Each of the Major Arcana is both a step on the path of personal evolution and a fully realized destination of its own. Select a tile below to explore the expanded meanings and relationships of each.
0 – The Fool
In the beginning, we have no sense of up or down, right or wrong, safety or danger. We know only want and don’t-want, only joy and sadness. Our simple innocence lets us see with wonder and excitement because there is no previous experience to suggest that the world is anything but a playful land of sunshine and spontaneity.
And yet, the Fool is the embodiment of all of these things and more: they are the newborn with an ancient soul, one who has already been through the Wheel and has come out realizing that all the wisdom and knowledge in the world is not equal to the sheer delight of a butterfly landing on their finger and getting lost in the buzz of insects, the singing of birds, and the idyllic forever-afternoon of a sunny late spring.
When the Fool arrives in a reading, they are asking you to appreciate the simple things and to explore beauty great and small. They may indicate a new life beginning and/or the arrival of a free spirited person who is prone to impulsivity in pursuit of elated abandon.
Reversed: The Fool Reversed is a gullible, naive person who believes that the only things that exist are the things they know right then. They are not open to learning or growing, only in satisfying their own immediate desires, often with reckless behaviors and unnecessary risk-taking. They may fail to temper their curiosity with empathy, accidentally or mindlessly crushing the wonders they stop to examine.
Astrology: The element of Air is normally associated with intellect and the pursuit of knowledge, and this provides a context to the Fool that is sometimes overlooked: the Fool can be something of a tabula rasa, a blank slate upon which the world imprints itself. Knowledge itself is neither good nor bad, it is merely a tool to be used with purpose by the wielder. The Fool is at the very beginning of the journey of understanding not just what the world has to offer but the context in which their experience is received.
Meditation: Are you ready to begin anew? Where do you go to seek out the beauty in your life? Does beauty live in art, or in faces, or in the veins of a bird’s wing? How often do you seek out experiences of wonder? Is this missing from your life, or is it the ever-present quest? How is the inner child-to-adult balance within your soul? Is each side getting their proper attention? Children make excellent playmates, but they are terrible drivers.
I honor each side of the innocent and worldly dichotomy and give them each their day,
to maintain my Sacred Youth as well as my Champion Adult.
1 – The Magician
The power of manifestation begins with the simple awareness of “I am”, the statement of acceptance of one’s place in the universe. All are connected, all are one, and the Magician knows this. The mastery of elements within themself is the same as the master of elements without. And yet, the Magician is manipulating the elements with intention and purpose, actively creating something from combination and integration.
The Magician shows up in a reading to discuss your capacity for concentration and your willingness to be resourceful. That includes challenging yourself to make something from disparate materials, honing your power and skill through balance and temperance.
Reversed:
Poor planning, ignoring vital talents, manipulation instead of manifestation.
Astrology: Mercury.
Meditation: What do you seek to manifest in my life? Where is your real intention? Are you prepared to accept all that you are to accomplish these things? Assess your skills: do you have the required abilities you need to create your future in your own image? Are you wise enough to read the signs as they presented to you? Be prepared to reconcile the future you intend for yourself with the future that will unfold before you.
I affirm that I am the master of my own destiny, and yet still a single part of a vast universe.
My place in that universe is critical, and I manifest my most significant position and success within it.
2 – The High Priestess
The keeper of mysteries, the gateway to the subconscious mind. Source of intuition and higher powers of intellect, emotion, and observation.
Reversed: Hidden agendas, never telling the whole story. Withholding information for control and manipulation. A call to listen to your inner voice.
Astrology: the Moon.
Meditation: As the Magician manifests outwardly to benefit the soul, the High Priestess manifests from the spirit outward to the world. What thoughts plague you when you lay down to sleep? What ideas niggle at the back of your mind when you are distracted? Do you heed the call, do you pay attention to the concerns? The seat of intuition lies in the belly; your “gut reaction” will always be right.
I make this commitment to listen to my inner voice, to heed the gut reactions,
and honor the wisdom that comes from within.
3 – The Empress
The Mother, fertility, femininity, beauty. Mother Nature, in Her abundance and generosity, takes the gifts of the Father and produces enormous wealth and prosperity. Pregnancy, new pets, or new younger friends are coming.
