The Major Arcana of the Tarot
Not many people realize that the term ‘Major Arcana’ is relatively new. Most think that the Tarot always had a Major and Minor Arcana, and that the images have been the same for eternity, but this is not the case. Before 1860, the two sections of the Tarot were known simply as the trumps and the pip cards. The trumps were 22 illustrated cards depicting Renaissance characters and scenes. Some of these images had names similar to those of the modern Tarot, for example, The Emperor, Justice and Death. Other cards were given terms like The Pope, Hunchback, and Traitor.
Many of the images and names in the Tarot have changed over time. Nugget cards were very similar to ordinary playing cards today. The nugget cards were the four suits of numbered cards with illustrations of coins, cups, swords, or clubs. Paul Christian (whose real name was Jean-Baptiste Pitois) was the man who gave the two sections of the Tarot their esoteric names Major and Minor Arcana. The word arcanum means mysterious or secret, and by giving these Latin titles to the cards, Christian tried to generate a magical and mystical atmosphere around the Tarot.
The Major Arcana of the modern Tarot are numbered from 0 to 21 and are the cards that attract the most attention. They are considered the most powerful images, showing the psychological influences, spiritual principles, and karmic lessons that have an impact on your life. In a reading, they show the underlying reasons behind events and can reveal the mindset behind certain behavior. When a high percentage of Major Arcana cards appear in a reading, it may indicate a time of change and / or an opportunity for personal growth. Usually this occurs as a result of having to deal with dramatic circumstances, or because a shift in consciousness has led to some mind-blowing personal insights and heightened self-awareness.
In today’s Tarot, the sequence of the Major Arcana begins with The Fool and ends with The World. Some people see this series of cards as the journey through life or the representation of progressive steps in spiritual evolution. These cards are filled with archetypal, magical, and biblical symbols. Many hidden symbols were added to the images as they evolved. Different artists have included themes and symbolism in the design to fulfill their notion of what the card should represent. One of these artistic representations (The Rider-Waite Tarot) has proven to be more popular than any other.
More than 6 million Rider-Waite Tarot decks have been sold. His Major Arcana design has become the basis for most modern Tarot derivative packs, and it’s easy to see why, the images are simple, yet so full of meaning. And when you look beyond the contours of the main characters that dominate the scene, you will often find jewels of wisdom hidden among the minor details.