Major Arcana Deep Dive: The Fool’s Journey Through the Cards

When most people think of tarot, their minds often jump to the mysterious and powerful images of the Major Arcana—The Magician, The Lovers, Death, The World. These 22 cards form the spiritual backbone of the tarot deck, and together, they tell a story: The Fool’s Journey.

Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned reader, understanding this journey adds rich meaning to your readings. So let’s walk the path of the Fool together and explore what the Major Arcana really teaches us—and how you can use that wisdom in your personal tarot practice.

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What Is the Major Arcana?

The tarot deck is typically split into two parts:

• Major Arcana (22 cards): Representing big-picture themes, life lessons, and deep spiritual or psychological archetypes.
• Minor Arcana (56 cards): Representing everyday situations, emotions, and experiences.

While the Minor Arcana focuses on the what of daily life, the Major Arcana speaks to the why. These cards reveal the underlying energy, pattern, or archetype guiding your current path. When one shows up in a reading, it often signals a pivotal moment of change, reflection, or transformation.

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Who Is the Fool?

Card 0 of the deck, The Fool, is the protagonist of the Major Arcana story. Young, curious, and open-hearted, the Fool stands on the edge of a cliff, trusting the journey ahead. In many ways, the Fool represents all of us as we embark on cycles of growth, learning, heartbreak, healing, and transcendence.

The Fool doesn’t just begin the story—the Fool is the story. Each subsequent card represents a challenge, a teacher, or a lesson the Fool encounters along the way.

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The Journey Begins (Cards 1–7)

The early steps of the journey introduce the Fool to foundational forces that shape identity and worldview.

• 1. The Magician – Realizing the tools and talents within you. This is about willpower, action, and manifesting your potential.
• 2. The High Priestess – A call to intuition, dreams, and the mysteries of the subconscious mind.
• 3. The Empress – The embodiment of the Divine Feminine: nurturing, sensual, creative, and connected to the earth.
• 4. The Emperor – Stability, leadership, and authority. The Divine Masculine archetype, rooted in order and control.
• 5. The Hierophant – Tradition, spiritual structure, and societal norms. This card often signals a moment of spiritual or ethical choice.
• 6. The Lovers – A powerful card about union and duality—both romantic and internal. Here, the Fool learns the sacred nature of choice.
• 7. The Chariot – The first test of willpower. This card is about self-control, direction, and charging ahead with confidence.

These cards often reflect our early encounters with family dynamics, education, relationships, and personal identity.

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Trials and Growth (Cards 8–14)

Here, the Fool meets the real tests of personal strength and spiritual depth.

• 8. Strength – Not physical power, but inner courage, patience, and emotional resilience.
• 9. The Hermit – Stepping back from the world to seek wisdom in solitude. A time of deep self-reflection.
• 10. Wheel of Fortune – Fate and change. This card reminds us that life is always in motion and nothing is permanent.
• 11. Justice – A moment of reckoning. Fairness, truth, and accountability are brought to the forefront.
• 12. The Hanged Man – Voluntary surrender. Letting go of control to gain a new perspective or reach enlightenment.
• 13. Death – Transformation through ending. Something must die—an identity, habit, or belief—for something new to be born.
• 14. Temperance – Finding your center. This card is about alchemy, spiritual integration, and harmony.

These cards often appear during times of crisis or major life shifts, encouraging us to reevaluate, release, and recalibrate.

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Awakening and Completion (Cards 15–21)

The final stage of the Fool’s Journey brings trials of ego, illusions, and finally, awakening.

• 15. The Devil – Addiction, obsession, materialism, or unhealthy patterns. This card reveals what binds you.
• 16. The Tower – Sudden upheaval. A dramatic event or realization that shatters illusions. It’s painful—but liberating.
• 17. The Star – After the storm, a glimmer of hope. Renewal, healing, and faith in the future.
• 18. The Moon – Deep emotion, mystery, and illusion. Things are not as they seem, and the Fool must navigate darkness.
• 19. The Sun – Joy, clarity, and abundance. After darkness, the Fool basks in light and truth.
• 20. Judgement – A moment of awakening or rebirth. The Fool is called to accountability and self-realization.
• 21. The World – Completion, mastery, and wholeness. The Fool has reached the end—but is forever changed.

