MAJOR ARCANA MEDITATIONS
THE FOOL
THE MAGICIAN
THE EMPRESS
THE EMPEROR
HIEROPHANT
THE LOVERS
CHARIOT
STRENGTH
HERMIT
With a light step, as though the earth and all its bonds were powerless to hold him, a young man in
magnificent attire stands poised at the edge of a precipice among the highest peaks of the world.
He gazes into the vast expanse of the sky stretching before him, paying no attention to the valley far below.
His little dog leaps beside him, trying to warn him.
The edge of the cliff plunging into the abyss does not frighten him, as though angels were ready to catch
him should he happen to step or leap from the height.
His face is filled with intelligence and hope.
In one hand he holds a rose, and in the other a precious wand from which hangs an intricately decorated
bag.
He is a prince of another world, wandering through this one amid the splendour and piercing freshness
of morning.
The Sun shining behind him knows where he came from, where he is going, and by what path he will return
after many days of wandering.
He is a spirit seeking experience.
The Fool
The name of this Arcana is associated both with the lowest state, at the level of the animal, and with an
exalted state reaching as far as the divine essence.
The English word “fool” derives from the Latin follis — “a leather bag,” a kind of outer shell that is hollow
within.
Crowley, in The Book of Thoth, also draws an analogy between foolishness and empty space:
The English word “silly,” meaning “foolish,” can also carry the sense of emptiness.
(“The silly buckets on the deck” — the buckets on the deck are empty.) This represents the vacuum
of Air-Zero.
The word is also connected with the German selig — “holy, blessed.”
IMMERSE YOURSELF
A young man dressed as a Magician, with the countenance of the divine Apollo, a confident smile upon his
lips, and radiant eyes. Above his head hovers the mysterious sign of the Holy Spirit, the sign of life
resembling the lemniscate — the symbol of infinity in the form of a horizontal figure eight.
Around the figure’s waist is a belt in the shape of a serpent devouring its own tail. This is the universally
recognized symbol of eternity, but in this case it points to the endless perfection and development of the
spirit.
In his right hand, the Magician holds a wand raised toward the heavens, while his left hand points toward
the earth. This double gesture is known as a sign indicating the highest degree of the established mysteries,
particularly in Freemasonry, and represents the descent of grace and light received from above and applied
to that which lies below.
Thus, the essence of the image lies in possessing the powers and gifts of the spirit and in the ability to
transmit them to us.
On the table before the Magician are the symbols of the four Tarot suits, representing the elemental forces.
Like pieces in a game, they lie before the adept, who uses them according to his own will and understanding.
Below are wildflowers transformed into cultivated roses and lilies, symbolizing passionate aspiration toward
a spiritual goal.
This card represents the divine impulse within the human being as a reflection of God Himself, demonstrating
the will toward liberation through union with that which is above.
It also represents the unity of the individual across all planes of existence, and in its highest meaning,
it is thought in its most fixed, concentrated, and focused form.
The Magician
The word originates from the Old Persian Maguš and referred to a priest who performed rituals and
made predictions through knowledge of astronomy.
People belonging to this class underwent special training and were able to read and write, abilities that,
from the perspective of the uneducated, could already appear magical in themselves.
In Indo-European languages there is the root magh, meaning “great,” “high,” or “powerful.”
From this root come Russian words and expressions associated with power, strength, assistance,
and “I can.” Related forms can also be found in English words such as might and may, and in
German Macht and mögen, carrying similar meanings.
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Inner knowledge, deep understanding of essence, spiritual search. The subconscious, dreams, the psyche
, the inner world. Intuition, the inner voice. Pause, waiting. Comprehension of hidden mysteries,
self-knowledge. Solitude, withdrawal into oneself. Calmness, peace.
On the shore of a boundless ocean sits a beautiful Priestess. At her feet rests a crescent moon, and upon
her head is a horned diadem with a transparent sphere at its center. Her garments flow downward like
streams of water, merging with the ocean and returning to their original source.
Upon the Priestess’s chest is a large solar cross. In her hands she holds a scroll inscribed with the
word “Torah,” signifying the higher law, the hidden law, and the inner meaning of the word.
The scroll is partially concealed beneath her mantle, indicating that beneath what is spoken aloud there
is something implied, something present yet unrevealed.
The Priestess sits between the black and white pillars of a mystical temple, while behind her hangs a veil
embroidered with palms and pomegranates. She is sometimes called the occult science standing at the
threshold of the sanctuary of Isis, but in truth she represents the hidden church — the inner sanctuary
where a human being encounters God.
She is the spiritual bride and mother, the daughter of the stars and of the highest celestial garden.
In essence, she is the queen of reflected light, yet this is the light of all existence. She is the Moon,
nourished by the milk of the Divine Mother.
From a mystical perspective, the Shekhinah is the spiritual bride of the righteous person, and when
he reads the Law, she reveals its divine meaning to him.
In some respects, this card is among the most sacred of the Major Arcana.
The Priestess is seated, which symbolizes passivity. She appears to be listening attentively to
something inaccessible to us, suggesting concentration, receptivity, and sensitivity to everything
occurring beyond the visible surface.
