Major Arcana Tarot Card Meanings

The Major Arcana Tarot cards (also known as the trump cards) form the foundation of the Tarot deck and consists of twenty-one numbered cards and one unnumbered card (the Fool).

They represent a path to spiritual self-awareness and depict the various stages we encounter as we search for greater meaning and understanding. In this way, they hold deeply meaningful lessons.

The Major Arcana Tarot card meanings illustrate the structure of human consciousness and, as such, hold the keys to life lessons passed down through the ages. The imagery of the Major Arcana Tarot cards is filled with wisdom from multiple cultures and esoteric traditions, including the Egyptian, Buddhist, Hindu, Sufi, Hebrew and Christian religions.

In his book Pocket Guide to Tarot, Alan Oken suggests that the twenty-two Major Arcana cards are like the mandalas of the Tarot. Mandalas are detailed images painted onto canvas and used as spiritual study and meditation aids by the Tibetans.

Therefore it is important to study the images of the Major Arcana cards and contemplate their messages. Look beyond the simple keywords and traditional Tarot card meanings, and seek out your own personal meanings of these significant cards. The more you understand about their symbolism, the deeper your understanding of what they represent.

The Major Arcana cards can also represent Carl Jung’s archetypes – consistent, directing patterns of influence that are an inherent part of human nature. They are themes which mark, portray and symbolise stages in our psyche whereby we aim to become a balanced and integrated person. Along this journey, we encounter challenges, face adversity, perform labours, make hard decisions and fight opposing forces. Each step of the way brings us closer to enlightenment. This is often referred to as the journey of the Fool.

Major Arcana Cards in a Tarot Reading

When a Tarot reading is predominantly made up of Major Arcana Tarot cards, the client is experiencing life-changing events which will have long-term influences. There are important lessons which the client must pay attention to in order to progress further in their spiritual and personal quest.

If many of the Major Arcana Tarot cards are reversed, however, it is indicative that the client is not paying attention to these important life lessons and must return to the lesson of the previous card before moving forward.

Major Arcana Tarot Spreads

It is possible to conduct a Tarot reading only using the twenty-two Major Arcana cards. This method is typically used for Tarot readings relating to spiritual self-awareness or where you require deep insight from the collective unconscious.

Major Arcana Tarot Card Meanings

Click on each Major Arcana Tarot card below to find out more about its Tarot card meaning, including the upright and reversed Tarot card meanings.

Tarot Card	Keywords	Tarot Card	Keywords
Fool	Upright: Beginnings, innocence, spontaneity, a free spirit Reversed: Naivety, foolishness, recklessness, risk-taking	Magician	Upright: Power, skill, concentration, action, resourcefulness Reversed: Manipulation, poor planning, latent talents
High Priestess	Upright: Intuition, Higher powers, mystery, subconscious mind Reversed: Hidden agendas, need to listen to inner voice	Empress	Upright: Fertility, femininity, beauty, nature, abundance Reversed: Creative block, dependence on others
Emperor	Upright: Authority, father-figure, structure, solid foundation Reversed: Domination, excessive control, rigidity, inflexibility	Hierophant	Upright: Religion, group identification, conformity, tradition, beliefs Reversed: Restriction, challenging the status quo
Lovers	Upright: Love, union, relationships, values alignment, choices Reversed: Disharmony, imbalance, misalignment of values	Chariot	Upright: Control, will power, victory, assertion, determination Reversed: Lack of control and direction, aggression
Strength	Upright: Strength, courage, patience, control, compassion Reversed: Weakness, self-doubt, lack of self-discipline	Hermit	Upright: Soul-searching, introspection, being alone, inner guidance Reversed: Isolation, loneliness, withdrawal
Wheel of Fortune	Upright: Good luck, karma, life cycles, destiny, a turning point Reversed: Bad luck, negative external forces, out of control	Justice	Upright: Justice, fairness, truth, cause and effect, law Reversed: Unfairness, lack of accountability, dishonesty
Hanged Man	Upright: Suspension, restriction, letting go, sacrifice Reversed: Martyrdom, indecision, delay	Death	Upright: Endings, beginnings, change, transformation, transition Reversed: Resistance to change, unable to move on
Temperance	Upright: Balance, moderation, patience, purpose, meaning Reversed: Imbalance, excess, lack of long-term vision	Devil	Upright: Bondage, addiction, sexuality, materialism Reversed: Detachment, breaking free, power reclaimed
Tower	Upright: Disaster, upheaval, sudden change, revelation Reversed: Avoidance of disaster, fear of change	Star	Upright: Hope, spirituality, renewal, inspiration, serenity Reversed: Lack of faith, despair, discouragement
Moon	Upright: Illusion, fear, anxiety, insecurity, subconscious Reversed: Release of fear, unhappiness, confusion	Sun	Upright: Fun, warmth, success, positivity, vitality Reversed: Temporary depression, lack of success
Judgement	Upright: Judgement, rebirth, inner calling, absolution Reversed: Self-doubt, refusal of self-examination	World	Upright: Completion, integration, accomplishment, travel Reversed: Lack of completion, lack of closure

Learn more about the Major Arcana Tarot card meanings, including what each card means in a career, work, finance, relationship, spiritual or health reading, in my latest Tarot Guide The Ultimate Guide to Tarot Card Meanings. This comprehensive 330+ page Guide has everything you need to know about the Tarot card meanings and much more.