THE MAJOR ARCANA (PART ONE)
The "major arcana" is the name given to the 22 cards that appear exclusively in the tarot deck, and which in modern day times can be considered and obtained as their own deck. When they were part of a playing deck, they were considered their own suit. In divination, the tarot is said to represent the journey that is life - the tale that the major arcana tells is known as "The Fool's Journey". In each lesson we will be discussing the cards of the major arcana, what they represent, and their part in the Fool's Journey. So, let's start at the beginning...
Note: There is a question option in the homework which asks you to describe what you think each card represents before reading the actual lesson's description of it. For those of you who have poor memories with that sort of thing, or those who just want to make sure you cover everything, I would suggest reading the names of each of the cards we're studying in this lesson and jotting down some guesses about them before reading the lesson entirely.
Note: There is a question option in the homework which asks you to describe what you think each card represents before reading the actual lesson's description of it. For those of you who have poor memories with that sort of thing, or those who just want to make sure you cover everything, I would suggest reading the names of each of the cards we're studying in this lesson and jotting down some guesses about them before reading the lesson entirely.
0. THE FOOL
The Fool Arcana does not mean it that can be taken lightly. The Fool is number zero. It is the void from which all other things begin." —Margaret, Persona 4
The Fool is portrayed in a few different ways, but often the card includes a vagrant or beggar-like person carrying a stick with supplies tied to it. The person is often fairly unkempt, and is sometimes seen wearing a jester's hat. They are also accompanied by an animal, most often a dog. In some decks the Fool is simply walking or skipping through a wood or a field, but in others the Fool is standing on the edge of a cliff.
The Fool represents innocence - a blank canvas to be painted with experience, you
could say. It represents a charming cleverness and childlike curiosity or wonder at the world around and ahead of us. In some cards there is a sun depicted behind him; this either symbolizes the bright-eyed nature of The Fool or the divine wisdom gained from the beginning of a journey. The Fool also can be seen holding a flower in some tarot decks, and
this represents their ability to appreciate beauty. The dog or animal at his heels is seen as the call of the wild, his animalistic instincts, or "reality" nipping at his heels, threatening to trip him and distract him. If the Fool is standing on the edge of a cliff, he is always oblivious, even if he is about to step off the edge. This cliff represents the unknown that lies ahead on the
Fool's journey.
While the Fool is often considered a card that represents innocence and nothingness, it shouldn't be regarded as a "weak" arcana. The Fool certainly represents innocence, but it
does not represent naivety, as most would likely believe. The Fool represents nothingness, but with nothingness comes unlimited possibilities; as stated by Margaret in Persona 4, "it is the void from which all other things begin". The Fool represents yourself both at the beginning and at the very end
of your journey. You are willing to throw yourself, head held high, into the unknown - excited to greet the hardships and trials the journey ahead holds. This would be called foolish by many, hence the name of the card - but is it really? The number 0 is a perfect representation for the Fool's tendency to represent everything and nothing all at once, as it can become anything; just as the Fool can on his or her journey. Zero plus anything equals the same thing, and zero times anything equals zero - it in itself cannot be considered of any "substance", and yet that gives it a "worldly" edge that no experience can hope to obtain or mimic, much like an
adult listening to the sudden and profound wisdom of a young child can only smile and reminisce about when they used to know these things, too.
In a Tarot reading, the Fool represents the need to "strip down to one's core" or to focus on what one truly wants. It is a
signal to go back to the basics, and also may represent the beginning of something extremely new. It can be interpreted as an encouragement to take risks or plunge into the unknown.
The Fool represents innocence - a blank canvas to be painted with experience, you
could say. It represents a charming cleverness and childlike curiosity or wonder at the world around and ahead of us. In some cards there is a sun depicted behind him; this either symbolizes the bright-eyed nature of The Fool or the divine wisdom gained from the beginning of a journey. The Fool also can be seen holding a flower in some tarot decks, and
this represents their ability to appreciate beauty. The dog or animal at his heels is seen as the call of the wild, his animalistic instincts, or "reality" nipping at his heels, threatening to trip him and distract him. If the Fool is standing on the edge of a cliff, he is always oblivious, even if he is about to step off the edge. This cliff represents the unknown that lies ahead on the
Fool's journey.
