The Journey of a Thousand Miles begins with a step – Lao Tzu
TAROT CARDS -THE MAJOR ARCANA
The word ‘Arcana’ is the plural form of the word ‘Arcanum’ which Mirriam Webster dictionary defines as: mysterious or specialized knowledge, language, or information accessible or possessed only by the initiate. Since you are now learning about the Tarot and the Arcana, that means YOU are an initiate! Cool, eh?
There are two Arcana’s in a tarot Deck: The Major Arcana, which consists of 22 cards, and the Minor Arcana. which consists of 4 suits that total 56 cards.
The Major Arcana, which starts with the zero – or no number – card ‘The Fool’ is often called ‘The Fool’s Journey. These 22 cards are archetypes representative of different life lessons on the fool’s journey. There are mainly three cycles of life, death, rebirth within the Major Arcana, which culminates in the completion of the Journey, with ‘The World.’ For the most part, when a card that is part of the Major Arcana shows up in a reading it means “heads up pay attention,” these are major life lessons, or changes. These cards can also be referred to as signposts showing us the direction in our journey (or the fool’s journey).
TAROT – THE SEPTENARIES OF THE MAJOR ARCANA
The 21 cards of the Major Arcana (Not counting the fool, because he is unnumbered and is the “stand in protagonist “of the Major arcana story) can also be divided into three groups of seven – called “septenaries.” Each of these represents a cycle on the fool’s journey.
THE FIRST SEPTENARY
(1. The Magician – 7. The Chariot) represents self/ego/consciousness. It is about developing self-awareness of one’s own capabilities and consciously choosing the path to walk and taking the first steps on that path.
THE SECOND SEPTENARY
(8. Strength – 14. Temperance) This is about social and moral understandings; it is about the separation of the ego and transformation of the Self toward spiritual equilibrium.
THE THIRD SEPTENARY
(15. The Devil – 21. The World) This is about the spiritual world and attainment of enlightenment. This final septenary begins with the facing of one’s demons (the devil) and contains cosmic forces like the Sun, Moon, Star, and World, is about transcendence and religious, spiritual, and mystical understanding.
Now, if the septenaries are confusing, think of them in broader terms as stories within the story, each bearing a different lesson or theme (broadly: self, social, spiritual).
I hope this has given you a good overview of the Major Arcana. Next week, and for the 21 weeks following, we will be exploring a different card within the Major Arcana. As we make that journey through the cards, the underlying septenary themes will begin to make more sense. Each week your understanding will build just a little. Please feel free to leave a comment or a question. I am happy to discuss anything and answer any questions.
Check you out learning the Tarot…go on with your bad self!
Thank you for reading.
See you next week for The Fool!
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