How-to Guides · 4 min · 2026-07-18
The 78-card tarot set is divided into many levels of meaning. The final part — the 7 cards from the Devil to the World — represents the level of understanding and the connection between thought and action. These are cards that talk about strong changes in life and soul.
A complete tarot set consists of 78 cards, organized into a clear structure:
Basically, these 78 cards are used to describe every aspect of life.
Here is a basic guide to the last 7 cards in the Big Deck, from XVI to XXII:
Downward position: Unofficial love, lust, temptation, violation of social rules, immorality, special talents, negativity, fear, anger, resentment, obstacles, misdirection, disloyalty, secret love.
Reverse position: Break free from unofficial love, free yourself from chains, defy norms, run away, cause harm, release desires, curses, strong desires, adverse environments, blind judgments.
Downward position: Broken relationships, irreversible situations, collapse, loss, destruction, devastation, chaos, accidents, sadness, breakup, disappointment, need for support, life in need of rebuilding.
Reverse position: Total devastation, everything was damaged, no chance of return, loss, instability, violence, bad luck.
Downward position: Hopeful future, new birth, infinite hope, expectations, achieving goals, health, purity, beauty, luck, healthy body and soul, right time, peaceful life, harmonious environment.
Reverse position: Fragile hope, loss of faith, loss of support, loss of goals, sadness, giving up, no progress, too vain, imaginary, conservative.
Downward position: Negative emotions, instability, fear, gloomy atmosphere, darkness, depression, daydreaming, ignoring reality, unknown dangers, unpredictable threats, paranoia, impracticality, immersion, stubbornness.
Reverse position: Overcome the period of depression, mood recovers, darkness is about to disappear, new light appears, overcome fear, regain reason, see reality clearly, escape desire, practical spirit, escape deception.
Downward position: Bright prospects, peak of luck, success, bright and reasonable, passionate love, happy marriage, happy season, smoothness, joy, achievement, satisfaction, abundant vitality.
Reverse position: Passion fades, light fades, failure, breakup, arrogance, loss of goals, loss of vitality, no future, lack, no joy.
Downward position: Rebirth, awakening, renewed perspective, freedom from attachment, satisfaction, end of suffering, new inspiration, new beginning.
Reverse position: Inequity, insurmountability, repetition of the past, conservatism, conceit, narrow-mindedness, regret, self-blame, dissatisfaction, failure.
Downward position: Perfect ending, new beginning, beautiful life phase, achieving success, freedom, fulfillment, spiritual harmony, absolute confidence, great changes, desirable results.
Reverse position: Imperfect, the end of the past, lacking self-esteem, suffering, pessimism, unable to rectify, unable to move on, broken. A useful check is to name the visible action on the card before choosing advice. When several cards repeat a theme, treat the pattern as emphasis rather than certainty. For a cleaner reading, translate the symbol into one observable choice or behavior. If the card feels abstract, ask what it changes in the next small decision. The strongest interpretation usually connects image, position, and question in one sentence.
These 7 cards represent the understanding layer — the connections between thoughts and actions, between the subconscious and reality. This is the highest level that very few people can voluntarily overcome.
Few people can escape the materialistic and visual way of looking at things to reach enlightenment — where the subconscious communicates with reality, where we dance with dreams.
Whether good or bad, truly acknowledge and accept what happens, overcome challenges, and aim for perfection.
Read deeper
Reference source: zhihu.com — Introduction to Tarot: Introducing the Meaning of the Big Card (Part 3)
Reading note: Check these meanings against the cards beside them before settling on one keyword.
Source: Zhihu
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