The Major Arcana are the first 22 cards in a tarot deck. Each card is numbered from 0 to 21 and has a specific title and imagery. Unlike the Minor Arcana, which is divided into four suits, the Major Arcana cards stand alone with unique meanings.
The Major Arcana cards are often seen as representing significant life lessons and themes. They can indicate larger forces at work in a person's life or major turning points. These cards are more influential than the Minor Arcana cards and can guide the overall narrative of a tarot reading.
Many tarot readers view the Major Arcana as depicting 'The Fool's Journey,' a narrative that represents a person's journey through life, starting with The Fool (card 0) and moving through experiences and life lessons represented by the other cards, culminating in The World (card 21).
Interpreting the Major Arcana during a tarot reading requires understanding the symbolism and themes of each card. Readers often relate the cards to the querent's life experiences, challenges, and opportunities. The Major Arcana can offer profound insights into the psychological and spiritual aspects of a person's life.
The Minor Arcana comprises 56 cards in a tarot deck, which are divided into four suits: Cups, Pentacles (or Coins), Swords, and Wands. Each suit contains 14 cards: the Ace through the Ten, and four court cards – King, Queen, Knight, and Page.
While the Major Arcana cards represent significant life themes and spiritual lessons, the Minor Arcana cards focus on the everyday aspects of life, reflecting current issues, activities, and emotions. They can provide more detailed insights into day-to-day occurrences and help in understanding the context of the Major Arcana cards in a reading.
The suit of Cups is associated with the element of Water and deals with emotions, relationships, and feelings. This suit often indicates matters of the heart, emotional connections, and intuitive insights.
Pentacles, linked with the Earth element, represents material aspects of life, such as work, finances, and physical health. These cards often suggest practical and tangible life matters.
Associated with the element of Air, the Swords suit is about intellect, communication, and mental activity. This suit often reflects challenges, conflicts, decisions, and power.
Wands, corresponding to the Fire element, symbolize creativity, action, and motivation. These cards typically deal with personal growth, ambition, and energy.
The court cards in each suit (King, Queen, Knight, and Page) represent different personalities or aspects of a personality. They can signify actual people in the querent's life or certain characteristics and attitudes.
Interpreting the Minor Arcana in tarot readings involves understanding the nuances of each suit and how they apply to everyday life. They offer insights into the immediate situation of the querent, complementing the broader themes indicated by the Major Arcana cards. The specific meanings of these cards can vary based on their position in the spread and their relationship to other cards.
Together, the Minor Arcana and the Major Arcana create a comprehensive picture during a tarot reading, with the Minor Arcana adding detail and context to the overarching themes presented by the Major Arcana.
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