Home. About Me. Astrology. The Tarot. Posts.

The Major Arcana

In the Tarot, there are twenty-two major arcana cards. Each card describes
a tarot basic principle. In the traditional Rider-Waite-Smith
deck, these major arcana, (also called trump cards), are numbered
from #0, (the Fool), to #21, (the World). The numbers are represented
in Roman numerals, where 1=I and 2=II, and 3=III, etc.

From Wikipedia, " Some using tarot for cartomancy believe that the cards have
esoteric links to ancient Egypt, Iran, the Kabbalah, Indian
Tantra, or the I Ching, though scholarly research has demonstrated
that tarot cards were invented in northern Italy in the 15th century
and confirmed that there is no historical evidence of the usage of tarot for
divination until the late 18th century."

It is my personal belief that the Tarot holds many ancient truths
associated with the human psyche. Like Astrology, the Tarot can be a basis
for conversation on human relationship and on personal human development.
The following is a description and image of all 22 major arcana cards.

If you are interested in the Tarot, I would highly recommend my favorite
book on the subject, A Complete Guide to the Tarot by Eden Gray. You can
Find it here: Silver 2 Moon
Please visit the website,The Tarot for more information.

The Fool #0

From Wikipedia, " In the Rider-Waite deck and other esoteric decks made for
cartomancy, the Fool is shown as a young man, walking unknowingly toward
the brink of a precipice. In the Rider-Waite Tarot deck, he is
also portrayed as having with him a small dog. The Fool holds a white
rose (a symbol of freedom from baser desires) in one hand, and in the
other a small bundle of possessions, representing untapped collective
knowledge. "

The Fool is most often represented as the protagonist of the story which
the major arcana takes him through the great mysteries of life.
In cartomancy, this is often referred to as the " Fools Journey ".

Please visit,The Fool , to learn more.

The Magician #1

From Wikipedia, " The Magician is depicted with one hand pointing upwards
towards the sky and the other pointing down to the earth, interpreted
widely as an "as above, so below" reference to the spiritual and
physical realms. On the table before him are a cup, a sword, a wand,
and a pentacle, representing the four suits of the Minor Arcana.
Such symbols signify the classical elements of earth, air, fire and water,
"which lie like counters before the adept, and he adapts them as he wills"

The Magician represents energy, potential, and the manifestation of one's
desires. It is also associated with the planet Mercury, and hence the signs
of Gemini and Virgo in astrology.

For more information , please visit, The Magician.

The High Priestess #2

The High Priestess is often identified with the Shekhinah, which is the female
indwelling presence of the divine. In her most popular image, she
wears plain blue robes and is seated with her hands in her laps.
On her head is a horned diadem which contains a mid-placed globe. This is
similar to the crown worn by the ancient Egyptian goddess, Hathor,
however there are distinct differences. She also holds a scroll in her hands with the letters
TORA which means ," divine law ". There are also two large pillars that are
colored B black and white with the letters " J " and " B " , which stand for Jachin and
Boaz, which has its origin with the mystic Temple of Solomon.

The meanings that are generally given to the High Priestess are those of secrets
and mystery with the future as yet unrevealed.

Please visit,The High Priestess , to learn more.

The Empress #3

The Empress is shown, on the Rider-Waite tarot deck, seated on a
throne amongst a field of grain. She is wearing a crown with twelve
stars. In her right hand, she is holding a scepter which is symbolic
of her power over life. The twelve stars represent her dominance
over the twelve months of the calendar year. The field of grain
represents her power over all growing things. It is said that she is
the representative of the power of the subconscious which is
seeded by ideas. The symbol for Venus and the female is shown
resting beneath her. It can be said that The Empress represents
growth in the natural world and all of fertility and most importantly,
what one knows or believes from the heart.

She is the mother, creator, and a nurturer. In astrology she is
associated with the planet Venus. It is said that she represents the
creation of life, art, and romance. She is the messenger from Spirit
which relates the creative impulse of all things and all people that
must be honored. She also represents fruitfulness, the unknown,
clandestine and doubt.

For more information , please visit, The Empress.

The Emperor #4

The Emperor is seated on a throne with arms of ram heads. The rams represents
the planet, Mars. He holds a scepter in his right hand. In his left hand there
rests a globe. The globe represents domination and the scepter is Ankh. This
is an ancient Egyptian hieroglyphic symbol that is used to represent life.

For more information , please visit, The Emperor.

The Hierophant #5

The Hierophant is shown raising his right hand in blessing or benediction.
Two fingers are pointing to the sky, while two are pointing down. This is
creating a bridge between Heaven and Earth. In his left hand, he holds a
triple cross. This is representative of the papal cross of the Pope.

For more information , please visit, The Hierophant.

The Lovers #6

A naked man and a naked woman are standing beneath a brightly illuminated
angel. It represents Adam and Eve and is associated with the astro sign of
Gemini and the element of Air and the planet, Mercury. In some traditions
the Lovers represents temptations of the heart and choices of potential
partners.

Please visit,The Lovers , to learn more.

The Chariot #7

A young man sits in a chariot pulled by two sphinxes. He has a crown with
a eight pointed star. He holds no rope to guide his steeds. The sphinxes
are colored with one predominately white and the other black. The man is
holding a wand. There is a mallet on the chariot's coat of arms that is
A masonic symbol that represents sea control.

