Tarot Card Meanings in the Major Arcana: A Friendly Guide to All 22

The Major Arcana form the heart of any tarot deck, shaping Tarot card meanings and offering guidance for life’s biggest moments and challenges.

These special cards connect with your spiritual journey and personal growth.

They help you find meaning in your experiences.

The 22 Major Arcana cards share a story of change and self-discovery.

When you work with these cards, you tap into ancient symbols and universal themes that connect with your own path.

Here are the 22 Major Arcana Tarot card meanings.

1) The Fool – New beginnings

The Fool card marks the start of your journey in the Major Arcana.

Numbered as zero, it represents pure potential and fresh starts in your life.

When you see The Fool in your reading, it signals a time to embrace new opportunities with an open mind.

Think of yourself standing at the edge of something exciting and unknown.

This card encourages you to trust your instincts and take that first step.

You don’t need to know exactly where you’re going – just like The Fool, your innocence and optimism will guide you.

The Fool reminds you that every journey starts with a single step.

Your new beginning might feel scary, but it holds endless possibilities for growth and adventure.

2) The Magician – Manifestation

You have great power within you to turn your dreams into reality.

The Magician shows that you already possess all the tools and skills needed to succeed.

This card brings a message of new beginnings and fresh opportunities coming your way.

When you see the Magician, it means the universe is ready to support your goals.

Your thoughts and intentions have real creative force right now.

Focus your mind, trust your abilities, and take inspired action to make things happen.

Use your natural talents wisely.

The Magician shows you how to connect your imagination with the real world.

You can do this through focus and determination.

3) The High Priestess – Intuition

The High Priestess guards the gateway between seen and unseen realms.

She represents your inner wisdom and psychic abilities waiting to be discovered.

When this card appears in your reading, it asks you to trust your gut feelings.

Your intuition knows more than your logical mind right now.

Take some quiet time to listen to your inner voice.

The answers you seek are already inside you – they just need space to surface.

The High Priestess reminds you to honor both your feminine and masculine energies.

Your compassion and emotional awareness are powerful tools for navigating life’s mysteries.

Pay attention to your dreams and subtle signs around you.

Your subconscious mind is trying to send you important messages.

4) The Empress – Abundance

The Empress represents growth, abundance, and nurturing energy in your life.

She appears as card number 3 in the Major Arcana and connects deeply with creative power.

When you see the Empress in a reading, she signals a time of expansion and prosperity.

Your projects and ideas can flourish under her influence.

As Venus rules this card, it brings gentle reminders to practice self-love and care.

The Empress encourages you to embrace your nurturing side and connect with nature’s abundance.

She points to a period where your creative projects will bloom.

Trust your instincts and let your natural talents shine through.

Your relationships may grow stronger during this time.

The Empress supports both giving and receiving love freely.

5) The Emperor – Authority

The Emperor shows up in your reading as a symbol of authority, stability, and power.

He represents the drive to create order and structure in your life.

You might see this card when you need to take charge of a situation.

The Emperor asks you to use logic and good planning to reach your goals.

This card connects to father figures and leadership roles in your life.

When it appears, you may need to be more firm in your decisions or set better boundaries.

The Emperor reminds you that power comes with responsibility.

Use your authority wisely and treat others with respect while staying true to your principles.

Think about areas in your life where you could show more leadership.

Your natural abilities to guide and protect others can help create positive change.

6) The Hierophant – Tradition

The Hierophant represents the sacred wisdom passed down through generations.

Card number 5 in the Major Arcana shows you the value of following established paths and traditions.

This card appears when you need guidance from trusted teachers or mentors.

The Hierophant reminds you that sometimes, the conventional way is the best way forward.

In readings, this card often points to traditional approaches in love, career, or spiritual matters.

You might benefit from studying with a teacher or following time-tested methods.

The Hierophant brings a message about respect for rules and customs.

When this card shows up, it suggests sticking to proven systems rather than trying to reinvent the wheel.

7) The Lovers – Relationships

The Lovers card brings good news for your love life.

This card points to deep connections and true partnerships forming or growing stronger.

When you see this card in a relationship reading, it suggests harmony and balance between you and your partner.

Your bond feels natural and easy, like two puzzle pieces fitting together perfectly.

If you’re single, The Lovers hints that a meaningful relationship might be on the horizon.

Look for someone who shares your values and brings out the best in you.

This card reminds you to trust your heart when making choices about love.

Your inner wisdom knows which path is right for your relationship journey.

8) The Chariot – Willpower

The Chariot card shows you a brave warrior standing ready in a decorated chariot.

