Major Arcana Card Meanings
The Fool
Expect the unexpected when The Fool turns up in a reading, influences that could have a dramatic effect on the decisions and choices you make.
Upright: New beginnings, new adventures, new opportunities, unlimited possibilities, pleasure, passion, thoughtlessness, rashness
Reverse: A bad decision, indecision, apathy, hesitation, a faulty choice
The Magician
The Magician is an excellent omen symbolizing new opportunities, the importance of new enterprise and that you will have the willpower and initiative to succeed in whatever you do.
Upright: Originality, creativity, skill, will-power, self-confidence, dexterity, sleight of hand
Reverse: Weakness in will, insecurity, delay, no imagination
The High Priestess
The High Priestess is the guardian of secrets so when she appears in a reading it can mean a secret is to be revealed or there is a secret you wish to be revealed.
Upright: Wisdom, knowledge, learning, intuition, purity, virtue, a lack of patience, a teacher
Reverse: Ignorance, lack of understanding, selfishness, and shallowness
The Empress
The Empress symbolizes love, reassurance, prosperity and birth so when she appears in a reading in a favorable position she is a very welcome card.
Upright: Action, development, accomplishment, mother/sister/wife, evolution
Reverse: Vacillation, inaction, lack of concentration, indecision, anxiety, infidelity
The Emperor
The Emperor is a sign of achievement and honor and in many cases can represent a strong male influence such as a father, husband/partner or man of significance in your life, or person of authority such as a boss.
Upright: Accomplishment, confidence, wealth, stability, leadership, father/brother/husband, achievement, a capable person
Reverse: Immaturity, indecision, feebleness, petty emotions, lack of strength
The Hierophant
The Hierophant is a symbol of moral law, a wise and capable advisor, a practical instructor and spiritual guide.
Upright: A need to conform, social approval, bonded to the conventions of society
Reverse: Unconventionality, unorthodoxy, an inventor
The Lovers
The Lovers can symbolize that a new love is going to enter your life even if you can’t see where from – you’re in for a surprise. This is a card that symbolizes an importance choice that could affect the rest of your life.
Upright: Love, harmony, trust, honor, the beginning of a romance, optimism, a meaningful relationship/affair
Reverse: Unreliability, separation, frustration in love, fickleness, untrustworthy
The Chariot
The Chariot symbolizes conflicts ending in victory, so advises sustained efforts if in a current struggle or facing one, as you will win in the end.
Upright: Perseverance, a journey, a rushed decision, adversity, turmoil, vengeance
Reverse: Unsuccessful, defeat, failure, last minute loss, and vanquishment
Strength
When the Strength card appears it represents not just physical strength but the ability to cope with extreme pressure and win through in the end. If ill health has been an issue this card indicates rapid recovery, if considering giving up an unhealthy habit such as smoking or drinking this card indicates a good time to start.
Upright: Strength, courage, conviction, energy, determination, action, heroism, virility , spirituality
Reverse: Weakness, pettiness, sickness, tyranny, lack of faith, abuse of power
The Hermit
When The Hermit appears in a reading it symbolizes a need for careful consideration of issues and possibly a desire for peace and quiet and solitude.
Upright: Counsel, inner strength, prudence, caution, vigilance, patience, withdrawal, annulment, a loner
Reverse: Imprudence, hastiness, rashness, foolish acts, immaturity
The Wheel of Fortune
When The Wheel of Fortune appears it heralds a new cycle in life, good luck and fortune. It is fate that has brought this into your life rather than your own doing. This card heralds an end to current problems and rewards for past efforts.
Upright: Destiny, fortune, a special gain, an unusual loss, end of a problem, unexpected events, advancement, progress
Reverse: Failure, bad luck, interruption, outside influences, bad fate, and unexpected events
Justice
When The Justice card appears in a reading it can represent justice, fairness and equilibrium in all dealings with people, so it’s a good omen concerning partnerships, business deals and legal issues.
Upright: Harmony, balance, equality, righteousness, virtue, honor, advice, a considerate person
Reverse: Bias, false accusations, intolerance, unfairness, abuse
The Hanged Man
The Hanged Man symbolizes self-sacrifice, whether that is material or emotional, an ability to adapt to changing circumstances. This card can represent a time of limbo or a pause in life until something or perhaps someone is given up for greater gain.
Upright: Suspension, change, reversal, boredom, abandonment, sacrifice, readjustment, improvement, rebirth
Reverse: Unwillingness to make an effort, false prophecy, useless sacrifice
Death
Without a doubt it is this card that causes most fear in a reading and yet it rarely, if ever, symbolizes actual death, more a time of absolute endings and absolute beginnings.
Upright: Transformation, making way for the new, unexpected change, loss, failure, illness or death, bad luck
Reverse: Stagnation, immobility, slow changes, a narrow escape, cheating death
Temperance
When the Temperance card appears it symbolizes self-control, the ability to handle volatile factors and so bring about a positive result.
Upright: Moderation, temperance, patience, harmony, fusion, good influence, confidence
Reverse: Discord, conflict, disunion, hostility, frustration, and impatience
The Devil
The Devil is not all bad, if marriage or commitment to a relationship is under consideration and this card falls in a favorable position in a reading The Devil is a good omen.