While the Fool is often considered a card that represents innocence and nothingness, it shouldn't be regarded as a "weak" arcana. The Fool certainly represents innocence, but it
does not represent naivety, as most would likely believe. The Fool represents nothingness, but with nothingness comes unlimited possibilities; as stated by Margaret in Persona 4, "it is the void from which all other things begin". The Fool represents yourself both at the beginning and at the very end
of your journey. You are willing to throw yourself, head held high, into the unknown - excited to greet the hardships and trials the journey ahead holds. This would be called foolish by many, hence the name of the card - but is it really? The number 0 is a perfect representation for the Fool's tendency to represent everything and nothing all at once, as it can become anything; just as the Fool can on his or her journey. Zero plus anything equals the same thing, and zero times anything equals zero - it in itself cannot be considered of any "substance", and yet that gives it a "worldly" edge that no experience can hope to obtain or mimic, much like an
adult listening to the sudden and profound wisdom of a young child can only smile and reminisce about when they used to know these things, too.
In a Tarot reading, the Fool represents the need to "strip down to one's core" or to focus on what one truly wants. It is a
signal to go back to the basics, and also may represent the beginning of something extremely new. It can be interpreted as an encouragement to take risks or plunge into the unknown.
I. THE MAGICIAN
Attaining one's dream requires a stern will and unfailing determination..." - Nyx Avatar, Persona 3
The Magician's portrayal varies greatly depending on the deck used; in many he can be seen as a sort of "artisan", working away at a table or attempting to sell the things he's made. In his right hand is a wand or some other form of baton pointed towards the sky, and his left hand is at his side or purposefully pointed at the ground. This represents the magician's position as a "bridge" between the heavens and the Earth; it also represents mystery and
indecision. In many decks he also has the symbol for infinity on his hat.
The Magician card is associated with action, initiative, self-confidence, manipulation, creativity, and the power to harness one's talents. The Magician is seen as the sort of arrogance one has at the beginning of a journey, conscious and proud of one's skills and abilities, comfortable in their own skin and brazenly blazing down the path of life. In the traditional story of the Fool's Journey, the Fool meets the Magician and the High Priestess at the beginning of his journey, as the two cards are sort of a yin and yang - the great balancing forces of the world. While the Fool is neutral, the Magician is positive. He encourages the active, masculine power of impulse and our conscious awareness. He represents the inner
force we have to impact the world around us, via our concentration and will power.
In a tarot reading, the Magician represents the talents or resources at one's disposal to overcome any and all obstacles in the way. Though it depends on the placement of the Magician in relation to other cards, this card often tells the reader to tap into their inner power and realize their full potential - it discourages holding back in any form and especially encourages transformation. There are choices to be made and the guidance can arrive through one's intuition or "gut feeling".
The card can also represent a manipulative person or force in one's life (though this is often only if the card is in
"reverse" position, meaning that the card is upside down to the reader in a tarot spread.) Though this person may be of aid to us, they may not have what's best for us in mind. The Magician may signify that we are being suffocated or blinded by our own ego, or that we are being poisoned by the promise or possession of power.
indecision. In many decks he also has the symbol for infinity on his hat.
The Magician card is associated with action, initiative, self-confidence, manipulation, creativity, and the power to harness one's talents. The Magician is seen as the sort of arrogance one has at the beginning of a journey, conscious and proud of one's skills and abilities, comfortable in their own skin and brazenly blazing down the path of life. In the traditional story of the Fool's Journey, the Fool meets the Magician and the High Priestess at the beginning of his journey, as the two cards are sort of a yin and yang - the great balancing forces of the world. While the Fool is neutral, the Magician is positive. He encourages the active, masculine power of impulse and our conscious awareness. He represents the inner
force we have to impact the world around us, via our concentration and will power.
In a tarot reading, the Magician represents the talents or resources at one's disposal to overcome any and all obstacles in the way. Though it depends on the placement of the Magician in relation to other cards, this card often tells the reader to tap into their inner power and realize their full potential - it discourages holding back in any form and especially encourages transformation. There are choices to be made and the guidance can arrive through one's intuition or "gut feeling".
