Major Arcana - Judgement

As the Fool continues  on his Path the earth suddenly opens and three humans stand up. The heavens catch fire and an Angel appears blowing a trumpet. The trumpet symbolises heaven and earth and the merging of these two powers, as Above so below. The Fool experiences the past and realises his karmic cycle is spiral not linear. He sees transitions, life and death and the moment of Liberation. By overcoming hardships and turning lessons into Wisdom you'll discover the Real treasures in your Heart.

The Fool realises here that yes, he's bound to this earthly realm and all the limitations that come with it but through fully realising our Divine Creativity and Love we Transcend and become so much more than earthly vessels. Self-Awareness allows us to become more than we ever thought possible, liberate your Self from limitations and realise the Limitless Potential of your Soul.

The Kabbalah teaches us that the number 20 represents liveliness and maturity. It's a symbol of faith and a new life we awaken to as we start anew in a new world. Karmic cycles and eternal life.

As you seek to Understand and cultivate greater Awareness, Judgment will be there to support you. As we gradually Awaken we Transform and mindfulness in all things give birth to a whole new expansive Consciousness of Love and Understanding.

Major Arcana - The Moon

As the Fool keeps walking into the night he meets a wolf and a dog howling at the Moon. These two creatures symbolise our instincts and animal nature, they also warn us of danger. The moonlight is the Spirit descending into physical matter. The crayfish emerging from the murky pool symbolises contact with the unconscious but also a secret goal. The Fool is taught understanding of the physical world but also probes into the very Heart of the Soul. Even though there might be hardship, you need to find the Ultimate Truth reflected in the Moon's Light.

The Fool needs to Trust his Intuition more than ever here, he faces sorrow, hopelessness and disappointment but Intuition will take him deeper into the labyrinth of his heart where he'll find a way out. There's no way back, it's blocked by the water, so the only way is forward, away from ignorance. Will he remember his scattered dreams and memories before they're collected by the Moon goddess in her silver jar? At daybreak they'll yet again turn to dew...

In the Kabbalah the number 18 stands for error, magic and superstition. It corresponds to the number 90 and symbolises a new world. Esoterically it's shadow, darkness and illusion... 

The Moon helps you out whenever you need her, she's like balm to your karmic soul. Seeking psychic and spiritual guidance, turn to her and she'll guide you. Observe the phases like you do your emotions and feel and connect with those before you who have done the same...

Major Arcana - Temperance

Next the Fool meets a winged woman with the sign of the Sun on her forehead. The gold and silver urn represents the transient body and the liquid represents the Soul. Mythologically she represents the Greek goddess Nemesis, whose job it was to maintain Balance. The Fool learns to creatively alter his reality while still maintaining harmony...

In maintaining Harmony the Fool is taught peace of mind, patience and moderation. Together with Justice, Strength and the Hermit, Temperance represents the cardinal virtues. Calm solutions and self control is something all Fools must learn. Finding the Bridge between the Spirit and the body, the conscious and unconscious mind. By becoming aware and looking after all of these aspects of himself the Fool becomes altogether healthier.

In the Kabbalah number 14 represents resurrection and transformation. The letter Nun is the fourteenth and stands for number 50. It stands for metamorphosis of spirit and matter, becoming spiritual and transmutation. 

Temperance will help you out when a middle way has to be found, a diplomatic solution to a problem that will satisfy both parties. Using creativity problems can be solved positively. Blend both sides of your conundrum and eventually a solution will arise...

Major Arcana - Death

Next up is Death, the Fool becomes Aware of his mortality and the need to constantly Change in order to Grow. The spread out limbs on the field represent transience, and the scythe is an instrument of Change. The Connection between Heaven and earth is Death, and as such something must always Die in order to give Birth to something else. Regardless of status we are all subject to Change. To time marching ever on. Transformation is at the Heart of understanding Death, we're all just a Vessel for what's most important, The Soul.

The Fool must learn that the purifying experience of death, not necessarily physical, but that of change alters situations. As one situation dies it lays the foundation for a new one. The old acts as fertiliser to the New and help you Grow. The Fool needs to believe in the fact that the trick to getting over your losses lies in seeing New Opportunities and Possibilities. Change or Death can be unsettling but it also gives you a thrilling sense of Freedom...

In the Kabbalah the number 13 symbolises the end of something old and the beginning of something new. It's connected to love and unity, the never ending need for balance, death and life etc. A powerful symbol of change and a need for caution.

Death will help you realise that there's a need to release the old in order to gain something new. Death occurs in the macrocosm as well as in the microcosm every day, even your cells go through a continuous cycle of death and rebirth. Death or Change is indeed inevitable, the only thing that's permanent is Impermanence...

