Major Arcana - Upright

Question 1

The Fool (0)

Answer 1

One word: possibility

Keywords: beginnings, innocence, spontaneity, potential, free spirit, blank slate, adventurous

Element: air

The fool is the symbol of innocence - his journey to come will shape his character yet. He inspires courage, for he understands that every day is a chance to open up new areas in your life, and with that comes a mixture of anticipation, wonder, awe and curiosity.

Question 2

The Magician (1)

Answer 2

One word: will

Keywords: manifestation, inspiration, power, action, resourcefulness, “as above so below”

Element: air

The Magician is the representation of pure willpower. With the power of the elements and the suits, he takes the potential innate in the fool and molds it into being with the power of desire. He is the connecting force between heaven and earth, for he understands the meaning behind the words “as above so below” - that mind and world are only reflections of one another. Remember that you are powerful, create your inner world, and the outer will follow.

Question 3

The High Priestess (2)

Answer 3

One word: instinct

Keywords: intuition, divine feminine, duality, sacred knowledge, the subconscious mind

Element: water

Jachin (right pillar) is generally referred to as the Pillar of Establishment and Boaz (left pillar) is the Pillar of Strength. The pillars also depict the duality of nature; masculine and feminine, good and evil, negative and positive. The High Priestess’s location between the two suggests that it is her responsibility to serve as a mediator between the depths of the reality. She is the third pillar - the path between. She believes that both pillars are equal and there is knowledge to be learned in both worlds.

When she appears in a reading, she is calling to you to listen to her message, and follow her into your own depths. There is searching within yourself to be done for the answers that you seek. The answers to the questions you have are within, not without.

Question 4

The Empress (3)

Answer 4

One word: creation

Keywords: femininity, nurturing, beauty, abundance

Element: water

She calls you to connect with beauty and bring happiness to your life. Understand yourself and get in touch with your sensuality so that you can attract life circumstances to bring happiness and joy. She is a signal that be kind to yourself, to take care of yourself.

Question 5

The Emperor (4)

Answer 5

One word: ambition

Keywords: masculinity, order, authority, structure, leader establishment, father figure

Element: fire

The Emperor represents a strategic thinker who sets out plans that he must see through. He is a symbol of the masculine principle - the paternal figure in life that gives structure, creates rules and systems, and imparts knowledge.

Question 6

The Hierophant (5)

Answer 6

One word: tradition

Keywords: spiritual wisdom, conformity, institutions

Element: earth

The Hierophant card suggests that it’s better for you to follow social structures which are established and have their own traditions.

Question 7

The Lovers (6)

Answer 7

One word: connection

Keywords: love, harmony, choices, partnership, duality, unity

Element: air

The trust and the unity that the lovers have gives each of them confidence and strength, empowering the other.

This is one of the times when you figure out what you are going to stand for, and what your philosophy in life will truly be. You must start making up your mind about what you find important and unimportant in your life. You should be as true to yourself as you can be, so you will be genuine and authentic to the people who are around you.

Question 8

The Chariot (7)

Answer 8

One word: movement

Keywords: control, sense of direction, success, determination, focus

Element: water

The Chariot tarot card is all about overcoming challenges and gaining victory through maintaining control of your surroundings. This perfect control and confidence allows the charioteer to emerge victorious in any situation. The use of strength and willpower are critical in ensuring that you overcome the obstacles that lie in your path. The key message that he brings to you is that you must maintain focus, confidence, and determination through a process that will be full of winding turns and detours.

Question 9

Strength (8)

Answer 9

One word: endurance

Keywords: courage, persuasion, influence, compassion, bravery, self-confidence, inner power

Element: fire

The lion is a symbol of courage, passion and desire which are very much part of the human feelings that are necessary for survival. This card shows that you have inner strength and fortitude during moments of danger and distress. It shows that you have the ability to remain calm and strong even when your life is going through immense struggle. It also shows that you are a compassionate person and you always have time for other people even if it’s at your own expense.

Question 10

The Hermit (9)

Answer 10

One word: solitude

Keywords: inner guidance, introspection, self-reflection, withdrawal, search for self

Element: earth

The Hermit is a seeker for the knowledge that comes from within. A lonely wanderer in the path of the night, he searches for that which can only be gained with long periods of solitude - the inner voice. To hear it, he must disconnect from the crowds whose voices and desires threaten to overcome his own. He walks through the dark night of his unconscious, guided only by the low light of the northern star, with his destination being his home, his self.

Question 11

Wheel of Fortune (10)

Answer 11

One word: destiny

Keywords: change, cycles, fate, decisive moments, luck, karma, turning point,

Element: water

The Wheel of Fortune turns evermore, seemingly to communicate that life is made up of both good and bad times, and that the cycle is one that we cannot control. It is something that is subjected to both kings and workers, and that nobody on earth can avoid what is fated. When you have good moments in your life, make sure that you enjoy to the fullest, for what comes up must always go down. The same is true in reverse - when you are in a bad situation, things will eventually become better again.

Question 12

Justice (11)

Answer 12

One word: balance

Keywords: fairness, truth, law, consequence, accountability, integrity, cause and effect

Element: air

The Justice tarot card is a symbol of truth, fairness, and law. As she sits in her chair, the scales in her left hand represent how intuition should balance logic. She symbolizes impartiality with the double-edged sword in her right hand. The clarity in thought which is required to dispense justice are symbolized by the square on the crown she wears.