The card can also represent a manipulative person or force in one's life (though this is often only if the card is in
"reverse" position, meaning that the card is upside down to the reader in a tarot spread.) Though this person may be of aid to us, they may not have what's best for us in mind. The Magician may signify that we are being suffocated or blinded by our own ego, or that we are being poisoned by the promise or possession of power.
ii. THE HIGH PRIESTESS
The silent voice within one's heart whispers the most profound wisdom..." - Nyx Avatar, Persona 3
The High Priestess (often referred to as simply "The Priestess") is depicted as a woman wearing plain blue robes, sitting with her hands folded in her lap. She may also have her hands over a closed book in her lap. She sits between two pillars with the letters "J" and "B" on them, which are taken to refer to Jachin and Boaz of the Temple of Solomon. There is a veil behind her, and she appears to be guarding it. Often times the veil behind her has a very similar pattern to the gown of the Empress arcana; the two are closely related as one brings life into the world and the other invites the living to celebrate.
The Priestess represents a calm state of mind - her closed book represents untapped knowledge and her presence in a temple also represents this relaxed state of high intellect. The veil behind her represents both the path ahead and the, again, untapped knowledge one will gain from it, as well as the void from which the Fool came from. The Priestess is a symbol of wisdom, innate or otherwise unexplained knowledge or assuredness, sound judgement and serenity, introspection and intuition. When the Fool meets the High Priestess, she is the Magician's balancing force; she is the negative. While the Magician represents powering on
and acting on impulse, the High Priestess represents calmly assessing one's path. She represents the mysteriousness of the unconscious or subconscious mind - she is the gut instinct the Magician encourages you to act on. She also represents the fountain in which creativity springs forth, the dormant potential waiting to be realized or ignited. The Magician and the High Priestess are equals, both in value and importance, and one cannot exist without the other - each is necessary for balance. You could consider them in any opposing
way you wish - positive and negative, dark and light, water and fire - but do not consider them "good" and "bad". You could view the negative as your shadow, but without said shadow you would not recognize that there is light - just as if there wasn't hidden potential, you wouldn't be able to tap into it. The Magician relies on the High Priestess to have something to catalyze or reveal, just as
the High Priestess relies on the Magician to bring her potential to fruition.
In a Tarot reading, the card represents secrets and mysteries - whether you are the keeper, revealer, or a person in the middle of
them. It represents powerful feminine influences, either around or within you, and the need to deeply reflect on matters at hand or on matters boiling just below the surface of your active consciousness. It may also represent finding the perfect woman in one's life - partner or friend, and to a woman reader specifically it can represent a strong independence or the ability to rely on oneself without the need of a male guide. In my opinion this latter interpretation may be a bit misguided, since in the Journey of the Fool the High
Priestess can't do without the Magician (a "male guide" figure, possibly), but sometimes the readings do disregard the story the Tarot tells.
The Priestess represents a calm state of mind - her closed book represents untapped knowledge and her presence in a temple also represents this relaxed state of high intellect. The veil behind her represents both the path ahead and the, again, untapped knowledge one will gain from it, as well as the void from which the Fool came from. The Priestess is a symbol of wisdom, innate or otherwise unexplained knowledge or assuredness, sound judgement and serenity, introspection and intuition. When the Fool meets the High Priestess, she is the Magician's balancing force; she is the negative. While the Magician represents powering on
and acting on impulse, the High Priestess represents calmly assessing one's path. She represents the mysteriousness of the unconscious or subconscious mind - she is the gut instinct the Magician encourages you to act on. She also represents the fountain in which creativity springs forth, the dormant potential waiting to be realized or ignited. The Magician and the High Priestess are equals, both in value and importance, and one cannot exist without the other - each is necessary for balance. You could consider them in any opposing
way you wish - positive and negative, dark and light, water and fire - but do not consider them "good" and "bad". You could view the negative as your shadow, but without said shadow you would not recognize that there is light - just as if there wasn't hidden potential, you wouldn't be able to tap into it. The Magician relies on the High Priestess to have something to catalyze or reveal, just as
the High Priestess relies on the Magician to bring her potential to fruition.
