Meaning - The World is simultaneously the end of the journey and the herald of a new beginning. A chapter of life is coming to a close in a natural and fulfilling way. Whatever is lost or left behind, though indisputably final, will offer great closure. If The fool departs in search of knowledge; The World returns to bestow knowledge.
Upright - Balance, Wholeness, Satisfactory/ Happy Endings and Fresh starts
Reversed - Refusal to Let Go, Fragmentation, Inability to Start Over and Unsatisfactory/ Sad Endings
Element - Earth
The World
Meaning - Before coming to the end of the Fool’s Journey through the majors, his deeds must be weighed. It is a time to ask any questions raised along the way. The card calls for honesty and sincerity, in the face of fair judgement. It connotes a final chance to admit guilt and repent, in the hopes of forgiveness.
Upright - Resurrection, Redemption and self-evaluation
Reversed - Evasiveness, Burden and Self-doubt
Element - Fire
Judgement
Meaning - Perhaps the most positive card in the deck, The Sun foretells unchecked joy and success in all forms. This suggests a lasting period of peace and happiness, where without threat one can bask in sunlight, setting down all cares. The Sun is the master of its own destiny, confident in its abilities and moral rightness.
Upright - Happiness, Light, Marriage and Victory
Reversed - Sorrow, Lack of Clarity, Discontent and Failure
Element - Fire
The Sun
Meaning - The Moon concerns the affairs of the imagination and the power of the mind to see past the material world. Most often read negatively, this denotes a loss of grip on reality, hallucinations, fear and paranoia. However, taken positively, this card suggests creativity, passionate love and dreams.
Upright - Mental confusion, Fear, Dreams and Wild Romance
Reversed - Nightmares, Insomnia, Psychological deterioration, Invasive or Unpleasant Thoughts and Fantasies
Element - Water
The Moon
Meaning - The Star is the beginning of the healing process. The rekindling of hope, and the second chance. To those that had nearly lost hope, the star appears as inspiration and guide.
Upright - Newfound Hope, Guidance, Revelation and Healing
Reversed - False Hope, Disorientation, trauma and disillusionment
Element - Air
The Star
Meaning - The Tower signifies an earth shattering event. It predicts utter desolation or otherwise irrevocable change. However, it must be acknowledged that hardship is inevitable and no one passes through life unscathed. A smooth sea never made a skilful sailor, and this will be the roughest sea yet.
Upright - Destruction, Chaos and Ruin
Reversed - Averting or Delaying Disaster, Fallout and Rebuilding
Element - Fire
The Tower
Meaning - The Devil card represents the seduction and entrapment of carnal pleasures and living to excess. It concerns itself with addiction, temptation, lust and power - and the strangely alluring dangers of following any of these materialistic pursuits to excess.
Upright - Sexuality, Obsession, Restriction and Fear
Reversed - Freedom from Bondage, Overcoming Addictions, Release, Restoring Balance and Control
Element - Earth
The Devil
Meaning - Temperance, in line with the cardinal virtue that is its namesake, is a symbol of measuredness, moderation and Mercy. In contrast to the justice card, Temperance is concerned not with what is fair, but what is right. It is an unfailing advocate of staying the executioner’s sword in favour of forgiveness. The card is also linked to Alchemy.
Upright - Moderation, Restraint, Mercy and Alchemy
Reversed - Decadence, Division and Poison
Element - Fire
Temperance
Meaning - After a period of contemplation with The Hanged Man, Death follows to allow you to let go of previous traumas and anxieties that may be holding you back. It is symbolic of purging, rebirth, and a complete severing of our past mistakes to allow for significant and permanent change. While this severance can be painful, it should also be viewed as a strengthening of character.
Upright - Transformation, transition and rebirth
Reversed - Stagnation, reluctance, inner turmoil and indecision
Element - Water
Death
Meaning - The Hanged Man symbolises perspective and intellect. It is about allowing yourself to pause and reflect on previous decisions and experiences whilst also allowing yourself to grow and mature materially and spiritually. This card recommends the consideration of events past, present, and future. At the halfway point of the Major Arcana, it also connotes an inherent change from the challenges previously faced to those that will follow.
Upright - Acceptance, new perspective, reflection and insight
Reversed - Denial, selfishness and indecision
Element - Water
The Hanged Man
Meaning - The Justice card is largely self explanatory, it refers to people getting what is deserved. Evil is weighed and suitably punished, good recognised and rewarded. However, the sword of justice can often be ruthless, and what is fair is not always the most compassionate.
