Understanding Of The Tarot

• Major Arcana & Minor Arcana
• The Major Arcana (Trump Cards) & Key Terms

• The Major Arcana, translated into “big secrets”, consist of archetypal and karmic themes:

• 1. The Fool
  2. The Magician
  3. The High Priestess
  4. The Empress
  5. The Emperor
  6. The Hierophant
  7. The Lovers
  8. The Chariot
  9. Strength
  10. The Hermit
  11. Wheel of Fortune
  12. Justice
  13. The Hanged Man
  14. Death
  15. Temperance
  16. The Devil
  17. The Tower
  18. The Star
  19. The Moon
  20. The Sun
  21. Judgment
  22. The World
• The Minor Arcana

Unlike the Major Arcana, these cards represent and detail various aspects of constant being, hence its origins ‘little secrets’:

1. 1. The Suit Of Cups
   2. The Suit Of Swords
   3. The Suit Of Wands
   4. The Suit Of Pentacles

The Major Arcana

The Major Arcana, translated into “big secrets”, consist of archetypal and karmic themes. These cards exhibit the universal influences that each soul encounters in this path to awareness. Further, these archetypal influences provide knowledge imperative to life’s journey and enclose akashic wisdom for all to access.

As the themes of the card are expressed in a cyclical nature, the energy of Major Arcana cards have a long term effect in life. And usually determines particular outcomes and karmic lessons. Twenty- two cards in total, The Major Arcana otherwise known as Trump cards, arrange from 0 (The Fool) and close with 21 (The World).

At ground zero of The Major Arcana is the notorious character the Fool. This character journey’s through the themes of each card on the pursuit to elevation self. Achieving wisdom of life with the help of mentors along the way, the Fool concludes his journey with the World card. In addition, this plot, also known as the Fool’s journey, gives an advantage when interpreting tarot cards of The Major Arcana.

The Major Arcana (Trump Cards) & Key Terms:

1. The Fool

   Upright Card Positioning:

   • Innocence
   • Carefree
   • Birth
   • Simple
   • Inexperience
   • Faith

   Reversed Card Positioning:

   • Gullible
   • Impulsive
   • Self- centered
   • Careless

2. The Magician

   Upright Card Positioning

   • Manifestation
   • Imagination
   • Ambition
   • Self- discipline

   Reversed Card Positioning

   • Manipulation
   • Arrogance
   • Deception

3. The High Priestess

   Upright Card Positioning:

   • Intuition
   • Subconscious
   • Divine feminine

   Reversed Card Positioning:

   • Secretive
   • Withdrawn
   • Detached

4. The Empress

   Upright Card Positioning:

   • Naturer
   • Mother archetype
   • Fertility

   Reversed Card Positioning:

   • Imbalance
   • Susceptibility
   • Intrusiveness

5. The Emperor

   Upright Card Positioning:

   • Fatherhood
   • Domination
   • Government

   Reversed Card Positioning:

   • Cruelty
   • Addiction
   • Obstinance
   • Toxicity

6. The Hierophant

   Upright Card Positioning:

   • Tradition
   • Obedience
   • Community
   • Practicality
   • Grounded

   Reversed Card Positioning:

   • Stubborn
   • Rigid
   • Metathesiophobia
   • Rebellion

7. The Lovers

   Upright Card Positioning:

   • Harmony
   • Duality
   • Companionship

   Reversed Card Positioning:

   • Imbalance
   • Greed
   • Double standards

8. The Chariot

   Upright Card Positioning:

   • Leadership
   • Self- reliance
   • Unity
   • Ambition
   • Victory

   Reversed Card Positioning:

   • Brutality
   • Aimlessness
   • Immorality
   • Cowardice

9. Strength

   Upright Card Positioning:

   • Grace
   • Passion
   • Power
   • Fortitude

   Reversed Card Positioning:

   • Doubt
   • Vulnerability
   • Disinterest

10. The Hermit

    Upright Card Positioning:

    • Solitude
    • Meditation
    • Organization
    • Wisdom

    Reversed Card Positioning:

    • Frustration
    • Anti- Socialism
    • Isolation
    • Loneliness

11. Wheel Of Fortune

    Upright Card Positioning:

    • Change
    • Abundance
    • Cycles

    Reversed Card Positioning:

    • Stringent
    • Misfortune
    • Delays

12. Justice

    Upright Card Positioning:

    • Truth
    • Transparency
    • Karma
    • Natural Law
    • Integrity
    • Fairness
    • Balance
    • Logic

    Reversed Card Positioning:

