Major Arcana Tarot Cards: A Guide to The Great Journey (Part 1)
By: John Alexander - Ext. 891621
When you begin your journey with Tarot cards, you hear a lot about the Major Arcana. These 22 cards are the heart of the deck, representing the major milestones, spiritual lessons, and archetypal energies we all experience. From the first leap of The Fool Tarot Card to the perfect balance of The World, this is a map of the human journey to self-discovery.
If you are at a crossroads in your life, feeling lost, or wondering what's next, these cards are not just predicting your future; they are holding up a mirror to your soul. In this "Part 1" guide, we'll walk through the first eleven cards of this profound journey, from The Fool (0) to the Wheel of Fortune (10), exploring what each of these powerful teachers means for you.
Are you seeing these cards in your own readings and wondering what they mean for you? A gifted tarot reader can provide a tarot card reading tailored to your unique life questions. Connect via talk or chat for clarity.
The Fool (0): The Leap of Faith
The Fool begins the journey at zero, the number of infinite potential. This card is the feeling of standing at the edge of a cliff, a new relationship, or a new life path, with the universe whispering, "It's time to jump."
What It Means for You: You are at a new beginning. This card often appears when you're contemplating a big decision but feel afraid because you don't have all the answers. The Fool's message is that waiting for certainty is a form of stagnation. You must take the first step, trusting that the path will appear beneath your feet.
- For Love: This is the energy of a new, exciting romance. It's about being open-hearted and spontaneous. If you're healing from a breakup, The Fool is a sign that you're ready to re-enter the world with fresh eyes and an open heart, free from the baggage of the past.
The Magician (1): The Power to Create
After the leap comes The Magician. This card is the moment you realize your intentions shape your reality. He has all the tools he needs, just as you do. He is the master of manifestation, transforming thoughts into tangible reality.
What It Means for You: The power is in your hands. This card is a powerful sign that you have the skills, resources, and spiritual will to create the life you want. Stop waiting for permission. Your words are wands, so speak your desires into existence.
- For Love: If you're asking, “Will I find love?” The Magician answers, “You will create it.” This is the time to be clear about what you want, to put yourself out there, and to embody the qualities that you wish to attract in a partner.
The High Priestess (2): Listening to the Inner Voice
While The Magician acts, The High Priestess knows. She is the guardian of your intuition, the inner voice, and the sacred mysteries. She represents the knowledge that doesn't come from books, but from your own deep, inner knowing.
What It Means for You: The answers you are looking for are already inside you. This card is a call to pause, get quiet, and listen. If you've been feeling confused about a relationship or asking, “Is my partner being honest?” The High Priestess urges you to trust that subtle gut feeling. Your intuition never lies.
- For Love: This card often represents a deep, unspoken, or psychic connection. It's the telepathic bond you feel with someone. It also counsels patience and discretion—not all secrets need to be revealed right now.
The Empress (3): Nurturing Your World
The Empress is the archetype of the Divine Feminine, representing creation, abundance, sensuality, and nurturing. She is the lush garden, the feeling of being cared for, and the joy of creating beauty in all its forms.
What It Means for You: This is a time to be gentle with yourself and to receive with an open heart. What does my tarot card mean when it's The Empress? It means you are worthy of comfort, pleasure, and abundance.
- For Love: This is one of the most powerful cards for love and family. It can signify pregnancy, a deeply committed relationship, or a period of profound self-love. If you've been through a hard time, The Empress is here to remind you to nurture yourself back to health.
The Emperor (4): Building the Foundation
After the creative, flowing energy of The Empress comes the structure of The Emperor. He is the archetype of the Divine Masculine, representing order, stability, boundaries, and leadership. He doesn't just have ideas; he builds empires.
What It Means for You: It's time to take command of your life. This card appears when you need to establish healthy boundaries, create a solid plan, or take on a leadership role in your career. He teaches that structure is not a prison; it's the foundation that allows true freedom and growth.
- For Love: In a love tarot reading, The Emperor can represent a partner who is protective and reliable, or it can be a call for you to be clearer and defined about what you will and will not accept in a relationship.
The Hierophant (5): The Path of Wisdom
The Hierophant is the bridge between the divine and the everyday. He represents tradition, spiritual convention, and the value of a trusted teacher or mentor. He is the energy of spiritual guidance.
What It Means for You: You are seeking a deeper connection to something larger than yourself. This is a time for learning, perhaps from a formal teacher, a spiritual community, or a trusted advisor. This card often appears when you are ready to explore your spiritual path more seriously, perhaps by booking a psychic reading or finding a mentor who can guide you.
- For Love: This card can represent a traditional commitment, such as marriage. It speaks to shared values, beliefs, and the spiritual framework that holds a relationship together.
