Major Arcana
Major Arcana is the 22 cards numbered 0-21 forming the core group of the tarot deck. They represent life's major turning points, spiritual transformations, and archetypal forces. The journey from The Fool (0) to The World (21) is known as 'The Fool's Journey'.
What is Major Arcana?
The Major Arcana is the group of 22 cards numbered 0 to 21 in the 78-card tarot deck; the other 56 cards make up the Minor Arcana. Running from The Fool (0) to The World (21), these cards include The Magician, The High Priestess, The Lovers, Death, The Tower and The Star. While the Minor Arcana describes everyday events, the Major Arcana symbolises life's big lessons, turning points and lasting themes. So a spread with many Major Arcana cards is read as a sign that the matter holds an important place in the person's life. The order of the cards is also told as the Fool's Journey. Decks differ slightly: in the Rider-Waite-Smith deck Strength is 8 and Justice 11, while the Tarot de Marseille swaps them. A common misconception is that the Death card predicts physical death; in traditional reading it describes the close of a chapter and transformation. You can see how the Major Arcana is read for your question with a tarot reading on Faltastik.
Related Terms
Minor Arcana
The 56-card group in the tarot deck, divided into four suits (Wands, Cups, Swords, Pentacles). They reflect daily life events, practical situations, and personal experiences.
Suit of Wands
The suit representing the Fire element. Associated with creativity, passion, willpower, entrepreneurship, and spiritual energy. Consists of 14 cards from Ace to King.
Suit of Cups
The suit representing the Water element. Connected to emotions, relationships, intuition, imagination, and spiritual depth. Provides insight about love and emotional states.
Suit of Swords
The suit representing the Air element. Associated with mental processes, communication, conflict, decision-making, and intellectual challenges. Symbolizes sharp truths and logical thinking.
Suit of Pentacles
The suit representing the Earth element. Deals with the material world, finances, career, health, and physical security. Provides guidance on practical success and material abundance.
Court Cards
The Page, Knight, Queen, and King cards in each suit. They typically represent people or personality traits. The 16 court cards can reflect those around you or aspects of yourself.