Summary
Key Takeaways: The Major Arcana are the 22 most powerful cards in the tarot deck, numbered 0–21. Each represents a universal archetype or life theme on the Fool's Journey — the soul's path through human experience. In a reading, Major Arcana cards signal significant themes, turning points, and soul-level lessons rather than everyday events.
What Is the Major Arcana?
A standard tarot deck contains 78 cards: 22 Major Arcana and 56 Minor Arcana. The Major Arcana — also called Trump cards — represent the significant milestones and archetypal forces that shape a life. When Major Arcana cards appear in a reading, they indicate themes that are not just situational but deeply meaningful at a soul level.
The 22 cards follow a narrative called the Fool's Journey: the Fool (Card 0) sets out on an adventure through life, encountering all the archetypes that teach and test him until he reaches the World (Card 21).
0. The Fool
Element: Air | Planet: Uranus | Numerology: 0 (infinite potential)
A young figure stands at the edge of a cliff, carefree and trusting. A small dog nips at his heels.
Upright: New beginnings, innocence, spontaneity, a leap of faith, optimism Reversed: Recklessness, risk without preparation, naivety, being taken advantage of Love: A new relationship beginning, or entering love with an open heart Career: Starting fresh, a new opportunity that requires trust
1. The Magician
Element: Air | Planet: Mercury | Numerology: 1 (initiation)
A figure stands before a table bearing all four elemental tools (cup, wand, sword, pentacle), one hand pointing up, one down.
Upright: Will, skill, resourcefulness, manifestation, confidence Reversed: Manipulation, trickery, untapped potential, poor planning Love: Attraction through confidence; making desired relationships happen Career: You have all the tools needed; it is time to act
2. The High Priestess
Element: Water | Planet: Moon | Numerology: 2 (duality, intuition)
A seated figure between two pillars (one black, one white), with a veil behind her and a crescent moon at her feet.
Upright: Intuition, mystery, the subconscious, secrets, patience Reversed: Secrets revealed, surface knowledge, ignoring intuition Love: A hidden connection; trust your instincts about a person Career: Information is being withheld; wait for more data before deciding
3. The Empress
Element: Earth | Planet: Venus | Numerology: 3 (creativity)
A lush, feminine figure in a fertile garden, crowned with stars.
Upright: Abundance, fertility, creativity, nature, sensuality, motherhood Reversed: Creative block, dependence, smothering, neglecting oneself Love: Passionate, fertile relationship energy; pregnancy possible Career: A creative project flourishing; financial growth
4. The Emperor
Element: Fire | Planet: Aries (Mars) | Numerology: 4 (structure)
An authority figure seated on a stone throne, holding a scepter and orb.
Upright: Authority, structure, stability, leadership, fatherhood, discipline Reversed: Tyranny, inflexibility, domination, loss of control Love: A stable, protective partner; possible power imbalance Career: A time for structure, leadership, and clear boundaries
5. The Hierophant
Element: Earth | Planet: Taurus (Venus) | Numerology: 5 (tradition)
A religious figure flanked by two attendants, making a blessing gesture.
Upright: Tradition, institutions, conformity, spiritual guidance, education Reversed: Dogma, rebellion against convention, unorthodox approach Love: A conventional commitment (marriage, formal partnership) Career: Working within established institutions; mentorship
6. The Lovers
Element: Air | Planet: Gemini (Mercury) | Numerology: 6 (harmony)
Two figures beneath an angel, one male and one female, in a garden.
Upright: Love, relationships, values alignment, choices, union Reversed: Disharmony, misalignment of values, difficult choices Love: Deep romantic connection; soulmate energy; commitment Career: A significant choice must be made; partnership important
7. The Chariot
Element: Water | Planet: Cancer (Moon) | Numerology: 7 (mastery)
A figure riding a chariot pulled by two sphinx — one black, one white — in opposite directions.
Upright: Control, willpower, victory, determination, overcoming obstacles Reversed: Aggression, lack of direction, defeat, losing control Love: Moving a relationship forward through determination Career: Driving toward success; a hard-won victory ahead
8. Strength
Element: Fire | Planet: Leo (Sun) | Numerology: 8 (infinity)
A woman gently closes a lion's mouth. An infinity symbol hovers above her head.
Upright: Courage, patience, compassion, inner strength, gentle control Reversed: Self-doubt, weakness, lack of self-discipline, insecurity Love: A relationship requiring patience and inner courage Career: Success through calm persistence, not force
9. The Hermit
Element: Earth | Planet: Virgo (Mercury) | Numerology: 9 (completion)
An old, robed figure alone on a mountain peak, holding a lantern and staff.
Upright: Solitude, introspection, inner guidance, withdrawal, wisdom Reversed: Isolation, loneliness, withdrawal from the world for wrong reasons Love: A period of solitude needed; or a relationship requiring more space Career: A time for research, solo work, and inner clarity before acting
10. Wheel of Fortune
Element: Fire | Planet: Jupiter | Numerology: 10/1 (cycles)
A great wheel inscribed with symbols, figures ascending and descending around it.
Upright: Change, fate, turning points, luck, cycles, destiny Reversed: Bad luck, resistance to change, external forces, breaking cycles Love: A fated meeting; or a relationship entering a new cycle Career: A lucky break or significant shift; timing is everything
11. Justice
Element: Air | Planet: Libra (Venus) | Numerology: 11/2 (balance)
A robed figure seated between two pillars, holding scales and a sword.
