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The major arcana consists of 22 cards which are representations of the universal laws and nature of the journey we call life. Each card is a specific lesson, that is pertinent to our situation, which Carl Jung referred to as an archetype. When a major arcana card appears in a spread the tarot has a very important message. Often the messages in the major arcana seem out of our control, that is because they are, they happen to us and we are urged to be aware and get ready for the ride! The following short descriptions should give you a feel for what the major arcana is all about to help you gain further insight into the wonders of the tarot. |
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keywords: new beginning, risk take, start of journey, step into the unknown, being spontaneous, excitement, trust. The Fool starts his new journey, with faith in his heart that despite the risk it will all turn out well.
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keywords: conduit, skills, creation, ability, tools of life, first steps, concentration, manifestation of will. The Magician draws his skills together, with concentration he is able to commence his work. |
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keywords: intuition, inner secrets, mystery, sensitivity, subconscious, reflection. The High Priestess is our pyschic, subconsious side, our intuition and the need for reflective contemplation. |
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keywords: nature, nurture, fertility, mother, love, compassion. The Empress is all of our mothers, and the mother within us, she is all encompassing love and compassion, nurturing and nature. |
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keywords: control, authority, leadership, kind direction, father. The Emperor is the father of us all, and the paternal within us, he leads with authority and kindliness, he retains control but is fair.
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keywords: teaching, structure, tradition, religion, mentor. The Heirophant can show us the way, he is our teacher, mentor, religious leader, he is the need within us for direction and study in order to move to the next phase. |
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keywords: decisions, choice, dichotomy, passion, temptation, love, desire. The Lovers show us the duality in us as well as in the nature of love and this duality creates choice and decision. |
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keywords: victory, will power, control over desitiny & direction
The Chariot moves forward along the road of choice, he is in control and able to drive forward in the direction he wants to go, ultimately being victorious through this determination. |
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keywords: force of mind, strength to overcome our wild side, will power, having a firm grip. Strength is within us all , as is our naughty side that sometimes need a strong hand of control. |
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keywords: contemplation, showing the way, light, being alone. The Hermit shows the path to those who follow him, to quiet contemplation and solitude to get to know ourselves better, regroup, refuel and get back on the path. |
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keywords: peaks and troughs of life, destiny, fate, time passing, change. The Wheel of Fortune reminds us that life is in continual flux, the wheel keeps turning taking us up and down with it. |
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keywords: balance, justice, fair solutions, sight, courage & wisdom.
Justice eeks out fair outcomes to every situation, creating balance in imbalanced situations and bringing harmony to life. |
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keywords: suspension, sacrifice, seeing the world from a new view. The Hanged Man teaches us to take a new perspective, suspend old ways of being and re-focus.
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keywords: re-birth, transformation, passing of old to make way for new. Death is the end of old, painful, difficult ways of being and the start of a new path. |
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keywords: to temper, adjust, mix together, meld, balance. Temperance is the ability to mix two seemingly incongruent substances and make something new, have faith and it will work out. |
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keywords: bondage, pain, suffering, limitations. The Devil binds us in our own suffering, we need to be able to see those bonds and remove them. |
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keywords: unexpected consequences, ignoring reality, sudden change. The Tower warns us what happens when we close our eyes and refuse to see, what we fear will happen anyway, only without preparation. |
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keywords: catharsis, healing, cleansing, brightness, refresh. The Star is the light of hope, it depicts a time of healing and reflection, meditation and higher truths coming to light. |
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keywords: tides, development, subconscious to conscious, despondency, The Moon reminds us to stop dwelling on pain, move on from fantasy and into reality. |
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keywords: joy, happiness, success, warmth, glory. The Sun is light and life, and the attainment of the next level in our journey. |
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keywords: judge, message from heaven, heralding the rightful outcome. Judgement announces its message as a triumphant herald that retribution has been divinely cast, what you give out comes back upon you. |
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keywords: completion, wholeness, balance and integration. The World shows us how we are when we are fully integrated into our path, when we have come to the completion of our current journey, and the success we rightfully receive. |
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The Minor Arcana is made up of 4 suits, pentacles, cups, swords and wands, and depicts the general trials, tribulations and achievements we all experience in day to day life. These cards are reflective of the daily stuff that is within our control. |
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Pentacles are ruled by the element earth and relate to the practical matters that are important to us, our wealth, material posessions and how we go about getting on with things in life. |
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Cups are ruled by the element water and signifies the emotions and feelings we encounter. How we feel about a situation, how our families affect us, what our inner emotions are telling us are all covered by this suit. |
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Swords are ruled by the element air and is the intellect, attitude and mindset that can take over our being. Swords cut to the chase, often they can be harsh and unforgiving, however with our mental apptitude enable us to plan and strategise. |
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Wands are ruled by the element fire and relate to the adventurous, action figure that is inside us. It is the creative force that comes up with ideas and exciting things to do, but that may cause us to rush in without looking. |
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Remember the Tarot can only make suggestions, some of which should be heeded, but all of which are completely within your own hands to enact. This is your life, its up to you to live it. |
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