The Lovers (6): The Sacred Choice
This is one of the most misunderstood tarot cards. While it can represent a deep soulmate connection, The Lovers tarot card is, at its core, about choice. It represents a profound alignment of your values and a major crossroads in your life.
What It Means for You: You are facing a decision that will define who you are. This isn't just about choosing between two people; it's about choosing between your past and your future, fear and love, or an old belief and a new truth.
- For Love: This card asks you to get radically honest. What does my tarot card mean when it's The Lovers? It means your relationships are a mirror. Are your choices in love aligned with your highest self, or are they rooted in old wounds? This is a call to choose love, both for yourself and from another, with your whole heart.
The Chariot (7): The Power of Focused Will
After the choice comes The Chariot, representing victory, determination, and willpower. This is the archetype of disciplined action. The Charioteer is not just hoping for a win; he is harnessing the opposing forces in his life (the two sphinxes) and directing them toward a single, focused goal.
What It Means for You: You are on the verge of a major breakthrough, but it requires your full attention. This card is a resounding "Yes!" to your ambitions. If you've been asking about a new job, a big move, or a personal goal, The Chariot tells you to move forward with confidence and not to let anyone or anything steer you off course.
- For Love: This card can indicate a relationship that is progressing rapidly. It can also be a sign that you need to take the reins in your love life, striking a balance between your heart and your head to move toward the relationship you truly desire.
Strength (8): The Courage of the Heart
Strength is not about brute force; it is about the quiet, resilient power of your spirit. This card depicts a woman gently taming a lion, symbolizing the triumph of compassion, patience, and grace over our own primal fears and instincts.
What It Means for You: You are stronger than you know. This card appears when you are facing a difficult situation with courage and compassion. It's the strength it takes to heal from heartbreak, to forgive, or to hold your ground with quiet dignity.
- For Love: This is the card of loving with an open, brave heart. It represents a relationship built on deep trust and mutual respect, or the inner strength required to heal a past wound so you can love fully again.
The Hermit (9): The Wisdom of Solitude
After the outward action of The Chariot and Strength, The Hermit invites you to go within. This is not a card of loneliness, but of sacred solitude. The Hermit retreats from the noise of the world, not to escape it, but to find his own inner light and wisdom.
What It Means for You: It's time to disconnect from the world so you can reconnect with yourself. This card often appears when you need to take a step back from a situation—a draining job, a confusing relationship—to hear your own voice. The answers you seek are in the quiet.
- For Love: This is a call to be your own light for a while. If you've been looking for a partner to "complete" you, The Hermit reminds you that you are already whole.
The Wheel of Fortune (10): The Hand of Destiny
After the inward journey of The Hermit, we are met with The Wheel of Fortune. This is often the first card in the deck with no human figure, reminding us that some forces, cycles, and patterns are much larger than our individual will. The Wheel is the card of destiny, fate, karmic cycles, and profound, inevitable change.
What goes up must come down, and what is down will rise again.
You've read his wise insights; now get his personal guidance. John Alexander can help you apply the lessons of the Major Arcana to your love life, career, and spiritual growth. Connect with him now for a personal talk or chat.
What It Means for You: A major turning point is here. This card is a powerful message of spiritual guidance. If you have been feeling stuck, frustrated, or lost, The Wheel is a sign that the universe is stepping in to guide you. The entire cycle is about to shift. This is not a change you can force or control; it is one you must surrender to, trusting that you are being moved exactly where you need to be. It is the ultimate card of divine timing.
- For Love: If you're asking, “When will I find love?” or stuck on a tarot reading for love questions, this card is a sign that fate is intervening. A destined meeting, a fated event, or a sudden change in your relationship status is on the horizon. It's time to let go of the oars and trust the current.
The Lesson of Part One: The Courage to Become
As you look back at these eleven cards, a story emerges: you start with the pure innocence of The Fool, learn to manifest with The Magician, listen to your inner voice with The High Priestess, build a life with The Empress and The Emperor, find a teacher in The Hierophant, make a sacred choice with The Lovers, and take disciplined action with The Chariot and Strength. You learn to go within to find wisdom with The Hermit, and finally, you learn to surrender to the great cycles of destiny with The Wheel of Fortune.
These first eleven cards represent the great "journey out" into the world. They teach you how to build an identity, create a life, engage with others, and find your power. This is the foundation of your personal universe.
But the Wheel's turn signals a profound shift. You have mastered the first part of your journey, but the greatest lessons are yet to come. The end of this chapter is not an ending, but a pivot point. You are now prepared to turn inward, to face the deeper spiritual lessons of accountability, surrender, and liberation that await you in the second half of the Major Arcana.