    • Injustice
    • Dishonesty
    • Consequence
    • Corruption
    • Retribution
    • Emotion

13. The Hanged Man

    Upright Card Positioning:

    • Atonement
    • Empathy
    • Consideration
    • Mindset

    Reversed Card Positioning:

    • Stagnation
    • Impasse
    • Cavalier

14. Death

    Upright Card Positioning:

    • New beginnings
    • Evolution
    • Change

    Reversed Card Positioning:

    • Inflexibility
    • Anxiety

15. Temperance

    Upright Card Positioning:

    • Self- control
    • Purpose
    • Centered

    Reversed Card Positioning:

    • Inflexibility
    • Fear
    • Anxiety

16. The Devil

    Upright Card Positioning:

    • Good nature
    • Obsession
    • Wordly

    Reversed Card Positioning:

    • Independence
    • Restoration
    • Discipline

17. The Tower

    Upright Card Positioning:

    • Calamity
    • Unforeseen disaster
    • Ego
    • Revelation

    Reversed Card Positioning:

    • Illusion
    • Hypocrisy
    • Back Peddling

18. The Star

    Upright Card Positioning:

    • Aspiration
    • Revival

    Reversed Card Positioning:

    • Self- doubt
    • Pessimism

19. The Moon

    Upright Card Positioning:

    • Instinct
    • Deception
    • Clairvoyance

    Reversed Card Positioning:

    • Bewilderment
    • Dismay
    • Misjudgement

20. The Sun

    Upright Card Positioning:

    • Positivity
    • Achievement
    • Jubilation

    Reversed Card Positioning:

    • Misery
    • Defeat
    • Negativity

21. Judgment

    Upright Card Positioning:

    • Rebirth
    • Deliberation
    • Expansion

    Reversed Card Positioning:

    • Hindered
    • Dubious
    • Asinine

22. The World

    Upright Card Positioning:

    • Gratification
    • Oneness
    • Realization

    Reversed Card Positioning:

    • Unfulfillment
    • Uncertainty
    • Stagnation

The Minor Arcana

Unlike the Major Arcana, these cards represent and detail various aspects of constant being, hence its origins ‘little secrets’. Essentially, these cards hold crucial advice on how to maneuver through regular human experience. Naturally, when interpreted, one can gain considerable knowledge of challenges faced and budding opportunities. Moreover, wisdom on how to optimize talents and even insights into your personality traits.

Truly, our life’s experience is reflected within these cards from The Minor Arcana, and can provide insight on what’s happening currently and advise on how to embody your intentions for the ideal life. With that being said, these cards have limited and short- term control, symbolizing a constant movement throughout your life that is subject to change dependent on choices made.
Of course, the cards’ interpretation relies on a number of factors. Determinants include the relation of other cards in the tarot spread and your intentions for the cards, among other things.

As briefly mentioned the suits that encompass The Minor Arcana are Cups, Swords, Wands and Pentacles. Individually, a suit masters each of the elements:

1. Cups- Water
2. Swords- Air
3. Wands- Fire
4. Pentacles- Earth

As each of these elements are linked to or can be used to define characters or an individual’s temperament, descriptions similar to “grounded” (linked to Earth element) or “passionate”/ “aggressive” (linked to Fire element), are often depicted in these suits.

The Suit Of Cups

This suit is linked to love, relationships and creativity. Basically, this suit dives into emotional parts of the subconscious, relying on our intuition to reveal the answers needed to navigate these matters. As a consequence of being associated with the element of water, this suit highlights feminine energy- ruling with the heart over the logic of the mind.
Since water is a feminine element, this suit focuses on agility, the fluidity of emotions and feelings. Water also represents healing, cleansing or renewal and intuition. As a result, Cups symbolize the innate nature of feminine energy- agile, flowing, wholesome and welcoming, the sophisticated power that dwells within each woman.

When Cups cards show up in a tarot reading, usually it relates to persons who are born under a water Sun sign (Pisces, Scorpio and Cancer). Being so connected to the emotional part of themselves, Cups people are often artistic, creative and use their emotions as their driving force. Thus, Cups cards in a Tarot reading represent the spontaneity of the heart dominating the logical reason of the mind. Further, how this influences the instinctual response of Cups persons during circumstances faced.

Naturally, being sensitive to feelings and emotions can include adverse facets. Losing control and being overruled by emotions, even fantasizing of possible events instead of taking note of reality are negatives that can affect water signs. This signals creativity blocks and unexpressed emotions. In essence, should a tarot reading reveal mainly Cups, then issues of emotional conflicts, romance and creativity are up in the balance to be resolved.

