Understanding the major arcana

The Major Arcana is known as the core of the tarot deck and consists of 22 cards, distinct from the suits or court cards of other decks. Historical sources have referred to these as “Trump Cards”.

The Major Arcana is an important representation of the human life cycle, which covers physical, spiritual, intellectual, and emotional aspects. It encompasses a total of 22 cards associated with particular archetypes such as the nurturing mother and the strong authoritative type. These figures may take on real-world or spiritual significance when incorporated into one’s life. The complete set offers deep insight into our connections between ourselves and the universe.

The Major Arcana cards of the tarot deck display a scene with symbolic elements. Generally, they include the card's title and number in Roman numerals, running from 0 to 22. Certain decks remove these details and merely feature pictures. This is likely what appeared on the earliest decks due to illiteracy being widespread at that time.

The symbolism in the Major Arcana deck is particularly striking. It speaks to our higher purpose here on Earth and the paths we choose in life to reach a state of enlightenment. Each card, numbered from 0 to 22, takes us on a journey from innocence to wisdom and ultimately spiritual understanding. In addition, it can provide insight into major life events like family or work obligations. So while we may focus our energies on spiritual and emotional growth, the Major Arcana can help point out our other life objectives too.

The Major Arcana of Tarot cards provide insight into the human experience – our spiritual development, hopes and fears, our joys and sorrows. If you'd like to get started reading tarot cards, it's recommended that you begin by studying the Major Arcana. As you become more familiar with how they work together in a tarot spread, they can serve as your anchor to unlock your intuition while interpreting the other cards within the layout.