The Hermit's Journey 2: The Major Arcana

Introduction to the Major Arcana

Now that we have an understanding of tarot as a whole, let's take a closer look at the Major Arcana.

As mentioned in the previous post, the Major Arcana cards are trump cards. When these cards appear in a reading, they signify the major themes from which you draw your interpretation. Initially, it can be helpful to use key words for each Major Arcana card and approach them similarly to the Minor Arcana. However, as you progress, you'll need to adapt your strategies to enhance your interpretations.

With this in mind, let's explore each of the cards that make up the Major Arcana. I will provide you with some basic key words to support your learning. Towards the end of the post, we will discuss three different methods you can use to contemplate and elevate your understanding of tarot. Additionally, I will share the first spread you can start using today. 

Major Arcana	Key Words
The Fool (0)	New beginnings, naivete, novice, change in direction
The Magician (I)	Adept, mastery, manifestation, bringing things into existence
The High Priestess (II)	Learning, wisdom, patience, virginity
The Empress (III)	Growth, prosperity, motherliness, femininity
The Emperor (IV)	Order, control, leadership, fatherliness, masculinity
The Hierophant (V)	Divinity, hierarchies, spiritual leadership, institutional control
The Lovers (VI)	Relationships, duality, love, social arraignments
The Chariot (VII)	Travel, movement, conquest, heroism
Strength (VIII)	Outer power, inner strength, self-control, libidinal energy
The Hermit (IX)	Self-reflection, isolation, finding a guiding principle, inner wisdom
Wheel of Fortune (X)	The ebb and flow of time, changing seasons, choosing to follow your fate
Justice (XI)	Law and order, holding yourself responsible, balance, living up to your ideals
The Hanged Man (XII)	Immobile, fresh perspective, existential crisis, entrapment
Death (XIII)	Conclusions, breaking down the old to fertilize the new, death anxiety
Temperance (XIV)	Harmony, self-imposed limits, wisdom through experience, divine messages
The Devil (XV)	Temptation, sexuality, addiction, compulsions, the unconscious
The Tower (XVI)	Dramatic changes, breaking boundaries, failed expectations, starting over
The Star (XVII)	Hope, guidance, reflection, activism, purpose
The Moon (XVIII)	Hidden, deception, manipulation, desires
The Sun (XIX)	Happiness, enlightenment, exposure, illuminations
Judgement (XX)	Revival, redemption, evaluation, salvation
The World (XXI)	Completion, holism, global, actualization

In the previous lesson, you were instructed to explore the possible meanings and interpretations of each Major Arcana card that resonated with you. Now, it's time to organize your notes into a coherent interpretation guide. Here are some suggestions:

Physical Notes:

Keeping track of what I learn in tarot is primarily done through my journals. I have two fancy journals that I purchased from a craft store (which shall remain unnamed). One journal serves as an outlet for my stream of consciousness, where I jot down notes, reflections, and new ideas. The other journal is dedicated to finalized interpretation guides and spreads. Essentially, the second journal serves as the material for this blog.

Online Notes:

Alternatively, you can use your phone, tablet, or computer to keep your tarot notes. This is especially convenient when you're not at home or need to search for information quickly using tags or keywords. I recommend using either Google Drive or the Notes app of your preferred operating system.

A Note on Relying on Notes: 

As a newcomer to tarot, you may have mixed feelings about relying on notes. On one hand, having them readily available for reference during a reading can be beneficial. On the other hand, relying too heavily on notes can become a crutch. I suggest two methods to help overcome this tension. First, don't worry too much if your initial readings are not perfect. You're new to this, so allow yourself some room for growth. However, if you cling too tightly to your notes, they may hinder your progress. Take every opportunity to challenge yourself and try not to use your notes initially. Here's an example:

Imagine you're doing a reading and looking at the cards you've drawn. Begin interpreting the cards based on what you can remember, and then fill in the gaps with the imagery. Once you've developed a story about the cards, refer to your notes to see how they align. From there, you can make two decisions: Do you need to adjust your interpretation, or do you need to modify your notes to accommodate the new insights you've gained for a specific card? By pushing yourself outside your comfort zone and updating your interpretation notes as you gain more experience, you'll find that you rely on them less and less.

Taking the Next Step

As mentioned earlier, using key words for the Major Arcana is a helpful starting point. However, to read the cards more effectively, you'll need to go beyond key words and treat them as true trump cards. To achieve this, you must align yourself with a framework that resonates with you. Here are a few frameworks that I have found particularly useful and will explore in more detail in future posts:

Archetypal Analysis 

From the psychoanalytic school of thought originated by Carl Jung, archetypal analysis is probably the most intuitive of the three methods. In this framework, you'll take each of the major arcana and interpret them in terms of the major archetype they represent along the Fool's Journey. In our last post, we looked at The Emperor (IV) as the father archetype, which challenges us to embody and develop our masculinity, Additionally, you can consider The Fool (0) as a trickster god figure who reflect the absurdity of our time and shows us the way to embrace chaos to move between multiple environments and aspects of ourself. 

For further reading, see: Jung and Tarot: An Archetypal Journey by Nichols 

Self Actualization  

Another approach is the Jodorowsky method, which views the Major Arcana as a process of self-actualization. Similar to the Fool's Journey in Jungian tarot interpretation, the Jodorowsky concept explores how The Fool (0) evolves into The World (XXI) through a series of negotiations between the material and spiritual realms. This method heavily incorporates numerology and is centered around the Tarot de Marseille. However, I found it highly beneficial even with the Rider-Waite deck.

For further reading, see: The Way of Tarot by Jodorowsky & Costa 

Astrology

Lastly, you can approach the Major Arcana through the lens of astrology, where each card represents either a zodiac sign or a planet. This method is most helpful if you're interested in gaining a better understanding of astrology and it can lead you into other occult paths such as Kabbalah or the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn. When reading the Major Arcana from an astrological perspective, having a basic understanding of the Greco-Roman pantheons will prove invaluable.

For further reading, see: Tarot and Astrology: Enhance Your Readings with the Wisdom with the Zodiac by Kenner 

Practice Spread: 

Looking at the Week Ahead

Lastly, I'd like to introduce you to a helpful spread to practice reading tarot. This spread exclusively uses the Major Arcana and is ideally performed at the beginning of your week, preferably on a Sunday. This practice will help establish the habit of using your deck at least once a week. I recommend documenting the cards you draw and the interpretations you make. At the end of the week, review your interpretations as a debriefing session to assess what worked and what didn't. Adjust accordingly, and then do your reading for the upcoming week. 

Again, thank you for your time reading this post and best of luck on your tarot journey!

-Tomlin