The Major and Minor Arcana
Your Path to Tarot
Discover the difference between the Major and Minor Arcana, how upright and reversed cards reveal external and internal energies, and why court cards in reverse show us our shadow side. Tarot isn’t just about prediction—it’s a mirror for deep self-awareness.
Library ↠ Home | Updated: 2025-02-09
🔍 Introduction
Tarot is a language of symbols that helps us access the subconscious, offering insight through imagery and intuition. A full deck includes 78 cards, divided into two key groups: the Major Arcana and Minor Arcana.
The Major Arcana represents spiritual themes and major life transitions.
The Minor Arcana focuses on daily life, emotions, challenges, and actions—divided into four suits: Cups, Pentacles, Swords, and Wands.
✨ Understanding Reversals
Reversed cards aren’t just the “opposite” of upright meanings—they often signal internal experiences, private perspectives, or lessons still being integrated.
For example:
The Empress upright: Nurturing others
The Empress reversed: Nurturing yourself
Eight of Cups upright: Walking away publicly
Eight of Cups reversed: A quiet, inner exit no one sees coming
Reversals can also suggest an incomplete lesson from the previous card in the sequence. When Court Cards appear reversed, they often reveal the card’s weaker traits—immaturity, insecurity, manipulation, or passivity—showing us what’s out of balance.
Tarot is a mirror. It doesn’t just show what’s happening—it shows who we are becoming.
📚 Explore the Shelves
Colors of Tarot (e-book available)
Numbers of Tarot (e-book available)
Tarot Journal Questions (coming soon)
Tarot Card Spreads (coming soon)