How-to Guides · 8 min · 2026-07-18
Tarot Foundations: An Introduction to the 22 Major Arcana (Part 1)
A complete tarot deck contains 78 cards organized into three groups: 22 Major Arcana cards representing abstract concepts and life's turning points, 16 Court cards embodying personality archetypes, and 40 numbered cards illustrating patterns of development. Here we explore the first seven cards of the Rider-Waite-Smith system—from the Fool to the Lovers—and the fundamental ideas they carry.
The Structure of a Tarot Deck
A complete tarot deck contains 78 cards, arranged according to a foundational structure:
- 22 Major Arcana: Representing 22 abstract concepts and pivotal moments in human experience
- 16 Court Cards: Embodying 16 distinct personality types and human characteristics
- 40 Numbered Cards: Divided into four suits (Swords, Cups, Coins, Wands), each containing 10 cards that illustrate cycles of development
Together, these 78 cards speak to every dimension of human life.
The First Seven Major Arcana: Core Ideas
1. The Fool
The Fool encompasses the entire journey within the Rider-Waite-Smith system.
Upright: - Innocent blindness, courage - Crossing into the unknown - Beginning a new chapter, fresh opportunity - Following one's personal vision - Travel, confidence beyond convention - Moving beyond social judgment
Reversed: - Reckless blindness, failure to weigh consequences - Defying reality, rash action - Refusing accountability - Breaking rules, avoidance - Dangerous travel - Foolish behavior, arrested development
2. The Magician
Upright: - Achievement, genuine capability - Intelligence, dexterity - Skill in communication and persuasion - Quick-wittedness, resourcefulness - Gathering knowledge through connection - Influence over others - Strong capacity for learning - Eloquence
Reversed: - Deception, sleight of hand - Failure, cunning - Dishonesty - Insufficient skill - Loss of confidence - Manipulation in pursuit of recognition
3. The High Priestess
Upright: - Innocence, purity - Strong intuition, keen perception - Revelation of truth - Accessing the power of the subconscious - Holding knowledge - Accurate judgment, sound reasoning - Unrequited love, spiritual affection - High emotional standards - Shyness in love - Support for learning
Reversed: - Coldness, emotional distance - Poor judgment - Misguided direction - Superstition, obstinacy - Emotional confusion - Lack of foresight - Rigid rejection of love
4. The Empress
Upright: - Gentleness, softness - Nobility, beauty - Enjoyment of life - Golden season, abundance - Fertility, creativity - Tenderness, emotional fullness - Protection through love - Feminine allure - Maternal love - Powerful creative force - Material prosperity - Joy, happiness
Reversed: - Pride, excess - Overindulgence - Waste, destruction - Jealousy - Domineering motherhood - Possessiveness, clinging - Extravagance, decline - Love leading to ruin - Unsuitable romance
5. The Emperor
Upright: - Career success - Material wealth - Emotional control - Skill, methodology - Solidity, independence - Masculine allure - Patriarchal thinking - Competence in handling affairs - Determination to realize ambition and dreams
Reversed: - Failure - Excessive rigidity, inflexibility - Disadvantage in love - Self-importance, stubbornness - Excessive power - Diminished strength - Loss of reason - Poor judgment - Lack of capability - Overemphasis on worldly concerns - Excessive hunger for power - Wasted effort
6. The Hierophant
Upright: - Wisdom - Skill in communication - Timely support - Finding truth - Spiritual aid - Help from someone influential - An impactful guide or mentor - Finding the right direction - Support appearing in one's studies - Intervention of elders in matters of the heart - Transmission of knowledge
Reversed: - Over-dependence - Misguided counsel - Blind comfort - Ineffective support - Tyrannical regime - Spiritual brainwashing - Manipulation in pursuit of recognition - Complete lack of capability - Love damaged - Interference from a third party
7. The Lovers
Upright: - Sweet love - A relationship blessed - New love just beginning - Smooth courtship - Perfect harmony - Facing choices in work or study - Facing decisions about the heart - A moment requiring resolve - Smooth cooperation
Reversed: - Separation - Interference from a third party - Disharmonious emotions - Outside interference - Confronting separation - Love fading away - Inability to unite - Relationship damaged - Love directed toward the wrong person - Unsupported love
The Overall Meaning of These Seven Cards
Important note: These seven cards represent the subconscious realm, connected to the "head" or "body" of the human being. This section shows the worldly dimension—what many spend lifetimes seeking: relationships (men, women, parents, teachers, lovers) and material goals.
Reference source: zhihu.com — Tarot Foundations: An Introduction to the 22 Major Arcana (Part 1)