The meaning of 78 Tarot cards

The art of Tarot reading, with its promise of self-discovery and enlightenment, is an exceptionally rewarding journey. However, as a novice embarking on this intriguing path, the sheer volume of available information can be somewhat daunting. Questions may swirl in your mind, such as, “How long will it take to master Tarot reading?” While this largely hinges on your commitment, study regimen, and practice, it’s generally estimated that a span of roughly six months is required to proficiently read the full deck of 78 Tarot cards.

In this article, my prime objective is to deconstruct the complexities of both the Major and Minor Arcanas, thereby paving a clear and straightforward path for your Tarot learning journey. By demystifying these two critical aspects of Tarot, I aim to offer you an accessible and digestible approach to understanding the profound meanings hidden within the deck. The ultimate goal is to empower you, the reader, to swiftly transition from novice to adept, fully equipped to explore the rich tapestry of wisdom embodied in each of the 78 Tarot cards. Trust me, by the end of this article, you’ll find that grasping the art of Tarot isn’t just achievable, but a fascinatingly enjoyable pursuit as well.

Simplifying the Major Arcana of The Tarot deck

The Major Arcana, often referred to as the “Greater Secrets,” constitute 22 cards of the 78-card Tarot deck. These cards signify life’s significant events, experiences, and spiritual lessons. Starting from “The Fool,” which embodies the beginning of a journey or a new cycle of life, the sequence proceeds through richly symbolic figures like “The Magician,” “The High Priestess,” and “The Lovers,” all the way to “The World,” a card signifying accomplishment and completion. Imagine them as chapters in the book of life, each narrating a unique piece of your personal narrative, illuminating your path, and guiding you towards a deeper understanding of your existence.

You can also divide the Major Arcana into understandable sections, which might make them easier to learn. One simple and common way is to divide them into three sections as follows.

1. The Material World (Cards 1-7): This section represents the tangible, day-to-day aspects of our lives. It includes cards like The Magician (creativity and skill) and The Emperor (authority and structure).
2. The Intuitive World (Cards 8-14): These cards are associated with our inner emotions, intuition, and personal growth. They include Strength (inner power and love) and Temperance (balance and moderation).
3. The Spiritual World (Cards 15-21): The last section represents our spiritual journey towards enlightenment and self-understanding. It includes The Devil (temptation and materialism) and The World (fulfillment and completion).

The Fool, often numbered as 0 or 22, stands apart from this division. It represents the start of a new journey and can be placed at the beginning or the end of the Major Arcana, as it symbolizes the perpetual cycle of life.

22 Major Arcanas – Keywords and Keywords reversed

The table I present below is akin to a handy “cheat sheet” I maintain in my personal Tarot journal. It’s a quick reference tool I resort to when I’m conducting a spread and can’t recall all the pertinent keywords or phrases. I’ve also employed this strategy for the minor arcana within my Tarot journal, which has considerably simplified the process of practicing with the entire deck of 78 cards.

Simplifying the Minor Arcana of the Tarot deck

The Minor Arcana, making up the remaining 56 cards of a Tarot deck, can be likened to the detailed narrative that fills the pages between the major life events represented by the Major Arcana. While the Major Arcana deals with grand, sweeping life themes, the Minor Arcana brings us down to the everyday, shedding light on the mundane aspects of our existence.

The Minor Arcana is split into four suits: Cups, Pentacles, Swords, and Wands, each corresponding to an element – Water, Earth, Air, and Fire, respectively.

Both suits and numbers can help us interpret each of the Minor Arcana cards. Each of the numbers structures the story of each suit in a similar way. How the story unfolds depends on the suit.

The Classic Elements

The different suits are closely linked to the four classic elements: Earth, Air, Fire and Water.

• Pentacles – Earth is connected to material things.
• Swords – Air, which is linked to the mental.
• Wands – Fire, which is connected to passion and willpower
• Cups – Water, is linked to emotion and creativity.

56 Minor Arcanas

Suit of Wands: Represent Action and Passion

Suit of Cups: Represent Emotions and Relationships

Suit of Swords: Represent Inspiration, Thought and Rationality

Suit of Pentacles: Represent materialistic things