At this stage, the Fool understands both the power and the price of enlightenment. It’s a culmination—but also the beginning of a new cycle.

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The Fool’s Journey as a Life Map

Many readers use the Major Arcana to explore not just individual situations, but entire life phases. Here’s how the cards often map onto major human experiences:

• Childhood & Adolescence: The Magician through The Lovers
• Early Adulthood: The Chariot through Temperance
• Midlife & Crisis: The Devil through The Tower
• Awakening & Wisdom: The Star through The World

You can use the Fool’s Journey to reflect on where you are in your spiritual evolution, or to help clients understand major themes in their own lives.

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Using the Major Arcana in Your Readings

While it’s rare for a full spread to contain only Major Arcana cards, when they do appear, take note—they carry significant weight.

Here are a few ways to work intentionally with them:

• Major Arcana-Only Spreads: Pull one for insight into your current life lesson or spiritual direction.
• Theme Tracking: Keep a journal of which Major Arcana cards show up most frequently in your readings. They often reflect repeating patterns or stuck energy.
• Clarifier Cards: If a reading feels vague, pull a Major Arcana card to show the soul-level influence behind the situation.

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A Simple Major Arcana Spread

Want to try a quick but powerful spread using only the Major Arcana?

Three-Card Fool’s Journey Spread:

1. Where am I on my spiritual path?
2. What is the lesson I’m currently being asked to learn?
3. What archetype or energy will support me as I move forward?

This spread is perfect for monthly reflections, spiritual journaling, or shadow work.

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Final Thoughts

The Major Arcana is more than a set of striking images—it’s a map of transformation. The Fool’s Journey is an invitation to look at your own life not as a series of random events, but as a sacred process of becoming. Each card you pull isn’t just a message—it’s a mirror, a teacher, and a guide.

So the next time one of these cards appears in a reading, take a moment to ask yourself:
Where am I on my journey?
What wisdom does this card offer me right now?
And what’s the next step forward?

Because, just like the Fool, you’re walking a path of endless discovery—and the deck is here to walk with you.

Tips for Reading Tarot Intuitively (Not Just by the Book)

There’s nothing wrong with learning Tarot from a book. In fact, many of us started that way—flipping through guidebooks, highlighting keywords, and memorizing upright and reversed meanings for all 78 cards. It’s a solid foundation.

But the real magic of Tarot? It happens when you start reading with your intuition.

An intuitive reading isn’t about ditching all structure—it’s about going deeper. It’s about learning to listen to the cards, to yourself, and to the energy of the moment. And once you get comfortable reading intuitively, your Tarot practice becomes more fluid, more personal, and way more powerful.

So if you’re ready to stop second-guessing yourself and start trusting your inner knowing, this post is for you. Let’s explore what intuitive reading really means, and how you can start practicing it with confidence.

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✨ What Is Intuitive Tarot Reading?

At its core, intuitive reading is about tapping into your inner sense of meaning, rather than relying solely on memorized definitions. It’s the practice of reading between the lines—noticing images, colors, patterns, emotional impressions, and even the way cards make you feel.

It’s asking:

• What is this card showing me right now, in this moment?
• What message is trying to come through that might not be in the book?
• What’s my gut saying?

Intuitive reading is not about making things up. It’s about forming a relationship with your deck and letting your own insight shape the reading.

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🧠 Book Knowledge vs. Intuition – Do You Need Both?

Yes. You do need both—but not equally at every stage of your journey.

When you’re just starting out, it’s totally normal to lean on guidebooks. You’re building a vocabulary, after all. But over time, that framework should start to support your own interpretations, not restrict them.

Think of it like learning to cook: at first you follow recipes exactly. Eventually, you learn how to tweak them, trust your taste, and throw things together by feel.

Tarot works the same way.

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🃏 How to Start Reading Tarot Intuitively

Here are some tried-and-true tips to help you grow your intuitive reading skills without tossing your guidebook into the fire (unless you want to—no judgment).

