Blog: Major Tarot Cards in Arcana

​The 10 Most Important Tarot Cards in the Major Arcana

If you're just starting to learn about the wonders of Tarot, you're probably curious about the meanings and implications behind each card that you may encounter in the deck. While you could just let a Tarot card reader help you with the interpretation, it helps to have a solid independent understanding as well because it will allow you to perform your own Tarot card readings.

There are many different kinds of tarot card decks, but generally speaking, the Major Arcana cards will remain relatively the same from deck to deck while the Minor Arcana cards may vary slightly. Thus, it makes sense to start by learning about the Major Arcana cards since those will have roughly the same significance regardless of the deck that is being used.
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With that said, here are the top 10 most significant cards to learn about in the Major Arcana of Tarot:

The Lovers Card
As the name implies, the Lovers Card represents the influence of romantic relationships in your life. When this card appears in a Tarot reading, it can mean many different things depending on which other cards are drawn in conjunction with it, but the meaning will always stem back to your love life. It's common to see the Lovers Card appear when you're having trouble making relationship decisions. Regardless of how you interpret its presence, it's almost always a sign that your relationship status needs attention. If your relationship seems to be at a crossroads, you may want to learn more about the Lovers Card.

The Fool
The Fool is a commonly misinterpreted card in that many people believe it means they've made a foolish decision. This card doesn't necessarily indicate any wrongdoing in your decision-making. The Fool is a vulnerable archetype who hasn't yet experienced life's ups and downs and is unaware of his own potential and strength. Thus, the drawing of this card usually indicates that you should take on the careless and worry-free energy of the fool in your proceedings.

The Magician
The Magician is another example of a card that has a somewhat misleading name because it has nothing to do with being a magician or working magic. Instead, it's an indicator that you're neglecting some hidden ability or gift. In other words, you're either failing to work your own personal magic currently or there's an opportunity to use it to your advantage in the near future.

The High Priestess
When the High Priestess pops up in a Tarot card reading, it's usually a sign that you should listen to your intuition and follow your instincts. This card embodies the concept that your subconscious mind is more aware and capable than you know.  In essence, when she appears in a reading, she's telling you to stop searching for the answer externally and look within instead.

The Emperor
The Emperor is a card that represents your leadership and power as an individual. His character is one who has endured many trials and tribulations to reach his place on the throne. When The Emperor appears in a reading, he's usually there to remind you that you, too, are capable of achieving great things and that there's an emperor in all of us.

The Empress
The Empress is the highest representation of femininity in the Major Arcana and is typically interpreted as a card that encourages love and compassion. When she appears in a reading, it's usually a sign that you need to embrace the beauty of mother nature and be more loving and compassionate.

Justice
The Justice card is usually seen as a reminder that every action has a consequence. It's also an affirmation of the reality of karma and that everything you've received or are going to receive in life is exactly what you deserve for the actions you have or haven't committed. When this card appears in a reading, be sure to assess and address all of your current dealings with others to make sure you're acting in a just and fair manner.

​The Hermit
As the name implies, The Hermit desires only to be alone with himself in his own mind. When this card appears in your reading, it generally means that you should take some time to step away from the distractions of the world and into solitude to achieve your purpose and find the answers you've been looking for.

Wheel of Fortune
The Wheel of Fortune card is a reminder that life is a series of revolving ups and downs, so even though you might be on the good or bad side of the wheel at the moment, be prepared for the inevitability of change. When this card appears in your reading, it's a reminder that you should cherish and learn from every experience, whether good or bad.
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Strength
Strength is another self-explanatory card that may still be misinterpreted if you're thinking of the physical meaning of strength. Instead, this card is a representation of your inner strength and is, therefore, a reminder that you're strong enough to get through whatever problems you're currently having. When this card appears in your reading, it is usually there to remind you of your own strength and let you know that you have the ability to come out of whatever mess you're facing even stronger than you were before.

Does Tarot Predict an Unchangeable Future?
While opinions on this matter do vary, most Tarot card readers, psychics, and other meta-physicists agree that the future can be changed due to the 'free will' factor. Since everyone has the ability to change their course of action through their own free will, there are always alternate paths available. Thus, if you encounter a Tarot reading that foretells some sort of negative outcome, it's important to remember that you still have the power to change the course of your own destiny. In fact, one could argue that Tarot is less for predicting the future and more for influencing your decisions in the present and assessing the emotional and spiritual effects of the past.

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