What is the Major Arcana in Tarot?

The Major Arcana is made up of 22 Tarot cards. Each card is illustrated with symbols or pictures that depict experiences that we may have had in the past, are now having, or will have in the future. In a reading, the Major Arcana cards depict the greater events in our lives, showing us the main themes and pathways.

Tarot Readings by Christine O'Neill are available at the Guiding Light Centre in Barry, South Wales. The Centre also offers a wide range of training courses for those wishing to learn more about Tarot cards, or for those who would like to improve upon their existing skills.

The Tarot pack shown here is the Rider Waite deck.

The Fool

The Fool is the first card of a pack of Tarot. It is representative of new beginnings in a person's life; a new job; a new course/training; a new business or venture; a new relationship, or plans for a birth.

Reversed

Slow down. Don't make decisions hastily. Take your time, stop and think. Something is too good to be true.

The Magician

A new cycle is beginning. Self motivation is coming in, particularly self reliance, being flexible, and the ability to choose their own actions and being responsible for their own actions. This card has all four symbols of the minor tarot pack, this is representative that the Sitter has everything around him at that moment in time to succeed.

Reversed

Someone is going to do too much, or is coming up with an idea that really is too good to be true.

The High Priestess

The Sitter is going through a learning curve in his life. It is time to unlock that knowledge which is within and learn to believe in what we feel and know.

Reversed

May indicate that the Sitter is becoming too deeply engrossed in religion. Becoming very selfish, very impatient and the impatience can sometimes lead to outbursts of temper, stubbornness.

The Empress

Love, spring, new beginnings. The creative urge is around; a desire to create. Life is for living, expansion.very feminine.

Reversed

Aiming too high; becoming too possessive in a relationship; wanting to control changes.

The Emperor

This card may represent someone who stands for authority, either the Sitter himself or someone else in his life. May be representative of dealings with the taxman, accountant, solicitors.

Reversed

If it's a judge, then there will be harshness.

The Hierophant

A period of learning, this card usually relates to a teacher or someone wanting to teach. Can also symbolise a marriage or some form of wedding.

Reversed

Someone is becoming too self-assured and too conceited, or too kind-hearted for their own good.

The Lovers

Relationships, maybe a new relationship that's coming into a person's life and taking off. Also emphatic of teamwork and harmony.

Reversed

Going over the top, or being a little too airy and fairy about things.

The Chariot

The Sitter is coming into a time when they will want feel more in control of his or her life - not feeling so black and white about life.

Reversed

There is an inability to take responsibility for their actions, a trying to hold to the regime, too much control over themselves and others.

Strength

It is a time for putting communications to good use. In a relationship, a sense of commitment in some way.

Reversed

Becoming bossy and lazy; or perhaps becoming too sanctimonious about things.

Hermit

Indicative of deep inward thinking. Making decisions in a relationship or going on to a higher level of education.

Reversed

Suffering from anxiety because of self imposed pressure.

The Wheel Of Fortune

Opportunities are around. The Wheel of Fortune is slowly turning; opportunities present themselves; perhaps a job, or with a house.

Reversed

Delaying too long in making decisions and missing a chance.

Justice

Dealings with the law in some way: perhaps a court situation, solicitors, police. Or may be someone is going to court and there will be a court case.

Reversed

A sense of injustice somewhere, or dealings with the law that could be long and painful.

The Hanged Man

Patience. Try to cultivate patience, because it will pay off.

Reversed

Being too impatient and causing hurt or harm to others. Tensions will arise causing bad temperedness with self and others.

Death

Indicative of change. The Sitter is going through a lot of change: a change in direction of life, career, or perhaps a change in relationship.

Reversed

Changes could bring a downfall; maybe a bankruptcy, maybe it's an accident that could lead to a death.

Temperance

Temperance is literally tempering, blending together, being sensible. Take one step at a time. The water on the card is the water of life meaning an ability to blend in anywhere but with a need to work hard. The ability to make a situation work.

Reversed

Jumping into a situation, perhaps without giving it much thought; literally putting both feet in and sinking.

The Devil

This card usually represents hard work. Hard work but the rewards will equal the effort put in. This is because this card is ruled by Capricorn and Capricorn is ruled by Saturn, and Saturn is the hard task master of the universe.

Reversed

Be aware of false friends and work colleagues. Don't become too greedy or materialistic.

The Tower

Something sudden and dramatic is about to happen. Changes across the board that will change the Sitter's life forever.

Reversed

Arguments around that could lead to break-ups, or not speaking for a long time or if ever again.

The Star

The Star represents the 'calm after the storm'. A person has been through a lot of change, and has now come out the other side.

Reversed

The sitter is possibly not looking where he is going and being fooled by someone that is too good to be true.

The Moon

A lucky break and the easing of a struggle. The ability to achieve dreams, but it may still take some time.

Reversed

Things may not turn out quite the way the Sitter had hoped, so therefore there is a sense of disappointment.

The Sun

The Sun is ruled by the sun and represents success. Success in every way, from small beginnings to receiving, or winning recognition in some way.

Reversed

Being burned by a situation.something too good to be true turns out to be the opposite. Getting one's fingers burnt.

Judgment

Good news is coming. May be a house going through to completion, maybe good exam results are due. Good news to do with a legal situation. Justice is being done in some way.

Reversed

Going to court and an unjust decision. Equally people may become suddenly very judgmental.

The World

The world is round - completion. Indicates that life is completing in some way and the time has come to move on to another level.

Reversed

The Sitter has missed the opportunities.

Tarot training and workshops at
the Guiding Light Centre, South Wales:

Learn the Tarot
Tarot Weekend Workshop
Tarot Eight Week Training