Even if you’ve never read tarot before, you may have heard of cards such as the Lovers, the Chariot, the World or the High Priestess, just to name a few. These cards are often the more recognized part of tarot and are part of the Major Arcana.

The Major Arcana is made up of the first 22 cards in a tarot deck, often signifying big changes or important messages. The rest of the 56 cards in the deck fall into the Minor Arcana, which is separated into suits and often resembles a deck of normal playing cards.

Although all cards have important messages, the cards of the Major Arcana often represent changes on a larger scale, such as a new love interest, a new spiritual path, or a large challenge coming into your life.

The Major Arcana begins with the fool, which is the very first card in the deck, and continues until the world card. These cards portray a story of challenges and celebration, the ups and downs, similar to the story of our own lives.

The Fool (0)

The Fool represents the very first steps of a brand-new journey. This stage is often unplanned, with a simple desire or inspiration, though not much preparation has been done.

The fool is driven by passion, with not much of a plan but a strong desire in his heart. Although he doesn’t have much knowledge at the beginning, he is eager to learn and acquire new information.

Oftentimes the fool is a symbol ‘to take a leap’ and ‘go for it.’ This card reminds you to be in a state of joy, experiencing the world with childlike wonder as you take your first steps on your journey. It is also encouragement to be like the fool, who is fearless and adventurous as he embarks on his new voyage.

 The Magician (I)

The Magician is a powerful being who has the ability to turn his thoughts and desires into physical reality, and this card often encourages you to do the same.

The Magician represents having all the tools and knowledge you need in order to create the life you desire. It shows the ability to manifest with ease and overcome any obstacle with the tools currently at your disposal.

When this card appears, take it as a clear sign that you already have everything you need to create the life you desire.

The High Priestess (II)

The High Priestess symbolizes intuition and guidance from your inner self. Rather than listening to outside opinions and suggestions, this card encourages you to look within for answers.

The High Priestess is very powerful, showing her deep involvement with the spiritual side of life. She has much experience in anything related to spirituality and often represents the connection between you and your inner guidance, reminding you that all the answers you need are within you.

The Empress (III)

The Empress represents feminine and creative energy. She is often shown as a motherly figure and is deeply knowledgeable in taking care of others.

Similar to the Magician, this card also suggests the ability to manifest your desires into your life. With her overflowing creativity, the Empress represents easy flow between your creative power and connection to the earth in order to bring your desires into physical reality.

She also represents self-care, reminding you that even though it’s important to nurture others, it’s equally important to nurture yourself.

The Emperor (IV)

The Emperor represents rules and order. He symbolizes masculine energy and is often pictured as sitting upon a throne. This represents stability and the ability to overcome obstacles with a calm and calculating mind. The Emperor doesn’t allow emotions to cloud his judgement and rules with facts and organized thinking.

This card often reminds you to be confident in yourself and to step up as a leader. It also encourages you to adopt more structure and order into your life so you may begin to see things more clearly.

The Hierophant (V)

The Hierophant is a card of learning and teaching. This card often represents challenges placed in your life with the intent of helping you to learn and grow. This can sometimes be a karmic lesson or something that must be overcome in order to help you to evolve and expand.

The Hierophant also represents a wise teacher, either yourself or someone around you who is deeply knowledgeable in the spiritual aspects of life. Pulling this card can be an indication that a teacher may appear in your life to help lead and guide you.

The Lovers (VI)

The Lovers card represents love and connection in all forms, from platonic or romantic love to self-love and acceptance.

When this card appears in a reading, it may be a sign to pay more attention to your relationships, or it could be a heads up for a new person appearing into your life.

The Lovers card also suggests filling yourself with love and finding a way to nurture and care for yourself. Keeping your heart open to love could also be an underlying message in this card, encouraging you to break down your walls and be vulnerable with yourself and others. 

The Chariot (VII)

The Chariot is a card of movement and drive. It represents fast-paced movement and willpower. When this card appears in a reading, it is often a sign of commitment and determination, encouraging you to keep going even when all things seem lost. It is also a reminder that even when you feel discouraged and exhausted, your success is waiting for you.

The Chariot card also urges you to celebrate your accomplishments in order to find the motivation to keep going. 

Strength (VIII)

The Strength card is pretty self-explanatory. It represents both inner and outer strength and the courage to pursue your dreams. When this card shows up in a reading, it may be a sign to trust yourself and your power as well as to follow your passion and desires.

This card also represents the need to protect yourself and take control of any chaotic situations that may appear in your life.

