Lesson 5 Major Arcana
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Twenty-Two cards make up the Major Arcana of the tarot deck. These cards all contain powerful characters and strong symbolism, often related to spiritual matters and important life events. Representing the various phases of a person’s life from birth to death along with all the accomplishments, setbacks, hopes and fears encountered along the way. The Major Arcana cards are the heavy hitters of the deck and packed with meaning and symbolism. When one of these cards appears in your spread, it takes priority in the interpretation of the cards, and carries the most weight.
Also known as the trump cards, the Major Arcana includes 22 cards. The Fool, card zero, makes his way through all the cards of the Major Arcana on his life’s journey.
In a spread containing mostly Major Arcana cards, we can interpret life changing events and major milestones. Consider the cards of the Major Arcana as the major themes in each reading, with the Minor Arcana cards acting as support.
Meet the Major Arcana Twenty-Two Day Ritual
Each day, for 22 days, choose one of the cards of the Major Arcana to reflect upon, read about, and journal. You can go in numerical order beginning with The Fool and ending with The World, or draw cards at random.
Set the mood. Choose a comfortable space where you won’t be disturbed. Light a candle, relax in nature or on your back patio, enjoy a cup of tea. Then place yourself in an open and relaxed state of mind.
Hold the cards of the Major Arcana between the palms and close your eyes. Breath deeply in and out of your nose and imagine a light at your heart gradually growing brighter and brighter. Visualize the light radiating out in all directions until you are surrounded, in the middle of a large, glowing sphere of white light.
Spend some time simply studying your chosen card. What colors, symbols, and shapes are present in the card’s art? How does the card make you feel as you study it? Journal your answers.
Next, look the card up in a guide book or online and read some of the common meanings and correspondences for that card. How do these compare to your initial thoughts and impressions? What ideas do you wish to add to your own notes?
Continue each day until you have spent time with each of the 22 cards of the Major Arcana.
In this way, you can become very acquainted with your tarot deck. Remember to always allow intuition to guide you in interpreting the cards.