Major Arcana - The Hanged Man

Next on his Journey the Fool encounters the Hanged Man, it's a surreal experience where the Fool has to learn to view life in a new perspective. The Hanged Man is condemned to inactivity and coins, useless in the afterlife, are falling from his pockets. The trees and the log signifies completion and the blank stare is a sign of Bliss. He's suspended between life and death, not touching the material plane. His spirit is freed by him being tied up, existing only on the spiritual level, he sees the world through the eyes of a Higher Power. The Fool too must learn this.

By letting go of everything the Fool knows, by letting go of trained behaviours and thought patterns, emotional reactions and suspending himself by nothing but faith he actually finds the answers he seeks. Sometimes you have to be inactive, immobile, sit in stillness and only then will the answer come. Sometimes not acting is the best answer for how to act. Find Love through Spirituality and the rest will follow...

In the Kabbalah the number twelve symbolises cosmic perfection. It's the heavenly and earthly union. We find the number twelve in many aspects of our earthly lives, twelve months, twelve hours and twelve tribes of Israel. It can also be a number of sacrifice and trial.

The Hanged Man will help and support you when your value system has shifted so deeply that you feel fundamentally different. You might be reaching a state of Enlightnement and as such circumstances and friends might change, this might be scary, but you're evolving and so anything but this new way of viewing things would be to take a step back...

Major Arcana - Strength

Next on his journey the Fool encounters a woman mastering a lion, she effortlessly opens the lions jaws, calmly and collected. She's wearing a hat shaped like a lemniscate, the symbol for infinity, telling him that if he wants to conquer his fears he has to do so repeatedly, for all time. The Fool learns that energetic animal instincts can be controlled through a sense of calm, tenderness and courage. All attributes of Love.

The kind of strength the Fool is taught here is dual in nature. Physical strength and moral self control. Handling fear with tenderness and patience changes the nature of instinctive violence into compassion. The card is also one of balance, as the lion represents the male the woman the female, balance your energies and fear will dissipate. Empower your Self through courage and morality and it'll allow you to reach for your goals without fear. But do so always with Love in your Heart.

In the Kabbalah the number eleven stands for the Absolute and for chaos. It's a response to presence and absence. It's also indicative of an interest in spirituality, mysticism, success and fame. It can also mean occult blindness which can lead to ruin. 

If you ever feel overpowered or overwhelmed, Strength will be there to see you through. It's an inner ally in a battle against inequality. As long as you stick to Truth and Love you're always on the moral side of right. Channel compassion and doors will open...

Major Arcana - The Wheel of Fortune

After having attained Wisdom of the Self the Fool encounters the Wheel of Fortune, realising the ever changing and evolving nature of Life in this Universe. The Sphinx on top holds a Sword symbolising power and justice, it brings about balance in the four elements. The raft floating in water represents Emotion whilst the two characters on either side represent Instinct and Intelligence. While the Sphinx's wings allow her to rise towards Spirituality. The Wheel itself representing the material world and how unpredictable it can be...

As the Fool continues on his Journey unpredicted events will surely present themselves, he must learn to accept these and grow. There's a natural progression to life and we must learn to balance all aspects of it in order to Transcend. Chance, fate or karma, whatever we choose to call it we need to develop a personality that can handle change. By acting with pure intent, being Truthful and always keeping Love in our Hearts we have a good foundation to stand on...

In the Kabbalah the number ten represents Everything. The very top down to the very roots of the Tree of Life. One is the indivisible number of the powerful ego, and zero the number of infinity and circulation. The combination symbolising the macro- as well as the microcosm. It is Everything.

The Wheel of Fortune will come to you when you feel like life is stagnant. Even if your life seems uneventful, the Wheel always keeps turning, and at some point you too will have experiences you didn't think you would. Meditate on Change and impermanence as that's the only thing that's permanent! 

Major Arcana - The Hermit

Next on his journey the Fool has to meet the Hermit, he's an old monk with a beard holding a lantern lit with the Light of Life. The Hermit symbolises a pause in the Journey, he's come from the depths of time offering advice for further travel. Because of his old age he possesses great Wisdom and Knowledge of both the past and the Future. It's time for the Fool to meditate and reach deep into the well of his own memories and experiences...

The Hermit teaches the Fool to endure loneliness, learning to utilise it to his benefit. The Fool learns to draw Wisdom from his own Experiences which puts him in a position of Power in regards to his past, present and Future. True Self-proficiency can be achieved through exercising the Spirit and relying on self-restraint. As we seek the Truth we all see the Light from the Hermits lantern, it calls us to Love our Selfs. To be comfortable and strong in ourselves and our beliefs. Through your Self lies the Path to Spiritual Wisdom.

In the Kabbalah the number nine symbolises vision and transcendence. Nine is a sacred number and a sign of reincarnation, past Wisdom. It represents health and perfection but also the end of the world. We have to enter the darkness to bathe in the Light.

