Tarot Class: Major Arcana Relationships

 Hello! Here is the overview of tonight's Tarot Class on Mystic Monday starting at 7pm pst HERE. 

As before, I've attached this outline in PDF form that includes images of the cards.

Tarot Class: Major Arcana Interpersonal Relationships

Overview

We’ve been introduced to the individual cards that make up the Major Arcana as listed below. 

1 Magician - Choice

2 High Priestess - Preparation

3 Empress - Creativity

4 Emperor - Stability

5 Hierophant - Inspiration

6 Lovers – Attraction

7 Chariot - Action

8 Strength - Refinement

9 Hermit - Introspection

10 Wheel of Fortune -Cycles

11 Justice - Balance 

12 Hanged Man - Non-Doing

13 Death - Transformation

14 Temperance - Moderation

15 Devil - Temptation 

16 Tower - Revelation 

17 Star- Influence

18 Moon - Receptivity 

19 Sun - Activity

20 Judgment – Annunciation

21 World - Realization

0 Fool - Energy

Now it’s time to build our understanding of these cards by pairing them up and building connections between them. There are many classic male/female couples that automatically stand out such as the Empress and the Emperor, The High Priestess and the Hierophant, The Moon and the Sun. There are visually similar couples such as the Lovers and the Devil. The Hanged Man and the World could also be a couple when you notice each create a figure 4 with their legs. The infinite halo above the Magician and Strength connect them. The High Priestess and the Chariot also make quite a charming couple.

Besides visually, interesting couples can be formed from the cards numbers. Interesting relationships form between cards whose numbers “match” such as the High Priestess 2 and the Hanged man 12 or the Hermit 9 and the Sun 19.

The numbering of the Major Arcana goes from 0-21. Why? One reason is Numerology. Its no accident 21 is considered a powerful “lucky” number. In the Tarot 21 is represented by The World, a card of Total Realization where the goal has been achieved! The plan went through! Success!

Metaphorically speaking, 3x7=21 which translates to Creativity multiplied by Action equals Realization, a potent mixture to be sure. It’s also nice because 21 breaks down into 2+1 which equals 3. Realization breaks down into “Preparation added to Choice makes Creativity”

Lucky Number 21: Potent Power Couples in the Tarot 

Magician and Judgment 1/20

The Will to Choose combines with an Irresistible Desire. The Magician after learning to use all the tools in his cosmic toolbox is ready when the time comes and he is called by the Universe to do his part. He could also a young man who wants to start a family. Also note both these cards are party dudes, he could be an artist who becomes a famous DJ haha. 

High Priestess and Sun 2/19

The High Priestess’s course of study receives Universal Endorsement. Like winning an all expenses paid full ride scholarship! The temple of the Priestess provides some nice cool shade from the heat of the Sun and the Sun provides a welcome Spring and Summer Break for the scholar.

Empress and Moon 3/18

The Empress guided by the Moon becomes a fertile outlet for the expression of the Divine Feminine. This couple represents deep creativity and receptivity. Mother Nature absorbs the Sun’s rays while the Moon reflects him. Divine femininity at work on Earth and in Heaven. Dog Mom.

Emperor and Star 4/17

The material stability of the Emperor supports the influential work of the Star. He creates a network for her to channel her energy. She in turn teaches him how to connect with celestial forces. Inspired by the Star, the Emperor’s rational reign is renewed and reinforced.

Hierophant and Tower 5/16

The divinely inspired teachings of the Hierophant emerge from the temple and out into the World. The kids have graduated and take on Life as their new teacher. The Tower gives the Hierophant enthusiasm and release. In return, the Hierophant restores to the Tower some much needed hierarchy. 

Lovers and Devil 6/15

Attraction and Temptation, two sides of one coin. How often are our calculated decisions are driven by our unconscious desires? Is it conscious consent or are we possessed by passion? Look to your subconscious to find what truly gives you pleasure. This dynamic duo also represents how that things that made you fall in love with someone are the very things that makes you hate them later.

Chariot and Temperance 7/14

This couple represents Action tempered by Moderation. The Chariot moves horizontally across the physical realm and the Angel of Temperance moves vertically across the spiritual realm. East and West combines with North and South. Time combines with Space. Outward Action meets Inward Harmony.

Strength and Death 8/13

Honestly, this is where Waites switching of Justice and Strength becomes problematic and I prefer Justice paired with Death bc Man’s law is nothing when compared to the Law of Entropy. The perfectionism of Justice is destroyed by the revolution of Death. 

In this new position where Strength is paired with Death, everything holding us together must one day fall apart. Carefully refined energy is released back into the soil to create new things.

Hermit and Hanged Man 9/12

Two different paths to wisdom. The Hermits active search takes him to austere heights while the Hanged Man does nothing, letting it come to him. Both men meditate in isolation. Together they see the whole picture from their different perspectives. Ones sees things from above while the other sees them from below.

Wheel of Fortune Justice 10/11

As before, originally Strength was paired with the Wheel at the center of the Major Arcana to form the heart of the Tarot. Strength breaks the circles we find ourselves stuck in, going round and round, by adding a new dimension. She is the innovation that comes out of an obstacle. 

In this new position where Justice is paired with the Wheel, cyclical nature is regulated by balance. The ups and downs of life find stability in the rules and regulations. 

World and F00L 21/0

These two represent the Total Realization of All Energy. The World gives the fundamental Fool a place to roam and would be empty without him. The Fool, directionless and boundless seeks the World to find his fortune and experience himself.