Question 13

The Hanged Man (12)

Answer 13

One word: surrender

Keywords: pause, let go, sacrifice, waiting, lack of direction, perspective, contemplation

Element: water

The hanged man understands that his position is a sacrifice that he needed to make in order to progress forward - whether as repentance for past wrongdoings, or a calculated step backward to recalculate his path onward. This time he spends here will not be wasted, he does this as part of his progression forward. His upside down state can also symbolize the feeling of those that walk a spiritual path, for they see the world differently. Where there are others that do not understand the need to sacrifice, you see it differently. This is a natural course of action for you as you walk the path alone.

Question 14

Death (13)

Answer 14

One word: metamorphosis

Keywords: ending, change, transformation, transition, letting go, release

Element: water

We see Death riding a beautiful white horse while holding up a black flag with a white pattern. It is portrayed as a living skeleton, the bones being the only part of the human body existing after death. He wears armor, which gives him his invincibility - signaling that no one can destroy Death. The white horse that he rides stands for purity, as Death purifies everyone. Beneath him, all classes of humans lie in the dirt - a king, and a pauper, meant to remind us that death does not differentiate between class, race, gender. The Death card signals that one major phase in your life is ending, and a new one is going to start. You just need to close one door, so the new one will open. The past needs to be placed behind you, so you can focus your energy on what is ahead of you.

Question 15

Temperance (14)

Answer 15

One word: moderation

Keywords: balance, patience, purpose, peace, calm, harmony, serenity

Element: fire

Everything about this card represents balance, the perfect harmony that comes from the union of dualities. Her advice is to test any new waters, before jumping into the deep end. Where this card appears, there is the suggestion that extremity in any situation is to be avoided.

Question 16

The Devil (15)

Answer 16

One word: bondage

Keywords: shadow self, attachment, addiction, obsession, dependency, powerlessness, limitations, oppression

Element: earth

Addiction to substances or material pleasures can also be the reason for your feelings of powerlessness and entrapment. In situations such as these, you may feel as though you are a slave, unable to control your impulses or willpower to direct yourself towards something other than the satisfaction of these desires.

Question 17

The Tower (16)

Answer 17

One word: disruption

Keywords: sudden change, upheaval, chaos, revelation, trauma, disaster, destruction

Element: fire

The Tower represents change in the most radical and momentous sense, at the heart of this card, its message is foundational, groundbreaking change. The old ways are no longer useful, and you must find another set of beliefs, values and processes to take their place.

Question 18

The Star (17)

Answer 18

One word: hope

Keywords: faith, renewal, inspiration , hope, healing, rejuvenation

Element: air

The Star card shows a woman kneeling at the edge of a small pond. She is holding two containers of water. One container pours the water out to the dry land, as if to to nourish it and ensure its fertility. The lush green land around her seems to say that it is working. One foot is inside the water which shows the spiritual abilities and inner strength of the woman. The other foot on the ground shows her practical abilities and strengths.

The Star brings hope, renewed power, and strength to carry on with life. It shows how abundantly blessed you are by the universe as evidenced by the various things around you. It may not be directly evident at the moment, for this card follows the trauma of the Tower card. Remember that you hold within you all that you need for your fulfillment - the only thing that you need is courage. For this, you have all reasons to rejoice. To see this card is a message to have faith, for the universe will bless you and bring forth all that you need.

Question 19

The Moon (18)

Answer 19

One word: delusion

Keywords: subconscious, illusion, intuition, uncertainty, complexity, secrets, confusion

Element: water

Everything in this card seems to echo the other, as if to allude to two possibilities. When we walk down the path, we walk the fine line between conscious and unconscious, between the tamed side of civilization of the dog, and the forces of nature represented by the wolf. The moon’s light can bring you clarity and understanding and you should allow your intuition to guide you through this darkness. Some hidden truth must be discovered, for what you are seeing now may just be a trick of the light. You must search for the hidden forces that must be unraveled.

Question 20

The Sun (19)

Answer 20

One word: success

Keywords: positivity, vitality, warmth, happiness, optimism, joy, confidence, truth

Element: fire

The Sun card presents an feeling of optimism and fulfillment. This card represents the dawn which follows the darkest of nights. The Sun is the source of all the life on our planet, and it represents life energy itself. There is a child depicted in the card, playing joyfully in the foreground. A symbol of our innocence, it represents the happiness that occurs when you are in alignment with your true self. The child is naked, meaning that he has absolutely nothing to hide. The card also depicts the childhood innocence and absolute purity. This is particularly emphasized through the white horse upon which the child is riding. The horse here is also a symbol of strength and nobility.

Question 21

Judgement (20)

Answer 21

One word: awakening

Keywords: rebirth, absolution, inner calling, purpose, awakening, reckoning

Element: fire

The Judgement card reminds us that we all will be faced with choices that will have an astounding effect for your entire life. The card brings to mind moments where actions you have taken have changed the course of your path for good. There may have been a moment where there is no looking back. The consequences of those actions eventually will catch up to you, and this card seems to indicate that this is the time. You may have to let go of the past, so you can move forward with your plans to have a new life.

Question 22

The World (21)

Answer 22

One word: completion

Keywords: accomplishment, fulfillment, wholeness, sense of belonging, harmony

Element: earth

To encounter the World in your cards is to encounter a great unity and wholeness. It symbolizes the moment when the inner and the outer worlds - self and other - become a single entity. In some traditions, this state is described as enlightenment, or nirvana. There is a recognition that the individual self is profoundly linked with all other things, and that we all dance and sway along the flow of life to one rhythm. Not only do you hear this rhythm, but you participate in it - following the dips and the rises, the joys and the sorrows.