This powerful image represents your inner strength and determination to succeed.

When you see this card, it means you’re ready to take control of your path.

Your focus and willpower can help you overcome any challenges in your way.

The warrior’s armor features crescent moons and squares, which point to new beginnings and strong will.

These symbols remind you that you have the power to steer your life in any direction you choose.

The Chariot tells you to stay focused on your goals.

Your inner strength and dedication will lead you to victory, even when things get tough.

9) Strength – Inner bravery

The Strength card shows you have deep inner power and courage within yourself.

It appears when you need to stay calm and patient during tough times.

This card features a gentle woman taming a fierce lion with loving energy.

It teaches you that true strength comes from compassion and kindness, not force or aggression.

When you see the Strength card, it’s time to tap into your natural confidence.

You might need to handle a tricky situation with a soft touch rather than pushing too hard.

The card connects strongly with the zodiac sign Leo.

Your inner power shines brightly right now, helping you face any challenges with grace and courage.

10) The Hermit – Reflection

The Hermit invites you to step back from the noise of daily life.

This card shows a wise figure holding a lantern, guiding the way through darkness.

When you see The Hermit, it’s time to look within yourself for answers.

Take a break from social media, crowds, and outside opinions.

Your inner wisdom has important messages for you right now.

Spend time alone to think, meditate, or write in a journal.

This quiet time helps you find clarity and truth.

Like the light from The Hermit’s lantern, your own insight will show you the right path forward.

Remember that being alone doesn’t mean being lonely.

This time of reflection will make you stronger and wiser.

11) The Wheel of Fortune – Fate

The Wheel of Fortune card shows that big changes are coming your way.

Life moves in cycles, and this card tells you that your luck is about to shift.

The card features a giant wheel with four creatures: an angel, an eagle, a bull, and a lion.

These symbols remind you that ups and downs are natural parts of life.

When you see this card, get ready for unexpected events.

Good fortune might appear suddenly, or you might face new challenges that help you grow.

Your choices and actions still matter, even when fate seems to take control.

Think of the Wheel as a reminder to stay flexible and make the most of whatever comes your way.

12) Justice – Fairness

The Justice card shows you that fairness and truth are coming your way.

When you see this card, expect decisions to be made with balance and careful thought.

A woman sits on a throne holding scales in one hand and a sword in the other.

The scales mean weighing choices carefully, while the sword stands for clear thinking and honesty.

This card often points to legal matters working out fairly.

You might need to make an important choice soon, and the Justice card asks you to think about what’s right and true.

Justice reminds you that your actions have results.

Good choices lead to good outcomes, while poor decisions can bring unwanted effects.

Be honest with yourself and others during this time.

13) The Hanged Man – Surrender

The Hanged Man asks you to pause and look at things from a new angle.

This card shows up when you need to slow down and let go of control.

Think of it like taking a break to see things differently.

The figure in the card wears red pants for physical desires and a blue vest for wisdom, showing the balance between mind and body.

Sometimes, you need to give up something small to gain something bigger.

The Hanged Man reminds you that surrender isn’t about losing.

It’s about gaining fresh insights.

When this card appears, take time to step back and reflect.

You might find answers by simply being still and letting go of your usual ways of thinking.

14) Death – Transformation

The Death card doesn’t mean physical death.

It brings a message of transformation and new beginnings to your life.

Think of it like a caterpillar changing into a butterfly.

When you see this card, get ready for big changes.

You might need to let go of old habits, relationships, or situations that no longer serve you.

The white horse on the Death card represents pure, unstoppable change moving through your life.

This change might feel scary at first, but it leads to growth and renewal.

Think of this card as nature’s cycles – like leaves falling in autumn to make way for spring growth.

The changes coming your way will help you become a better version of yourself.

15) Temperance – Balance

The Temperance card brings a message of finding balance in your life.

When you see this winged angel, it points to harmony between your inner and outer worlds.

You are entering a time of emotional stability and calm.

The card asks you to practice patience and avoid going to extremes.

Like the angel mixing water between cups, you can blend different aspects of your life smoothly.

This means finding the middle ground between work and rest, giving and receiving, or thinking and feeling.

Your relationships feel more harmonious now.

You’ve learned to stay steady and calm when facing challenges.

Trust that taking a balanced approach will lead you forward.

16) The Devil – Temptation

The Devil card warns you about life’s temptations and the chains that bind you.

When this card appears, you might feel stuck in negative habits or relationships.

This Major Arcana card shows two people chained to a dark figure, but their chains are loose.