The word “Torah” can be translated as “teaching” or “law.” It represents a sacred document
containing the fundamental principles of the universe and the record of human life.
Torah is also an anagram of the word “Tarot,” presenting Tarot symbolically as a kind of Book of Law.
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A majestic woman in rich robes sits upon a throne. Her diadem consists of twelve stars gathered into
a myrtle wreath. On the shield resting at her feet is the symbol of Venus. Before her stretches a ripened
field of wheat, and behind her we see an azure waterfall whose streams flow into this fertile valley
. The scepter in her hand is crowned with a globe, and the whole image embodies universal fertility.
The Empress represents both the door, or gate, through which we enter this life as into the Garden of Venus,
and also the path that leads beyond it — into the otherworldly realm that is the mystery of the High Priestess
, which she reveals only to the chosen.
The Empress. The title of this Arcana points to the highest rank of feminine power. Before us is the mother
and mistress of the situation on every level of interaction. It also indicates the social status of the Emperor’s
spouse and the fulfillment of all the expected feminine roles of a wife — the running of a household, the
bearing and raising of heirs.
The Image. In Tarot, many figures are complex composite images, containing the qualities and attributes
of various deities and heroes. It would be difficult in one book to examine all the figures embodied in the
Arcana, so let us focus on the principal ones. In the image of the Empress, several goddesses associated
with fertility and beauty are combined.
Visually, the design of the Empress refers us to Sandro Botticelli’s painting Primavera (Spring, 1482). We
will also see images from this painting on the Three of Cups card. In the painting, we see a blonde woman
in a light dress with a floral ornament. This is the goddess Flora, into whom Chloris (“the Green One”) was
transformed after the god of the west wind, Zephyr, made her his wife.
Flora became the goddess of living nature, and so she is lavishly adorned with flowers. Flowers lie in the
folds of her dress, and she scatters them across the meadow, literally sowing spring. Flora is sometimes
called Primavera (Spring). It was precisely in this aspect that the Empress was perceived by the famous
designers Dolce & Gabbana, who, inspired by Tarot, created the wonderful spring fragrance L’Imperatrice.
We also see references to our Empress in the central figure of Botticelli’s painting — the goddess Venus.
In addition to being known as the goddess of love, she was originally the patroness of gardens and fertility,
of eternal spring and of life. And from fertility in the plant world, there is a direct path to human fertility —
that is, sexuality for the sake of pregnancy, and later for pleasure as well.
She was also revered as a goddess of childbirth (“nourisher of children”) and of marriage.
For a deeper understanding of the essence of this Arcana, I also recommend becoming familiar
with the symbolism of the goddesses Gaia and Demeter.
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A stern Emperor sits upon a stone throne among rugged mountain ranges. In his right hand he holds a scepter
in the form of an ankh, and in his left, an orb. He is a crowned monarch, a powerful and majestic ruler of this world,
possessing all the attributes of authority befitting his status.
He is the masculine force to which the Empress responds, and in this sense he seeks to lift the veils of Isis,
yet she remains an untouched virgin. The Emperor is will in its embodied form, as well as an expression of the
potentials contained within the absolute nature of being.
The Emperor. The word comes from the Latin imperator — “commander, ruler” — and imperare —
“to command, rule, organize.”
As the etymology suggests, this title refers to the rightful master of an occupied territory, acting both as
a ruler who organizes and structures everything around him and as a military leader who, when necessary,
can repel enemies or conquer foreign lands in order to ensure the survival of his group.
Such a position carries great responsibility. He assumes the role of father, master, and protector.
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The Hierophant, like the High Priestess, sits between two pillars, but this time they are identical and
gray in color. On his head is a triple tiara, and in his left hand he holds a triple cross; at his feet lie
crossed keys. He is often called the Pope, but this is only one particular expression of the broader
function he symbolizes. He represents the ruling power of external religion, while the High Priestess
embodies the genius of esoteric, hidden authority.
The Hierophant is the “power of the keys,” esoteric orthodox teaching, and the external aspect
of life that leads toward this teaching.
He also symbolizes everything that is righteous and sacred on the manifested plane of existence.
As such, he is a channel of grace belonging to the world of human institutions, as distinct from the
natural world, and a guide on the path toward the salvation of humanity as a whole.
As the head of an acknowledged hierarchy, he reflects the principle of a higher hierarchical order.
He is not religion itself, but rather a means through which religion is expressed.
The Hierophant. From the Greek hierophantēs — “one who reveals or shows the sacred.” In ancient
Greece, the Hierophant was the senior priest who served for life in connection with the Eleusinian
Mysteries.
The Hierophant acted as a guide and interpreter of sacred mysteries. In the Roman spiritual hierarchy,
his equivalent was the Pontifex Maximus, which can be understood as the “great bridge-builder.” This
points to the role of this Arcana as a mediator who connects different worlds and opposing principles.
The Hierophant brings knowledge from the higher world into the lower one, adapts it for those under
his guidance, and makes this knowledge accessible and understandable.