Reversed: Creative blocks and frustration. Feeling impoverished emotionally. Relying on others rather than oneself, despite one’s capabilities.
Astrology: Venus.
Meditation: The Mother gives of Herself, though often thanklessly. We as Her children are not obligated to show gratitude, but instead, we charge ourselves with the task. She has given us life, the least we can do is give Her thanks. Can we also do more than “least,” though? Attend to Her needs, clean Her waters, preserve Her holy places. As the Mother has come to you at this moment, in this house, what does She offer you? What can you offer Her in return?
I commit to actively caring for the Mother, and I recognize that in doing so,
I also care for myself and my tribe.
4 – The Emperor
The Father, an authority figure, the structure, and foundation. Create a temple in which the Mother can reside, and from that provide abundance. He negotiates peace between His children, granting them each their own estates.
Reversed: Rigidity, inflexibility. Domination and excessive control, using strength in all the wrong ways. Taking advantage of others through shows of force.
Astrology: Aries.
Meditation: The Sacred Masculine must balance the Sacred Feminine, and so the Empress and Emperor stand together to guide and protect Their lands. The Father acts not in the monotheistic “godly” sense but rather in the supporting, safeguarding manner of the old gods. He angers quickly when His children misbehave, and He forgives even more rapidly when they repent. His power to create and manifest serves all, and it issues forth from Love.
I embrace the Sacred Masculine in my life and
appreciate the work and love that comes from this blessed place.
5 – The Hierophant
Group identities, conformity, tradition. The Hierophant is the keeper of rules and beliefs, the cornerstone of Religion. He provides structure for beliefs and clarity in questions of ethics. He gives a sense of tribal identification.
Reversed: Excessive restrictions, often for political control. One who manipulates and abuses tradition for personal or political gain. A challenge to the status quo.
Astrology: Taurus.
Meditation: What makes a righteous or pious person, and what kinds of choices do they make? Is there a shared “good voice” inside each of us that allows such a thing to exist? Why do we require rules of law to tell us not to hurt other people, to not steal or lie? Aren’t these things incumbent upon our nature as good humans? Some people require a structure that gives them a sense of safety and security, and we do not judge them for this.
I present myself with a written list of guiding principles in my life.
When I have grown into them and understand their full depth,
I give myself permission to dismiss them or change them;
this is the charge of the Hierophant.
6 – The Lovers
Lovers; deep and intimate relationships. Complementary sides are coming together for mutual benefit. A relationship that creates true love rather than a short fling. The yin-yang.
Reversed: Misalignment of values, strengths, and weaknesses. A brief, intense fling, often ending with misfortune. Disharmony; a poor match.
Astrology: Gemini.
Meditation: We are all made of up dualities; we are both stardust and dirt. We are night and day; we are strong and weak, we are masculine and feminine. The Lovers do not just remind us of our duality; they remind us to love our duality. Marry our strengths to our weaknesses in such a way that they become superpowers. In this way, we prepare for when Others come into our lives with that lightning bolt of attraction and passion, because we have built ourselves into the best that we can be. We offer something healthy and vital, balanced and capable.
I celebrate the duality within myself.
The pieces of me that appear to stand in opposition are two parts
of the same mottled, beautiful whole,
just as two beings come together to form one relationship.
7 – The Chariot
Victory through willpower and determination. Accomplishing one’s tasks through hardship and ease, staying focused on the goal until achievement. Self-control, assertion, self-esteem. An excellent outcome for trials and competitions – for the person who invests the most substantial work.
Reversed: Loss, pointlessness, defeat. Aggression without direction, feeling powerless and impotent.
Astrology: Cancer.
Meditation: By what method do we ride to victory? How can we get from our current position into the winner’s circle? By relying on our talents, developing our skills, and applying our work as well as our intentions, we return to our home cities with parades and accolades – or we doom ourselves to failure by assuming our victory too much.
I commit myself to putting forth the effort necessary to achieve my goals;
I use my natural talents and my collected skills to manifest a victorious outcome.
8 – Strength
Strength of character that stems from compassion and understanding. Patience and courage, control of self to exercise gentle power over others.
Reversed: Self-doubt, weakness. Lack of discipline. Brute strength and violence where peace and compassion are needed.
