If you’re just starting your tarot journey, you’ve likely come across references to the tarot major arcana list — the heart and soul of the tarot deck. These 22 powerful cards carry profound meaning and spiritual insight. Whether you’re exploring a new spiritual path, craving self-discovery, or simply curious about tarot, understanding the major arcana is your first essential step.
In this beginner-friendly guide, we’ll break down each card in the major arcana, share practical tips on interpreting them in a reading, and reveal how these archetypes connect to your life. By the end, you’ll not only know what the major arcana cards represent but also how to use them for clarity, healing, and transformation.
What Is the Major Arcana in Tarot?
In a traditional tarot deck, there are 78 cards, split into two main types:
- Major Arcana: 22 cards representing significant life events, spiritual lessons, or personality archetypes.
- Minor Arcana: 56 cards focused on everyday situations.
The Major Arcana is like the storyline of a hero’s journey. It starts with the naive Fool and travels through experiences like love, loss, growth, and wisdom – ending in the powerful completion of The World.
When a major arcana card shows up in a tarot reading, it’s more than just a message. It’s a nudge from the universe about something important and long-lasting. These cards symbolize larger themes and turning points.
The Complete Tarot Major Arcana List
Here’s a breakdown of the 22 major arcana tarot cards in order, including their key meanings and insights for beginners.
0. The Fool
You’re at the start of a journey. Trust your intuition. Be open, playful, and ready to leap — even if the path is unclear.
Reading Tip: The Fool often appears when it’s time to take a risk or embrace unfamiliar territory.
I. The Magician
Keywords: Manifestation, potential, skill
You have the tools to create your reality. The Magician is about harnessing focus and willpower to turn ideas into action.
Expert Insight: This card often signals ideal timing for a new venture or creative project.
II. The High Priestess
Keywords: Intuition, hidden knowledge, divine feminine
Tune into your inner wisdom. Secrets may be at play, and the answers lie within, not in the outside world.
Reflective Thought: “The more still you are, the more you hear.”
III. The Empress
Keywords: Nurturing, fertility, abundance
Connect with nature, creativity, and compassion. The Empress reminds you to give and receive love freely.
Life Application: Great for questions about family, motherhood, or starting something new.
IV. The Emperor
Keywords: Authority, structure, leadership
Time to take control. The Emperor brings order through action, guidance, and boundaries.
Real-World Relevance: Can point to a father figure, a boss, or stepping into your own power.
V. The Hierophant
Keywords: Tradition, faith, conformity
This card calls for alignment with a belief system or spiritual path. Sometimes, it reflects mentorship or established rituals.
Beginners’ Tip: Ask yourself where you’re following tradition — and where you’re being called to question it.
VI. The Lovers
Keywords: Connection, choices, harmony
Beyond romance, this card is about meaningful choices — often concerning your values or emotional bonds.
Did You Know?: The Lovers can also symbolize soulmates, but not necessarily in a romantic sense.
VII. The Chariot
Keywords: Drive, determination, self-discipline
You’re moving forward boldly. The Chariot urges you to stay in control and harness opposing forces to reach your goals.
Pro Tip: It often appears during personal or professional breakthroughs.
VIII. Strength
Keywords: Courage, inner power, resilience
True strength comes from compassion, not control. Face challenges with grace and quiet confidence.
Tarot Insight: A gentle reminder that emotional strength often outweighs brute force.
IX. The Hermit
Keywords: Introspection, solitude, wisdom
Take time alone to reflect. The Hermit signals a need for inner guidance and spiritual clarity.
Real-Life Analogy: Think of this as your soul’s “timeout” button.
X. Wheel of Fortune
Keywords: Fate, change, cycles
What goes around, comes around. This card reminds us that life is in constant motion — and sometimes, surrender is key.
Lesser-Known Fact: The Wheel also represents karma and ancestral patterns.
XI. Justice
Keywords: Fairness, truth, accountability
You’re being asked to act with integrity. Decisions have consequences, and balance is needed.
Practical Tip: Excellent card when you need clarity in legal or ethical matters.
XII. The Hanged Man
Keywords: Surrender, new perspective, pause
Waiting isn’t wasted time. Sometimes, the best move is no move at all. Let go and trust the process.
Mindfulness Moment: Embrace the in-between.
XIII. Death
Keywords: Endings, transformation, rebirth
Not literal death — instead, the end of a cycle. This card invites release and evolution.
Insight for Growth: Death is one of the most misunderstood cards and often brings powerful breakthroughs.
XIV. Temperance
Keywords: Balance, harmony, patience
Blend your approach. Find the middle ground. Temperance is about creating peace in chaos.
Life Application: This card supports healing, recovery, or reconciliation.
XV. The Devil
Keywords: Shadow self, temptation, attachment
What are you clinging to? The Devil exposes unhealthy patterns, fear-based thinking, or material limitations.
Shadow Work: Time to investigate what’s holding you back – and why.
XVI. The Tower
Keywords: Disruption, revelation, awakening
Sudden change is ahead. The Tower clears away what is no longer stable so that truth can be rebuilt.
Tarot Reminder: The breakdown makes space for breakthrough.
XVII. The Star
Keywords: Hope, healing, inspiration
The Star offers peace after difficulty. It beams with optimism, dreams, and spiritual connection.
Practical Use: The Star often appears when you need reassurance or motivation.
XVIII. The Moon
Keywords: Illusion, intuition, emotion
Not everything is as it seems. The Moon speaks of dreams, confusion, and navigating the subconscious.
Expert Note: It can also point to psychic sensitivity or hidden truths.
XIX. The Sun
Keywords: Joy, clarity, vitality
You’re standing in your truth. The Sun brings radiance, success, and light after darkness.
Encouragement: Everything is falling into place — trust the momentum.
XX. Judgement
Keywords: Renewal, forgiveness, awakening
You’re being called to step up. Judgement represents second chances, clarity, and embracing your higher calling.
Beginner Tip: Reflect on regrets or decisions that require resolution.
XXI. The World
Keywords: Completion, wholeness, achievement
You’ve come full circle. The World is a sign of mastery, closure, and integration.
Spiritual Insight: You’re ready to start a new cycle — more aligned, more aware.
How to Use the Tarot Major Arcana in Readings
- Daily Pull: Draw one major arcana card each morning. Reflect on its theme and how it shows up in your day.
- The Fool’s Journey: Think of each card as a chapter in your personal growth story.
- Pattern Recognition: If several major arcana cards appear in one reading, it signals a major life shift.
Final Thoughts: Your Journey with the Major Arcana
The tarot major arcana list isn’t just a sequence of cards – it’s a mirror that reflects your soul’s evolution. Whether you’re seeking clarity, growth, or creative inspiration, these 22 archetypes hold timeless wisdom.