The Major Arcana Tarot Cards Explained

When you're reading about tarot cards you may come across the term “The Fool's Journey”. This is a metaphor for our, a human's, life cycle. We all start our lives young, with energy, with hope, with great expectations.

You can see that reflected in the card. The upturned face, the look of joy, the character is embarking on a journey with his faithful companion and all the world lies at his feet. When you're starting out life is full of possibilities.

0. The Fool

The Fool begins our journey, numbered at 0. Key meanings include new beginnings, youthful exuberance, excitement, innocence, spontaneity, and its namesake of foolishness. It's a happy and optimistic card with lack of fear. Read more about The Fool here.

1. The Magician

The Magician represents the potential of all things. This is where you'll be making something from nothing. Willpower and perseverance, logic, ability, and intellect all play a roll in the manifestation of one's goals. Read more about The Magician here.

2. The High Priestess

The High Priestess illuminates our quest for knowledge. She embodies deep secrets and ancient wisdom. She speaks strongly to using your intuition and trusting your gut. She will help you see through facades and discern reality. Read more about The High Priestess here.

3. The Empress

The Empress identifies with femininity almost exclusively. She signals fertility, motherhood, strength in the home, fondness for family, and nurturing. She's also a particularly positive card in regards to prosperity and abundance. Read more about The Empress here.

4. The Emperor

The Emperor signifies patriarchal strength, stability, and dependability. This is a strong male figure who is in control, and who sometimes maintains that control by extremely regimented means. Protection is evident, also. Definitely a symbol of strength. Read more about The Emperor here.

5. The Hierophant

The Hierophant is also known as “The High Priest” card and emphasizes tradition. Here's where you will see traditional beliefs, traditional values, traditional gender roles, and traditional behaviors come up. There is emphasis on conformity and living a strict lifestyle or by a strict moral code. Read more about The Hierophant here.

11. Justice

Everybody likes the Justice card because it means the scales will be balanced. People who do good will receive rewards and people who do evil will receive punishment. It's a good lesson in cause and effect and gives hope to those struggling with circumstances beyond their control. Read more about Justice here.

12. The Hanged Man

The Hanged Man is famously known for its embodiment of being at a crossroads in life. When one feels trapped it generally requires letting go of the past in order to move into the future. However, this is easier said than done. Uncertainty is usually evident, too. Read more about The Hanged Man here.

13. Death

The Death card is probably the most feared in the whole tarot deck. This Major Arcana card virtually never means physical death. It does mean big changes, though, and often they are sudden and unexpected. This card can leave you feeling a great sense of upheaval. Read more about Death here.

14. Temperance

Temperance reminds us that patience is a virtue. While big changes can take time, it is to our benefit that we proceed with patience and inner peace. By doing so we can maintain balance in our lives and live a harmonious existence even as circumstances may be difficult. Read more about Temperance here.

15. The Devil

The Devil is basically the counterbalance to Temperance. It represents temptation, materialism, addiction, and obsession (and the sense of helplessness that occurs with those feelings). It reminds us that all things in life have a cost, and for some the price is quite great. Read more about The Devil here.

16. The Tower

This card is actually more “doom and gloom” than the Death card. This is truly the most negatively foreboding card in the deck. The Tower foreshadows great calamities, great upheavals in life that are usually caused by traumatic events, and, basically, the break down of your current situation. You have no choice but to try and survive the fallout. Read more about The Tower here.