Practical Tarot guide: Major-Arcana card meanings and relationships – Part 1

Part 1 of this Practical guide of Tarot Major Arcana Meanings starts with The Fool and ends with The Chariot.

0 – The Fool
The Fool and the Magician are the same person.

The Fool has the same resources, knowledge, and experience as the Magician, but the Fool “chooses” to have all that tied up in his tablecloth and assumes a passive attitude in relation to his life’s work. The Magician decides to spread his “tools” and use them actively.

The Fool is one that is on his way, on a journey, but also someone who decides not to take responsibility, attachments, etc. He is free. This free journey is temporary; he will always stop and decide to act upon life’s many tasks and challenges.

Sometimes it may seem like he really is careless and irresponsible when combined with “negative cards” (there are no negative cards).

He can also be a child, someone who’s not aware of something because of distraction or ingenuity. But he can also be someone who is on a personal process of new discoveries or life experiences.

When I see this card I have the feeling of someone who is not really there, he or she is physically or mentally somewhere else, like a bit distracted. There’s a bit of evasion in his attitude.

When seen as a child, this card symbolizes innocence and wisdom at the same time: innocent and complete trust in God and in life, with no worries at all.

I – The Magician

The Magician is the Fool who decided to stop being evasive. He recognizes it is time to act, and he decides to do so.

The “apparent Fool” then turns into The Magician who masters his cosmic profession (his hat is the symbol of the infinite). And this he enjoys and executes openly (with passion).

Profession is a key for me when I see this card because, out of my experience, this card appears almost always related to that area where you make your efforts everyday. And this is true whether you are a banker, teacher, housewife or a student.

Of course, this card relates to the statement “it’s time to be active” or “it’s time to start being active”, but in the readings I notice that some of the messages are related to work or profession when this card appears.

It may also refer to someone who is good in his job. Someone who takes good care, a good boss, a passionate employee, etc. are all included in the Magician.

Creativity and acknowledgement of relations between events that escape the eye (this is the capability inspired by the street con artist).

Building your own destiny.

So you see the Magician and the Fool are two sides of the same coin. Both are wise and trusting in their own capabilities. Both are self-confident, confident in life and in God, etc.

II – The High Priestess

This is a wise woman, although this card can refer to a man with a developed intuition. A very down to earth person which has also access to the “other world” (symbolized by the cloth spread behind her). This other world is the world of intuition.

Intelligence and intuition are her tools. Wisdom.

She knows about the secrets of life (the book of sacred writings), she is mature and practical; but she is reserved. You have to go to her in order to get the information; she won’t give it away without you asking.

She carries life and knowledge inside of her; she has the secret of life thanks to her experience.

This woman can bring wise words and ideas; she can guide others to act because of her wisdom. She knows the facts and can advice you.

I usually see her as a mature woman, not a young one. Sometimes I see her as a mother, mother in law, etc.

Depending on the cards near her, she will use her hidden knowledge to help and to heal, but she is also capable of harming and gossiping.

Feminine intuition.

This woman’s guide is intuition.
This wisdom which she carries should be heard.
This woman could be your inner voice.

She advices or guides.

III – The Empress

This wise woman is very active, also in decision making. She is in domain of herself and moves actively through life.

Most of the time, the Empress symbolizes the woman who is being read of, as long as the consultant is not emotionally unstable. If the consultant is a dependant or unstable personality, then the card representing him or her will be another card like the Fool or the Hanged Man.

Clear mind, clear words, clear actions would describe her being. Her wisdom is practical, she makes decisions.

Growth and readiness for creation. Fertility.

Creativity in action.

To go outwards and enjoy beauty.

It can also be a woman who is the boss, influential, sovereign, the wife, etc.

In contrast with the High Priestess, The Empress combines intelligence, intuition and wisdom with “action” and adopts a leading role. The High Priestess is active in mind and soul but shows a passive outward attitude.

IV – The Emperor

He is the masculine active principle. Halfway sitting and halfway standing which means he’s about to take action, he’s ready to act.

This card talks about the practical, down to earth and realistic attitude of a man who owns himself.

Maturity, authority, and practical mind are his characteristics. The Emperor is someone who makes the “correct” actions, the “good for all” above selfish goals. Fair and practical.

When I see this card I have mostly the impression of a clear minded man who is generous.

When he’s the boss, he’s fair
When the father, loving and caring
When the husband, friend and lover, correct and faithful

The Emperor is a practical and faithful man. Not only in his intentions, mostly in his actions.

Intelligent man

Authority, man capable of making decisions, man in position to make decisions.

Material power

V -The Pope

He represents spirituality and morality; everything wise

This card symbols the importance of the card directly in the direction of his pointing finger. I usually meditate on the right hand side neighbour card; its combination with the Pope shows you something you’re overseeing, something you didn’t know had importance or something you didn’t know had to do with your question; and this is always something you should pay attention to.

The Pope’s signalling finger shows you the way or tells you: “look! So it is!”

Wisdom, experience, capability of seeing the great picture. Authority.

Doing God’s will or the “right thing”.

VI – Love

This card talks about human relationships and social contacts, and also the influence these relationships may have on you to manipulate, restrict or push you into action, through “rationality or social mores”.

It also represents the spiritual world which rules over rationality and social influences (Cupid, the angel of love). This force that is in each one of us, guides us to make our own heart felt decisions; the longing for love and goodness, the “urge to do the right thing”.

In relation to love matters, it is the tension between sensuality as a direction to choose from and heart as the other direction (will power).

Choice

Heart over sensual and temporary satisfaction.

Relationship based on love and choice.

VII – The Chariot

Movement and decisions

Time has come to make a decision and to concentrate your efforts on a goal. Mind, heart and body in the same direction will drive you forwards. If your heart and your mind don’t agree in which direction to go, it would be the same as having a chariot with two horses who want to gallop in opposite directions at the same time: there’s no way to advance.

When awaiting an event, this card signals that it’s moving; the decisions were made or will be made soon.

The moment to act is now. Choose your way or direction and make it true.

This card is always influenced by the cards next to it. It shows an easy road or a bumpy one depending on if it’s a positive or a “negative card” (there are no negative cards) right next to it. This card next to the moon means, it’s still a long way to go but the direction is correct; keep your eyes open so you don’t miss your goal.

The word “road” in this case can be a life path, a company where you want to work, a job or project to do, a course of action; everything that means making a decision of going consequently in a direction.

A deep intention that is carried through and made real.

This card alone as an answer related to a task means success, it moves.

The right choice.

This card also represents the decision of “moving on” into the next stage of life

If you have any questions, feel free to contact me at: atika@mindspiritmotion.com
I’l be delighted to help you in any way possible.

Continue reading the Practical Tarot guide:
Major-Arcana card meanings and relationships – Part 2
Major-Arcana card meanings and relationships – Part 3
Major-Arcana card meanings and relationships – Introduction

Filed under Tarot | Tags: how-to | Comment (1)