The Suit Of Swords

In comparison to the previous suit of cards, Swords cards are responsible for revealing the psychological aspects of our consciousness. This suit symbolizes courage, ambition, conflict and power. Having been ruled by the masculine element Air, Swords cards in comparison to Cups cards exude masculinity. Whereas feminine energy is receptive and emotional, masculine energy is precise and rational.

This suit further relates to knowledge, action, power and change. Symbolizing intellect and power, Swords reflect the condition of the mind and how it influences livelihood. Specifically, thoughts, character and beliefs and to what degree they are brought to the world.
Being invisible and constantly moving, air is both still and gentle with the ability to transform into a brutal force of wind. As such, the element Air can harbor both destructive and constructive qualities. This significance demonstrates the duality of this element and how this powerful force can be used negatively or positively.

Mental abuse, aggression, apathy and discrimination manifests negatively for the Suit of Swords. Be cautious, and balance this energy with spirit and feeling for aligned outcomes. Normally, when Swords Tarot cards are present in a reading, they refer to persons who were born of the sign Air from the Babylonian Zodiac (Libra, Gemini and Aquarius).

Air star signs are usually intellectuals, possessing logical and rational minds. This, combined with their considerate and astute nature, make having an association with these star signs a great asset in endeavors. However, it should be said that the fickle essence of Air embodies unfavorable habits in this star sign. Like Mr. Hyde to Dr. Jekyll these negative traits show in the form of cruelty, arrogance, antagonism and inflexibility.

Be Observant

Tarot readings consisting chiefly of Swords cards express dilemmas concerning conflicts and struggles of the mind. Beware of your surroundings, a lot is happening that needs to be observed. Also, there are tensions arising that need to be settled. Proceed with caution as violent arguments can erupt suddenly.

The Suit Of Wands

Tarot cards belonging to the Suit of Wands convey everything primordial. As primal as original thought, the seed which brought forth all life, this suit harnesses divine energy. Strength, determination and ambition are also associated with Wands cards. Just like original thought, Wands call on you to expand, they inspire creativity and intuition.

Controlled by the masculinity of Fire, Wands also reflect the passionate, wild and hot energy of its ruling element. As such, Fire continues to convey enthusiasm, sexuality and willpower of the divine masculine energy. With its unpredictable, wild and passionate nature, Fire is as destructive as it is life giving. Its useful and creative nature is shown in the preparation of food or the construction of tools. But given a subsequent change of nature, this force of life can eradicate life with flames of devastation.

As Wands are linked to spirituality and higher consciousness, the interpretations of this suit fixate on matters of personality and ego, essentially your motivation for being. How yourself is conceptualized and what energy is used to convey that both internally and externally. This suit is known to have adverse traits such as arrogance, feelings of worthlessness and low self- confidence.

Corresponding with this suit’s ruling element Fire, persons with this star sign are singled out when Wands tarot cards appear in a reading. These Fire signs present alluring, spiritual and tender personalities. Subsequently, regard these Court Cards thoroughly, as they give insight into what drives you. These cards hold the wisdom of deeply connecting to your aspirations.

The Suit Of Pentacles

Influenced by the feminine energy of Earth, the Suit of Pentacles depict the physical/material facets of the conscious state of mind. These physical aspects include wellness, career and finances. Pentacles cards focus on manifestation, specifically what energy we wield to manifest our material worlds. Justly, this is precisely why this suit also governs self- assurance and character.
As a result of being binded by the material and grounding energy of Earth, Pentacles maintain those tangible elements of human life.

Career, money, property and other earthly possessions and the state of those affairs can be revealed within these Pentacle cards. When Pentacle tarot cards are revealed in a tarot reading, they can have positive attributes such as material abundance and wealth.

On the other hand, some negative attributes of these cards include greed and possessiveness. Beware of over- indulgent and object- oriented behavior as these self- destructive tendencies can inhibit the growth in your life. It is vital to maintain a balanced and grounded nature where these matters are concerned in order to manifest in alignment with oneself and combat the negative habits associated with this suit.

Evidently, further influenced by Earth’s energy, these Court cards spotlight the cosmic Earth signs Taurus, Virgo and Capricorn. Pentacles cards highlight persons associated with you that bear those Zodiac signs upon their birth. As a testament to their ruling element, Earth signs possess pragmatic and charitable personas. Often partaking in the pleasure of the senses, Earth signs also thrive in the material world and such experiences.

Naturally, when Pentacles show up in readings, matters of material assets or money need to be resolved. There may be upheaval in your career path or even your business so take heed.

Understanding The Major & Minor Arcana

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