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1. Look at the Image First—Before You Look Anything Up

When you draw a card, spend at least a minute just looking at it. Ask yourself:

• What’s the first thing I notice?
• How does this card make me feel?
• What’s happening in the scene?
• Is the character moving? Still? Happy? Worried?
• What colors dominate? What might they represent?

You’re not trying to “get it right”—you’re trying to connect.

Sometimes a single detail—like the direction a figure is facing or the expression on a face—will jump out at you and feel important. Trust that.

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2. Let the Card Speak to the Question

Context matters. The same card can mean very different things depending on the question.

For example:

• The Three of Swords might signal heartbreak in a love reading—but in a career reading, it might suggest a necessary separation from a toxic workplace.
• The Sun might mean joy and celebration in one spread, but feel overwhelming or revealing in another.

Ask yourself: How does this card relate to what I’m asking? What layer of meaning fits here?

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3. Notice Patterns Across the Spread

Your intuition might not come from a single card—it might come from the relationship between them.

Look for:

• Repeating numbers or suits
• All Major Arcana (big life themes) vs. mostly Minors (daily life)
• Contrasting energies—one card moving forward, another pulling back
• Common imagery like water, fire, animals, or posture

These threads can create a story your intuition is better at noticing than your rational mind.

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4. Let Your Emotions Guide You

Intuition often speaks in feelings.

If a card gives you a sense of discomfort, calm, urgency, or even excitement—pay attention. Your emotional reaction can be part of the message.

Sometimes your intuition will guide you to rephrase the question, pull a clarifying card, or even pause the reading altogether. That’s okay. The cards are part of the conversation—not the entire voice.

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5. Use Stream-of-Consciousness Journaling

One of the best ways to build your intuitive skills is to journal your readings using free writing.

Try this:

• Pull a card.
• Set a timer for 5 minutes.
• Write everything that comes to mind about the image, emotion, symbolism, and message—without stopping or editing.
• Don’t worry about whether it matches the “book meaning.”

When the timer ends, then look up the card’s traditional meaning. You’ll be surprised how often your intuitive message aligns—or expands on—it.

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6. Tell a Story

Imagine you’re narrating a scene.

• What’s happening in the card?
• Who’s the main character?
• What just happened—and what’s about to happen?
• What’s the overall mood or lesson?

This storytelling method helps your intuitive brain kick in, bypassing the need to be “right.”

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7. Don’t Be Afraid of Being Wrong

Here’s the truth: you will make mistakes. We all do. Even professional readers.

But intuition grows stronger through practice—not perfection. The more you read, the more you’ll learn to recognize when a message rings true and when it doesn’t.

Keep a tarot journal. Revisit old readings. Reflect on what turned out to be accurate, and what you might read differently now.

It’s all part of the learning process.

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🛑 What If Nothing Comes Through?

If you pull a card and feel… absolutely nothing, that’s okay.

Try:

• Looking at the image and describing it out loud
• Pulling a second card for clarity
• Meditating with the card for a few minutes
• Asking yourself: Is my energy clear? Am I too distracted or tired right now?

Sometimes your intuition just needs a minute—or a better question.

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🔮 A Few Fun Ways to Strengthen Intuition

If you’re ready to flex your intuitive muscles, try these practices:

• Daily draw with intuitive interpretation (write or speak your first impressions)
• Do blind readings by covering the card name and number
• Practice reading for fictional characters from books or shows
• Swap decks – a new visual style can spark new intuitive insights
• Read for a friend using only visuals – no book allowed!

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🧡 Final Thoughts

Reading Tarot intuitively is a skill—and like any skill, it takes time, trust, and patience to develop. But the more you lean in and let go of the need to be perfect, the more your readings will come alive with personal wisdom and authentic insight.

Remember: your intuition is a powerful tool, and your Tarot deck is just one way it speaks to you. Trust it. Nurture it. Let it guide you.

Because at the end of the day, you are the magic behind the cards.

Major vs. Minor Arcana – What's the Difference and Why It Matters

If you’ve ever picked up a tarot deck, you’ve likely heard the terms Major Arcana and Minor Arcana—but what do they actually mean? And more importantly, why does it matter when you’re reading the cards?

Let’s break it down.

