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.

Building Your First Tarot Spread – A Beginner’s Guide

When you first begin learning tarot, it’s easy to rely on premade spreads—three-card spreads, Celtic Crosses, love layouts, and more. But there comes a point when you want something tailored to your question, your intuition, and your style. That’s where building your own tarot spread comes in.

Let’s walk through how to create your first custom spread—step by step.

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✨ Step 1: Clarify Your Question or Intent

Before you shuffle a single card, get clear on what you want the spread to answer. Ask yourself:

• What area of life am I exploring? (Love, career, self-growth, etc.)
• Do I need insight, advice, confirmation, or a warning?
• Do I want a broad overview or a deep dive?

The clearer your focus, the more helpful your spread will be.

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🔮 Step 2: Choose the Number of Cards

Start small. For your first custom spread, 3–5 cards is ideal. Each card should have a clear position and purpose. Too many, and your message might get lost.

Examples:

• 3-card spread: Past / Present / Future
• 4-card spread: Situation / Obstacle / Advice / Outcome
• 5-card spread: What I Know / What I Don’t / What’s Helping / What’s Hindering / What’s Next

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🗺️ Step 3: Define Each Card’s Position

Each card should represent a unique part of the story or a specific energy. Write down what each card is meant to show before you draw. You might label your positions with:

• Questions (What am I avoiding?)
• Roles (My mindset / The outside influence)
• Metaphors (The key / The lock / The door)

Creative positioning brings depth and meaning.

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🧠 Step 4: Decide on the Layout Shape

You can lay the cards in a line, a circle, a triangle, or even a cross. The layout doesn’t have to be complex—but it should feel intentional. For example:

• A triangle can represent balance or conflict
• A straight line might reflect a timeline
• A circle suggests a cycle or process

Let your intuition guide the shape.

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🕯️ Step 5: Read Holistically

Once the cards are down, interpret them not just individually—but as a whole. How do they interact? What patterns or contradictions appear? Your spread isn’t just a row of separate messages—it’s a conversation.

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💫 Bonus: Give Your Spread a Name

Naming your spread helps you remember it and gives it energy. Try:

• “The Fog-Clearing Spread”
• “Heart Over Head”
• “What Needs to Change”

Personal names make your spread feel more like a magical tool and less like a formula.

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🌙 Final Thoughts

Building your own tarot spread is one of the most empowering things you can do as a reader. It puts you in charge of the conversation. It allows your intuition to lead. And it ensures your readings are as unique as your journey.

So grab your deck, light a candle, and give it a try. The cards are waiting.

Weekly Tarot Reading for July 4th, 2025

Welcome to this week’s Weekly Tarot Reading on Aislin’s Enchanted Path! We begin with the Nine of Pentacles, a card of self-sufficiency, abundance, and personal power. It sets the tone for a week of independence, gratitude, and enjoying the rewards of your hard work. By the end of the spread, the energy shifts to the Three of Pentacles, emphasizing teamwork, collaboration, and building something greater together.

In this reading, we explore what these cards mean for your personal journey in modern paganism, Wicca, and magical practice. Whether you're seeking spiritual guidance, clarity in your craft, or insight into your path, this tarot reading will help you navigate the energies of the week with purpose.

Perfect for witches, Wiccans, and those practicing divination or interested in esoteric wisdom, this reading provides grounded, intuitive messages for spiritual growth.

Subscribe and tap the bell so you never miss a weekly reading or any of our deep dives into tarot cards, pagan practices, and the mystical arts.

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Understanding Reversed Tarot Cards – What They Really Mean

If you’ve ever flipped over a Tarot card and found it upside down, you’re not alone in wondering, “Uh-oh... is that bad?” The truth is, reversed Tarot cards often get a bad reputation — but they don’t always mean something negative. In fact, understanding reversals can deepen your Tarot practice, offering more nuanced insights and a clearer picture of what’s going on in your life.

What Is a Reversed Tarot Card?

A reversed card is simply a card that appears upside down in a spread. Some readers choose not to use reversals at all, while others see them as essential to a well-rounded reading. Whether or not you use them is up to your personal style — but if you do, it helps to know what they might signify.

Common Interpretations of Reversed Cards

Reversals don’t always flip a card’s meaning completely. More often, they signal:

• Delays or blockages – The energy of the upright card is present, but something is holding it back.
• Internalized energy – The meaning still applies, but in a more personal, internal, or subconscious way.
• The shadow aspect – A more challenging or distorted expression of the card’s upright meaning.
• An invitation to pause – A reversed card can urge reflection, reconsideration, or gentle course correction.

Example: The Lovers Reversed

Upright, The Lovers often represents connection, values alignment, or choices. Reversed, it might suggest misalignment, inner conflict, or decisions driven by fear rather than truth. It's not inherently bad — it just points to something needing attention.

Tips for Reading Reversed Cards

• Go beyond “good vs. bad” – Tarot is a tool for insight, not judgment. A reversed card doesn’t mean doom — it means depth.
• Use your intuition – Let the surrounding cards and your gut feeling guide you.
• Consider context – The same card reversed can mean very different things depending on the question asked or its position in the spread.

Should You Use Reversed Cards?

There’s no right or wrong here. Some readers find reversals messy or confusing, while others swear by the extra dimension they provide. If you’re curious, try a few readings with reversals and see how it feels.

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✨ Have you tried reading reversed Tarot cards in your own practice? Do you love them or leave them out? Share your thoughts in the comments!