The Hermit will always support you when you seek to withdraw from everyday life, even if just for a short time, as a way of finding peace. We're not used to silence and spending time alone these days, try meditation, it open up new Paths to your Self. Change your routine and get a glimpse of the Hermit's way of life, it'll ultimately lead toEnlightenment and greater Self Love. 

Major Arcana - Justice

Next in line on the Fools quest stands Justice, she sits on a throne with the Egyptian symbol of eternal life around her neck, the Ankh. She's holding a sword for power, and scales to symbolise her unprejudiced fairness, uncompromising honesty, prudence and experience. Here the Fool learns about the need for balance and fairness in life, all expressed through Truth. He has to learn the infinite celestial balance that exists in the Universe.

Speaking only Truth and learning to balance life through his now greater Wisdom, the Fool can achieve Harmony. It's not about interpreting the law blindly, it's about living a harmonious life with all things taken into account. The Fool is learning that the life you're living is the life you deserve, hence, if you live a virtuous life you'll be duly rewarded. You are a mirror of your partner, always strive for the outmost Self Love, as you can only Love others like you Love yourself.

In the Kabbalah the number eight is a material number that expresses a connection with the earth. It symbolises firmness, solidity and stability. It stands for legal matters and also eternity. The never ending search for Spiritual Truth.

Justice will help you out when you need to see the Real Truth of a situation. She'll make sure your internal strengths and weaknesses balance, be Truthful to yourself and others and you'll achieve balance and harmony in your life. Listen to that inner voice, it knows right from wrong. 

Major Arcana - The Chariot

Having gone through the first six trials of life the Fool finally realises some semblance of versatility and stability in his personality. The black horse symbolises control over the material plane and the white dedication. Here the Fool learns to balance his personality between good and evil, he learns how to wield his newfound power with responsibility and humbleness. 

Achieving harmony is essential to happiness and expression of Love, the Fool must learn to balance the opposing forces of the physical and the spiritual. Utilising his personal powers to allow his soul to transcend. Uniting spirit and body, heaven and earth. Achieving such harmony allows you to progress through life without fear, helping you judge situations sensible, preventing you from becoming passive. 

In the Kabbalah the number seven symbolises truth and sacrifice. In the Bible the enemies flee on seven roads and the dragon of the apocalypse has seven heads. Seven is achieved by adding four and three, joining Earth and Heaven in the ideal order of the Universe, balance. Change, progress and success is indicated by the number seven.

The Chariot helps you achieve and establish control of your life. The charioteer symbolises your ability to harmonise all the opposing forces we have to balance in our lives. With today's busy lifestyle it's extra important to keep adjusting and rebalancing your passions and demands in life so you can maintain harmony and drive. 

Major Arcana - The Lovers

Our beloved Fool is growing up and as such he's placed at a crossroads. It's a physical as well as a metaphorical one. The two women beckon him to come closer, whom shall he chose? Which one is better? Cupid isn't about to make it any easier as he hovers above the Fool, he's aiming at him, not the women. The Lovers is all about decisions, which road should you take? Body or soul? Virtue or sin? There's internal conflict and the only way to chose what's right is through utilising what you've already learnt...

The message of the Lovers is that you always have to choose. As people we have free will and we can choose the right or wrong course of action. What that means to you as an individual is of course based on your own internal moral compass. However, if you live a fulfilled and positive life, guided by Love and Truth, there is only ever one choice. And by choosing it you can feel whole and satisfied at the same time. The Lovers are trying to teach the Fool to take responsibility for his actions and to enforce decisiveness. 

In the Kabbalah the number six stands for harmony, systems, stability and the balance of powers. The Star of David is made up of overlapping triangles which symbolise the connection between the spiritual and physical world. It's therefore apparent that none should ever exist without the other or it becomes destructive. 

The Lovers will help you when you seek the companionship or friendship of a partner. Two people should always come together in trust, opening your Heart to Love and Truth will invite the infinite possibilities of Love into your life. There is only ever one choice and that's to listen to your Inner Voice and act with Love in your Heart.

Major Arcana - The High Priest

After having found his Father figure the Fool journeys on to meet Faith and reveal the power of spirituality. Here he finds The High Priest, he sits between two pillars and wears a headdress called a mitre as a sign of his connection to a higher power. The sceptre he holds stands for spiritual power on three levels, the physical, intellectual and divine. He's holding it in his left hand symbolising that he reigns with his heart. The High Priest is the spiritual bridge that gives meaning to the physical, he allows us to cross borders. 

This is where the Fool finds meaning to his physical existence on this plane. The High Priest teaches us traditional wisdom, moral values and reveals sacred truths already known to the Soul. Through the High Priest we learn to act with sympathy and how faith can actually go hand in hand with knowledge. In order to live a fulfilled life we all need faith, whatever that means to the individual attaining it. In relationships the High Priest stands for trust and affection, the connection between two souls. 

