The High Priestess represents well-balanced, carefully-considered choices between two of anything, or more. She seeks analysis of self so one cannot choose the wrong path— knowing thyself is huge. And although she can beg us to take a closer look at our decisions and chocies, she's also asking us to be more aware of long-term and after-life instead of this-life like The Magician. Every little act is but one trickle effect of its own, so no matter how small our actions, they will always have a broad, long-term affect. She implores wise inner self-care, such as emotional management and retrospection (like in The Hermit), and to prevent disaster and destruction (in The Tower).
In a reading, she indicates a return to self to solve problems. Are others aware of your feelings? Is there something being overlooked? What are your gut instincts telling you? Have you consulted your intuition? Are situations messy and need a wiser direction? No matter what, know that when life is chaotic, being simple, still, and silent can allow yourself to be grounded, releasing anxiety and stress. Then you can focus on being guided by the voice inside, for it's your soul speaking to you.
♣ The Empress ♣
Maternity, Fertility, Pregnancy, Growth, Development, Cycles, Cooperation, Relationships, Nature, Perseverance, Reward, Abundance, Materiality.
The Empress is the divine mother archetype. She is the nurturer of children, beginners, and novices. She is affectionate, caring, relaxed, warmhearted, healing, concerned with relationships, sensitive, and compassionate. Her ruling planet being Venus, she's the more tender, sensitive, relationship-oriented type that is concerned about maintaining healthy connections. She represents any developmental process as well as creation, grounding, and the connection to nature, one of our biggest teachers. She is also the card of Mother Earth for reasons of the card's rich grain symbolism and the overall materiality.
The matron of maturity, her focus delves into growth cycles and patient learning. This is why when she appears in a reading, she can represent a motherly figure or perhaps an influential person who will encourage growth. When The Empress appears, it's indicative that a person or force in your life is currently watching over you, keeping an eye on your growth, trying to steer you in the right direction, but softly, rather more forcefully like in The Emperor. As the divine mother, she wants to hug you when you're down, tell you how much you mean, console your spirit.
As a nature symbol, The Empress is Gaea, the rain and thunder, the storm and the wind, the plants and the animals. She is the cycle of life on earth— its harvests and crop failures. Her importance in a reading signals reward and abundance, that with steady growth there can be a foundation achieved for long-term stability to exist. This is why she is the Number Three, the blending of One, Action, and Two, Decision— she is forward progress, the stage which The Fool acts upon.
In the negative, she can be overly cautious and disorganized. She can be a natural force of opposition that also might just be a part of the bigger picture for a time. One may find themselves in the doldrums, but wounds are merely growing pains which mature the psyche, strengthen it, and stave off personal ruin in the long-term.
Above her forehead lies a crown of stars that represents the glory of growth, linking her to The Star, a symbol of hope, guidance, and grandeur. For each star, there is a time mentioned where she persevered through the darkness and found the light of her soul beckoning her forward. She faired the weather and came out stronger each time, more seasoned and focused than before. The Empress reminds that with constant effort, cooperation with others, and flexibility, there's a way to move forward to achieve, and there's place for you in the stars.
⇓ In Reverse ⇓
Prematurity, Passivity, Repetitiveness, Caution, Drama, Stagnation.
Bounties taking longer, fruits of labor seem pitiful, and minor drought.
Passivity and weakness, laxness and laziness, cycles are monotonous, slow learning curve, and people squabble.
A bleak tone can be seen. Time is needed for change to begin. Perhaps timing is off for pregnancy or the start of a new job or goal.
General immaturity and wastefulness, also.
⇓ In Reverse ⇓
Novelty, Weakness, Disorder, Instability, Impotence, Disharmony, Aggression, Stubborn.
Minor confusion, veering from tradition, weak structures, plans that may fizzle out, unreasonable methodology.
Multiple demands, a domineering person, harsh words, tough love, unfairness, also.
There may also be a loss of control, final touches to be done, a weakness to improve, or a time to consult a professional.
Disrepair, also.
♣ The Emperor ♣
Paternity, Assertion, Authority, Organization, Structure, Foundation, Systems, Initiative, Stability, Protection, Trusted Means, Logic, Law and Order.