Astrology: Leo.
Meditation: Strength is not in you, it is something you build. Whether you are toning your muscles or learning how to love effectively, it takes daily practice to manifest. You do not see the lion on the hill and decide to build your strength; you anticipate that there may be a lion, and you apply yourself to preparation. Likewise, you cannot hide in a room, waiting for the perfect partner to come along, and expect a suitably rich relationship. Interactions, risk-taking, and even getting your heart broken is necessary to develop strength. Much like the second-day soreness after a day at the gym, the aches of disappointment and hurt ease quickly, leaving stronger stuff behind.
I recognize that my strength is not something I am but something I do;
I am strong because I choose to make myself strong.
9 – The Hermit
Introspection and soul-searching. Solitary meditation or contemplation. The Hermit lifts his lantern to guide you through the darkness of the soul towards your answer.
Reversed: Isolation without intent; loneliness and withdrawal. Self-perpetuating depression.
Astrology: Virgo.
Meditation: Of all the people in the world, you are the only one that will be with you from the moment you were born until the moment you die. You will witness every single waking moment of your life, and you will experience every single dream. Only you are the consistent thread throughout your life, no matter how close or dear anyone else is. Therefore, the answers to the most critical questions lie within you first, though sometimes that solution is to seek other counsel. Being with yourself alone should be a comfortable experience, without games or phones or computers. To simply be, and then to ask the questions you seek affirmation of; this is the lesson the Hermit brings.
I retreat within myself to seek my own wisdom, to recognize my own weakness,
and to identify my own strengths.
10 – The Wheel of Fortune:
Good luck, positive dharma, gaining a return on a long-forgotten investment. A turning point for the positive; celebration of life cycles; destiny.
Reversed: Back luck, dharmic reckoning, troubles occurring outside of your control. Even well-laid plans going sour.
Astrology: Jupiter.
Meditation: The Wheel always turns, but luck is what you make it. Chance is not random but rather a long chain of causative events, stretching back to the beginning of time. Luck is not random; it is a function of observation. Those who pay attention to their surroundings find themselves able to take advantage of favorable circumstances while those who keep to themselves or second-guess their surroundings in suspicion lose out on those opportunities. You have very little control over the forces of Chance and only slightly more control over Luck, but both can be your allies.
I acknowledge that luck is my responsibility to maintain,
and that chance, though beyond my control, is not my fault;
I accept the turning of the Wheel and embrace the lessons that hard times bring me.
11 – Justice
Good legal outcomes; fairness, justice, truth. Cause and Effect in action. Getting what you deserve.
Reversed: Poor legal results, lack of accountability; dishonesty, lying, and unfairness. Getting worse than you deserve.
Astrology: Libra.
Meditation: The perversity of Justice is that it supports an outcome that is right and just according to moral law. Justice is entirely in the right to inflict disciplinary consequences if we have conducted ourselves poorly, and likewise in our favor if we are correct. If you do not commit an offense, then even if you are detained, the proof of your innocence comes out. When Justice is improper, it becomes Injustice, and then even the innocent will be lost amidst the machinations of unfairness. Justice is served consistently only when each member of a society commits to supporting that Justice, uniformly.
I swear to uphold the principles of Justice rather than Judgment,
learning all I can before speaking, acting in good faith,
and defending those who are the victims of Injustice.
12 – The Hanged Man
Holding your breath, suspense, restrictions on forward movement; coming to a crossroads. Releasing the illusion of control. Sacrifice for a higher good.
Reversed: Martyrdom (sacrifice without just cause), indecision, delays in manifestation.
Astrology: The element of Water.
Meditation: The Hanged Man calls forth the image of Odin hanging from Yggdrasil, the World Tree, for the sake of wisdom. When the All-Father came down after hanging from the Tree for nine days and nights, He brought with him the original Futhark runes (or so the legend goes). If we suspend from the branches of our own tree, what is the value of our time? For what purpose do we hang, and what do we hope to gain from it? The Hanged Man is a strange card because its meanings run deep – as deep as the roots of the World Tree, they say. What wisdom do you seek? What are you willing to sacrifice to make a clear path to your ideal future?
