What Are the 21 Tarot Cards?

The Tarot deck is a powerful tool for divination and self-reflection, consisting of a total of 78 cards. These cards are divided into the Major Arcana and the Minor Arcana. The Major Arcana consists of 22 cards, often referred to as the “trump” cards, while the Minor Arcana consists of the remaining 56 cards. In this blog post, we will focus on the Major Arcana and explore the meaning behind the 21 Tarot cards.

The Major Arcana cards represent significant life events, challenges, and archetypal experiences. Each card holds a deep symbolic meaning and is associated with different aspects of human existence. Let’s delve into the interpretations of the 21 Major Arcana cards:

The Fool (#0)

The Fool represents new beginnings, taking risks, and embracing life’s journey with enthusiasm. It signifies innocence, spontaneity, and a leap of faith. The Fool card reminds us to trust in the universe and be open to new opportunities.

The Magician (#I)

The Magician symbolizes manifestation, power, and creativity. It represents the ability to harness one’s inner resources, adapt to situations, and transform reality with determination. The Magician card encourages us to tap into our potentials and make things happen.

The High Priestess (#II)

The High Priestess embodies intuition, wisdom, and the subconscious mind. It represents hidden knowledge and secrets yet to be revealed. This card urges us to trust our instincts, seek inner guidance, and pay attention to our dreams and intuition.

The Empress (#III)

The Empress signifies abundance, nurturing, and fertility. It represents the feminine aspects of creation, motherhood, and sensuality. This card encourages us to embrace our creative instincts, cultivate self-care, and connect with the natural world.

The Emperor (#IV)

The Emperor represents authority, structure, and stability. It embodies leadership qualities, responsibility, and the ability to make decisions with practicality and logic. This card reminds us to take charge of our lives and establish boundaries where necessary.

The Hierophant (#V)

The Hierophant symbolizes tradition, spirituality, and teaching. It represents organized religion, education, and moral guidance. This card encourages us to seek wisdom from mentors, embrace spiritual practices, and uphold our personal beliefs.

The Lovers (#VI)

The Lovers card signifies love, passion, and emotional connections. It represents partnerships, harmony, and choices. This card reminds us to follow our hearts, foster healthy relationships, and make decisions from a place of love.

The Chariot (#VII)

The Chariot embodies willpower, determination, and self-control. It represents success through focused effort, overcoming obstacles, and balancing opposing forces. This card encourages us to stay disciplined, maintain momentum, and move forward with confidence.

Strength (#VIII)

Strength signifies inner courage, resilience, and self-control. It represents compassion, patience, and the ability to confront challenges without aggression. This card reminds us to trust in our inner strength and embrace our vulnerabilities with grace.

The Hermit (#IX)

The Hermit symbolizes introspection, solitude, and self-discovery. It represents the need for spiritual guidance, seeking answers within, and finding wisdom through solitude. This card encourages us to take time for reflection, meditation, and inner exploration.

Wheel of Fortune (#X)

The Wheel of Fortune represents cycles, destiny, and unexpected changes. It symbolizes the ups and downs of life, fortune, and the interconnectedness of all things. This card reminds us to embrace change, go with the flow, and trust the natural rhythm of life.

Justice (#XI)

Justice signifies fairness, truth, and the law. It represents balance, integrity, and making choices aligned with our values. This card reminds us to seek justice, take responsibility for our actions, and assess situations with objectivity.

The Hanged Man (#XII)

The Hanged Man symbolizes surrender, release, and gaining a new perspective. It represents sacrifice for higher knowledge, suspension, and introspection. This card encourages us to let go of control, trust the process, and see things from a different angle.

Death (#XIII)

Death signifies transformation, endings, and rebirth. It represents letting go of the old to make way for the new, the inevitability of change, and personal growth. This card reminds us to embrace transformation, release attachments, and welcome new opportunities.

Temperance (#XIV)

Temperance embodies balance, harmony, and moderation. It represents the integration of opposites, patience, and finding a middle ground. This card encourages us to seek harmony in all areas of life and find balance between work and play.

The Devil (#XV)

The Devil signifies materialism, temptation, and bondage. It represents unhealthy patterns, addictions, and self-imposed limitations. This card reminds us to overcome our fears, break free from toxic situations, and reclaim our personal power.

The Tower (#XVI)

The Tower represents sudden change, upheaval, and destruction of existing structures. It symbolizes breakthroughs, revelations, and the opportunity for personal growth. This card encourages us to embrace change, let go of what no longer serves us, and rebuild from the ground up.

The Star (#XVII)

The Star signifies hope, inspiration, and healing. It represents spiritual illumination, guidance, and renewed faith. This card reminds us to trust in the universe, have faith in our abilities, and embrace the light within us.

The Moon (#XVIII)

The Moon symbolizes the subconscious mind, intuition, and mystery. It represents illusions, emotions, and the ebb and flow of life. This card encourages us to trust our intuition, dive into the depths of our emotions, and explore the hidden realms of the psyche.

The Sun (#XIX)

The Sun signifies happiness, joy, and vitality. It represents success, abundance, and a sense of childlike wonder. This card reminds us to embrace life’s blessings, radiate positive energy, and celebrate our achievements.

Judgement (#XX)

Judgement represents self-reflection, rebirth, and spiritual awakening. It signifies awakening to one’s purpose, healing past wounds, and embracing personal transformation. This card encourages us to listen to our inner calling, release self-judgment, and embark on a journey of self-discovery.

The World (#XXI)

The World embodies completion, fulfillment, and achievement. It represents wholeness, integration, and the successful culmination of a journey. This card reminds us to celebrate our accomplishments, recognize our interconnectedness, and step into our true potential.

In conclusion, the 21 Tarot cards of the Major Arcana hold profound symbolic meanings that invite us to explore various aspects of life’s journey. Each card represents different archetypal energies and offers guidance, reflection, and insight into our personal and spiritual growth. Understanding the interpretations of these cards can provide us with valuable insights, helping navigate life’s challenges and embrace the abundance of possibilities that lay ahead.