In a Tarot reading, the card represents secrets and mysteries - whether you are the keeper, revealer, or a person in the middle of
them. It represents powerful feminine influences, either around or within you, and the need to deeply reflect on matters at hand or on matters boiling just below the surface of your active consciousness. It may also represent finding the perfect woman in one's life - partner or friend, and to a woman reader specifically it can represent a strong independence or the ability to rely on oneself without the need of a male guide. In my opinion this latter interpretation may be a bit misguided, since in the Journey of the Fool the High
Priestess can't do without the Magician (a "male guide" figure, possibly), but sometimes the readings do disregard the story the Tarot tells.
III. THE EMPRESS
Celebrate life's grandeur ... its brilliance ... its magnificence..." - Nyx Avatar
The Empress is portrayed as a woman wearing a magnificent, star-adorned crown, sitting on a throne, and holding a scepter. The scepter represents her power over life or her command over living forces. Her crown has 12 stars, one for each month of the year, to represent her omnipresence or understanding and command of time. Her throne is usually amidst a field of wheat or flowers, again to depict her power over living things or over growth. Her gown is often made of the same material or has the same pattern of the veil the High Priestess sits in front of, which showcases how the two are linked; one guards life while the other celebrates and delights in it.
The Empress represents mothering tendencies - protection and teaching as well as nurturing and guiding. It represents abundance, material prosperity, comfort and fertility. It also represents beauty, satisfaction, and desire. On the Fool's Journey, the Empress represents the Fool becoming more and more aware of his surroundings, rather than himself. The first figure one often meets or recognizes in their journey is the "mother figure", the one who began it or becomes your first aid and loving comfort. The Empress can also represent mother nature, who nourishes the Fool on a larger scale. She represents nature and sensation, the beauty of discovery and of coming to comprehend the wonders this journey has to offer. When starting out the journey of life, babies delight in the abundance of things around them - sights, smells, tastes, and sounds. Similarly, in any journey you may go on, you will often begin by delighting in all the journey has to offer. The Empress represents this abundance as well as your delight in it. She is the nurturer as well as the creator.
In a Tarot reading, the Empress represents creation. She represents the germination of an idea before it is ready to bloom fully - the peaceful bliss and fascination before trials are truly faced as well as the comfort one falls back on during the first few failures. She can be associated with the goddess Venus as well (some cards even have her symbol on them), and therefore the Empress card could
represent a figure in one's life who has come to be a source of comfort or love, or it can represent things of great beauty about to be discovered. The Empress can also be likened to Demeter, the goddess of abundance - she can be generous and kind, but she can also be overprotective and possessive. The Empress is able to represent the bitter sweetness of the need to leave your comfort zone in order to gain the freedom you need to move forward.
The Empress represents mothering tendencies - protection and teaching as well as nurturing and guiding. It represents abundance, material prosperity, comfort and fertility. It also represents beauty, satisfaction, and desire. On the Fool's Journey, the Empress represents the Fool becoming more and more aware of his surroundings, rather than himself. The first figure one often meets or recognizes in their journey is the "mother figure", the one who began it or becomes your first aid and loving comfort. The Empress can also represent mother nature, who nourishes the Fool on a larger scale. She represents nature and sensation, the beauty of discovery and of coming to comprehend the wonders this journey has to offer. When starting out the journey of life, babies delight in the abundance of things around them - sights, smells, tastes, and sounds. Similarly, in any journey you may go on, you will often begin by delighting in all the journey has to offer. The Empress represents this abundance as well as your delight in it. She is the nurturer as well as the creator.
In a Tarot reading, the Empress represents creation. She represents the germination of an idea before it is ready to bloom fully - the peaceful bliss and fascination before trials are truly faced as well as the comfort one falls back on during the first few failures. She can be associated with the goddess Venus as well (some cards even have her symbol on them), and therefore the Empress card could
represent a figure in one's life who has come to be a source of comfort or love, or it can represent things of great beauty about to be discovered. The Empress can also be likened to Demeter, the goddess of abundance - she can be generous and kind, but she can also be overprotective and possessive. The Empress is able to represent the bitter sweetness of the need to leave your comfort zone in order to gain the freedom you need to move forward.
