Understanding the Major Arcana

From Tarot Bible by Sarah Bartlett...




The Major Arcana, meaning "great or big secrets", represent the most fundamental energies of life. The cards symbolize our most basic issues, our inner world and underlying motivations. These are the 22 qualities or archetypes that permeate all mankind, and they draw out deep and complex reactions in us all. Think about whether you are spooked by "Death", allured by "the Lovers", indifferent to "Temperance", angered by "the Devil". We all carry these archetypes within us. If you can avoid projecting negative or positive values onto the cards, their rich symbolism will provide you with greater self knowledge as well as guidance on how to take responsibility for your own destiny.

CHECKLIST
The 22 Major Arcana represent deep archetypal influences and qualities at work in both the individual and the society at large, but the cards also express unconscious psychological aspects of yourself. For each card within this chapter you'll find the following information:

*Each card has a name. Some are simply ideas or themes such as Temperance, Judgement and Strength, while others are individuals who personify a particular quality such as the Hierophant or the Magician. The Moon, Sun and Star represent deeper, more esoteric unconscious forces.

*Each card has a number known as the Arcanum. The Major Arcana are numbered 1 through 21, plus the Fool who has no number, but is sometimes referred as 0.

*Each of the Major Arcana interpretations is accompanied by astrological and numerical correspondences.

*Each card has key words and phrases to help you identify the main theme or "feel" of the card. These brief phrases describe how the energy of the card is manifest. For example, the Fool's key words suggest "going on a personal quest", "impulsively heading off into the unknown".

*Each card has a main interpretation, which describes the card in detail and gives more information about possible interpretations when placed in various key positions in spreads.

Key Positions in Spreads...

* "You now" position describes the current situation
* "Future outcome" position describes the future situation
* "Recent past" position describes recent influences on the issue
* "Blockage" position describes current obstacle