Upright: Fairness, truth, cause and effect, law, accountability Reversed: Unfairness, dishonesty, avoiding accountability Love: A relationship that requires honesty and balance Career: A legal matter; fair outcome coming; consequences for past actions
12. The Hanged Man
Element: Water | Planet: Neptune | Numerology: 12/3 (surrender)
A figure hanging voluntarily upside-down from a tree, serene expression.
Upright: Suspension, sacrifice, new perspective, letting go, surrender Reversed: Stalling, resistance to necessary sacrifice, martyrdom Love: A pause in the relationship; seeing the situation from a new angle Career: Delays; a period of waiting that ultimately brings insight
13. Death
Element: Water | Planet: Scorpio (Pluto) | Numerology: 13/4 (transformation)
A skeletal figure on horseback. People of all stations fall before it.
Upright: Endings, transformation, transition, release, new beginnings Reversed: Resistance to change, stagnation, fear of endings Love: The ending of one relationship chapter to make room for something new Career: A major career ending or transformation; letting go of an old role
Note: This card rarely predicts physical death. It most commonly indicates profound change.
14. Temperance
Element: Fire | Planet: Sagittarius (Jupiter) | Numerology: 14/5 (balance)
An angelic figure pouring liquid between two cups, one foot on land, one in water.
Upright: Balance, moderation, patience, purpose, flowing between extremes Reversed: Imbalance, excess, lack of long-term vision, discord Love: A balanced, harmonious relationship; finding middle ground Career: A period of finding sustainable balance in work; integration
15. The Devil
Element: Earth | Planet: Capricorn (Saturn) | Numerology: 15/6 (materialism)
A horned figure on a throne. Two chained figures below — but their chains are loose enough to remove.
Upright: Shadow self, addiction, bondage, materialism, patterns, shadow work Reversed: Releasing bondage, breaking chains, reclaiming power Love: An unhealthy attachment; toxic patterns; fear driving decisions Career: Feeling trapped; materialism overriding values; shadow work needed
16. The Tower
Element: Fire | Planet: Mars | Numerology: 16/7 (disruption)
A tower struck by lightning. Two figures fall from its windows.
Upright: Sudden change, upheaval, chaos, revelation, necessary destruction Reversed: Averting disaster, delayed upheaval, fear of necessary change Love: A sudden revelation; a relationship shaken to its foundations Career: Sudden job loss, business collapse, or dramatic industry disruption
17. The Star
Element: Air | Planet: Aquarius (Uranus) | Numerology: 17/8 (hope)
A naked figure kneeling by water, pouring liquid from two vessels. Stars shine above.
Upright: Hope, renewal, inspiration, serenity, faith, healing Reversed: Hopelessness, discouragement, disconnection from faith Love: Healing after heartbreak; a peaceful, spiritually nourishing relationship Career: After difficulty, a period of renewal and inspired direction
18. The Moon
Element: Water | Planet: Pisces (Neptune) | Numerology: 18/9 (illusion)
A full moon between two towers. A crayfish emerges from water. A dog and wolf howl.
Upright: Illusion, fear, the unconscious, deception, confusion, dreams Reversed: Release of fear, clarity returning, unveiling deception Love: Confusion or hidden feelings; trust your intuition, not appearances Career: Things are not as they appear; hidden information; trust caution
19. The Sun
Element: Fire | Planet: Sun | Numerology: 19/10/1 (vitality)
A radiant sun shines over a child riding a horse, surrounded by sunflowers.
Upright: Joy, success, positivity, vitality, clarity, celebration Reversed: Temporary setbacks, blocked optimism, excessive optimism Love: A joyful, warm, happy relationship phase; celebrating love Career: Outstanding success; recognition; a project reaching its peak
20. Judgement
Element: Fire | Planet: Pluto | Numerology: 20/2 (calling)
An angel blows a trumpet. Figures rise from coffins, arms raised.
Upright: Reflection, reckoning, awakening, absolution, final decision Reversed: Self-doubt, lack of self-reflection, ignoring the call Love: A final decision about a relationship; answering a calling Career: A pivotal career decision; being called to a higher purpose
21. The World
Element: Earth | Planet: Saturn | Numerology: 21/3 (completion)
A dancing figure within a laurel wreath. Four figures at the corners.
Upright: Completion, integration, accomplishment, wholeness, travel Reversed: Incomplete goals, shortcuts, delayed completion Love: A relationship reaching a fulfilling milestone; wholeness Career: Major career achievement; project completion; integration of all elements
FAQ
Q1. Does the Major Arcana always mean something important?
In most tarot traditions, yes. A reading dominated by Major Arcana suggests the situation is driven by significant, soul-level forces rather than everyday choices.Q2. What does it mean when a card falls reversed?
A reversed card (upside-down) typically indicates the energy of that card is blocked, internalized, or expressing in a shadow form. Many readers do not use reversals and read all cards upright.Q3. Can I read tarot without knowing all 78 cards?
Starting with just the Major Arcana (22 cards) is a valid approach for beginners. Many practitioners use a 22-card Major Arcana only deck for focused readings.Q4. Is the Death card really about death?
Rarely. In the vast majority of readings, Death indicates endings and transformation — the death of an old chapter to allow something new to begin. Physical death is not a standard tarot interpretation.Q5. What is the difference between tarot and oracle cards?
Tarot has a fixed structure (78 cards in a defined system). Oracle cards can have any number of cards with any themes — they are not bound by the tarot structure.Q6. How do I develop intuition in reading the cards?
Daily practice with a single-card draw is widely recommended. Journal about what the card evokes for you before reading any guidebook meaning — this builds intuitive connection to the imagery.Looking for a deeper reading that integrates tarot wisdom with your natal chart? Get your premium reading →