Upright - Justice, Unbiased Evaluation and Punishment
Reversed - Injustice, Abuse of Power, Imbalance OR Mercy
Element - Air
Justice
Meaning - This card depicts a world in constant flux, where luck and destiny can change at any moment. To those graced with happiness and stability this card predicts a hard fall, but to those down on their luck it predicts great fortune. However, nothing is permanent, and the wheel will always come back around.
Upright - Change of Luck, Karma and Equilibrium
Reversed - Stagnation, Personal Autonomy and irrevocable change
Element - Fire
Wheel of Fortune
Meaning - The Hermit is essentially a searcher, often depicted as a wise old man making his way through the darkness with a lantern. He is illuminating the dark areas of the physical and intellectual realms. This focus often comes at the cost of camaraderie and companionship. However admirable or important, the Hermit is at its core a signifier of solitude, and loneliness.
Upright - Illumination, Solitude and Knowledge
Reversed - Withdrawal, Lack of knowledge, Corruption and secrets
Element - Earth
The Hermit
Meaning - The Strength card is the ultimate symbol of Female empowerment in everything from success to sexuality. It asserts the importance of facing one’s fears and signifies the completion of a goal. It also advocates bravery and integrity over physical strength.
Upright - Bravery, Feminine power and Feminine sexuality
Reversed - Subservient Femininity, Cowardice, Abuse of Power and Fear
Element - Fire
Strength
Meaning - The Chariot is the champion of hard work and resilience. This is a figure who will not stop for anything and never stays down for long. This card denotes setting sights on a goal, and seeing it through no matter the cost; personal, physical or otherwise.
Upright - Resilience, Determination and Self-Obsession
Reversed - Giving up, lack of direction and cowardice
Element - Water
The Chariot
Meaning - The Lovers concern all spheres of romantic love; from love at first sight to marriage. Generally, this card implies that the future is bright for romantic relationships old and new. The Card is also heavily linked to the importance of a romantic choice that needs to be made, for better or worse, that will seriously affect the relationship.
Upright - New Love, Romantic Love, Sex and Choice
Reversed - Separation, Stagnation and Regret
Element - Air
The Lovers
Meaning - The Hierophant, or ‘Pope’ card is primarily a figure of religious power and a symbol of law and order. At best the Hierophant is a wise, thoughtful and spiritual leader. At worst he is a bloodthirsty tyrant hiding under a shield of religious justification and legal technicalities.
Upright - Power, Faith, Law and Order
Reversed - Servitude, loss of faith and Godlessness
Element - Earth
The Hierophant
Meaning - This card suggests the end of an ascent, and success realised. After much struggle; recognition, respect, and power is achieved. However, the Emperor is a ruler that prioritises stability and strength over personal liberties and democracy.
Upright - Leadership, Control and Force
Reversed - Childishness, Tyranny and Deposition
Element - Fire
The Emperor
Meaning - The Empress signifies rebirth in all interpretations. The card connotes motherhood, pregnancy and maternal influence. She is someone who makes music or art, or generally engages in the pursuit of beauty in just about any way.
Upright - Motherhood, harvest and sexuality
Reversed - Barrenness, violence and letting go
Element - Earth
The Empress
Meaning - The High Priestess is thoughtful, secretive, and introspective. A passive witness and advisor on the universe. She is Associated with Paradoxes, possessing great knowledge but keeping many secrets, often overlooking moral or emotional problems in favor of greater symmetry of the universe.
Upright - Equilibrium, Wisdom, Reason and Mystery
Reversed - Lost spirituality, lost harmony, uncertainty and determinism
Element - Water
The High Priestess
Meaning - The Magician is someone who always has ‘the right tools for the job’, whether these tools are physical or intellectual, there is no task too great or puzzle too difficult to solve. The card is also connected to leadership, in particular a figure of notable rhetorical talent.
Upright - Skill, Leadership, Manipulation, Dexterity and Shaping reality
Reversed - Failure to plan, Inadequacy, deceit and pessimism
Element - Air
The Magician
Meaning - The Fool represents new beginnings, new challenges, and the ability to adapt to them. The fool is innocent and inexperienced but has has a thirst for knowledge, and an anticipation of an unknown future.
Upright - Beginnings, Freedom, Spontaneity and Naivety
Reversed - Impotency, Regret, Mundanity and Maturity
Element - Air