IV. THE EMPEROR
Only courage in the face of doubt can lead one to the answer..." - Nyx Avatar, Persona 3
The Emperor is shown to be fairly similar to the Empress; he sits in a throne, holding a scepter. He is also often accompanied by an eagle, whether the eagle be a picture, sculpture, or live bird perched on his throne. In some cards the Emperor is actually standing in front of his throne. Unlike the Empress, he does not have any visual ties to another arcana aside from the common royal props that the Empress possess as well.
The Emperor symbolizes the top of a hierarchy, the ultimate male ego - he is understood as
the absolute ruler of the world. He represents the fathering instinct, stability and authority, power and control, discipline (both of oneself and others), confident command and common sense. He is the symbol of order and structure, tradition and rigidity, leadership and experience. The Emperor is inflexible, unwavering, and also egocentric. He symbolizes the desire to control one's surroundings, to write one's own destiny. On the flip side, the Emperor can also represent trying too hard and causing trouble for others, as it isn't possible to have absolute control over all aspects of life. On the Fool's Journey, the Fool encounters this father figure mere moments after meeting the Empress. When a child leaves their mother's arms, they quickly learn of the structure and "rules" of the world - of the expectations they have to meet. There are patterns abound in the world and things are expected to react in a certain, routine way. The child discovers comfort and pleasure of a different form with the Emperor, which is the stability in order and reliability. The Fool on his journey now learns that his will is not always absolute; he must consider others on this journey and must consider the limitations of the world. He must follow certain guidelines and behave in a certain way in order to preserve his well-being. Authority figures will enforce these on the Fool, whether the Fool is found of these or not. This can be frustrating and feel like a major hindrance to the Fool, but through the patient guidance of the Emperor, the Fool will come to understand the necessity of these things.
In a tarot reading, the Emperor represents a hard lesson that must be learned - the unwavering harshness of reality and the need to come to terms with what one cannot change or has no business challenging. It represents one's inner desire to rule of one's
surroundings but warns that absolute control isn't attainable and the search for such control is often damaging. It also warns that one may have too tight a grip on the people in their lives - that the reader is damaging their loved ones or peers by being too bossy or inflexible. The Emperor may also represent that the reader is trying too hard to keep up appearances or a stoic view on life.
The Emperor symbolizes the top of a hierarchy, the ultimate male ego - he is understood as
the absolute ruler of the world. He represents the fathering instinct, stability and authority, power and control, discipline (both of oneself and others), confident command and common sense. He is the symbol of order and structure, tradition and rigidity, leadership and experience. The Emperor is inflexible, unwavering, and also egocentric. He symbolizes the desire to control one's surroundings, to write one's own destiny. On the flip side, the Emperor can also represent trying too hard and causing trouble for others, as it isn't possible to have absolute control over all aspects of life. On the Fool's Journey, the Fool encounters this father figure mere moments after meeting the Empress. When a child leaves their mother's arms, they quickly learn of the structure and "rules" of the world - of the expectations they have to meet. There are patterns abound in the world and things are expected to react in a certain, routine way. The child discovers comfort and pleasure of a different form with the Emperor, which is the stability in order and reliability. The Fool on his journey now learns that his will is not always absolute; he must consider others on this journey and must consider the limitations of the world. He must follow certain guidelines and behave in a certain way in order to preserve his well-being. Authority figures will enforce these on the Fool, whether the Fool is found of these or not. This can be frustrating and feel like a major hindrance to the Fool, but through the patient guidance of the Emperor, the Fool will come to understand the necessity of these things.
In a tarot reading, the Emperor represents a hard lesson that must be learned - the unwavering harshness of reality and the need to come to terms with what one cannot change or has no business challenging. It represents one's inner desire to rule of one's
surroundings but warns that absolute control isn't attainable and the search for such control is often damaging. It also warns that one may have too tight a grip on the people in their lives - that the reader is damaging their loved ones or peers by being too bossy or inflexible. The Emperor may also represent that the reader is trying too hard to keep up appearances or a stoic view on life.