The Major Arcana cards in a tarot deck represent significant life themes, spiritual lessons, and key events. When you perform a tarot reading using only the Major Arcana, you focus on larger, more profound energies and life stages. This can be especially helpful for gaining insights into important decisions, transformative life events, or deeper emotional and spiritual challenges.
This document will guide you through how to perform a self-reading using only the Major Arcana cards, offering a simplified yet powerful way to explore your life's bigger picture.
Before diving into a tarot reading, it's essential to prepare both mentally and physically. Here are a few steps to set the tone for your reading:
CREATE A CALM, QUIET SPACE. Find a peaceful space where you can focus without distractions. This could be a corner of your home, a spot in nature, or anywhere that feels sacred to you. Use tools that help you concentrate. Lighting a candle, burning incense, or playing soft music can enhance the atmosphere and promote a meditative mindset.
CLEAR YOUR MIND. Take a few moments to relax, breathe deeply, and clear your thoughts. If you have a specific question or issue in mind, focus on that before beginning. It can be helpful to sit with your question or intention for a moment to fully connect with your inner feelings.
SET AN INTENTION. While it's possible to perform a general reading, it's often more insightful to ask a specific question or focus on a particular area of your life. This could be related to relationships, career, spiritual growth, or personal challenges. Clarifying your intention helps to guide the reading and provides direction for your interpretation.
Shuffling the cards allows you to connect with their energy and infuses your own intention into the deck. Here's how to do it:
SHUFFLE THE CARDS. Shuffle the deck while thinking about your question or focusing on your intention. You can shuffle in any way that feels comfortable, whether it's by cutting the deck, mixing the cards, or holding them in your hands and allowing your intuition to guide you.
FOCUS ON YOUR QUESTION. As you shuffle, think about the situation you're exploring. It can be helpful to ask yourself, "What do I need to know right now?" or "What guidance does the universe have for me on this issue?"
PULL THE CARDS. After shuffling, draw the number of cards you plan to use for the reading. For simplicity, you can start with a small spread like a 3-card layout (past, present, future) or a more in-depth layout like the Celtic Cross. If you're new to tarot, a 3-card spread might be easiest to begin with.
Although you can use any spread (search Hero’s Journey or Fool’s Journey), we suggest the Three-Card spread for beginners. It is a simple and effective spread for a general overview of your situation.
THREE-CARD SPREAD (Past, Present, Future)
PAST This card represents the background or events that led to your current situation. It may offer insight into past influences, experiences, or lessons that have shaped you.
PRESENT This card reflects the current situation, emotional state, or energies surrounding you. It provides insight into what is happening right now and what you may need to pay attention to.
FUTURE This card suggests possible outcomes or future influences. It can guide you in how to approach upcoming events or provide clarity about the direction you're heading.
The beauty of the Major Arcana is that each card offers rich symbolism and deep meaning. Here are some key themes and interpretations for the Major Arcana cards with a more:
0. The Fool – New beginnings, adventure, spontaneity, faith in the unknown.
I. The Magician – Manifestation, personal power, skill, and resourcefulness.
II. The High Priestess – Intuition, mystery, the unconscious mind, spiritual wisdom.
III. The Empress – Nurturing, creativity, abundance, fertility.
IV. The Emperor – Authority, structure, leadership, stability.
V. The Hierophant – Tradition, spiritual wisdom, guidance, conformity.
VI. The Lovers – Relationships, choices, harmony, union, alignment.
VII. The Chariot – Determination, willpower, victory, overcoming obstacles.
VIII. Strength – Courage, inner strength, patience, compassion.
IX. The Hermit – Solitude, introspection, inner guidance, searching for truth.
X. Wheel of Fortune – Destiny, cycles, change, luck, turning points.
XI. Justice – Fairness, truth, balance, legal matters, accountability.
XII. The Hanged Man – Surrender, letting go, seeing things from a different perspective.
XIII. Death – Transformation, endings, new beginnings, rebirth.
XIV. Temperance – Balance, moderation, patience, healing, integration.
XV. The Devil – Temptation, addiction, materialism, entrapment.
XVI. The Tower – Sudden change, upheaval, revelation, breaking down old structures.
XVII. The Star – Hope, inspiration, renewal, spiritual guidance.
XVIII. The Moon – Illusion, intuition, dreams, uncertainty, subconscious.
XIX. The Sun – Joy, success, clarity, vitality, enlightenment.
XX. Judgment – Rebirth, calling, self-reflection, awakening.
XXI. The World – Completion, fulfillment, wholeness, achievement, closure.
REVERSED CARDS
If a card appears reversed (upside down), its meaning can often reflect a blocked or challenged energy. Reversed cards may suggest:
Resistance to the lessons or energy of the card.
A need for introspection or healing.
