Tarot card meanings - Major Arcana

Tarot card meanings and their interpretations have slight variations in different countries. They also vary according to the interpretations o the practitioners. But, the set of cards and general tarot card meanings are more or less similar in pattern. The traditional designs and cards have a total count of 78 cards but variations and modern representations can count up to 88 cards in total. In spite of the modernization, the traditional method is still quite popular and most of the famous practitioners follow this pattern and numbering of cards. The set of cards are further divided into two major segments called “greater secrets and “lesser secrets”. These are also otherwise popularly called “Major Arcana” and “Minor Arcana”.

Major Arcana: The greater secrets reveal the strengths, weaknesses, fears and expectations of the individual. They are also the symbolic representation of the spiritual, physical, intellectual and emotional aspects of human life and their relation and existence with the individual. Each of the Major Arcana cards carries the image of a model person. This archetypal figure is the representation of the characteristics of a person. The characteristics can include types like a loving mother or a mystical person, etc. Though these cards represent the major characteristics of the person, their tarot card meanings and representations can vary according to the surrounding cards.

The entire list of Major Arcana is as follows: The Magician, The High Priestess, The Empress, The Emperor, The Hierophant, The Lovers, The Chariot, Strength, The Hermit, Wheel of Fortune, Justice, The Hanged Man, Death, Temperance, The Devil, The Tower, The Star, The Moon, The Sun, Judgement, The World, and The Fool.

Minor Arcana: These minor arcana sets consist of four suits of cards numbering 14 each. The four suits are called Swords, Cups, Coins/Pentacles and the batons/wands. Each suit contains ten number cards – Ace to Tens and four court cards which are King, Queen, Knight and Jack. Minor Arcana cards represent the distinctive aspects of life of the person. The tarot card meanings for these sets of cards are supposed to be derived in conjunction with the surrounding cards. The meanings are also subject to the interpretation of the person who is reading the cards. There is a detailed instruction list that gives out tarot card meanings and representations. All people who are interested in understanding the tarot card divinations are advised to read the instruction list before attempting the tarot card readings.
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