Major Arcana Meanings Explained

The Major Arcana form the spiritual backbone of the Tarot deck. Comprising 22 cards, these archetypal images represent life’s significant milestones, lessons, and transitions. They chart a journey known as “the Fool’s journey,” symbolizing the soul’s evolution from innocence to wisdom.

What Are the Major Arcana?

The Major Arcana differ from the Minor Arcana in that they typically indicate more profound, overarching themes rather than everyday events. Each card can be viewed as a stage in personal development, reflecting universal human experiences—love, challenge, transformation, hope, and understanding.

When one of these cards appears in a reading, it often highlights critical turning points or deep personal growth opportunities. Let’s look at a few key examples to understand their essence.

Key Major Arcana Cards & Their Meanings

• The Fool (0): Represents innocence, a fresh start, and limitless potential. Often encourages embracing the unknown and having faith in the journey ahead.
• The Lovers (VI): Symbolizes relationships, choices, and moral values. It could indicate love, harmony, or the importance of aligning actions with personal ethics.
• The Chariot (VII): A card of determination, willpower, and victory. It encourages facing challenges head-on and maintaining control to reach your goals.
• Death (XIII): Commonly misunderstood, this card often signals transformation, endings, and rebirth. It encourages releasing old patterns to make space for growth.
• The Star (XVII): Embodies hope, inspiration, and healing. It appears when you need reassurance that better times are ahead.
• The World (XXI): Marks completion, accomplishment, and integration. You’ve reached the end of a cycle and stand ready for a new beginning.

Upright vs. Reversed Meanings

Many Tarot readers also consider reversed meanings—when a card appears upside-down. In the Major Arcana, reversed cards may indicate internalized lessons, delays in growth, or resistance to change. For example, The Chariot reversed may hint at losing direction, while The Star reversed might suggest self-doubt. Understanding reversed meanings is optional but can add depth to your readings over time.

Integrating Major Arcana Insights Into Your Life

Seeing a Major Arcana card in a spread often means you’re dealing with matters that require significant thought, honesty, and sometimes courage. Keep these tips in mind:

• Context Is Key: Consider surrounding cards and your current life situation to interpret the card’s relevance.
• Reflect on Archetypes: Identify the archetypal forces at play—are you at the beginning of a journey (The Fool) or nearing a major accomplishment (The World)?
• Embrace Growth: Major Arcana cards invite you to engage with life’s lessons. If The Lovers appears, examine the values guiding your decisions. If Death appears, ask yourself what you need to let go of to evolve.

Learn More & Get Guidance

Interested in diving deeper? Explore the full set of Card Meanings for all 78 cards, or learn how to apply the Major Arcana in different Tarot spreads.

For personalized insight, consider a professional reading. At Zigino, new members receive 3 free credits to connect with an experienced Tarot reader who can help you understand how the Major Arcana shapes your life’s narrative. Sign up today and start navigating your journey with wisdom and clarity.