Major Arcana Flashcards
The Magician,
Skill; diplomacy; address; sickness; pain; loss; disaster; self-confidence; will; the Querent himself (if male).
The Magician is depicted with one hand pointing upwards towards the sky and the other pointing down to the earth, interpreted widely as an “as above, so below” reference to the spiritual and physical realms. On the table before him are a wand, a pentacle, a sword, and a cup, representing the four suits of the Minor Arcana.[6] Such symbols signify the classical elements of fire, earth, air, and water, “which lie like counters before the adept, and he adapts them as he wills”.[7] The Magician’s right hand, pointed upwards, holds a double-ended white wand; the ends are interpreted much like the hand gestures, in that they represent the Magician’s status as conduit between the spiritual and the physical. His robe is similarly also white, a symbol of purity yet also of inexperience, while his red mantle is understood through the lens of red’s wildly polarised colour symbolism—both a representative of willpower and passion, and one of egotism, rage, and revenge.[citation needed] In front of the Magician is a garden of Rose of Sharon and lily of the valley[note 1] demonstrating the “culture of aspiration”, or the Magician’s ability to cultivate and fulfill potential.[7]
The Magician - Reversed,
Physician; Magus; mental illness; disgrace; disquiet.
The High Priestess,
Secrets; mystery; the future as yet unrevealed; the woman who interests the Querent (if male); the Querent (if female); silence; tenacity; wisdom; science.
In the Rider–Waite–Smith tarot, the basis for many modern tarot decks, The High Priestess is identified with the Shekhinah, the female indwelling presence of the divine.[6] She wears plain blue robes and sits with her hands in her lap. She has a lunar crescent at her feet, “a horned diadem on her head, with a globe in the middle place”[7] similar to the crown of the ancient Egyptian goddess Hathor, but with the horns having a shape more like half-crescents, and a large cross on her breast, the balance between the four elements: fire, water, earth, and air. The scroll in her hands, partly covered by her mantle, bears the letters TORA (meaning “divine law”), that symbolizes the memory we carry inside about the past, present and future, named Akasha. She is seated between the white and black pillars—’J’ and ‘B’ for Jachin and Boaz—of the mystic Temple of Solomon. The veil of the Temple is behind her: it is embroidered with palm leaves (male) and pomegranates (female),[8] growing on a tree shaped like the Tree of Life.
The High Priestess - Reversed,
Passion; moral or physical ardor; conceit; surface knowledge.
The Empress,
Fruitfulness; initiative; action; long days; clandestine; the unknown; difficulty; doubt; ignorance.
The Empress card in tarot is rich with symbolism and imagery that convey themes of fertility, nurturing, and abundance. She is typically depicted seated on a throne, signifying stability and power, often adorned with motifs underscoring her dominion over nature. Her crown of twelve stars represents her connection to the celestial realm and the zodiac, highlighting her universal influence.[1]
The Empress holds a scepter, symbolizing authority and control over the natural world. A shield with the symbol of Venus by her side reflects her association with the goddess of love, beauty, and creativity, reinforcing themes of fertility and attraction. The lush landscape around her, featuring fields of wheat, rivers, and trees, symbolizes abundance and the nurturing aspects of nature.[2]
Astrologically, the Empress is associated with Venus, enhancing her themes of harmony and nurturing. She is connected to the Earth element, emphasizing her grounding, life-giving qualities, and her role in the physical, material aspects of life. Numerologically, the Empress corresponds to the number three, signifying creativity, growth, and expansion, embodying synthesis and harmony
The Empress - Reversed,
Light; truth; the unraveling of involved matters; public rejoice; also; according to another reading—vacillation.
The Emperor,
Stability; power; aid; protection; a great person; conviction; reason.
The Emperor is traditionally depicted seated on a stone throne, representing stability and unyielding authority. His posture is commanding, exuding a sense of control and discipline. His armor suggests strength, protection, and readiness for battle, reinforcing his role as a figure of power.[6] The throne itself is often adorned with ram heads, symbolizing Aries[5] and its associations with leadership and determination. In his hands, he holds a scepter, representing dominion and control, and an orb, signifying his worldly authority. His red robes emphasize his passion and decisive nature, while the mountainous background conveys steadfastness and endurance.