I acknowledge the wisdom of do-nothing time,
to experience only being,
and I invite understanding as a result of this hesitation.
13 – Death
Transitioning; endings are the beginning of the next story. Transformation and change. Shedding the old to make room for the new.
Reversed: Stuck in the past, resistant to change. Unable to move on. Personal distress from resisting a change regardless of personal agency.
Astrology: Scorpio.
Meditation: Death comes to all, and in many ways. The birth of a babe is itself a death, an often traumatic and violent transition from one world to the next. So too will the change be at the end of life as we move into the next world. Between these two events are hundreds and thousands of tiny deaths, little endings, final moments. Relationships end, jobs disappear, pets pass on, the elderly die, and even in the small moments of losing your favorite t-shirt or failing a critical test, we experience losses that transition us to new chapters and stories. The only thing that makes these moments traumatic is our resistance to them.
I promise to be gentle with myself
and approach the little moments of loss and change in my life with an open heart,
to learn what I can from each passing
and to find joy in the past as well as the future.
14 – Temperance
All things in moderation. Patience and balance. Finding meaning and purpose.
Reversed: Imbalance and excess, feeling off-kilter. Lack of long-term vision, confusion between higher purpose and selfish desire.
Astrology: Sagittarius.
Meditation: Like the Lovers, Temperance speaks to us of balance, of the harmony of opposing sides. However, where the Lovers match strengths to weaknesses, Temperance seeks the median of all things. With one foot on land and the other in the water, it pours from one cup to the next, looking for perfect equilibrium between them. What in our lives genuinely benefit from extremes? Even breathing oxygen and drinking water can become dangerous events with enough excess. Every part of our lives invites a Happy Medium, and Temperance would like to show us how to get there.
I seek out the happy balance between the parts of my life
– work, family, school, self-care –
and stay vigilant to avoid excess,
as my tribute of gratitude for the life I am leading.
15 – The Devil
Addiction issues, unhealthy sexuality, and being held hostage. Materialism, greed, and malice.
Reversed: Reclaiming power that has been stolen, breaking free from the chains of oppression. Detaching from toxic thoughts, habits, and people.
Astrology: Capricorn.
Meditation: There is no evil except that which we create. The Devil is still in the details, going all the way back to the first heartache from which we never quite recovered. It lives in the festering wounds of the past, driving the need to escape from pain through abandon. We cannot heal these wounds with hatred and anger; we must love our wounds enough to look at them directly, to relive the moments, and to allow that pain to depart from us. The Devil draws our attention to these things that need healing, and it brings us brimstone to cauterize it.
I gaze unflinchingly at my weaknesses, at my vices,
and recognize the need for self-love in those places.
I promise to love myself unconditionally because I am worthy of that love,
no matter my transgressions.
16 – The Tower
Upheaval, revelations, sudden and irreversible change; disaster. The Tower is built on sand and cannot withstand the storm.
Reversed: Fear of change, resistance to letting things go. Trying to avoid disaster, often only experiencing a little discomfort if any at all.
Astrology: Mars.
Meditation: Mistakes were made, but without them, we have no direction to our growth and development. Sometimes, serious mistakes are made, and the lessons are even more prominent. And still other times, despite our best efforts, things fall apart anyway. This is as it should be; we are the masters of our individual destinies, but we are not the masters of all destinies. When we build a home on a foundation of sand, it may take days or years to fall, but it absolutely will, and the longer it takes, the more it hurts.
I face my losses without fear or judgment,
though I honor my right to feel sad, upset, or angry.
I commit to learning from this experience
and moving into the future stronger for having gone through this trial.
17 – The Star
Spiritual renewal, serenity, hope. Feeling connection with the universe; being open to divine wisdom.
Reversed: Loss or lack of faith, despair, discouragement. Feeling disconnected and adrift.
Astrology: Aquarius.
Meditation: We are all made of stars, and that connection exists through all of time. Our experience during this life is as a human, to have human feelings and human thoughts and human losses and human triumphs, but in our cells, in our atoms, we were still forged in the stars. Being aware of this, consciously considering this, helps us find our place in the universe. We are incredibly tiny in the grand scheme of all things, yet we are vital and powerful in our context. The Star delivers the message of connection with all things that the wisdom of billions of years can be found within us.
