The deck begins and ends with the fool. The major arcana is often called the journey of the fool and seems to relate to the Bible, beginning with the creation of Adam. The Tarot maps man's journey through life and the lessoons and laws he must learn along the way. Hence the name "Journey of the fool".

The major deck describes major situations and life lessons. Most readings will have a ratio of two minor cards for every major card. Mainly major arcana cards in a reading would indicate a busy period with many changes. Few or no major cards would indicate a settled period without any major dramas. This could also mean that the questioner has fallen into a rut.

0: THE FOOL
The principle of courage and freedom.
Spirit matter, stepping into the unknown, courage, adventure.
Inexperience, ignorance, foolish or dangerous behaviour.
Also describes student, apprentice, traveller.
1: THE MAGICIAN
The principle of communication and conscious thought ruled by mercury and describles initiation, introduction, leadership, lawyer, actor, inventor.
Conman, braggart and a liar.
2: THE HIGH PRIESTESS
The principal of intuition and the subconscious.
Female energy ruled by the moon, Pisces.
Subconscious mind, wisdom, psychic powers, counselor, teacher, midwife, nun.
Witchcraft, evil spells, deception, misuse of psychic powers.
3: THE EMPRESS
Mother of the Earth, the principle of love with wisdom.
Female, ruled by Earth/Venus.
Refers to fertility, pregnancy, new relationship, prosperity, abundance.
Wife, mother, often works as a midwife or carer.
Infertility, menopause, miscarriage, broken relationship.
4: THE EMPEROR
Father of mankind, the art of leadership and authority.
Male energy, ruled by Mars.
Power, work, self control, responsibility, tradition and politics.
Policeman, lawyer, judge, priest. Usually self made man.
Old fashioned, over bearing, unbending, a bully.
5: THE HIEROPHANT
The principle of teaching and learning.
Male energy ruled by Taurus.
Life lessons, alternative religion, mental health, tertiary education, counseling, training, extended family.
The Heirophant understands the workings of the mind and life's grey areas.
Learning problems, depression, religious fanatic.
6: THE LOVERS
The art and craft of relationships.
Ruled by Venus.
Choices, marriage, a new romance, friendship or business partnership.
The difference between love and lust.
Divorce, adultery, promiscuity, excessive sexual energy or frigidity.
7: THE CHARIOT
The principle of change and movement.
Fire energy ruled by Saturn.
Action, travel, taking control, determination, will power, courage.
Traveler, journey, house move, new car, career progress.
Lack of direction, struggle, car problems, delay, fear, low self esteem.
8: STRENGTH /LUST
The principle of self discipline and passion.
Raw energy ruled by Leo.
Power and passion, desire, ambition and creativity, charm, confidence.
Leader, artist, entertainer, sportsperson, fitness instructor, animal trainer or vet.
Lust, pride, ego, impatience, anger, violence, sex, bully tactics, defeat.
9: THE HERMIT
Balance between quietude and activity.
Mental energy ruled by Aquarius.
A lonely period, meditation, solitary journey, completion, time out and inner peace.
Monk, analyst, chemist, healer, widow, widower, hectic situations, need for peace and quiet.
10: THE WHEEL OF FORTUNE
The principle of opportunity and chance.
Fire energy ruled by Jupiter.
New opportunity, fortunate changes, travel, investment, speculation, house move, competitions.
Time to take a chance.
Risky gamble, bad investment, fear of change, missed or wasted opportunity.

11 : JUSTICE
The art of simplicity and balance.
Ruled by Libra, karmic justice.
Reward for hard work, legal victory, lease, contract, weighing up the odds, cause and effect.
Lawyer, judge, policeman, negotiator, peacemaker, politition.
Injustice, complications, indecision, punishment, negative karma.
12: THE HANGED MAN
The sacrifice of destructive patterns.
Ruled by Virgo.
Suspension, sacrifice, transformation.
Complete turn around, dispensing with negative patterns, a new perspective, hanging in there.
Delays, surrender, depression, addiction, victimisation and occasionally suicide.
13: DEATH / REBIRTH
The principle of letting go.
This card is often misunderstood and misinterpreted.
Ruled by Scorpio.
Death and natural ending, transition and transformation, detachment, new beginnings, rebirth and awakenings.
Premature or violent death, suicide, murder, miscarriage.
Living in the past.
14: TEMPERANCE
The art of moderation and integration.
Balanced energy and wellbeing.
The art of moderation and integration.
Balanced energy and wellbeing.
Balance between opposites example male and female, good and bad alternative and traditional medicine.
Health worker, dietician.
Illness caused by self indulgence, hormone or chemical imbalance, addictions, complications and obsession.
15: DEVIL
The underworld.
Good versus evil, accepting one's dark side.
Integration of good and bad, love and lust.
Base sexuality, entrapment, temptation, satanism, greed, guilt, addiction, disease, powerful enemy.
16: THE TOWER
The principle of destruction and transformation.
Change and awakening.
A chance to reinvent your world to avoid disaster, destruction of image and status, dramatic endings, major shake up, getting back to basics and general chaos.
Destruction, war, enemies, earthquake, bankruptcy, violence and forced endings.
17: THE STAR
The guiding light or wish card.
The light at the end of the tunnel.
The end of a dark period, divine intervention, vision, confidence, fresh hope, unexpected help, recognition, fame.
18: THE MOON
The principle of truth and autenticity.
Ruled by Pisces.
Female intuition, inner journey, feminine cycles, myth versus reality, prayer, meditation, dreams and visions.
Hormonal imbalance, mental illness, nightmares, depression, deception and lies.
19: THE SUN
Optimism and inspiration.
Love, peace and happiness in abundance.
The most optimistic card in the deck, co-operation, popularity, loving relationships, childish pleasures, child birth, success, neutralises negative cards and relates to our inner child.
20: JUDGMENT
Universal law of cause and effect.
This card always indicates change.
The establishment, government, politics, wisdom, reputation, authority, reviewing the past and karmic justice.
Judgement, criticism, hasty decision, guilty verdict, racism and bigotry.
21: THE WORLD / UNIVERSE
The principle of completion.
Satisfaction, fullfillment, reward, marriage, world travel, foreigners and off shore interest, full term pregnancy.
Unfinished business, fear of change, clinging to the past, natural disasters, hidden sexuality.