♣ 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
♣ The Chariot ♣
Positive Ego, Confidence, Control, Self-Mastery, Duty, Victory, Mental and Emotional Balance, Prowess, Assertion, Conquest, Courage.
The Chariot and the charioteer are staunchly joined. They are the eyes and hands in coordination over the vehicle which we're currently in control of. You see he is a strong, formidable, and intimidating man being moved by a black and white sphinx, the two creatures indicating the subconscious and conscious minds working in unison to move him forward. He balances the polarity of his ego, good and bad. Ruled by Cancer, he iniaites from feeling, driving his vehicle forward— he is bold, deep, defensive, unwavering, attentive, and caring.
There is a frightening and stern deameanor in The Chariot, yet outside of his garbs and from the chariot outside of battle, he's a gentle family man and possibly even in touch with his feminine side. Being ruled by Cancer, one can see why, as life can harden us into a shell of defense protecting the soft insides we reserve for loved ones. These are the traits of his dynamic personality, this ability to be both fierce and calm, reasonably scared but never cowardly, and overcome conflict in lieu of danger and insecurity. He presses on to stomach even the worst. It's his duty.
In a reading, The Chariot might encourage bravery and doing what must be done in the face of a difficult challenge. There's a great vehicle metaphor— who's in the driver's seat, the passenger's seat, what's in the back, and where is the vehicle going? Because he is movement and change and the confidence to succeed during those changes, The Chariot perfectly represents the Ego when healthy and proud. In the competition of life and during challenge and facing danger, one must have the security of a gladiator to overcome difficulty or fall into the ruin of deep insecurity.
As the Number Seven— he is synthesis, chemistry, and adjustment when we are fiending for dark temptations. Throughout life, there will be plenty of scenarios where you're beaten down, confused, anxious, moody, and of swollen heart, but the one thing that remains is The Chariot, that there is always a vehicle which can take us to a better, more heavenly state of existence, this is why he's connected to Temperance, the art of moderation and divine synthesis into humility and duty.
In a reading, think about one's ego, is it arrogant or healthy? Is there a clever strategy? Are battles being picked wisely? Is there a synthesis between the two sphinxes of the subconscious and conscious, such as ignoring toxic habits? The Chariot knows that in order to achieve, he must be still even in chaos by moderating his mental, physical, and emotional selves in one unified motion.
⇓ In Reverse ⇓
Pride, Hubris, Fright, Insecurity, Immobility, Flight over Fight, Matter over Mind, Lowness.
Detour, secrecy in true feelings, stubbornness, beating around the bush.
Harm to others, pushing over the crowd, shirking responsibility, excuses.
Chemistry is off, indulgence, ignoring reality, vehicle troubles.
Opposing ideas, not on talking terms, zealousness.
⇓ In Reverse ⇓
Callousness, Weakness, Descent, Impedance, Limitation, Anger.
Impeded growth, overly confrontational, blockage halts growth.
Quitting looks tempting, anger overcomes peace, anxiety rules logic.
Morals are forgotten, diets are broken, people are run over, tears are cried.
A loss of temper, internal pressure increases.
♣ Strength / Force ♣
Inner Strength, Endurance, Restraint, Compassion, Patience, Softness, Composure, Concentration, Conflict Resolution, Taking Action.
Strength is the ability to withstand the pressure of endurance, sure. Strength is holding an uncomfortable conversation, it's taking the high road, turning the other cheek, lifting heavy weights in a gym, healing from loss, and taming one's inner beasts. In the imagery, we see a delicate maiden gently soothing a lion, who art the animalistic instincts which we're genetically predisposed. Ruled by Leo, we're called to know our instincts, talents, and drives in order tp fulfill the world and self through passion, creativity, and excellence. It often takes the strength of a lion to manage such affairs, even in hard times.
Underneath the garbs we wear and beyond the societies we construct, there is an ancient drive that summons us to do barbaric things, which is why Strength is connected to The Devil— for it is the survival mechanisms of man's ego and spiritually, it is the appeal of depravity. The way people size each other up, howl like monkeys for more chaos, shift blame to the truly innocent, seize worth in the name of competition, squander self in depression, err mentally in logical abandonment, harm others when they feel harmed, and participate in broken systems.
Strength is present in the most vulnerable of moments and it is through The Chariot and The Magician that one will decide what to do in response to these animalistic instincts. Because the maiden wears the gown of innocence and softly controls the lion, she represents the inherent ability to choose the seven virtues of Kindness, Patience, Humility, Chastity, Charity, Temperance, and Diligence over the sins of Envy, Wrath, Pride, Lust, Greed, Gluttony, and Acedia.