The Hermit (IX)

The Hermit represents the spiritual side of life. Much like the High Priestess, this card encourages you to look within yourself for answers.

This card may indicate a time in your life where there is a need to go into ‘hermit mode’ and take some time to discover things about yourself. This card symbolizes the importance of retreating from fast-paced everyday life and encourages meditation and rest.

Wheel of Fortune (X)

The Wheel of Fortune represents change. This change can be positive or negative, but happens quite rapidly and often in an unexpected way.

This card reminds you to be grateful for every moment of your life and to not take anything for granted, because you’ll never know when the universe might decide to switch things up.

It can also offer encouragement when you’re going through a difficult time and can represent movement after a period of stagnation.

Justice (XI)

Justice is a card about fairness and balance. This card often represents finding balance in yourself, and is often a reminder that what goes around comes around.

This card can symbolize karma, either your own or for others, and reminds you that the universe sees everything and is always working to bring everything back into balance.

Justice is also a card of trusting your inner wisdom. When faced with difficult choices, Justice reminds you to look within to find the best path for you.

The Hanged Man (XII)

The Hanged man represents a state of pause and meditation. If you’re going through a difficult time, pulling this card is often a reminder to pull back from a situation and view it from a different perspective in order to see the full picture.

This card often represents taking a break and resting for a bit before coming back to your projects with a fresh view.

Death (XIII)

The Death card isn’t nearly as scary as people often think. This card often represents an ending to something in your life, whether a job, a relationship, or a situation, and promises new beginnings once the old has died away.

This card rarely means physical death and more often talks about letting go of something which is no longer serving in order to allow space for more positive things to appear in your life.

Temperance (XIV)

Temperance is a card of healing and balance after a rough chapter of your life. This card often encourages you to be gentle with yourself and allow yourself the time and space to heal. This is also a card of patience, reminding you that even if things don’t seem to be moving at the speed you would like, all things are moving in the perfect timing of the universe.

The Devil (XV)

The Devil often represents addictions and unhealthy habits which may feel good at first but are ultimately hurting you. This could be anything, from drinking and smoking, to overindulging in ice-cream or spending too much time on social media.

This card also represents the ability to break free whenever you desire. There is no one holding you captive except yourself and this card encourages you to break free of these harmful habits in order to live a more peaceful and fulfilled life.

The Tower (XVI)

The Tower card often represents destruction and change. This change usually happens suddenly and unexpectedly, causing the structure in your life to crumble.

This can sometimes be a painful change, though it’s ultimately better for you in the long run. For example, this change could be the end of a relationship, job or situation.  

Although it may be difficult at the time, this change is ultimately helping you to begin anew so more positive and uplifting experiences may appear in your life.

The Star (XVII)

The Star card appears directly after the destruction of the tower and often represents the time after a large shift has occurred.

This card is much more light-hearted and represents hopes and dreams. It also encourages you to hold onto hope and to ‘wish upon a star’, reminding you to work with the universe in order to manifest your dreams and desires.

This is also a card of balance and self-reflection, taking time to look at the deepest parts of yourself so you may begin to heal.

The Moon (XVIII)

The Moon represents intuition as well as the darker parts of your soul. This card often encourages you to get back in tune with your intuition and to engage in Shadow Work.

Shadow work is the process of evaluating the deepest, darkest parts of yourself in order to heal and grow. This process can be painful but is ultimately helping you to live a more peaceful and joyful life.

The Moon card also represents emotions and the need to allow yourself to feel whatever comes up, whether it be joy or sorrow, it encourages you to be present and patient with whatever emotions you may feel.

The Sun (XIX)

The Sun represents joyful, childlike energy. This card reminds you to look on the brighter side of life and often appears after a difficult time. It also encourages you to take a break from pushing yourself so hard and find a balance between work and play.

This card represents the importance of celebrating and honoring your child-like self in order to live a more joyful and fulfilling life.

Judgement (XX)

Judgement is a card about rebirth and spiritual growth. This card often represents your soul’s calling and encourages you to follow it with faith and trust. It also symbolizes the time after a period of rest, when you are ready to being exploring and experimenting with life once again.

This card also represents soul growth and expansion and could suggest a new spiritual path opening up for you, helping you to grow and evolve.

The World (XXI)

The world is the last card in the Major Arcana and symbolizes completion. This card often represents the circle of life and the celebration after a difficult journey.

The world card encourages you to enjoy the fruits of your labor and express gratitude for life. When this card appears, take some time to celebrate, you’ve earned it.