Lesson 2 · 4 min read
The Major and Minor Arcana
The 22 Major Arcana cards show big life themes and turning points, and the 56 Minor Arcana cards show everyday events, feelings and choices.
Two parts of one deck
Every standard tarot deck has 78 cards in two parts. "Arcana" means secrets. The Major Arcana are the big secrets and the Minor Arcana are the small ones.
The Major Arcana: 22 life lessons
The Major Arcana run from The Fool, numbered 0, to The World, numbered 21. Read in order, they tell the story of the Fool's journey: setting out with nothing, meeting teachers and tests, going through loss and change in Death and The Tower, finding hope again in The Star, and arriving at completion.
When a Major Arcana card appears in a reading, give it extra weight. It points to a theme bigger than one day or one decision.
The Minor Arcana: 56 everyday cards
The Minor Arcana are split into four suits: Wands, Cups, Swords and Pentacles. Each suit has ten numbered cards, Ace to Ten, and four court cards: Page, Knight, Queen and King.
These cards describe the day-to-day: an argument, a pay rise, a new crush, a tiring week. They change more quickly than Major Arcana themes.
What the mix in a reading tells you
Count the Major Arcana in your spread. If more than half are Major, the situation is a turning point and bigger forces are at work. If almost all are Minor, the matter is more in your everyday control and may pass sooner.
Common questions
How many Major Arcana cards are there?
There are 22 Major Arcana cards, numbered 0 (The Fool) to 21 (The World).
Are Major Arcana cards more important?
They carry more weight because they show long-term themes, but a Minor Arcana card can still be the key to a reading.
Can I read with only the Major Arcana?
Yes. Many beginners start with just the 22 Major Arcana, then add the Minor Arcana once those feel familiar.