Welcome back, seekers, to the second installment of our tarot adventure! In the previous post, we explored the essence of tarot and its captivating history. Now, it’s time to delve deeper into the heart of the matter: the structure of a tarot deck.

The Major Arcana

The Major Arcana is a sequence of 22 cards that depict archetypal journeys, significant life events, and universal themes. These cards are numbered I through XXI, with each number holding a unique meaning and symbolism.

Here are some of the most well-known Major Arcana cards:

• The Fool: Embarking on a new adventure, taking a leap of faith.
• The Magician: Manifesting your desires, harnessing your creativity.
• The Empress: Nurturing creativity, abundance, and fertility.
• The Emperor: Structure, leadership, and taking action.
• The Hierophant: Education, wisdom, and spiritual guidance.
• The Lovers: Making choices, navigating relationships, and finding balance.
• The Chariot: Overcoming challenges, taking control, and moving forward.
• Strength: Inner strength, courage, and overcoming adversity.
• The Hermit: Introspection, seeking wisdom, and finding solitude.
• Wheel of Fortune: Change, cycles of life, and embracing the unknown.
• Justice: Fairness, balance, and karma.
• The Hanged Man: Surrender, letting go, and new perspectives.
• Death: Transformation, endings, and new beginnings.
• Temperance: Moderation, balance, and finding harmony.
• The Devil: Temptation, addiction, and facing your shadow self.
• The Tower: Sudden change, disruption, and unexpected events.
• The Star: Hope, renewal, and faith in the future.
• The Moon: Intuition, dreams, and the subconscious.
• The Sun: Happiness, success, and positive energy.
• Judgment: Awakening, self-reflection, and facing consequences.
• The World: Completion, achievement, and integration.

The Minor Arcana

The Minor Arcana consists of 56 cards divided into four suits: Wands, Cups, Swords, and Pentacles. Each suit represents a different element and aspect of life:  

• Wands: Fire, passion, creativity, and action.
• Cups: Water, emotions, relationships, and intuition.
• Swords: Air, intellect, communication, and conflict.
• Pentacles: Earth, material possessions, stability, and abundance.

Within each suit, the cards are numbered Ace through 10, with court cards (Page, Knight, Queen, and King) completing the sequence. These cards represent specific stages of development and expression of the suit’s energy.

Exploring the Deck

Take some time to explore your tarot deck, familiarize yourself with the Major and Minor Arcana, and ponder the symbolism of each card. Notice how the imagery resonates with you and how it might reflect your own life experiences.

In the Next Post

In the next installment of Tarot 101, we’ll delve deeper into the world of tarot spreads, exploring different layouts and techniques for using the cards for self-reflection and guidance. Get ready to put your newfound knowledge of the tarot deck into practice!