In the Kabbalah number five symbolises the Universal soul of man. It stands for love and feeling. A five pointed star, a pentagram stands for earth, air, water, fire and spirit. All of them needed to make a whole. Substance gives meaning to all things.

The High Priest or the Hierophant will support you when you are asking yourself deep questions about spirituality and who you are. He can provide traditional answers of wisdom or help you probe further to seek your own answers to the meaning of your very existence. Meditate, when your mind is still, you'll hear your Inner Voice. When the pupil is ready, the teacher will appear. 

Major Arcana - The Emperor

Moving swiftly on, the Fool is eager to meet his father, the Emperor. The Emperor is a man sitting on a stone throne, providing stability and protection. His finger on the stone cube with the eagle represents awareness in all things and stability on the physical plane. His sceptre indicates his supreme ruling power. He's the masculine principle, he reigns through sound judgement and lawfulness. He can seem stiff and unapproachable but he's straightforward and strong. Analytical and rational thinking are his strong points! 

This is where the Fool finds his desire to break free of nature's limitations, change the world around him and build something for posterity. He also learns how to rule his own life, that decision making and planning is essential to moving forward. The Emperor teaches us that we're our own seats of authority. 

The Emperor is number 4 on the Fool's journey and in the Kabbalah this stands for procreation and death. It's a sign of masculinity and time, four seasons divide the year and four cardinal directions differentiate space. Four is also a number of stability and materialism, order and organisation. 

The Emperor energy will be there to guide you when you need to organise, structure and administer something in your life. He's very helpful in the workplace when you need to be authoritative, hold boundaries and achieve specific goals. Meditate upon his energy by sitting on the throne of your life and survey the kingdom of your being! 

Major Arcana - The Empress

It's time to meet your mother, the Fool has now grown quite a bit already and the next person he meets on his journey is his mother. The Empress. She symbolises Mother Earth, she's warm, loving and nurturing. She's the world of nature and sensation, her sceptre and shield represents power and spiritual strength coupled with intuition. She's fruitful and personifies Venus, temptation and truth. Venus was the Roman Goddess responsible for grain and crops among other things.

She's number 3 in the Major Arcana and that's a number of fertility and procreation. It's also a number of memory and represents past, present and future. 

This card of the Arcana reminds us of our collective relationship to and responsibility for Mother Earth. It asks us to look at ourselves and our needs, our attitudes and demands. Maybe it's time we stop ransacking the Earth out of greed and profit. 

So when is The Empress there to help you? When you're trying to live a more earth-centred life, that's when she'll be there, connect with her energy by going back to basics, spend time in nature, watch the night sky, do some gardening, become attuned to the seasons and spend time around animals. Let these activities become your meditation....

Major Arcana - The High Priestess

The second Arcana that the Fool meets on his journey is The High Priestess, she's the guardian of the inner Temple. She sits between the pillars of Jachin and Boaz, the gateway to duality. She's holding a tome that represents wisdom in one hand, and in her other hand the keys to guidance and recognition. The Ankh around her neck shows her closeness to the goddess Isis. She represents physical existence, integrity and chastity. 

As card number 2 she represents the female principle, the number of duality and discord. A number of intuition, sensitivity and feeling, but also one of opposites. The High Priestess is closely related to our unconscious and is the fertile ground where creative events can blossom. 

This card used to be called The Papess but is commonly renamed The High Priestess to signify her closeness to Isis of the Egyptian culture. The High Priestess will assist you when you're trying to reach beyond the realm of the rational mind. All of us trying to develop our psychic, healing, mediumship and meditation abilities will benefit greatly from her help. 

Whenever you feel like you have to follow a personal feeling, even if it's non-rational, The High Priestess is there to guide you. Trust your intuition and she'll give you the wisdom you deserve...

Major Arcana - The Magician

So the Fool's Journey has begun and the first character he meets is the Magician. The Magician embodies the positive, active, side of the physical world. He's the masculine power of creative impulse and he represents our conscious awareness. By meeting the Magician you could say the Fool materialises into the physical world. The Magician represents the force that allows us to make a difference in the world through concentrating our individual will and power. He's the conscious beginning of our spiritual journey and his number is 1.

The Magician will support you when you discover a deep and powerful urge to know yourself and make use of your own natural powers. Whatever it is you want to accomplish, meditate on the Magician and the tools of your trade and he'll actively share in your adventure. He might come to you in a dream as a teacher, sage, wizard or shaman.

The Magician embodies the quest for self-realisation and stands for initiative and action. He indicates organisation, decision-making and managerial qualities. If you see him in a reading it's time to take control of a situation, maybe forcefully, definitely positively. He's the authority who acts for the common good.

Seek yourself with a belief in magic and the Magician shall appear to sharpen your will and focus your intent!