The 22 Major Arcana
The 22 Major Arcana describe key Archetypes, experiences and lessons for living life. The tarot offers us guidance as we travel along life's path. Tarot can be used to help us interpret and understand the nuances of our unique journey, assisting us to see our circumstances and relationships clearly or differently and, in doing so we gain insights and inspirations for solving personal problems by improving our awareness. Tarot is an aid to better understanding our past, present and possible future(s). It give us the ability see to perceive ourselves, our current situations and our lives in a way that is broader, bigger and deeper. Being better informed of the present can improve the choices and decisions and improve future outcomes.
The Rider Waite Smith Tarot offers a framework for the notion or idea of life as a unique and personal journey. The Fool 0's Journey is based on The Hero's Journey (from Joseph Campbell's extensive studies of the deeper meaning of the influence of myth in people's lives). In the tarot, The Fool is represents every person who grows through through a continued cycle of personal experiences. The Hero's Journey attempts an understanding of the cyclical nature of 'The Journey' both for The Fool and The Hero and therefore the provides wise and useful insights to our own journey towards self-awareness. These precious insights and wisdoms are captured in tarot's 78 Arcana.
The 56 Minor Arcana signify daily actions and people.
The Minor Arcana offer in information, insights and guidance about how to conduct ourselves in daily activities and actions. The 4 suits are organised by way of the four elements of Air, Fire, Water and Earth. These elements represent our intellect and thoughts, values and motivations, feelings and emotions and ability to create abundance through work, creating wealth and our health and well-being.
The Court Cards are part of The Minor Arcana. Each Court personality captures the element of their suit in a different way. The individual Court cards are imbued with specific characteristics, traits, qualities and attributes and energies. These cards create, effect and influence the energetic nature of a situation. They provide additional layers of often complex and interesting insights and information to all areas of personal life.