Major Arcana Flashcards
The Fool Upright
Phrase: I am Going
Element: Air
Planet: Uranus
Key words: Beginnings, Innocence, Spontaneity, a Free Spirit, Clear Conscience
A time to be bold and take the jump and trust the universe will catch you. The fool represents the unlimited potential of it all and represents the journey of the Major Arcana. The innocent, guileless nature of the fool represents something without agenda or pretense. The one the king will listen to above all others. This is Sun Wu Kong, Robin Hood, and Puck.
The Fool Reversed
Key Words: Holding Back, Reckless, Risk taking, Vanity, Foolishness, Indiscretion, Inanity
The project is not ready yet, you might lack the tools. Took many risks are being taken, being reckless. Your “foolish” nature is being done in private and should be brought out. It’s about deliberate ignorance and obtuseness, it’s a call to wake up.
The Magician Upright
Saying: I am doing
Element: Earth or Air
Planet: Mercury
Key Words: Manifestation, Resourcefulness, Power, Inspired Action, Create Change, Adroitness, Construction.
I got this energy is the Magician, all the tools are at your disposal and you are in need of nothing. Find the difference between confidence and arrogance. When you have the spiritual connection to the what and why of your goals, focus intensely and perhaps one thing at a time.
The Magician Reversed
Key Words: Destruction, Bane, Untapped Potential, Manipulation, Poor Planning
The real potential is not being maximized or the power is being used for destructive purposes. Think of struggle on your path, remember his wand is not pointing towards the ground representing a focus on the material. This is power and swagger only for their own sake, think of the politician that is considered moral for the sake of power but is busted for prostitution.
The High Priestess Upright
Saying: I am knowing
Element: Water
Planet: The Moon
Key Words: Intuition Clairvoyance, Premonition, Perceptivity, Sacred Knowledge, The Unconscious Mind.
The card of Tarot readers and Wise People, the card to show there are hidden forces at play. Spiritual enlightenment, the vastness of all human emotion, your intuitive self. This is a calling to look within and as hard questions. This is the card of natural and spiritual laws
The High Priestess Reversed.
Key Words: Deceit, Duplicity, Hypocrisy, Secrets, Withdrawal and Silence, Disconnection with Intuition.
This represents secrets that are harmful. It could be gossip about you or that you are spreading. It can also mean that you are surrounded by so many other voices that you need to focus inwards in order to reconnect with your intuition.
The Empress Upright
Phrase: I am loving
Element: Earth
Planet: Venus
Key Words: Fertility, Beauty, Nature, Abundance, Creativity, Motherhood, Nurturing
A call to create beauty in your life, to connect through your 5 senses. Do it through connecting with the natural world outside. Lots of indication of love from the sensual to parental. Associated with the spring and all the nurturing that comes with the changing of the season. Also about standing up for yourself with love and compassion.
The Empress reversed
Key words: Omission, Barren, Lacuna, Creative Block, Dependance on Others.
Unable to connect to the life giving energy of the earth, so creative projects aren’t coming through. Comes with a feeling of not being loved, supported, or protected and is considered to represent those relationships are wearing thin. Associated with anxiety and vulnerability and a call to focus on yourself. Self love and acceptance are the key, look out for issues around body image, or overprotection instinct. Can have “Mean Girl” energy.
The Emperor Upright
Phrase: I am Directing
Element: Fire
Planet: Mars
Astrological: Ares
Key Words: Authority, Government, Paternity, Establishment, Structure.
The card of systems, where the chaos of the world is broken down into actionable parts of a plan bringing a sense of law and order. An iron will where all is under control and provided for as well as self mastery and represents having to be “that guy” to make the decision. Be precise, practical, and smart, this can represent a painful decision that is for the greater good.
The Emperor Reversed
Key Words: Passivity, Overthrow, Coup d’etat, Domination, Excessive Control, Inflexibility, Lack of Discipline.
Assess the role of power in your life, are you giving it up to people? Are you dominating others with it? Are you being to much of a bully? This is not the leader, this is the tyrant, someone who does it all for the sake of power. The card of racists and egomaniacs, so we must be proactive when it comes to our association with power.
The Hierophant Upright
Phrase: I am unlocking
Element: Earth
Planet: Venus
Astrological: Taurus
Key Words: Tradition, Conservatism, Institutionalism, Spiritual Wisdom, Conformity, Religious Beliefs
This card can mean learning things from a trusted source or advisor. Like the trickster gods, this help is to take concepts that we can’t wrap our heads around and make it more understandable. The teacher, archivist, or librarian, represents the good of conformity. This can also mean the conformity is being used to obscure something from the seeker or by the seeker but can also just be the conduit from you to what you wish to obtain. Can be the card of counseling, mentorship, etc.
The Hierophant reversed
Key words: Non-Conformity, Unorthodox, Bohemian, Existentialist, Personal Beliefs, Challenging the status quo, Freedom
You have all that you need to move forward along your path, you are self determining now. This can also represent people in that trusted position that violated that trust or the person who is right simply because they say so.
The Lovers upright
Phrase: I am focusing
Element: Air
Planet: Mercury
Astrological: Gemini
Key Words: Passion, Partnership, Primordial Choice, Ethics, Love, Harmony, Values Alignment, Choices
Represents a soul connection with someone, can be sexual, or friendship. After walking through the Hierophant you are naked and ready to make the choices that matter to you. There is a choice to be made that has ethical implications, as there are choices to be made with the head or the heart.
The Lovers reversed
Key words: Temptation, Interference, Discord, Moral Quandary, Self love, Misalignment of Values, Imbalance
Being out of touch with the person you are in a relationship with, be it one sided, no longer in love, not synced together. Can mean someone is meddling in your relationship, be it in law or full on cheating. This can also mean there’s a serious conversation that is needed. Can represent the kind of love where everything is so heavy and sticky, and no one ends up happy. Can also mean the love of self that is what you present to the world and its value.
The Chariot Upright
Phrase: I am driving
Element: Water
Planet: Moon
Astrological: Cancer
Key Words: Victory, Willpower, Jurisdiction, Control, Success, Action, Determination.
Once you have a set course, this is the card that shows the willpower to drive to your destination. You are at the end of the journey that is in the physical world and getting ready to turn inwards. Those that are pulling the chariot will do what are asked but they must be asked. Additionally, note there are no reins associated with the chariot as willpower is the reins needed.
The Chariot reversed
Key Words: Riot, Turbulence, Wrong Direction, Self-discipline, Lack of Direction, Opposition.
When things are going well, it might be time to back up and re-evaluate. Are you imposing your will too much on the situation, or could indication simply the wrong direction or lack of self-discipline. Focus on where your chariot is going as it might be moving forward but in circles going no where.
Strength upright
Phrase: I am graceful
Element: Fire
Planet: Sun
Astrological: Leo
Key Words: Compassion, Force, Security, Fortitude, Strength, Courage, Persuasion, Influence.
This is the inner strength that is needed to conquer your fears through compassion. This is about persistence and composure, the need to take a breath and know that you can do it.
