Tarot Basics - The Major Arcana Part 3

The third part of an ongoing series that gives a basic introduction to the Major Arcana. Here we see the part of the Fool's Journey where he begins to see beyond himself. These few posts are an open invitation to learn more about Tarot reading and to give my readers a very basic introduction to the Tarot Cards themselves.

In case you missed earlier pasts are:
Part 1
Part 2
Part 4
Part 5
Part 6
Part 7

Gilded Tarot by Ciro Marchetti

THE LOVERS

An angel watches over a young man and woman who stand close, but apart in front of a mountain. A tree stands behind each of the young people, the woman's bearing fruit and the man's sprouting flames and the sun beats down on the scene.

Headline: Commitment is a Choice.
Card Number: 6 (VI)
Element: Air
Colour: Orange
Symbols - An angel, Clouds, the sun, a mountain & a snake.

Natural Meaning

An engagement.
Being at a crossroads, choices, choosing between two lovers.
Being duty bound, commitment.
Love, affection, togetherness, a love affair, friendship, falling in love.
Partnerships, going into business with another, harmony, trust.

Reverse Meaning

A bad business deal, a failing business.
A broken love affair or relationship.
Fear of commitment.
Infidelity.
Parting or leaving another, separation.
Quarrels, frustration.
Relationship issues.

THE CHARIOT

A man with a determined countenance rides in a chariot with a starry canopy that is pulled by two sphynxes. His road comes from between two castles and his armour is decorated with the symbols of stars and moons.
Headline: Onward to Victory.

Card Number: 7 (VII)
Element: Water
Colour: Orange-Yellow
Symbols - Castles, moons, Sphinx, a star & staff. Is that all

Natural Meaning

A journey, transportation, a vehicle or beast of burden.
Bringing together and controlling disparate factions.
Coming to the aid of another.
Confidence.
Driving force, impetus, energy.
Drive, ambition.
Mastering a skill.
Triumph, success, victory in the face of adversity, overcoming obstacles, defeating enemies.
Will power, direction.

Reverse Meaning

Failure, defeat.
Giving up, no patience.
Lack of direction, taking the long way round.
Needing the help of another.
Progress impeded.
Scattered energy, loss of will, no drive or ambition.
A distinguished older man sits upon a throne decorated with Ram head symbols. The man wears an imperial crown and bears a staff topped by an Ankh.

STRENGTH

A young woman or girl stands in a position of dominance over a lion, holding him helpless. The woman wears a crown of flowers and she is encircled by another garland of flowers. Over her head floats a lemniscate.
Headline: With Spirit, I am Strongest of All.

Card Number: 8 (VIII) or 11 (XI)
Element: Fire
Colour: Yellow
Symbols - A lemniscate, a lion, a mountain & roses.

Natural Meaning

Courage, heroic acts.
Inner strength, self-control, mind over matter.
Patience.
Strength through personal power & not violence, potency.
Strength, determination.
Virility, lust, sex, sexuality, eroticism.
Vitality, self-belief, self-assurance, confidence.

Reverse Meaning

An overbearing person.
Being powerless, impotency.
Lack of self-control, breaking your own moral code.
Lacking courage.
Self-doubt, giving up.
Vanity, hedonism.
Weakness, sickness, fragility, needing support.

The Lemniscate

This is a symbol of infinity, an unending track in the shape of a figure eight upon it's side.

IF you are interested in Tarot reading, you may find this post interesting: Your First Tarot Deck

This is a link to my beginners guide to Tarot reading: The Aincient Oracle. Available in both paperback and ebook versions, it is a book written so as to be understandable and keep the jargon and language to a minimum. It is a complete guide to starting tarot reading and intends to turn the newcomer into a competent reader at that person's own pace.