Strength as the Number Eight is a turning point in the majors where The Fool (the uncorrupted essence of a person or situation) is starting to get the hang of the path ahead— Strength is enduring obstacles, transcending limitations, and growing exponentially, and in the positive, it may seem to appear in a moment of happiness and progress being made. In the negative, it can be weakness or vulnerability, like succumbing to unhealthy thinking, sabotage, or harming others. But this turning point is huge in a reading— it sets the stage for more growth to sit upon an even larger foundation than from The Emperor who art the Number Four.
As a major symbol of concentration and focus, Strength reminds that with discipline and patience comes steady results. Goals seem halfway completed, people seem merry, opportunity is within reach, the end of the tunnel is visible, great strides are made possible, and barriers are dissolved, but only through The Chariot's vehicle of self-esteem and movement as The Magician's ethics, willpower, and talent.
♣ The Hermit ♣
Solitude, Introspection, Introversion, Reconnection, Psychology, Analysis, Yearning, Withdrawing, Relaxation, Escapism, Abstinence, Nature.
The Hermit is a solitary, introverted man who often sets down worldly possessions. He drops everything, steps outside of the moment, and means to gain understanding regarding life's goings and situations. During this alone time, he thinks new thoughts, analyzes old information, discovers new patterns, and develops new solutions. This is why he is ruled by Virgo, as he is introspecting, self-aware, empathetic, meticulous, and bright.
The Hermit appears at a time when a sense of completion is nearby. It's when we're wrapping up the year, understanding the bigger picture, filing away the past to make room for the future, and seeing the beginning of the end in our goals and situations. This is why he is the Number Nine— integration, analysis, assessment, wisdom, experience, outlook, and completion. It's the number of the inner realm but outward.
Beginning with Strength, The Fool is found understanding there is another realm beyond the mundane one you can touch and move within— there's a psychological dimension to our perceptions and reality input. One learns that strength isn't just physical, but emotional as well. The Hermit is when one begins to ponder about the inner nature of self and the selves of others from a more psychological lens.
The Hermit is the point where we need alone time to reflect, think, analyze ourselves and others, release stress, and reconnect with nature to be healed. This is why he's shown leaving at dusk with The Star of Hope in his lantern guiding his mind to enlightenment. He knows that there are many moving parts to things and he is bound to oragnize it all using his smarts, but only by being detached from the chaos. He knows wisely that a biased heart clouds an objective mind.
In a reading, there may be need for a break or vacation.. down time can either help one decompress or provide outside inspiration from temporarily pausing a project. The Hermit can appear in times when confusion adds up and finances are need of management. Since The Hermit's lessons are continuous searching and studying, sometimes he signals one to spring up from moodiness or anxiety and seize the day before the day becomes another and another.
In the negative, The Hermit can be away from things for too long and get cabin fever, growing cynical, dark, and bitter. He can depress deep into a slump and forget proper mood management or grow lethargic from anxiety and constantly analysis. It's important to detach from issues, but but we also shouldn't run from them for eternity, for they still exist, and can only fester if left unresolved.
⇓ In Reverse ⇓
Escapism, Cynicism, Criticism, Anxiety, Fear over Love, Lost, Lethargic, Poor Mental Health.
Confusion, hopeless.
Wanting to get away, ignorance, isolation, dwelling, circular thinking.
Losing oneself, loss of beliefs, dragging a dead horse, constant analysis, overbearing behavior.
Interruptions, selfish thinking, dim wits, mentally fatigued, sluggish.
Mistrust, losing sight of a goal, forgotten mantras, poor motivation, lack of conviction.
⇓ In Reverse ⇓
Change, Chance, Ill Fate, Bad Luck, Delay, Regression, Shortage.
The unexpected, dictated path, inaccessbility, coming up short.
A far away finish line, long adjument period, poor acclimation.
Spiritual struggle, questioning, seeking.
Complicated relationship, confused stances, emotional roller coaster.
Gambling, prioritizing money, perhaps unwise risks, setback.
♣ The Wheel of Fortune ♣
Change, Karma, Luck, Revolving Cycles, Routine, Risk, Chance, Adaptation, Probability, Inevitability, Excess or Shortage, Abundance.
The Wheel of Fortune represents the essence of Jupiter in many ways. The planet is of expansion, fortune, willed destiny, being limitless, and having knowledge. It's the higher intuitiveness that plays a role in our lives as well as the means fate uses to spin outcomes into our lives, good, bad, and neutral. The Wheel of Fortune is the ultimate cycle (and between cycles) portraying the totality of duality, all lows and all highs. It is the finite manifestation of One and the infinite potential of Zero. As the Number Ten— it is completion, but beginning, reward, but loss, achievement, glory, finality, and transformation.
The Wheel of Fortune is a metaphor for chance and the risks of life. The spinning of the wheel is thus the unpredictable results that come from our actions. The circle shape itself shows that life is governed by the unlimited potential of the universe. In the wheel, things are moving, attitudes are shifting, emotions are stirring, and energies are transformating. In the most negative, this ancient wheel reminds the world of humans that security is an illusion, shelter is borrowed, money is virtual, and ruination is as probable as success. The Wheel is an equal opportunity force.
