Tarot · 6 min

The Major Arcana

Twenty-two cards, one journey.


The twenty-two majors are not an unordered set. They trace a line of development from the Fool (0) to the World (21) — traditionally called the Fool's Journey.

Three acts

  • 0–7 · Meeting the world. Fool, Magician, High Priestess, Empress, Emperor, Hierophant, Lovers, Chariot.
  • 8–14 · Turning inward. Strength, Hermit, Wheel, Justice, Hanged Man, Death, Temperance.
  • 15–21 · Breaking and integrating. Devil, Tower, Star, Moon, Sun, Judgement, World.

Seeing a major in a spread

A major turning up in a spread says the matter is not an everyday one. Minors describe your week; majors describe your chapter.

If majors dominate a spread, the person is inside a large transition. All minors means the matter may be important but it is passing.
Check yourself

What do lots of majors in a spread suggest?