The Major Arcana – Life’s Big Lessons

The Major Arcana consists of 22 cards, numbered 0 through 21, starting with The Fool and ending with The World. These cards represent major themes, turning points, and spiritual lessons. When a Major Arcana card shows up in a reading, it’s like the universe is underlining something in bold. These are the moments that shape your path—soul growth, fate, transformation, and deep internal shifts.

Pulling The Tower? It’s probably not just a bad day at work—it’s a full-on personal upheaval. The Lovers? This isn’t just about a crush; it’s about choices that define your values.

Major Arcana = cosmic spotlight.

The Minor Arcana – The Everyday Stuff

The Minor Arcana makes up the other 56 cards in the deck. These are divided into four suits—Wands, Cups, Swords, and Pentacles—each with 14 cards (Ace through 10, plus Page, Knight, Queen, and King). These cards deal with the day-to-day situations, emotions, decisions, and relationships that fill our lives.

Think of them like scenes in a movie. The big, sweeping story arcs come from the Major Arcana, but the Minor Arcana are the dialogue, the subplots, the small decisions that lead to bigger consequences.

Each suit has its own domain:

• Wands = creativity, passion, action
• Cups = emotion, relationships, intuition
• Swords = thoughts, communication, conflict
• Pentacles = money, work, material matters

Why the Distinction Matters

When you’re doing a reading, paying attention to whether you’re pulling mostly Major or Minor Arcana can offer powerful insight.

A spread heavy in Major Arcana signals that you’re dealing with deep-rooted issues or karmic lessons—things that might be out of your immediate control. It’s time to pay attention and possibly shift your perspective.

A reading with mostly Minor Arcana? You’re probably working through practical decisions, current emotions, or temporary circumstances. Still important, but more flexible.

In Short…

Understanding the difference between Major and Minor Arcana can deepen your readings, helping you interpret not just what is happening—but the scale and scope of why it’s happening.

The Majors show you the big picture.
The Minors show you the next step.

And together, they tell your story.

How to Choose Your First Tarot Deck – A Beginner’s Guide

So, you're ready to begin your tarot journey—but where do you even start when it comes to choosing your first deck? With hundreds (if not thousands) of beautiful, mysterious, and wildly different decks available, it can feel overwhelming to pick just one. But don’t worry—this beginner’s guide will walk you through everything you need to consider so you can choose a deck that resonates with you.

1. Start With the Right Structure

If you're brand new to tarot, your first deck should follow the traditional 78-card structure: 22 Major Arcana and 56 Minor Arcana. This will make it easier to follow guidebooks, online resources, and tutorials without getting lost in alternate formats or oracle decks (which are wonderful but quite different!).

2. Go With What Speaks to You

Some say your first deck should be gifted, but that’s more myth than rule. The best deck is one you feel drawn to. Whether it’s the artwork, theme, or energy of the cards, trust your gut. If you keep coming back to a certain deck, that’s a sign it may be the right one.

3. Rider-Waite-Smith Is a Classic for a Reason

Many beginners start with a Rider-Waite-Smith (RWS) deck—or one based on it—because it offers clear symbolism and has the most educational material available. If you’re planning to study tarot in depth, RWS imagery will come up again and again. But don’t let that stop you from exploring decks with different vibes.

4. Consider the Art Style

You’re going to be spending a lot of time with these cards, so make sure you like how they look. Do you prefer watercolor softness or bold, graphic edges? Mystical and moody or bright and whimsical? Choosing a deck with art that excites you will make you more likely to keep reading and practicing.

5. Don’t Overthink It

It’s easy to get stuck in analysis paralysis. But here’s the secret: your first deck doesn’t have to be your forever deck. Most tarot readers end up collecting multiple decks over time. Start with one that feels like a good fit today, and know you can always grow into others later.

6. Bonus Tip – Check the Guidebook

Some decks come with little white booklets, others with full in-depth companions. If you’re learning, a well-written guidebook can be a major help. Look for sample card images and book previews online before you buy if possible.

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The most important thing to remember? Your tarot practice is yours. The right deck is the one that helps you feel connected, curious, and confident. Whether you’re reading for yourself, your friends, or the universe, your deck is your partner in intuition—and the first step is simply choosing one.