Tarot 101: Major vs Minor Arcana

Tarot decks have 78 cards. They divide into two groups: the Major Arcana (22 cards) and the Minor Arcana (56 cards). Understanding this split is the foundation for learning Tarot, because it shows you whether a card is pointing to something long-term and significant, or something more immediate and practical.


Major Arcana: The Big Picture

  • 22 cards, numbered 0 through 21. The sequence begins with The Fool (0) and ends with The World (21).
  • These cards are sometimes called "trump cards" because they carry more weight in a reading.
  • They represent big themes, major lessons, and turning points in life. When one shows up, it's not just about your week, it's about the broader story of your growth.
  • Each card represents an archetype or universal theme.
    • The Magician = potential and personal power.
    • The Tower = upheaval and sudden change.
    • The Star = renewal and hope.
  • When multiple Majors appear in a reading, it suggests the querent is going through a period of change or learning that will stay with them, rather than a passing situation.


Minor Arcana: Everyday Life

  • 56 cards, divided into four suits: Wands, Cups, Swords, Pentacles.
  • Each suit represents a broad area of daily experience:
    • Wands → energy, creativity, drive, action.
    • Cups → emotions, relationships, intuition, connection.
    • Swords → thought, communication, conflict, clarity.
    • Pentacles → work, money, health, the material world.
  • Numbers Ace through 10show progression in each area.
    • Example: Two of Cups = a connection forming; Ten of Swords = the end of a struggle.
  • Court Cards (Page, Knight, Queen, King)represent people, roles, or personality traits.
    • Page = student, beginner, curiosity.
    • Knight = pursuit, action, change.
    • Queen = mastery through experience, emotional intelligence.
    • King = authority, responsibility, external mastery.
  • Minors are about immediate dynamics and daily situations. They don't usually mark "life lessons," but they show what’s happening in your current environment and choices.


Why the Distinction Matters

  • Majors = headline events. They point to lessons or patterns that define a chapter of life.
  • Minors = the details. They explain what’s happening within that chapter on a practical level.
  • Together: Majors provide the context, Minors provide the story on the ground.
  • Example: If The Lovers (Major) appears alongside Two of Cups (Minor), the reading is not just about a date or a friendship, it's about making a values-based choice that shapes your relationships moving forward.


The split between the Major and Minor Arcana is what gives Tarot its depth. The Majors show the big lessons and turning points, while the Minors ground those themes in day-to-day reality. Together, they help you see both the wide arc of your story and the details of how it plays out.


Next Steps

Ready to go further? In the next Tarot 101 guides, we'll break down:

  • The Four Suits of the Minor Arcana
  • How to Understand Court Cards
  • The Fool’s Journey through the Majors

Each step will add another layer of clarity to your readings.


Good luck on your Tarot journey!

-StarredSprig 💜

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