The Emperor is the father archetype. He is bold, assertive, commanding, authoritative, intelligent, logical, precise, stern, methodical, and stable. He emphasizes organized plans, stability, and foundation. Like a house, your plans must be built on level ground. The foundation cannot be wobbling or teeter-tottering or else the construction collapses. The Emperor is depicted seated upon a stone throne overlooking the lands he's conquered— this appearance emphasizes the importance of structure and routine, succeeding by the examples laid before him.
The Emperor being ruled by Aries, he is pioneering, initiating, tolerant, and able to perform under stress. He is the epitome of fire, passion, and all the masculine qualities of the planet Mars— that virile and masculine energy brings him to spring into action when he has drafted his blueprints for success. When he appears, make sure things are kept tidy, clean, and orderly for things to go smoothly and function best, especially when under attack or great pressure.
With all of the methods of The Emperor, it's quite easy to achieve anything because he has a balance between order and chaos, between what's tested and what could be, as well as a connection to his intuitive side and logical side. He's able to blend knowledge, action, decision, insight, and creativity into one mental eye, thus he is the Number Four— the stability of what never wavers. He is firm.
Let's think of painting. Like The Empress, he too represents growth, but whereas she is color and medium, learning from artistic mistakes, he is the end design and the discipline to paint— he is grown. He has painted and he is a painter— and a darn good one at that. Because he has spent decades straying away from ever veering off onto the beaten path, he is accustomed to life's curveballs. It seems that no matter what situation he's in, he's able to freely act in the most correct way because he sticks to tradition and acts from a place of experience and esteemed judgment.
When The Emperor appears, there may be a need to look over your plans to find what's wrong in them, or to create a plan. Spiritually, there is a connection to the father archetype, so what sense of paternal guidance do you need from Source? What sense of foundation or routine will allow you to achieve? Do you have a fatherly figure supporting you with encouragement, shared passion, and structured know-how? Are you capable of parenting yourself as your own adult?
In moments of strife, The Emperor will attempt to establish order within chaos to make things solid, fair, and equal— which is embodied by Justice, a card he's mystically associated with. And of course, he is protection, as if by sticking to the plan or leaning on someone for help in a time of need as he can provide for a sense of safety and overall well-being. Fathers are symbolically seen as protectors, so it's fitting that The Emperor represents shelter, security, and fond feelings of the nest. In times of trouble or oppression, it's okay to lean on someone.
♣ The Hierophant ♣
Spirituality, Tradition, Convention, Culture, Religion, Institution, Education, Marriage, Advice, Fear of Loss, Belief Systems, Conformity.
The Hierophant is traditionally seen as The Pope. He represents the convention of organized spirituality and of a community so his primary keywords are assistance, need, guidance, and educating beliefs. He is the medium between God and Man, whereas The High Priestess is the medium between God and Self. She is internally wise, being guided by the voice within. He is internally wise as well, but working with the people, counseling mankind in the form of The Emperor and The Empress, who represent the kingdom of nature and the kingdom of humanity. These three forces govern the flow of society and progress as a tinity of influence.
As an educator, The Hierophant leads and guides, offering up his parables, revelations, and expressions from not only scripture, but life experience. He has counseled and governed many emperors and empresses. Thus he is the status quo of accumulated knowledge and religious doctrine. He is seen as the spiritual leader who everyone comes to in times of need and he always guides in a way that is consistent to the integrity of his moral compass, which is aligned to the integrity of the communal traditions shared by all. He is a religious leader, after all.
In readings, he appears as a devil's adovcate to challenge, test, and govern the mind as well as to change a situation without immorality, violence, or fear clouding what God wants from mankind— which is the obedience of the Ten Commandments. In this right, The Hierophant implores people to be aware of what we have to lose.
The Hierophant is the avatar of God's plan on earth, which should be followed. Sometimes this relationship can corrupt, however, as times change and so do the interpretations of religious texts.. so mistranslations can blind and lead astray, which is why The Hanged Man is associated with him— a time when we must rethink our beliefs for a new way when stuck. He also represents the education which we receive, all the programming and human conditioning which can either improve us and leave room for the soul to breathe, or limit us with oppressive belief systems which imprison the soul in The Tower of Ego.