The Emperor - Reversed,
Benevolence; compassion; credit; also confusion to enemies; obstruction; immaturity.
The Hierophant,
Marriage alliance; captivity; servitude; mercy and goodness; inspiration; the man to whom the Querent has recourse.
In many modern packs, the Hierophant is represented with his right hand raised in blessing or benediction, with two fingers pointing skyward and two pointing down, thus forming a bridge between Heaven and Hell reminiscent of that formed by the body of The Hanged Man. The Hierophant is thus a true “pontiff”, in that he is the builder of the bridge between deity and humanity. In his left hand he held a triple cross. His crown has three nails projecting from it, symbolizing the crucifixion of Jesus.[2] The Hierophant is typically male, even in decks that take a feminist view of the Tarot, such as the Motherpeace Tarot, The Hierophant was also known as “The Teacher of Wisdom”.
In most iconographic depictions, the Hierophant is seen seated on a throne between two pillars symbolizing Law and Freedom or obedience and disobedience, according to different interpretations. He wears a triple crown, and the keys to Heaven are at his feet. Sometimes he is shown with worshippers, as his alternate title is the Pope or, sometimes, Jupiter.[3] These are often a pair of tonsured priests.[2] The card is also known as “The High Priest”, as a counterpart to “The High Priestess” (which itself is also sometimes known as “The Papess”, as counterpart to “The Pope”).
The Hierophant - Reversed,
Society; good understanding; concord; over-kindness; weakness.
The Lovers,
Attraction; love; beauty; trials overcome.
In the Rider–Waite deck, the imagery for this card is changed significantly from the traditional depiction. Instead of a couple receiving a blessing from a noble or cleric, the Rider–Waite deck depicts Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. By reducing the number of human beings depicted in the card from three to two, Waite was able to reinforce its correspondence with Gemini.[2] The Rider–Waite card also includes the tree of the knowledge of good and evil with a serpent wrapped around its trunk.
The Lovers - Reversed,
Failure; foolish designs.
The Chariot,
Succor; providence; also war; triumph; presumption; vengeance; trouble.
A figure sits in a chariot, although he holds no reins, he is pulled by two sphinxes or horses. There is often a black and white motif, for example one of the steeds may be black and the other white. The figure may be crowned or helmeted, and is winged in some representations. The figure may hold a sword or wand.[citation needed]
The Thoth Tarot deck has the figure controlling four animals.[1]
The mallet, or gavel, on the chariot’s coat of arms is a Masonic symbol representing self control.[2][clarification needed]
A canopy of stars above the charioteer’s head is intended to show “celestial influences”.[3]
The Chariot - Reversed,
Riot; quarrel; dispute; litigation; defeat.
Strength,
Power; energy; action; courage; magnanimity.
According to Eden Gray, the lemniscate above her represents enlightenment and spiritual powers, whereas the lion represents animal passions and earthly cravings.[1]
Strength - Reversed,
Abuse of power; despotism; weakness; discord.
The Hermit,
Prudence; also and especially treason; dissimulation; corruption; roguery.
According to Eden Gray, his lantern is the Lamp of Truth, used to guide the unknowing, his patriarch’s staff helps him navigate narrow paths as he seeks enlightenment and his cloak is a form of discretion.[1]
The Hermit - Reversed,
Concealment; disguise; policy; fear; unreasoned caution.
Wheel of Fortune,
Destiny; fortune; success; luck; felicity.
Wheel of Fortune - Reversed,
Increase; abundance; superfluity.
Justice,
Equity; rightness; probity; executive.
Justice - Reversed,
Law in all departments; bigotry; bias; excessive severity.
The Hanged Man,
Wisdom; trials; circumspection; discernment; sacrifice; intuition; divination; prophecy.
The Hanged Man - Reversed,
Selfishness; the crowd; body politic.
