The 22 Major Arcana of the Tarot and Their Meanings
The Major Arcana are the 22 cards that tell the story of the so-called "Fool's Journey": a symbolic path from innocence to spiritual fulfillment. When they appear in a spread, they usually point to the deepest and most decisive themes on your path, above the everyday details reflected by the Minor Arcana.
From 0 to 10: the awakening
0. The Fool represents new beginnings, the leap of faith into the unknown. I. The Magician speaks of willpower and potential. II. The High Priestess invites you to listen to your intuition. III. The Empress and IV. The Emperor balance creation and structure. V. The Hierophant points to tradition; VI. The Lovers, to matters of the heart; VII. The Chariot, to determination; VIII. Strength, to quiet courage; IX. The Hermit, to introspection; and X. Wheel of Fortune marks the inevitable turns of fate.
From 11 to 21: the transformation
XI. Justice asks for balance and truth; XII. The Hanged Man, for surrender to a new perspective; XIII. Death doesn't announce a literal ending but a necessary transformation; XIV. Temperance seeks harmony; XV. The Devil points to attachments and temptations; XVI. The Tower tears down what no longer supports your life; XVII. The Star brings hope; XVIII. The Moon reveals what lies hidden in the subconscious; XIX. The Sun radiates success and vitality; XX. Judgement calls for a rebirth; and XXI. The World closes the cycle with fulfillment and achievement.
How to recognize their weight in a reading
When several Major Arcana cards show up together in the same spread, it's a sign that your question touches something structural in your life: not a passing detail, but a lesson that repeats until it is learned. A spread dominated by Minor Arcana, on the other hand, usually speaks of more concrete, manageable day-to-day circumstances.
A deck to support your learning
If you're memorizing these meanings, a deck with keywords printed on each card is an extremely practical tool while you build your intuitive memory.
The origin of "The Fool's Journey"
The numbered sequence from 0 to 21 is no accident: it symbolically represents the stages of human life, from total innocence (The Fool, unnumbered or numbered 0) to complete fulfillment (The World, XXI). Many scholars compare this structure to the initiation stories of other spiritual traditions, in which the hero passes through progressive trials before reaching wisdom. That's why, when Major Arcana cards that are consecutive or close in number appear in a reading, it's interpreted as a sign that you are in the middle of an intensive stage of learning.
Numerology within the tarot
Each Major Arcana card can also be read through its number, following numerological logic: cards numbered 1 (The Magician) speak of beginnings, those numbered 9 (The Hermit) of introspective endings, and so on. Here's a fun tip: you can add up your life path number (see our numerology article) with the number of the Arcana that shows up most often in your readings to discover a deeper personal connection between the two systems.
Reversed cards: an extra layer of meaning
Besides their upright position, many readers also use reversed cards (those that land "upside down" when drawn) as an additional layer of nuance. Rather than simply meaning "the opposite," they often suggest that the card's energy is blocked, is internal rather than external, or needs more time to manifest. It's an optional practice: plenty of experienced tarot readers read only upright cards for years before deciding to add reversals.
Also read: why the Death card symbolizes transformation and not literal death, in our guide to Day of the Dead and Samhain.
Have a specific question? Draw a card in our yes or no tarot and find out which Arcana answers you.
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The 22 Major Arcana one by one: upright, reversed, and advice
This is the quick guide people consult most: for each card, its meaning when it comes up upright, what it usually indicates when reversed, and a line to put into practice. These are symbolic readings from the tarot tradition, not predictions.
0. The Fool
Upright: New beginnings, spontaneity, trust in the path. Reversed: Recklessness, fear of taking the leap, or decisions made without thinking. Key question: what would you do if you weren't afraid of making a mistake?
I. The Magician
Upright: Willpower, resources within reach, initiative. Reversed: Talent without direction, scattered energy, or promises that go unkept. Gather what you already have before looking elsewhere.
II. The High Priestess
Upright: Intuition, silence, information that hasn't yet been revealed. Reversed: Ignoring your gut feeling or keeping secrets that weigh on you. Wait before acting: there's still information missing.
III. The Empress
Upright: Creativity, abundance, nurturing, and enjoyment. Reversed: Overprotectiveness, creative block, or neglecting yourself. Nurture what you want to grow.
IV. The Emperor
Upright: Structure, authority, clear boundaries. Reversed: Rigidity, excessive control, or lack of discipline. Put in order what is out of order.