Delays, obstacles, or a need to reframe the situation.
For example:
The Fool (reversed): Fear of new beginnings, reluctance to take risks, immaturity.
The Magician (reversed): Misuse of power, lack of focus, feeling unprepared.
While the traditional meanings of the Major Arcana cards are helpful, your intuition is a powerful guide when interpreting your reading. Trust your feelings, thoughts, and inner wisdom as you reflect on the cards' messages. Pay attention to:
What emotions arise when you look at a card.
Any specific images, symbols, or details that stand out.
How the cards relate to your personal experiences or current life situation.
Once you’ve interpreted the cards, take a few moments to reflect on the overall message. Ask yourself:
What insights or guidance did you gain from the reading?
How can you apply this wisdom to your current situation or challenge?
Do you feel inspired, empowered, or more aware of your next steps?
JOURNALING It’s helpful to write down your readings in a tarot journal. This will allow you to track patterns, record your thoughts, and revisit past readings for further clarity in the future.
When you’ve completed your reading, thank the cards and any energies that have guided you. Gently shuffle the deck again to clear the energy, and store your cards in a safe place. By using only the Major Arcana, you focus on the larger themes of life and your soul's journey. With practice, you'll develop a deeper understanding of the cards and gain valuable insight into your life's unfolding story.
The Major Arcana cards in tarot represent significant life themes, spiritual lessons, and major turning points. Each card has a symbolic meaning and can offer guidance, insights, or reflections on life's larger journey. When pulled, the Major Arcana cards tend to focus on profound life shifts or the energies influencing your situation at a deeper level.
Below is a summary of each of the 22 Major Arcana cards, including their meanings when pulled during a reading:
Meaning: New beginnings, potential, adventure, spontaneity, faith, taking a leap of faith.
Keywords: Innocence, new journey, risk-taking, freedom, open-mindedness.
When pulled: You may be at the start of a new chapter in your life, filled with limitless possibilities. Trust the unknown and take a leap of faith, even if you don't have all the answers yet.
Meaning: Manifestation, personal power, skill, creativity, resourcefulness.
Keywords: Action, focus, manifestation, confidence, willpower.
When pulled: You have all the tools you need to succeed. Now is the time to take action and bring your ideas or goals into reality. Harness your power and focus your energy.
Meaning: Intuition, mystery, subconscious, spiritual insight, wisdom, inner knowing.
Keywords: Intuition, hidden knowledge, spiritual awareness, dreams.
When pulled: Trust your intuition and inner voice. There may be things that are not immediately clear, but your inner wisdom will guide you. Pay attention to your dreams and the messages they may hold.
Meaning: Fertility, abundance, nurturing, creativity, growth, motherhood.
Keywords: Nurturing, fertility, abundance, creativity, emotional growth.
When pulled: The Empress indicates a time of nurturing and abundance. Whether it's related to your career, a relationship, or personal growth, now is the time for cultivation, creation, and nourishment.
Meaning: Authority, structure, leadership, stability, discipline, father figure.
Keywords: Control, authority, structure, leadership, power.
When pulled: You are being called to step into a leadership role or take control of your situation. It may be time to establish boundaries, set clear goals, and create order from chaos.
Meaning: Tradition, spiritual guidance, religion, conformity, learning, higher knowledge.
Keywords: Tradition, spiritual guidance, institutions, education.
When pulled: This card can suggest a need to seek guidance or mentorship from a wise teacher, institution, or established system. It can also represent your own spiritual beliefs and the traditions that shape you.
Meaning: Relationships, partnerships, love, choices, union, alignment.
Keywords: Love, partnership, commitment, choice, harmony.
When pulled: This card often appears in matters of love or relationships. It can signal a union, a soulmate connection, or a deep bond. It can also indicate a need to make an important choice or commitment, aligning your actions with your values.
Meaning: Willpower, determination, victory, control, overcoming obstacles.
Keywords: Determination, willpower, triumph, overcoming challenges.
When pulled: The Chariot signifies that you have the strength and focus to achieve your goals. Stay disciplined, determined, and push through obstacles, knowing that success is within reach if you maintain control.
Meaning: Courage, inner strength, patience, self-discipline, resilience, compassion.
Keywords: Inner strength, courage, patience, resilience, self-control.
When pulled: Strength calls you to face challenges with courage and compassion. It’s about taming inner fears, showing emotional fortitude, and demonstrating patience with yourself and others.
Meaning: Introspection, solitude, spiritual seeking, wisdom, inner guidance.
Keywords: Solitude, inner reflection, spiritual guidance, wisdom.
When pulled: The Hermit encourages you to take time for introspection and personal reflection. Seek inner wisdom and spiritual clarity. Sometimes it’s about stepping back and finding answers within.
