The Major Arcana – Bethany Boggs

Major Arcana

These cards show major life changes and special insight that should be considered slightly more important than the minor arcana.

Major Arcana meanings

0- The fool

When the fool appears in a reading, it usually indicates some kind of wishful thinking. It also signals the very early – beginning stages, a new start, or jumping in too fast- immaturity.

General

The fool means innocence and naivety. It will appear if you are trusting too much or not trusting the right people. (reversed)

On the flip side, it can show that you’re getting ready to start a new chapter in your life- a new beginning, though still in the immaturity stages. (right side up)

Love

If you’re reading the fool in a love reading, it means that a brand new, immature relationship is going to begin. It can symbolize puppy love, the infatuation phase. (general, right side up)

It could also be warning you that you’re not seeing the full picture. You’re naive and foolish for going into a relationship like the one you’re entering. (general reversed)

Career

If you see it in a career draw while considering leaving a job or starting a business, it could mean that your plans are not thought out well enough; departing will be premature, or the business lacks a comprehensive strategy. (reverse)

The Fool could also show you’re getting ready to enter an exciting new phase- and that now is the time. It will all depend on what the rest of the cards are telling you in that reading.

I The Magician

Card 1 in the major arcana.

General- Upright

This card is also a promise of new beginnings when upright in a reading. It’s the creative solution to a problem you’re facing that will reveal itself to you soon. It’s wanting to remind the querent that YOU have the ability to change your life and change yourself. This card suggests that a transformation will be heading your way- it’s a very good card to see in the upright position in any context. The Magician also signifies creativity and originality, intelligence, and an outside-the-box mindset.

Love Reading

If drawn in a love reading, it means that you will find a partner or work through a problem, as long as you try and actually access your resolve available to discover. You will see an improvement in your current relationship or situation – though you may not recognize it at this exact moment.

Career or Money Reading

If drawn for a career or money reading, it’s a solution to a problem that will be coming to fruition if you want something new. There will be better outcomes for your work life, but you are the one who will need to put the work in – you DO have what it takes to make those changes..

This card is showing that you DO have the willpower and ambition to sort through your problems and find a solution, or gain determination to find a new career path, relationship, or whatever else it is you’re wanting. The time is coming when this all reveals itself to you.

General- Reversed

When Magician is reversed in a reading, it’s pretty much the opposite of upright. It’s saying that you lack the willpower to obtain what you are trying to achieve and that you’re feeling unsure in your love or work life.

Perhaps you realize you cannot come up with a creative solution and that your imagination is lacking at the time. The card is also warning of what you’re lacking- drawing attention to it so you can work on fixing the problems.

Love Reading

In a love reading, there is something in your relationship or status that is making you feel insecure. If you’re having a problem in a current relationship, it’s showing that you can’t come up with a solution to fix the issue – and if you’re single, that there is something personal you need to work on before getting into the next one.

Career Reading

This is showing a stagnant or problematic work situation that is making you feel trapped. You’re feeling stuck and can’t come up with a solution. Now is not when you’re going to have a huge breakthrough in your career path; it’s a time to turn inward and focus on what is making you feel lost, confused, and apprehensive.

II The Priestess

When this card is upright, it’s an announcement of a higher calling and the feminine side of spirituality. Therefore, by trusting your intuition, you will find wisdom.

It can also warn of not being taken seriously by the people you need to listen – as well as the need to fight and make sure they do listen.

You know your body and yourself better than others, and whether your intuition is correct, or if it’s thrown off – but you need to listen to yourself on a deeper level.

General Upright

The High Priestess indicates naturally strong perceptivity and the sensible judgment of situations and people – so it’s best to listen to your gut.

In a Love reading

If you feel someone is toxic, listen – or if the person you’re with is the “one,” listen. Make sure you’re trusting your instinct- it will be coming in strong when this card turns upright for a romance spread.

In a Career or financial reading

If a deal seems “too good to be true,” it likely is, or if you’re feeling like someone is trying to sabotage your successes, there is a good chance you’re right.

This card is about your wisdom and intuition, which will guide you and provide the insight needed to determine if you’re in a sustainable or a toxic situation.

General inverted

Generally, it’s the opposite of right side up.

If you draw this card, it means you’re not in touch with your innate intuition and are at risk of misconstruing situations. It’s a warning- that judgment can’t be trusted- good or bad. You need to start thinking deeper into what you’re feeling and make sure that it’s your actual intuition, or, on the other hand, if perception is cloudy.

In a Love reading

You’re not reading enough into your situation. You’re possibly being misled. Take a step back and try to listen to that voice because it is likely screaming at you.

In a career reading

You’re at risk of being conned. Your intuition is currently off about someone at work or through a deal someone is trying to make with you. It seems too good to be true, and it is.

In both love and career, The Priestess is telling you not to jump to immediate conclusions about people and situations. You may also be feeling like you’re being unfairly judged or actually are being judged; either way, judgment isn’t your friend, and you need to remember that at this time.

