Tarot for the Modern Reader
The Major Arcana
When the spread is made up of many Majors, it can then be said that this is a very important and powerful reading that you need to pay close attention to. There will be a lot that you do not have control over, and you may feel you are at the mercy of the Universe, but this is of a Karmic nature, and it is very important that you absorb the meaning and the lesson.
The Universe will consistently present us with situations that stretch and challenge us, in areas that we have a Karmic debt to fill. When the lesson is successfully learned, we are freed of it, in this lifetime and the following. If not, the Universe will just keep bringing us more "opportunities" to learn the lesson. When Major Arcana cards come up reversed, it indicates a need to return to the lesson of the card before, as you have not yet integrated that lesson, thus this is a learning opportunity that must be mastered before you can move on to the next lesson.
The Major Arcana cards represent the core of our spiritual beings. These are 22 very powerful archetypes that represent many facets of our lives. The archetypes in the cards are depicted with a vast variety of symbolism spanning many cultures and religions. There are many meanings assigned to the cards, but it is important for you to look at the cards, free your mind and listen for the small voice inside of you to give you personal meaning. When you think of something random or seemingly mundane, that is likely your intuition speaking to you.
It is good to have a solid foundation of meanings for the cards, but it is just as important to let each card speak to you each time you turn them over. You will find different meanings for the same card over and over in different readings if you tune into your intuition. Having a growing knowledge of symbolism can help deepen your practice as well. You may notice that you have several cards with the same symbol on them, such as Wings, or a White Rose. As you learn what these things represent, it can uncover additional messages for you.
The Fool
Keywords: New beginnings, opportunities, carefree, naivete, innocent, a journey
Reverse Keywords: Foolishness, risky behavior, not time for something new
The Magician
Keywords: Initiation, raw power, manifestation, action, communication, travel
Reverse Keywords: False start, re-doing things, miscommunication, blocked energy, trickster
The High Priestess
Keywords: Secrets, intuition, mystery, feminine independence, spiritual wisdom
Reverse Keywords: Secrets exposed, blocked intuition, not listening to gut
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The Empress
Keywords: Abundance, fertility, creativity, mothering, pregnancy, growth, expansion, beauty, luxury
Reverse Keywords: Difficulty with/as mother, pregnancy complications, blocked creativity or growth
The Emperor
Keywords: Authority, father figure, structure, order, stability, rules, routine, boss, government
Reverse Keywords: Domineering, overbearing, abuse of power, controlling, dictatorship
The Hierophant
Keywords: Conformity, tradition, institutions, orthodox beliefs, church, marriage
Reverse Keywords: Breaking tradition, unorthodox views, rejecting traditional norms
The Lovers
Keywords: Soulmate, relationship, meaningful love, choice, duality, decisions
Reverse Keywords: Difficulty in relationship, a fight or rift, inability to make a decision
The Chariot
Keywords: Victory, progress, will, determination, surmounting obstacles, reconciling opposites
Reverse Keywords: No direction, lost confidence, unmotivated, spinning your wheels
Strength
Keywords: Inner strength, fortitude, animal desires, power, confidence, passion
Reverse Keywords: Weakness, feeling powerless, no confidence, cowardly
The Hermit
Keywords: Solitude, introspection, time, sage, wisdom, guru, prudence
Reverse Keywords: False guru, too long alone, hiding, rejecting solitude, perfectionist
The Wheel of Fortune
Keywords: Luck, fate, destiny, fortune, chance, positive turn of events
Reverse Keywords: Poor luck, misfortune, don't take chances, difficult turn of events
Justice
Keywords: Fairness, equality, the law or legal system, writing, judge or lawyer
Reverse Keywords: Unfair outcome, unjust, difficulty writing, delay, corruption
The Hanged Man
Keywords: New perspectives, contemplating, suspension, surrender, sacrificing materialism, meditation
Reverse Keywords: Thinking outside-the-box, selfish, resentful, holier-than-thou attitude
Death
Keywords: Transformation, rebirth, letting something go, endings, fresh start
Reverse Keywords: Refusing change, stagnation, can't let go, contacting the dead
Temperance
Keywords: Moderation, blending, balance, homeostasis, tempering extremes, utilizing patience, a healer
Reverse Keywords: Out of balance, extremes, no moderation, no patience, healing blocked
The Devil
Keywords: Materialism, addictions, slave to something, pleasure and desires, overindulgence
Reverse Keywords: Recovering from or releasing addictions, breaking bad habits, removing chains that bind
The Tower
Keywords: Crisis, sudden change, natural disaster, explosive situation
Reverse Keywords: Narrowly averted disaster, managing crisis, warning sign
The Star
Keywords: Hope, optimism, faith, astrology, spotlight, healing
Reverse Keywords: Lack of faith, despair, denying your gifts, hopelessness
The Moon
Keywords: Lack of clarity, illusions, delusion, moon cycles, messages and signs
Reverse Keywords: Irrational, "lunatic", hidden things exposed, blocked messages
The Sun
Keywords: Creativity, joy, happiness, optimism, success, confidence, vitality, warmth, clarity
Reverse Keywords: Pessimism, lack of vitality or health, rainy, cloudy, sunburn, burnout
Judgement
Keywords: Awakening, true calling, call to action, powerful, near end of cycle
Reverse Keywords: Not heeding the call, rejecting the call from within
The World
Keywords: Completion, success, reaching the pinnacle, achieving goals, the summit
Reverse Keywords: Goals delayed, cycle not yet complete, travel delayed, barriers
Card Meanings Overview
Major Arcana Overview
Wands Overview
Cups Overview
Swords Overview