V. The Hierophant
Upright: Tradition, learning, guidance from someone experienced. Reversed: Questioning inherited rules; following your own judgment. Seek a mentor or revisit your beliefs.
VI. The Lovers
Upright: Choices of the heart, bonds, shared values. Reversed: Doubts, imbalance in a relationship, or a postponed decision. Choose from your values, not from pressure.
VII. The Chariot
Upright: Determination, forward movement, mastery over opposing forces. Reversed: Lack of direction or misdirected energy. Define the goal and push in a single direction.
VIII. Strength
Upright: Calm courage, patience, self-mastery. Reversed: Insecurity or impulses taking over. Gentleness is power too.
IX. The Hermit
Upright: Introspection, a pause, inner wisdom. Reversed: Excessive isolation or refusing to ask for help. Set aside some quiet time this week.
X. Wheel of Fortune
Upright: Cycles, changes in luck, opportunities coming around. Reversed: Resistance to change or a sense of bad luck. Nothing lasts forever; make the most of the movement.
XI. Justice
Upright: Balance, truth, fair consequences. Reversed: Injustice, dodging responsibility. Be honest about the facts.
XII. The Hanged Man
Upright: A voluntary pause, a new perspective, surrender. Reversed: Stagnation or pointless sacrifice. Look at the problem from another angle.
XIII. Death
Upright: The end of a chapter, necessary transformation. Reversed: Clinging to what has already ended. Let go so something new has room.
XIV. Temperance
Upright: Harmony, moderation, patience. Reversed: Excess or imbalance between areas of your life. Look for the middle ground, not the extreme.
XV. The Devil
Upright: Bondage, attachments, desires that trap us. Reversed: Liberation, becoming aware of a dependency. Name what binds you: that's already the first step.
XVI. The Tower
Upright: Sudden upheaval, truths that come crashing down, liberation. Reversed: Avoided change or a crisis that drags on. What falls is often what was no longer holding you up.
XVII. The Star
Upright: Hope, renewal, serenity after the storm. Reversed: Discouragement or loss of faith in yourself. Protect your energy and trust the process.
XVIII. The Moon
Upright: Intuition, dreams, fears that can't be seen clearly. Reversed: Confusion that is clearing or built-up anxiety. Don't decide out of fear; wait until you see clearly.
XIX. The Sun
Upright: Joy, vitality, clarity, success. Reversed: Exaggerated optimism or an achievement that is slow in coming. Celebrate what is working.
XX. Judgement
Upright: An inner calling, rebirth, taking stock of what you've lived. Reversed: Excessive self-criticism or doubting your calling. Forgive yourself so you can move forward.
XXI. The World
Upright: Completion with fulfillment, achievement, integration. Reversed: A cycle that is almost finished and asks for one last step. Acknowledge how far you've come before starting again.
If you'd like to see how they combine in a real spread, try the free online tarot with all 78 cards or start with a three-card spread.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between Major Arcana and Minor Arcana?
The Major Arcana are 22 cards that reflect big themes and pivotal moments of change in life. The Minor Arcana, 56 cards divided into four suits, speak of everyday situations: work, emotions, conflicts, or money.
What does The Fool, card number 0, mean?
The Fool symbolizes beginnings, spontaneity, and a leap of faith into the unknown. It invites you to trust and take a risk, though it can also warn of recklessness when it appears in a context of impulsiveness. As with all of the tarot, its reading depends on the question and the cards that accompany it in the spread.
Does the Death card mean someone is going to die?
No. In the tarot, Death represents transformation, the closing of cycles, and renewal, not a literal death. It usually speaks of leaving something behind to make way for a new stage. It's one of the most misunderstood cards of the Major Arcana, which is why it's best to always read it within the context of the whole spread.
Does the meaning of a Major Arcana card change if it comes up reversed?
It depends on the reader's tradition. Many interpret a reversed card as blocked, delayed, or internally experienced energy; others read every card in its upright position. There is no single universal rule. The best approach is to choose a method and stick with it so your readings stay consistent with one another.
Do the Major Arcana predict the future with certainty?
Not with any guarantee. Many people use the Major Arcana as a tool for reflection and guidance to understand where they are right now, organize their thoughts, and consider possibilities. They are not a substitute for professional medical, legal, or financial advice. We recommend treating them as a symbolic guide and always making decisions using your own judgment.
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