In a reading, one may see bad luck and try to remedy the disharmonious force. One might interpret patterns that seem unfair and completely randomized. Is there a constant success rate or a slow decline? Is a job not so lucrative and are situations unpredictable? Since The Wheel could land on bankrupt or a loss of money at any time, strong effort is encouraged. When this card appears, slack begets waste and momentum begets results. Things in motion stay in motion. And when motion is halted (and it eventually will) one must be prepared to face change and adjust accordingly to survive.
But even The Wheel of Fortune can be unpredictable in appearance: it can be a positive sign that things are getting better if they haven't been. It could be owed karma or the luck of the draw— and will the lucky streak just run out?The wheel is always turning, and when change comes to our paths, the show must go on. Change is a natural part of life and it might not always be foreseen. Some fight it like The Fool, but those who embrace it and transform with the energy of Jupiter eventually prevail and profit.
Some prospering qualities are discerning, clever, resourceful, and assertive.
♣ Justice ♣
Truth, Righteousness, Balance, Fairness, Cause and Effect, Decisions, Legislation, Equality, Consequence, Honesty, Integrity, Logic, Order.
Justice is seated between two pillars (the objectivity between two sides) holding the sword of truth in her right hand, symbolizing the laws of God, and the scales of fairness in her left hand, symbolizing the honest interpetation of law to realm of man. So once again, The Fool is taken back to a place of holiness between pilars to contemplate the nature of decision and consequence— there is a cause and effect to every action; imbalance is the result of error.
Ruled by Libra, Justice is intelligent, posied, fair, bold, honest, objective, and lawful. In the mundane, Justice is judicial, the punishments that're sentenced to offenders, and the rewards that're bestowed to owed parties. Spiritually, it represents divine truth, personal truth, and doing what's right not because you know it's right, but because it's the right thing to do. God is watching and some day when we reach The Moon, we will be called to remember that our unfair behaviors and laziness will count against us in Judgement. Whereas in The Wheel of Fortune, events and results vary, in Justice— karma and consequences are predictable and fair.
In a reading, Justice comes up when there's a need to be objective— bias might be clouding one's scruples. Unlike The Hermit who goes inward to solve a problem, Justice goes outward to make a situation fair and balanced like a judge because it urges one to be karmically responsible— in a world where we all break the rules there could only be havoc and chaos. Justice will also appear to straighten things out between parties, favor the victim, urge evidence and proof, scold an offendor, or teach the reciprocity of integrity— would one want wicked deeds done unto them?
Justice may also indicate deliberation, legal trobules, court battles, unsettled disputes between parties, run ins with the law, or academic environments. In a world where others are breaking the rules, Justice implores one to let the wicked stand alone for punishment will be due; the innocence will have salvation— as long as one abides by the laws of God and the laws of Man, there can be balance. As a symbol of Decision— crimes beget punishment and obedience begets freedom. Justice wants you to think about causes and be aware of their effects.
In the negative, Justice might also warn one of trickery, deceit, or intentional harm. There may be some unfairness or dishonesty going on. It may signal a need to file documents and paperwork correctly, tie loose ends, and square things away. This is why Justice is connect to The Emperor— preparation and planning will usually provide long-lasting stability. Keep lists, record everything, and have it handy.
As Divine Balance, Justice implores one to find equanimity, repent one's sins, equal out bank accounts, apologize for wrongdoing, settle the past, take all your medications, save money, ignore bad habits, finish what you start, end procrasting tendencies, organize messes, and stand by your morals and values.
⇓ In Reverse ⇓
Bias, Unfairness, Secrets, Punishment, Disobedience, Imbalance, Indecision.
Imbalanced thinking, biased judgement, gossip, rumors, superficiality.
Unfair situation, tough authority figure, strict parent or judge, harsh punishment.
Broken rules, misdeeds unnoticed, criminal activity, unscrupulousness.
Unprepared meetings, false documents, improper attire, inappropriate language.
Ignorance, inequality, self-interest, prejudice.
⇓ In Reverse ⇓
Settling, Disbelief, Falsehood, Dilapidation, Rigidity, Mundanity.
Remaining constant, old traditions, not budging, conflict, ambivalence.
Apathy, agnosticism, ignorance, fear-based beliefs, narrow-minded, thinking small.
Falsehood, wrong answers, the run around, wild goose chaces.
Lost or forsaken cause, boredom, entering decline, closed ears, going at something alone, lack of hospitality.
Holding on too long, losing opportunity, fighting change.
♣ The Hanged Man ♣
Perspective, Suspension, Meditation, Epiphany, Martyrdom, Sacrifice, Comprehension, Receptivity, Empathy, Improvement, Contradictions.
