They are seen to be things that are outside of our control in the way that things just happen, seemingly arbitrary events that have a huge impact on our daily lives, but over which we could not have placed any influence. These experiences whether positive or negative, and however impactful always leave us with a learning to take away, a way in which we can develop and grow.

So when we receive a Major Arcana card in a reading it is telling us that regardless of all the day to day stuff we’ll encounter from the minor arcana, there is likely to be a significant energy coming our way in the form of that card. Although we may not be able to influence it, being aware of it gives us an advantage as we are better prepared for it and open to it in a way that we cannot be if we are not ready for it.

The Major Arcana is often called The Fool’s Journey; most decks start with The Fool, number 0 and the journey of The Fool as he encounters each major arcana card in turn can be seen to reflect our own journey through life, from childhood, through adolescence, into maturity and then old age. Each step of the way there are major transitions, encounters and rites of passage to pass through, each represented by the Major Arcana.

To summarise the major arcana cards one by one would not do you or them any justice, however hopefully this rendition of The Fool’s Journey will give you an idea of the importance of the Major Arcana and help you start to reflect on each card yourself in your own tarot journey.

The Fool is new born, a concept, free spirit, with no obligations on his shoulders and no knowledge of the world at large. He is ready for the journey ahead of him, he feels no fear, and despite being cosseted and warned not to go too far, he knows that the only way to grow and develop will be to embark on this exciting new journey.

His first meeting is with The Magician, possibilities and opportunities are shown to him, he is encouraged to consider how wondrous the heaven and earth is and that by harnessing the power within himself, and that around him – anything is possible.

Feeling invigorated and excited he moves on from The Magician’s external world and meets The High Priestess. She sits between two pillars with a veil behind her, she is controlled where the Magician was unruly, she is quiet where The Magician was noisy. She teaches the Fool that looking within can teach us as much as the world around. She encourages him to look behind the veils of his own inner self, to try to understand what he really wants and to come to terms with the bubbling well of emotions inside.

Feeling introspective he meets The Empress, his mother, the mother of all the earth, Mother Earth. She tends to her garden, her animals and to the life that continuously grows within her. Her care, attention and love reminds the Fool that being in this world is not just about oneself, but about others and how we love and are loved by them.

He also meets The Emperor, his father, the father of all the earth, the leader and ruler of all he surveys. Success, control and leadership are important to the Emperor, and he reminds the Fool that in order to succeed one must take control of one’s life, and everything within that life. The Emperor instils discipline, authority and a keenness to do well in The Fool.

Ready to learn more The Hierophant comes to The Fool to tutor him in all the world’s knowledge, from religion to culture, every form of education is available to The Hierophant and although there is a hint of indoctrination The Fool knows that the intent is for his higher good.

Moving from education The Fool meets The Lovers, who teach him about choice and love. He is entering adolescence now and is aware of needs within himself, passions and attractions that he is not sure how to deal with. The Lovers remind him that allowing another person into his life will mean that he will need to make choices, not just to accommodate them but others as well. Love is wonderful but complex.

The Chariot rushes past and hauls The Fool onto the back, now is the time to forge ahead and make his way in life. There is direction, confidence and assurance, and although the horses pull in two directions, The Chariot knows that whichever direction he takes will be the right one.

The Fool jumps from the Chariot to meet Strength, watching the woman prise open the lion’s mouth reminds The Fool how he needs to have strength to cope with his own inner beast and demons, that in order to move forwards he will have to face his shadow self, those strange thoughts that filter in his mind and cause him concern.

The Hermit shows him the way, how to find out what is going on inside the confusing mass of emotions, feelings and thoughts inside himself. But The Hermit is not the guide, he simply shines the light on The Fool’s own guide – himself.

The middle way is reached, The Wheel of Fortune turns, and having been protected, nurtured, taught, advised and encouraged it is now time for The Fool to experience the ups and downs of life, for real.

Justice is the first experience, understanding the law of the world and the implications of his actions. Finding out that whatever he does will come back to him threefold is a revelation to The Fool. Equally he realises that Justice is meted out to everyone for all their actions.

Feeling satisfied with this The Fool continues, and encounters a man hanging upside down from a tree, this horrifies The Fool, why would anyone sacrifice themselves in this way? Listening to The Hanged Man, The Fool finds out that although it is a sacrifice, by hanging here he is learning something new about the world and his life that he would not have otherwise discovered. A new perspective is sometimes essential.

Sacrifice is one thing, but now The Fool must experience an ending, something dear to him, his youth is now leaving and this means that this phase of his life comes to an end. This is an inevitable ending, one which was going to happen at some point or another, and although it is painful the Fool knows that this Death will create a re-birth, something new for him to experience.

Temperance is what The Fool needs in order to start bridging between his old life and his new life, finding compromises, merging the old and new, and creating something exciting from two seemingly incongruous elements is healing for The Fool as he lets go.

It is hard to let go however and The Devil on his shoulder keeps him holding onto the past hurts and pains, as well as keeping him fearful of change. He is finding that however much he tries to find the compromise he just cannot move forwards. He knows this will end in more misery, but he feels chained to his place and cannot move on.

The inevitable happens, just as the Fool feared it would and the foundations of his Tower fall around him, leaving him with rubble and dust. This massive change in his life was completely out of his control, and yet he knew it would happen, he just felt too scared to face it – and now he must live with the consequences of that fear and start to try and pick up the pieces again.

As he wanders around the dust and debris he looks to the sky and sees The Star shining. Suddenly he feels an immense feeling of hope rush through him. These events are inconsequential in the grand scheme of things, and are just small blips in the long experience that will be his life. He now feels hopeful that he can and will achieve his dreams despite this setback.

As night falls he contemplates his feelings and emotions in The Moon’s glow. As he reflects he is reminded of The Hermit’s lesson, how the best tutor and advisor is within oneself, and despite feeling low and even though he knows he has been feeling depressed, he starts to understand what his lesson is and how he can learn from his past experiences.

The Sun comes up and for the first time The Fool feels joy and elation! He feels like a child again, released from the stress and strain of adulthood and all the pain of the past events. Finally he realises that life is great, not just great it’s amazing and he has potential and possibilities and opportunities ahead of him.

He wants to shout from the rooftops as Judgement day arrives! Success is his just as Justice promised it would be, everything he has put into his life during this time is now being repaid and rewarded and the celebration is just beginning!

Standing on top of The World, The Fool now fully understands that everything he has experienced has accumulated to make him the person he is, the person who has everything he needs in life, and he feels ready now for the next adventure, the next new phase in his life’s journey.

The series will continue with, a brief overview of how to choose a deck, common spreads, reading for yourself and how to choose someone to do a reading for you.

Anya is an endorsed tarot reader and member of the Tarot Association of the British Isles. She has been reading the tarot for over 15 years, and has an extensive knowledge of all things mystical and esoteric. To read more about the mystical arts visit her website at www.innermoo.co.uk where you can join a forum, subscribe to a newsletter, read about many interesting subjects and even buy readings online!