You can break free from what holds you back.

You just need to make that choice.

The Devil represents material desires and earthly pleasures.

You might be too focused on money, physical things, or unhealthy relationships.

It’s asking you to look at where you might feel trapped.

Pay attention when this card appears in your readings.

It’s not all bad news – it simply asks you to notice what controls you and decide if those things truly make you happy.

17) The Tower – Upheaval

The Tower brings sudden and unexpected changes to your life.

Like a bolt of lightning, these changes can shake up your world in an instant.

You might face big disruptions that feel scary at first.

This could be a job loss, relationship ending, or other major life shift that forces you to start fresh.

Think of The Tower as a wake-up call.

While the changes feel hard, they clear away what’s not working in your life anymore.

The lightning bolt on the card shows truth breaking through illusions.

You’ll see things more clearly after the dust settles.

Your old ways of thinking and living might crumble, but this creates space for new and better things to enter your life.

18) The Star – Hope

The Star brings a message of hope and fresh beginnings.

This card shows up when you need comfort and reassurance that things will get better.

You’ll feel a deep sense of peace and connection to your spiritual side when the Star appears.

Its energy helps you stay positive during tough times.

The image of a woman pouring water represents emotional healing and renewal.

Your inner wisdom flows freely, helping you make choices that align with your true self.

This card tells you to trust your path and keep faith in your dreams.

Good things are coming your way, even if you can’t see them yet.

The Star’s gentle light guides you toward inspiration and creativity.

It’s time to let go of doubts and embrace the beauty of new possibilities.

19) The Moon – Illusion

The Moon brings a warning that your eyes might trick you.

This card points to things not being quite what they seem.

Trust your gut feelings instead of what you see on the surface.

The Moon asks you to look deeper than the obvious answers.

You might feel confused or unsure about which path to take.

Just as moonlight can change how we see familiar things, this card hints that you need to take a closer look at your situation.

Your dreams and instincts matter more than usual right now.

Pay attention to the subtle hints and feelings that pop up.

Watch out for deception or hidden information in your situation.

Something important might be lurking in the shadows, waiting for you to discover it.

20) The Sun – Joy

The Sun card brings light and warmth into your life.

It shows you emerging from dark times into a bright new day filled with possibilities.

You’ll feel a sense of pure happiness and childlike wonder when this card appears.

It points to success, achievement, and things going your way.

Your natural confidence shines through now.

You can drop your worries and just enjoy life’s simple pleasures, like a child playing in the sunlight.

Good fortune surrounds you during this time.

Your path ahead is clear and optimistic, with renewed energy to pursue what makes you happy.

21) Judgement – Reflection

The Judgement card invites you to pause and look back at your journey.

It marks a time when you need to be honest with yourself about your past choices.

Think of this card as a gentle wake-up call.

Like the figures rising in the card’s image, you’re being asked to rise up and see your life with fresh eyes.

You might face some big decisions right now.

Take time to reflect on what you’ve learned from your past experiences.

These lessons will help guide your next steps.

This card often shows up when you’re ready for positive change.

Trust your inner voice and be kind to yourself as you review your life path.

22) The World – Completion

The World card marks a time of great achievement in your life.

You have reached an important milestone, and your hard work is paying off.

This powerful card shows up when you’re finishing a major chapter in your life.

It might be graduating, starting a business, or completing a big project you’ve worked on for a long time.

Success and good fortune are coming your way.

The universe supports your efforts, and opportunities are opening up for you to grab.

You’ve built inner strength and wisdom through your experiences.

This card reminds you to celebrate your accomplishments and feel proud of how far you’ve come.

Wrapping Up

The Major Arcana offers deep wisdom through its 22 powerful cards.

Each card holds unique insights that can guide you on your path.

You can use these cards for personal reflection, decision-making, or spiritual growth.

Remember that there’s no “right” or “wrong” way to connect with them.

Trust your intuition.

Keep practising with the cards to build your confidence.

Start by pulling one card each day, and write down what you notice about its symbols and how they relate to your life.

The more you work with the Major Arcana, the more layers of meaning you’ll discover.

Your journey with these cards is unique to you.

Try different spreads as you get comfortable.

A simple three-card spread showing past, present, and future can reveal meaningful patterns.

Take your time learning each card’s energy.

The Major Arcana will be patient teachers as you develop your own relationship with their wisdom.

Tip: Keep a tarot journal with the cards to track your insights and growth.

Your understanding will deepen naturally as you spend time with these archetypal images.

Trust the process and enjoy exploring their rich meanings.