When The Hierophant appears, he's usually indicating advice or a need to take a look at your beliefs. Are you being a hypocrite? Are you practicing what you're preaching? Do you need to reassess some things and let them go because it's not worth it to you spiritually to have them interfering with your goals? Are you doing the right things? In terms of your goals, what can you do that others have done? Could you get more educated on a subject?
As The Hierophant is ruled by the Number Five, he is loss and the mourning of loss. He is how we forgive the past and learn how to cope using holy texts, or affirmations, or confession. In the Minor Arcana, the four 5's (Wands, Cups, Swords, and Pentacles) each seem to explain how The Hierphant would use his education, wisdom, and religious beliefs to overcome the different types of loss we'll experience, such as tough competition in the Wands, heartache and lamenting in the Cups, disputes and slight in the Swords, and the doldrums in the Pentacles.
The Hierophant also represents the clergy, matrimony, and church services for those whom it may apply to. He might also indicate counseling services.
⇓ In Reverse ⇓
Dogma, Hypocrisy, Poor Counsel, Struggle, Immorality, Gullibility.
Losses hard to ignore, pain unmet with pleasure, stuck in neurological loops.
Faith seems pointless, some agnosticism, and prayers feel unheard.
People can be gullible, help is ignored, advice isn't taken, morals are forgotten.
Egotism may worsen, false beliefs cloud situations, mean-spirited people, general insensitivity.
Marriages seem gray, relationships aren't prospering, friends aren't getting along as well as they have been.
⇓ In Reverse ⇓
Separation, Apathy, Jealousy, Codependency, Unoriginality, Indecision.
Minor indecision, daft conversations, dull or boring scenes.
Needing time away, ignoring others' needs, unwanted ideas, petty spats, unable to support self.
Poor sexual taste, average date, mediocrity, inadequacy, mistakes.
Distasteful choice, result of poor planning.
Generally positive tone, but to a lesser degree. Discord, but can be solved.
♣ The Lovers ♣
Love, Passions, Attraction, Union, Equality, Happiness, Wanderlust, Temptation, Choices, Fate, Procreation, Sexuality.
A woman and a man stands between two desires under an angel whose hands are outstretched. They are uniting as opposites under one canopy into one common thread and as if by fate. The two are smitten, perhaps in love, and earger to spend life together learning and growing, together or apart. The Lovers being ruled by Gemini represents two equal opposites but as twins— they are the fabled Adam and Eve. They are the anima, the feminine of a man's personality, and the animus, the masculine of a woman's personality.
Gemini being a mutable air sign and relating to the Knight of Swords, this card deals with relationships of all types, so The Lovers represents the right relationships that are thriving, prosperous, healthy, and conducive to our goals. The relations we engage ourselves in should be ones that help us prosper, one's where we have self-love and healthy reciprocity, like themes of mutual feelings and shared tasks.
The Lovers can be the love of a person or the love of an object or project. It can appear to be the inspired connection we have with ourselves and that which we behold-- our passions. In the positive, The Lovers can feel like fate is on the right side of what it's referring to. Pieces of hte puzzle seem to fall into place and there is social harmony. But in the negative, there is almost this fatal atraction that might distract like a shiny light that has to be pursued even disregarding our senses.
This is why The Lovers is the Number Six— it deals with an inseparable union with the object of our eyes— such as when an enchantment becomes the sole focus, sometimes not knowing why but only that there is the feeling of a strong connection. A major keyword is Choice for the point that we must choose what we're united to whenever temptation calls or diligence might lose momentum. Sometimes these unions are harmonious, sometimes they tear things asunder. When they're bad, good senes is lost and one seems toxically addicted to the cause or focus. It could very well own you, sucking you dry, only filling you with temporary satisfaction.
But that's the nature of The Lovers— it attracts, stimulates, inspires, and interacts on an intellectual plane. Whatever The Lovers is in a reading, it's a primary focus for the person or situation. And when it's good, it's amazing, captivating, enriching, and deeply fulfilling.. but when it's bad, it's tainted, people fall for gimmicks, things were less attractive than they seemed in handsight, and wandering felt good only until there wasn't ever anywhere useful to end up and time suddenly feels wasted.
The Lovers marks a phenomenal time of living for a passion, feeling incredulous, seeking out the wonder and newness in familiar things, obtaining sought-after valuables, and generally smiling lovingly and fervently upon what lies dormant and near in your heart that makes you excited.