The Hanged Man is the point at which one's attention lies between two worlds, like the physical and the spiritual realm, or two opposing ideologies that vastly contrast one another— one may feel suspended, artistically blocked, in a contradiction, or seeking inspiration or improvement. Since every major is connected to The Fool's story, on this path it's learned that we are inherently connected to a divine realm underneath the material universe. This realm has mystical powers and it may provide otherworldly answers.
Ruled by Neptune, which is the planet of esoteric mysticism, the higher mind, spirituality, dreams, the imagination, and the transcendence of the physical realm, The Hanged Man calls us to go deeper into the psychic waters of our human mind and spiritual makeup. We're implored by The Hanged Man to change our perspectives, improve a situation, and expand upon our beliefs to rid ourselves of limiting programs which keep us from being mass connected to Spirit. This is why The Hanged Man is connected to The Sun, it is through meditation and mental expansion that we can attain final Enlightenment.
By hanging upside down, he can see the world in a new perspective that goes outside of his comfort zone. He is enlightened, able to see the error of his ways, such as being stubborn, moving in a direction he shouldn't have been, or settling for less. His suspension allows him to access his higher mind, the well of unconsciousness within, and he is able to meditate for the divine inspiration needed to solve a problem, gain psychic insight, or channel a brilliant idea.
The Hanged Man calls one to have some awareness. Are there other paths? Is there something fishy going on? Does the Spiritual Realm have a message? Is a problem frozen and in need of a new kick? Is romance unsavory? The enlightenment os this major shows one that there is always room for improvement. Due to his connection to The Hierophant, we see that dogma can blind and stifle one's growth— tradition is timeless and wise, but preservation can become stagnation and complacency. In this major, ignorance is not bliss.
As a symbol of Perspective, the embrace of stale, limiting cycles seems insane, so The Hanged Man will try to see a different point of view or walk in the shoes of another. The Hanged Man can also be seen as being a martyr—careful what causes you unquestionably believe in for a moment in time later, there may be regret or embarrassment. As a symbol of Sacrifice, we may be called to compromise, break bread, or save our pride. But rather the card signaling a need to rewrite or undo completely, if one is convicted, like crucifying yourself for a cause, by all means, hold steady to your beleifs.
♣ Death ♣
Ending, Inevitability, Loss, Fear, Rebirth, Mourning, Grief, Mortality, Transformation, Transitions, Habit, Farewells, Breakthroughs.
Death is an ancient force of the natural world— what we borrow must be returned for all things will come to an end. Ruled by Scorpio but ultimately influenced by Pluto (the planet of evolution, life and death, rebirth, and breaking through obstacles), Death appears to indicate transition, ending, and rebirth, as well as Scorpio's related characteristics, like emotional intensity, breakthrough, self-deduction, and life-long habits. For many, Death is frightening and devastating. Many people aren't prepared for the ultimate loss, that which cannot be gotten back.
As a symbol of Demise, Death shows us that there is nothing to fear but fear itself. In the story of the Major Arcana up until this point, life was brand new in The Fool, character-building from The Magician to The Chariot, and spiritually trying on the heart, intellect, and soul from Strength to The Hanged Man, but now Death is transforming the reality of life and progress— Death is finite, stagnation, and impermanence. Thus the principle of Dettachment is a major lesson.
Attachment leads to grief and mourning, which is why Death is connected to The Lovers (what we commit to attaches to us firmly) and Judgement (what we dwell forever on denies us deliverance). Since Scorpio is about digging deep to get at the heart of what we most fear, Death may point out the worst in a situation— total loss, depression, panic, arrogance, inactivity, drastic measures, resentment, and anger. Although Death may be grim and frightening, he also has a softer nature.
As one person might perceives Death as damnation through The Devil or failure through The Tower, another might perceive Death as rebirth and life through The Empress or hope and guidance through The Star. Like The Hanged Man, Death is another perspective, the opposing force of Life. Because The Fool hung himself upside-down, he was able to see the spiritual realm and realize that his life would some day end and that Judgement Day would soon be upon him.
Death may signal the wise usage of time; don't waste time forrever dwelling, grieving, or slumping in unproductive misery— where there's an ending there's a beginning; life must cotinue on. It might also signal a time of loss, like a job or class coming to an end, people moving away, a divorce rocking the family, a change in season, an old habit that could be put to rest, getting over an illness, and yes, even a loved one passing away, but Death often appears softly.
⇓ In Reverse ⇓
Nostalgia, Sorrow, Grief, Apathy, Stagnation, Avoidance, Fear.
Ignoring the signs, strong attachment, trying to outsmart an ending, nostalgic tendencies.
Stagnation, but ready to make change. Also, things up in the air and wishy washy outcomes.
Fear of death, depression, minor heartache, pain, suffering, sorrow.
Postponement, but eventual ending and growth.