For more information , please visit, The Chariot.

Strength #8

There is a woman leaning over a lion holding the lion's mouth. She has
The symbol for infinity hovering over her head. Her gown is draped with
flowers. The lemniscate above her head represents enlightenment and
spiritual powers and the lion represents earthly cravings or animal
passions.

For more information , please visit, Strength.

The Hermit #9

An old man is standing on the peak of a mountain. In his left hand he
is holding a staff. In the right hand he holds a lantern which contains
a six-pointed star. He is cloaked in a dark robe and his gaze is down-
ward. The lantern represents the Lamp of Truth , which is used to guide
the unknowing. His staff helps him navigate the narrow paths while he
seeks enlightenment.

Please visit,The Hermit , to learn more.

Wheel of Fortune #10

Here we find an image of an eight-spoked wheel that are adorned with the
letters, T-A-R-O fixed in a clockwise arrangement on the outer edge. At
the top sits a Sphinx-like half-human and a devil-like character that
supports the wheel in mid-air. Surrounding the wheel there sits in the
clouds, an angel, a bird, and two winged animals. There is also a
serpent suspended alone the left edge.

For more information , please visit, Wheel of Fortune.

Justice #11

A man wearing a red robe is seated between two stone pillars. He has a
golden crown. In his right hand, he holds a sword pointing upward. In
the left, a balance scale made of gold which represents a balanced
decision.

Please visit,Justice , to learn more.

The Hanged Man #12

A man with a halo burning brightly around his head is hanging upside down
by his ankles. It is said that he was not placed there for punishment
or persecution, but by his own accord. He is shown hanging from a
wooden cross with leaves growing from to the top.

From his 1910 book,The Pictorial Key to the Tarot, A. E. Waite,..

" The gallows from which he is suspended forms a Tau cross, while the
figure from the position of the legs forms a fylfot cross. There is a
nimbus about the head of the seeming martyr. It should be noted (1) that
the tree of sacrifice is living wood, with leaves thereon; (2) that the
face expresses deep entrancement, not suffering; (3) that the figure, as
a whole, suggests life in suspension, but life and not death. [...] It
has been called falsely a card of martyrdom, a card of prudence, a card
of
the Great Work, a card of duty [...] I will say very simply on my
own part that it expresses the relation, in one of its aspects, between
the Divine and the Universe. "

For more information , please visit, The Hanged Man.

Death #13

The Grim Reaper is riding a horse through a field littered with the dead
bodies of women, children and religious figures. He is helmeted with a
skull depicted under his helmet. He is carrying a black standard
emblazoned with a white rose. A setting sun is shown between two towers.

This represents not a physical death, but a transition from an old way of
thinking to a new way. It can also be seen as an end to a relationship or
interest, and therefore an increased sense of self-awareness.

Please visit,Death , to learn more.

Temperance #14

A female angel is standing with her right foot in water and her left foot
on the land. She has large wings attached to her body and a bright golden
on her head. With her left hand, she pours liquid from one receptacle to
another. Historically, this action represents the symbol of virtue
temperance, one of the cardinal virtues. It is the dilution of wine with
water. At the end of a path there is a crown that shows the attainment of
a goal or some sort of mastery.

This card represents economy, moderation, frugality, and accommodation.

For more information , please visit, Temperance.

The Devil #15

The devil is shown with a naked man and woman with chains around their
necks. He has ram horns growing from his head and a five pointed star
inscribed over his forehead. He also has bat wings and in his left hand
he is holding a lit torch.

This card represents ravage, violence, vehemence, force, fatality, and
that which is predestined but for not for this reason evil.

For more information , please visit, The Devil.

The Tower #16

There are two people falling from a burning and exploding tower. It has
A golden crown that is being blown off of it. The tower sits on a high
mountain precipice. There is a lightning bolt striking the top.

This card is associated with sudden and disruptive revelation and
potentially destructive change. In Astrology, it is associated with the
planet Mars. It represents misery, distress, indigence, adversity, ruin,
disgrace and calamity.

Please visit,The Tower , to learn more.

The Star #17

A naked woman is shown kneeling by a pool of water. One foot is in the water
the other is resting on the land. Above her head is a large Star with seven
smaller stars shining. The Star represents her core essence, while the seven
others are her chakras.

For more information , please visit, The Star.

The Moon #18

It is night, with a large ominous Moon shining down upon a scene with two
large pillars and a wolf and a domesticated dog howling. There is a crayfish
emerging from the water. The Moon has sixteen chief and sixteen secondary
rays emanating from its body.

Please visit,The Moon , to learn more.

The Sun #19

The child of life is holding a red flag. This flag is symbolic of the
blood of renewal. The image of a giant smiling Sun is smiling down above
him. The Sun, here ,represents accomplishment.The conscious mind prevails
over the illusions and fears of the subconscious.

For more information , please visit, The Sun.

Judgement #20

An angel is blowing a great trumpet above a scene from the Christian
imagery of the Last Judgment. In this scene are images of a man a woman
and a child, all with arms spread, looking up at the angel.

Please visit,Judgement , to learn more.

The World #21

A naked woman is dancing above the Earth. She is holding a staff in each
hand and is being observed by the four living creatures of Jewish
mythology, an eagle, an ox, a man, and a lion.

For more information , please visit, The World.