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Exploring Major Arcana Symbolism: Cards 0-10
The Major Arcana is an important part of tarot, representing profound themes and experiences that resonate with the human journey. Each card serves as a powerful symbol of growth, change, and life lessons. From the innocence of The Fool to the completion of The World, these cards guide us through significant life events and personal transformations.
Let’s explore the symbolism within the first half of the Major Arcana, shedding light on their core messages and the transformative energies they embody.
The Fool marks the beginning of the tarot journey, representing new beginnings, spontaneity, and the leap of faith. This card encourages us to embrace the unknown and trust our instincts.
Card Symbolism:
Small knapsack: minimalism and simplicity
White rose: purity and new beginnings
Cliff edge: represents the unknown, leap of faith
The sun shining: enlightenment, optimism
Color Symbolism:
Yellow: optimism, joy, creativity
Blue: intuition, spirituality, expansion
Green: growth, renewal, potential
Brown: grounding, nature, humility
The Magician symbolizes manifestation, innovation, and personal power. It serves as a reminder that we have all the tools we need to create our desired reality, urging us to harness our skills and take action.
Card Symbolism:
Cup: emotions and intuition
Infinity symbol: limitless potential, universal connection
Wand: emblematic of creativity, action, and willpower
Red robe: alchemical process of transformation
Color Symbolism:
Yellow: intellect, clarity, mental agility
Red: passion, vitality, energy
Green: abundance, prosperity, fertility
White: purity, enlightenment, clarity
The High Priestess embodies intuition, wisdom, and the mysteries of the subconscious. She invites us to connect with our inner self and trust our instincts, emphasizing the importance of inner knowledge and reflection.
Card Symbolism:
Crescent moon: intuition, psychic abilities, subconscious
Pillars: duality of nature - the light and the darkness
Veil: the thin boundary between conscious & subconscious
Crown: spiritual authority, wisdom, enlightenment
Color Symbolism:
Yellow: illumination, wisdom, spirituality
Ocean blue: serenity, tranquility, the ebb and flow of emotions
Black: mystery, inner wisdom, feminine power
Olive green: balance, harmony, nature
The Empress signifies fertility, abundance, and nurturing. This card represents the creative forces of life and encourages us to embrace our nurturing side, whether through relationships, projects, or self-care.
Card Symbolism:
Crown: the divine, intuition, spiritual wisdom
Wheat: fertility, abundance, the harvest
Trees: growth, vitality, prosperity
Flowing river: creativity, life force energy
Color Symbolism:
Yellow: abundance, creativity, fertility
Moss green: growth, renewal. cycles of nature, healing
Red: passion, power, strength
White: enlightenment, creation, morality
The Emperor represents authority, self-control, and earning success. He embodies leadership and control, guiding us to establish order in our lives and take responsibility for our actions.
Card Symbolism:
Throne: authority, power over domain
Armor: protection, strength, integrity
Mountains: stability, endurance, solid foundation
Ankh: life, vitality, stability in the material world
Color Symbolism:
Gold: wealth, abundance, prosperity
Orange: warmth, vitality, energy
Maroon: authority, power, stability
Red: passion, ambition, determination
The Hierophant symbolizes rules, societal structure, and education. This card invites us to seek guidance from established systems or mentors, emphasizing the value of shared knowledge and community
Card Symbolism:
Raised hand: blessings, teachings, transmission of spiritual knowledge
Scepter/Staff: authority, power, leadership
Two followers: tradition, community, mentorship
Keys: knowledge, wisdom, access to hidden truths
Color Symbolism:
Red: dedication, spiritual power, passion
Yellow: enlightenment, inner trust, optimism
Grey: neutrality, wisdom, balance
White: clarity, moral guidance, purity
The Lovers signify love, harmony, and authentic connections. This card encourages us to make choices that align with our values and connect deeply with others, highlighting the importance of relationships.
Card Symbolism:
Two figures: partnership, union, harmony
Angel: guidance, protection, divine intervention
Tree of knowledge: learning, growth, consequences
Mountain: obstacles to overcome, perseverance
Color Symbolism:
Blue: communication, truth, harmony
Yellow: joy, intellect, self-esteem
Green: growth, unity, mutual respect
Red: desire, courage, romance
The Chariot embodies determination, willpower, and victory. It represents the ability to overcome obstacles through focus and perseverance, encouraging us to take charge of our journey.
Card Symbolism:
Driver: willpower, control, mastery over the dualities
Sphinxes: the need to harness and integrate both instinctual and spiritual energies to achieve success
Starry canopy: connection to higher guidance and cosmic forces
Laurel wreath: victory, achievement, triumph
Color Symbolism:
Yellow: mental strength, focus, confidence
Black: authority, defense, mystery
Blue: resilience, calmness, self-control
White: divine energy, spiritual enlightenment
Strength symbolizes inner courage, compassion, and resilience. This card reminds us that true strength comes from within and encourages us to face challenges with grace and kindness.
Card Symbolism:
Lion: power, passion, primal instincts
Infinity symbol: eternal strength, endurance
Garland of flowers: compassion, beauty, grace
White dress: inner peace, alignment, resilience
Color Symbolism:
Gold: royalty, nobility, divine energy
Green: growth, renewal, harmony
Orange: optimism, joy, energy
Blue: serenity, wisdom, expression
The Hermit represents introspection, solitude, and inner guidance. It invites us to step back from the noise of the world and seek clarity within, emphasizing the importance of self-reflection.
Card Symbolism:
Old man: wisdom, introspection, guidance
Lantern: inner guidance, enlightenment, illumination
Staff: authority, wisdom, spiritual power
Cloak: protection, concealment, detachment from worldly concerns
Color Symbolism:
Blue: tranquility, introspection, spirit
White: illumination, seeking wisdom
Grey: introspection, wisdom, neutrality
Yellow: mental clarity, insight, discernment
The Wheel of Fortune signifies cycles, change, and good fortune. This card reminds us that life is a series of ups and downs, urging us to embrace the ebb and flow of our experiences.
Card Symbolism:
Wheel: constant change, ups and downs, inevitability of fate
Four creatures: stability, balance, the four elements
Anubis/Typhon: passage of time, endings, transformation
Clouds: change, unpredictability, fluidity
Color Symbolism:
Orange: vibrancy, energy, change
Yellow: abundance, optimism, positivity
Red: passion, energy, action
Grey: change, harmony, equilibrium
As we journey through the Major Arcana, we uncover layers of meaning that speak to our personal growth and life’s journey. Each card serves as a powerful reminder of the lessons we learn along the way, guiding us to become more aware of ourselves and the world around us.
Check back for next week’s blog as we will be diving into the second half of the Major Arcana (cards 11-21)!
If you're ready to deepen your understanding of the symbolism in tarot, check out the Tarot Symbolism Journal!
This guide covers each card's numerology, card & color symbolism, and thoughtful journaling prompts to help you reflect and uncover insights. It also includes a glossary of common spiritual symbols to help you better interpret the cards' energy in a grounded, meaningful way.
Available in both digital download on Etsy and paperback through Amazon, this journal and guide provides practical, ethical tools to support your tarot practice with clarity.
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