The Structure of Tarot
The Tarot deck is composed of two main divisions: the Major Arcana, consisting of 22 cards, and the Minor Arcana, comprising four suits of 14 cards each.
The Major Arcana
The 22 Major Arcana cards represent universal archetypes—fundamental patterns and symbols that appear across cultures and time. These cards form the foundation of Tarot and have inspired numerous variations throughout history. The Major Arcana includes:
- Spiritual and mystical figures (The Fool, The Magician, The High Priestess, The Hierophant)
- Authority figures (The Emperor, The Empress)
- Cosmic forces (The Sun, The Moon, The Star)
- Life experiences (The Lovers, Death, The Tower)
- Virtues and qualities (Strength, Justice, Temperance)
- Symbolic constructs (The Chariot, The Wheel of Fortune)
- States of being (The Hermit, The Hanged Man)
- Spiritual concepts (The Devil, Judgment, The World)
When a Tarot reading features predominantly Major Arcana cards, it often indicates significant life events or important spiritual lessons that require attention—even if the querent hasn’t yet recognized their full importance.
The Minor Arcana
The 56 Minor Arcana cards reflect the day-to-day aspects of life, representing people, situations, emotions, and events we commonly encounter. A reading dominated by Minor Arcana cards typically suggests practical matters that may resolve quickly or require immediate attention.
Each suit in the Minor Arcana contains:
- Number cards (Ace through Ten)
- Court cards (Page, Knight, Queen, and King)
- Some decks include an additional court card: The Princess
The four suits correspond to the classical elements:
- Swords ⚔️ - Air: Intellect, challenges, and communication
- Wands 🔥 - Fire: Creativity, passion, and spirituality
- Pentacles 🌍 - Earth: Material matters, work, and physical reality
- Cups 🌊 - Water: Emotions, relationships, and intuition
This elemental correspondence adds depth to interpretations and helps readers understand the energetic qualities of each suit.
