The Tarot Deck - Part 4 - The Major Arcana Characters

The 3 X 7 Jungian spreads of the Major Arcana

0.  The Fool is the happy wanderer who sees the world through the eyes of a child. Most tarot experts agree that the Fool represents each of us—naive travelers through life, off on a grand adventure, out to learn whatever experience the tarot can teach us.  This is the Divine Child Archetype...

 

 1.  The Magician is the skilled and cunning master of all he surveys. He represents an individual in control of life’s tools and techniques, like those on the table in front of him. Typically, they include a cup, sword, pentacle, and wand—the four symbols of the Minor Arcana. This is the Jungian archetype of the Trickster...

 2.  The High Priestess is the enigmatic keeper of spiritual secrets. Secretive and guarded, she knows the secrets life holds—but she shares them only with the wise. This is the Jungian Archetype of the Wise Woman...

 3.  The Empress is the archetypal mother who nurtures and protects all of her creation, including humankind.  This is the Jungian Anima archetype.

 4.  The Emperor is the authoritative protector and provider who rules the known world. A father figure, he brings order out of chaos so that civilization can prosper.  This is the Jungian Animus archetype...

 5.  The Hierophant is a symbol of traditional authority and influence. He’s the head of a hierarchy, determined to maintain his religious and cultural traditions.  This represents the Jungian archetype of the Persona... The social Mask that we all present to the world.

 6.  The Lovers embody the twin principles of opposition and attraction. While an appearance by this couple could encourage any hopeless romantic, the card also signifies a choice that needs to be made between two equally strong desires.  Need to commit heartfelt loyalty to one path, one person or one task

 7.  The Chariot is a vehicle for forward motion and change. The young charioteer is in command of his physical and emotional drives, even when they seem to oppose each other.  For Jungians this represents our internal struggle between the ego and the shadow...

8.  Strength is the lovely lady with the heart of a lion. She gently holds the jaws of a powerful wild cat, patiently controlling a force that could otherwise eat her alive.  This is the Jungian archetype of the Hero or Heroine – A mythological and supremely self-confident self...

 9.  The Hermit is a recluse, far removed from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. He reflects on spiritual concerns, and carries the light of wisdom as a beacon for others to follow. Time to reflect... The Jungian archetype of the Wise Old Man...

10.  The Wheel of Fortune is the spinning wheel of destiny and fate. Because nothing is certain but change itself, the Wheel of Fortune reminds us all that what goes up must also come down.  We need to be aware of things beyond our control: “God grant me the courage to change the things I can, the serenity to accept the things I can’t and the wisdom to know the difference...”

11.  Justice is both the giver and enforcer of laws. As the ultimate arbiter, she holds a two-edged sword—a reminder that fairness cuts both ways.  Equates to Karma...  We will be rewarded for the good we do, and punished for the evil we do...

12.  The Hanged Man sacrifices his comfort and passions for a time, knowing that better things will occur as a result. He is the visionary who sacrifices one life to be rewarded with another.  Looking for spiritual enlightenment and psychic revelation... Beyond the material and mundane... Willingness' to make a sacrifice

13.  Death is the card of transition. Like the Grim Reaper, who clears away all that cannot survive, the card depicts the turning of a page, the completion of one chapter of life, and the exciting start of a new story.  New things cannot be started without old ones coming to an end... One door closes and another one opens...

14.  Temperance is the archangel of balance. With dexterity and grace, Temperance demonstrates that moderation can serve as a bridge to wholeness.  Learn patience rather than rushing  forward headlong with your eyes closed...

 

15.  The Devil is the dark and shadowy side of our existence. With tongue firmly in cheek, he demonstrates how a selfish devotion to material possessions and ill-conceived passions can tie us down and keep us from true happiness. This is the archetypical Shadow self... Our internal demons...

16.  The Tower is a forceful clearing of pent-up energy that strikes like lightning. It’s a bolt from the blue, and it can shake any overbuilt structure to its foundation. Change can come out of the blue and can be positive or negative. Sometimes even apparently negative change cam bring positive results... “Until I lost the roof of my house, I never realised how beautiful the night sky was...” Overcoming black and white thinking

17.  The Star is a shining light in the darkness. Like the goddess of the night, she’s the blithe spirit who offers hope, inspiration, and guidance. No matter how dark the road might seem, hope, courage and inspiration will bring the promise of better days to come...

18.  The Moon is the ever-changing mirror of the sun, and a symbol of the unconscious mind. From its perch in the night sky, the moon represents secrets and mysteries that may not be understood—or even recognised.  I warns us to be aware that illusions and hidden forces can obscure what’s really happening. It also represents our imaginative and creative side.

19.  The Sun is a symbol of consciousness and action. It’s the centre of the universe, and the source of heat, illumination, and life on earth.  In the light of the Sun, the Fool has come out of the darkness and into a new awareness and strength. Revitalised by the power of life’s journey, he is at his strongest and ready to shine...

20.  Judgement reveals all, heralds the dawn of a new world, and stands as a reminder of the power of forgiveness.  Resurrection, the rebirth that comes with spiritual awareness. Arriving rat this step in his journey, the Fool understands the possibilities of transformation that can come with change. The Fool reaches for enlightenment.

21.  The World depicts the never-ending, spiral dance of life. It’s a card of completion, achievement and success—as well as the chance to start another round. The Fool understands  that life encompasses more than himself and his own journey. He is ready to begin again on a new cycle of learning: He can be reincarnated from the world of experience back to the innocence of the Fool...