Tarot Basics - The Major Arcana Part 4

The fourth part of an ongoing series that gives a basic introduction to the Major Arcana. With this part we are half way through the Major Arcana. 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 3
Part 5
Part 6
Part 7

Gilded Tarot by Ciro Marchetti

THE HERMIT

An old man stands on an icy landscape, he is swathed in a hooded cloak and supports himself on a staff. In the old man's right hand he carries a lantern to light his way forward.

Headline: In Solitude is Wisdom to be Found.
Card Number: 9 (IX)
Element: Earth
Colour: Yellow-Green
Symbols - Ice, a lantern & a staff.

Natural Meaning

Being discreet.
Introspection, contemplation, private self-reflection, meditation.
Fear of discovery.
Patience.
Putting aside emotion.
Seeking enlightenment, study.
Wanting or finding solitude, privacy, withdrawing from society.

Reverse Meaning

Becoming isolated, feeling out in the cold, loneliness, exile, being socially excluded.
Being silenced.
Immaturity, the inability to be part of society.
Sadness.
Self-absorption.
Turning your back on friends or loved ones.
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.

THE WHEEL OF FORTUNE

A sphinx sits atop wheel a inscribed with mystic symbols. Clouds surround the wheel and on these clouds sit four winged creatures: an eagle, a winged lion, a winged bull and an angel. A serpent and a mysterious creature seem to be carried around by the wheel.

Headline: Spin the Wheel and Let Fate Decide.
Card Number: 10 (X)
Element: Fire
Colour: Violet
Symbols - An angel, a bird, a Bull, clouds, a lion, a snake, & Sphinx.

Natural Meaning

A definite yes.
Approaching the end of a problem.
Luck, chance, winning, ups and downs.
Opportunity, a chance meeting, advancement.
Changes, a turning point.
Movement, what goes around comes around.
The cycle of life.
Fate, destiny.

Reverse Meaning

A definite no.
A period of hardship or difficulty.
Bad luck, misfortune, mishaps.
Disappointments.
Failure, things not going your way.
Unforeseen problems or setbacks.

JUSTICE

A figure sits on a throne between two pillars. He wears a crown of authority and carries a balance and an upright sword.

Headline: The Even Hand of Justice
Card Number: 8 (VIII) or 11 (XI)
Element: Air
Colour: Green
Symbols - Scales & pillars.

Natural Meaning

Agreements.
Balance, equilibrium, fairness.
Justice, karma, accountability, integrity.
Legal affairs, a court case or tribunal, consulting a lawyer, checking legal documents.
Responsibility.
Truth, dignity, seeking justice through clarity.

Reverse Meaning

A miscarriage of justice, injustice, an imbalance, bias.
An adjournment of a court case.
Being discredited, being unable to give your side.
False accusations.
Lies, hypocrisy.
Losing a legal case, making or receiving the wrong decision.
Unaccountable powers (people or organisations).

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.