Meaning: Destiny, luck, cycles, change, fate, turning points.
Keywords: Luck, cycles, fortune, karma, change.
When pulled: A significant shift or turning point is coming your way. The Wheel of Fortune suggests that destiny is in motion, and you may experience a change in circumstances. Trust that the universe is guiding you in the right direction.
Meaning: Fairness, balance, truth, accountability, legal matters, cause and effect.
Keywords: Truth, fairness, accountability, legal matters, balance.
When pulled: Justice brings a call for fairness and truth. You may need to make an important decision, and it's crucial that you base your choices on integrity and logic. If you're dealing with legal or contractual matters, this card indicates a fair outcome.
Meaning: Surrender, letting go, gaining a new perspective, pause, release.
Keywords: Sacrifice, letting go, suspension, a new perspective.
When pulled: The Hanged Man calls for a pause or a shift in perspective. It may be time to let go of old habits, beliefs, or ways of thinking that no longer serve you. Sometimes, you need to surrender in order to see things in a new light.
Meaning: Transformation, endings, rebirth, letting go, change.
Keywords: Endings, transformation, renewal, letting go.
When pulled: Death signifies the end of a significant phase in your life, often leading to personal transformation. Though it can be a challenging card, it signals the possibility of new beginnings and a fresh start. Let go of what no longer serves you to make way for the new.
Meaning: Balance, moderation, patience, healing, integration.
Keywords: Balance, patience, healing, moderation, harmony.
When pulled: Temperance is a call for moderation and balance. It encourages you to find harmony within yourself, your relationships, or your situation. Practice patience and avoid extremes, as balance will lead to healing and peace.
Meaning: Temptation, addiction, materialism, attachment, illusions, control.
Keywords: Addiction, materialism, fear, manipulation, attachment.
When pulled: The Devil warns of unhealthy attachments, temptation, or situations where you feel trapped. It may indicate self-limiting beliefs or behaviors that are holding you back. Acknowledge what is controlling you, and seek freedom from it.
Meaning: Sudden change, upheaval, chaos, revelation, breaking down old structures.
Keywords: Sudden change, chaos, revelation, destruction.
When pulled: The Tower indicates a sudden upheaval or a dramatic shift in your life. This card often represents a shake-up of old systems or beliefs, leading to a breakthrough or revelation. Though unsettling, the Tower clears the way for transformation and growth.
Meaning: Hope, inspiration, renewal, guidance, spiritual insight.
Keywords: Hope, renewal, inspiration, spiritual guidance, clarity.
When pulled: The Star brings a message of hope and renewal. It signals a time of spiritual clarity, healing, and inspiration. Trust that things are aligning in your favor, and keep your faith strong, knowing that you are on the right path.
Meaning: Illusion, intuition, dreams, subconscious, uncertainty, hidden truths.
Keywords: Illusion, mystery, subconscious, intuition, deception.
When pulled: The Moon suggests that things may not be as they seem. There could be hidden truths or illusions clouding your judgment. Trust your intuition, and be cautious of deceit or miscommunication. It's a time to explore the subconscious and seek clarity.
Meaning: Joy, success, vitality, clarity, optimism, enlightenment.
Keywords: Success, clarity, vitality, joy, positivity.
When pulled: The Sun signifies a period of clarity, success, and happiness. It represents enlightenment and a sense of joy. You’re moving toward a brighter and more optimistic phase in your life, filled with energy, vitality, and potential.
Meaning: Rebirth, awakening, self-reflection, renewal, calling, forgiveness.
Keywords: Awakening, rebirth, renewal, self-reflection, redemption.
When pulled: Judgment indicates a time of reckoning or a spiritual awakening. You may be called to review your past actions, release guilt, and embrace a sense of renewal. This card signals an important transition or change that requires self-reflection and a willingness to embrace transformation.
Meaning: Completion, fulfillment, wholeness, achievement, closure, global perspective.
Keywords: Completion, fulfillment, wholeness, achievement, success.
When pulled: The World represents the culmination of a journey or cycle. It indicates that you have reached a place of wholeness, achievement, and fulfillment. You may be closing a chapter, having gained important lessons, and now you are ready for the next phase in your life.
The Major Arcana cards represent powerful, universal energies and offer a broad perspective on life's journey. When these cards appear in a reading, they invite reflection on significant life lessons, transitions, and the deeper currents influencing your path. Each card encourages you to reflect on where you are in your journey and to make decisions that align with your highest self.
Meaning: New beginnings, potential, adventure, spontaneity, faith, taking a leap of faith.
Keywords: Innocence, new journey, risk-taking, freedom, open-mindedness.
When pulled: You may be at the start of a new chapter in your life, filled with limitless possibilities. Trust the unknown and take a leap of faith, even if you don't have all the answers yet.