I recognize my cosmic heritage and embrace my place and purpose in the universe,
approaching my moment for now in peace and tranquility.
18 – The Moon
Subconscious messages; responding to sublimated or subconscious influences. Illusions, fear, anxiety, insecurity. The inner self, often injured, controlling the outer self.
Reversed: Unhappiness, confusion at one’s own behavior. Releasing fear. Seeking the hidden influences.
Astrology: Pisces.
Meditation: The light of the moon is the reflection of the sun’s – it is not its own, but through that borrowed light, it shows a different world. In much the way that we notice odd things about our surroundings when we look in a mirror, the Moon lets us peer into the deep parts of ourselves that are hidden in daylight. This is our chance to examine our motivations, to uncover sometimes our not-so-pleasant truths, and through this dark reprieve, relieve and heal them.
I honor the hidden parts of me;
I release my fear and embrace the whole of me.
I am not afraid.
19 – The Sun
Warmth, vitality, success. Positive outcomes, possibly a child or adoption in the near future. Fun times well-earned.
Reversed: Temporary depression, a down-cycle. Missed opportunities, loss or lack of success.
Astrology: The Sun.
Meditation: Is there anything more comfortable than a mild sun on a perfect day? Birds in the trees, soft grass, playing and running, or just relaxing and enjoying a peak experience in your own way. The Sun brings warmth, light, and life to our lives, but as in the actual Sun, it can only be truly appreciated in moderation. Fun and frolicking are important pastimes, no doubt, but too long in the sun can lead to burns and more massive problems in the future. Bask in the glow of your accomplishments today, but be prepared to get back to work tomorrow. Success is not a static thing and must be maintained carefully.
I permit myself to enjoy the fruits of my labor;
I deserve a little time off to indulge in play.
20 – Judgment
Absolution, forgiveness; facing judgment and being found innocent. Rebirth. Finally hearing the inner calling.
Reversed: Self-doubt, refusing to self-examine. Being found guilty. Rejecting forgiveness. Failure to repent or feel remorse for transgressions.
Astrology: The element of Fire.
Meditation: A reckoning comes to us all, and if we have lived a good life, we have nothing to fear. If we have taken liberties with others or behaved irresponsibly or caused damage, we are charged with the duty to make up for those breaches of behavior. Guilt is not a place to live; it is a signpost indicating an error. When the error is resolved and cannot be committed in the future, then guilt can be released. However, do not confuse judgment with opinions. You may feel that people are judging you harshly, but in truth, they are merely expressing their opinions, not facts. They do not have the power to judge you.
I strive to live my life fully and without regret,
but if I make mistakes, I own them and will grow by them.
I face Judgment without fear,
for I have balanced my life towards the positive.
21 – The World
The final chapter; completion; accomplishment. Realizing the ultimate goal. Travel; integration.
Reversed: Failure to find closure; lack of fulfillment. Discovering that the prize was not as advertised.
Astrology: The element of Earth; Saturn.
Meditation: This is the culmination of your work, of the trials and tribulations, and it will offer you exactly what you have earned. When you invest in yourself and make sound and rational decisions, you enjoy a strong personality and a good life. When you squander your energies and waste them on shallow pastimes and selfish gains, you will find your profit painfully skinny. Where Judgment has declared your fitness, the World delivers to you that which you have purchased with your choices, actions, and thoughts. As the Wheel in the center reminds us, though, there is always time for another go around, and an infinite supply of forgiveness in the world, should you need it.
I am whole and complete as I am.
I have room to grow,
but I am a fully realized human and capable of manifesting my destiny.
I accept me for who I am.
Alchemias
The culmination of many elements, brought together to create a single item or purpose. Transforming simple aspects into things of higher value. Transmutation of body, mind, and soul.
Reversed: Fruitless efforts, feeling lost and separated from your higher purpose. Missing a key ingredient to manifest your true desires.
Astrology: None.
Meditation: What would you like to create in your life? What causes and purposes sing to you? Look around: What can you build from the things surrounding you right now? Would it be something of value? Would it make you happy? How can you bring this into your life more?
I embrace my inherent value,
my inviolable identity,
and my capacity and responsibility to
make the magic I deserve in the world.