III The Empress

General- Upright

She is the mother. She is all things soft, feminine, and delicate. This is a positive card to draw in the upright position. When she pops up in a reading, it represents your maternal instincts and feminine love.

Love reading

If you are single, the Empress is unveiling your destiny with a person who will offer you true love and romance. If already in a serious or casual relationship, it’s going to grow deeper.

Career or money reading

This is a creative idea you’re nurturing and is a sign of growth. It means that it’s best to follow your instincts and that you should start seeing a career or business bloom.

This card is often a very strong omen if you’re actively trying to get pregnant or are wanting a baby – it’s notorious.

General- Reversed

The Empress is telling you to embrace your feminine side and forego the repression of who you are and what you truly want.

Love Reading- reversed

You may find yourself surrounded by women who are pursuing you but that you’re not interested in – or are not being honest about the type of partner you’re wanting, and therefore attracting unsuitable individuals. You need to start being honest with yourself and the universe so that you will meet the right partner without settling because you’re tired of being single.

Career/money- reversed

If you’re in a relationship, you may be holding back your true feelings. You feel lost in the relationship because you’re not being honest.

You’re not feeling happy or satisfied with your employment. Life is stifling, and you aren’t in the right mindset, but this may or may not be real. The problem, instead, may be related to your insecurity, and it is not a good time to make any major changes. It’s an opportunity to focus on battling the negative mindset and self-doubt, then evaluate what YOU want and need.

When the card is drawn in reverse, it indicates that you’re holding something back. You’ve trapped yourself in unwanted situations because you’re hiding your actual wants, desires, and needs. You need to stop repressing and quit trying to mask your insecurities. If you want to be truly happy, you need to let your needs be known.

General- Upright

This is the masculine form of the Empress and means everything is under control. You can handle anything and everything life throws at you.

The Emperor shows that you’re in a powerful place in life and everything is going your way.

In a Love Reading

If you’re with someone, you feel safe in the relationship. This is a very good time, and things will be going well.

If you are single, it is what you want – you’ll be happy about being single and feeling good alone.

In a Career or Money Reading

Your job or career is going well. You see plenty of return for any investment and have no fears of unemployment. You may even be receiving a raise or promotion soon.

General- Reversed

An Emperor reversed is a loss of autonomy and means that either you or someone else is being a control freak.

It may also signify a lack of security and could even warn of impending loss.

In a Love Reading- Reversed

Things aren’t going well, and the card could be a sign that one or both partners are trying to control or that a breakup is on the horizon.

There is still a chance, but the relationship won’t be stable if the controller doesn’t see the error.

In a Career or Money Reading- Reversed

You feel like your finances are out of control. You’re drowning in debt and can’t see a way out.

There are ways to fix things, but it will take a lot of work and self-control. You may also be at risk of losing your job or your business going bankrupt. This could be a warning, so you have a chance to correct the issue before it leads to loss – but you are dealing with insecurity.

V The Hierophant

This card has a spiritual meaning. It’s the masculine form of the high priestess, a male spiritual leader.

Upright meaning- the Hierophant is wisdom, divinity, and life. The sacred self is constantly learning, and is indicating that you’re well on your path.

Love reading:

You are feeling stable in your relationship, or a relationship is coming that will make you feel more confident.

Career reading:

The path to financial stability is clear. You are secure in your career and making progress toward financial goals.

Reversed:

This shows that your personal beliefs interfere with your ability to fit in with society’s standards. You also feel that you’re going against tradition and popular opinion.

The Hierophant reversed in a love reading implies that you’re not feeling safe in a situation. You may be in a relationship that is failing, or doubting that you will ever find someone. You may also have a sense of going against your values in a current relationship.

If you pull the Hierophant for a career

You either feel your career isn’t secure or are afraid of failing financially. It could also denote your fears about ever finding a job or having to compromise your values to keep one.

VI The lovers

VI- The lovers– Falling in love, true love, marriage, partnership, or security in a relationship

In reverse– separation, insecurity, broken home, or divorce

This card tends to show up with relationships, but if it occurs in a work reading, it refers to the feelings of security in your job and a situation where you are part of a “family.”

If the Lovers appears in reverse, you are likely feeling that your job isn’t stable or are involved in a dispute of some kind with a coworker.

VII The Chariot

VII- The Chariot– Overcoming problems or conflicts, willpower, and ambition

In reverse– stalled, lack of willpower, overwhelm, and loss of ambitions.

This is an excellent card if it comes up right side up. It’s demonstrating the drive you have to get the job done, or that you’ll be able to overcome workplace and relationship feuds more easily.
If Chariot comes up reversed, you’ll feel like you’re being stalled in your career, or your relationship will feel like it’s spinning in place…

READ Bethany’s complete “Tarot Guide” on the New Age Dream Chick website…