The meaning of the card’s name as “one who reveals the sacred” may indicate in a Tarot reading
that you need to find someone who can reveal something that is still hidden from you, or teach you
something you do not yet know.
If the High Priestess conceals, the Hierophant reveals.
This is the card of someone who possesses expertise and mastery in a particular field.
It advises you not to rely solely on yourself when dealing with an issue that deeply concerns you.
IMMERSE YOURSELF
The Sun shines at its zenith, and beneath it a great winged figure stretches out its arms, pouring its
energy down upon the earth. In the foreground stand two human figures, male and female, naked like
Adam and Eve, who originally dwelt in the paradise of earthly flesh. Behind the man stands the Tree of
Life, bearing twelve fruits, and behind the woman is the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, around
which a serpent coils.
These figures symbolize youth, virginity, innocence, and love before it is defiled by coarse physical desire.
In all its simplicity, this is a card of human love, presented here as part of the path, the truth, and the life.
With regard to the woman, it is sometimes suggested that she personifies the attraction to sensual life that
carries within it the idea of humanity’s fall into sin. Yet she is rather an instrument in the hands of the hidden
law of Providence than a willing and conscious temptress. It is precisely through the sin of the Fall,
attributed to her, that man will ultimately rise again, and only through her will he be able to attain perfection.
Thus, in its own way, this card is yet another hint at the great mystery of femininity.
The Lovers. The title of this Arcana originates from the earliest Visconti-Sforza decks, in which an
aristocratic couple in love was depicted holding hands, while Eros hovered above them. We find the
same motif in the illustrations to Petrarch’s Triumphs, in the scene known as The Triumph of Love.
The idea of choice was expressed through the choice of a life partner, which to a great extent determined
a person’s destiny. For that reason, such an important matter was entrusted to the heart, as the part of the
human being closest to the divine source.
In later decks, the сюжет evolved to reflect the idea of choosing between two women or between two
paths. Waite made this even more explicit, and in his image we see a scene of a choice colossal in scale —
a choice that determined the entire future fate of humanity and the need for the redemption of original sin.
For in striving to become as gods, Adam and Eve tasted the fruit of the knowledge of good and evil. After
this, the seeds of evil settled in the human soul, and all subsequent spiritual growth in occultism is intended
to uproot these seeds of evil and earn the right to return to the Garden of Paradise, but on a higher level
of consciousness.
Therefore, this Arcana concerns a fundamental choice, the gaining of new experience, and the possibility
of rising to divine consciousness.
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The Chariot is an attribute of many gods when they appear before the people. In modern religions,
there is the concept of the Merkabah, or the chariot of divine glory, known from the visions of Ezekiel.
It was accompanied by the Tetramorph, a being composed of four forms: a human, an eagle, a lion,
and a bull.
The philosopher Plato associated the image of the charioteer with the soul, which governs the body —
the chariot — by balancing dark and light impulses, represented by the black and white horses.
Chariots were used in battle and promised victory; therefore, this symbol is connected with advancement
and triumph. This Arcana represents a synthesis of all these images.
The charioteer is the image of a hero who successfully coordinates cosmic and earthly forces and directs
them toward his goals. Therefore, the Chariot can be regarded as a symbol of forward movement,
superiority, greatness, and the elevation of the ego.
At the previous stage, a choice was made, and now the hero sets out on the journey in order to fully
mature and attain independence. It is important to learn how to govern both reason and emotions
without leaning too far toward either side. Then, at the decisive moment, their combined power can
create a powerful breakthrough forward.
It is precisely with the Seventh Arcana that the hero begins to enter the World.
The Chariot. The name of the Arcana comes directly from its image, in which we see a richly
decorated ceremonial chariot drawn by two sphinxes.
In the earliest Visconti-Sforza deck, the chariot was driven by a beautiful maiden and drawn by
white horses. This was an allegory of victory and glory, which were often personified as a woman.
The Chariot is associated with victory because its invention provided an enormous military advantage
and made it possible to conquer vast territories. Chariots were the true war machines of their time,
constantly refined and improved. This stimulated technological progress in general and contributed
to developments in many other fields unrelated to warfare.
In Plato’s philosophy, the image of the charioteer controlling a black and a white horse represents
our spirit governing the body with all its contradictory desires and inclinations. Within the context
of spiritual development reflected in the Tarot deck, this image is equally appropriate.
The imagery of the Chariot in Waite’s Tarot was borrowed almost entirely from Éliphas Lévi, both
in its visual appearance and in its underlying esoteric meaning.
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A maiden, above whose head hovers the same symbol of eternal life that we saw in The Magician,
closes the jaws of a lion. Her benevolent spiritual power has already subdued the lion, which is bound
to her by a chain of roses.
In the imagery of this Arcana, we can trace the idea of balance between our spiritual and physical natures.
The purpose of the card is to learn how to unite all the qualities of our soul into a single whole.
The goal is not to conquer our lower qualities through struggle and destruction, but through gentle
interaction and conscious inner work. Instinctive impulses should not be suppressed, but tamed,
because when driven into a corner they may still find a way out and erupt in their most destructive form.
Once again, we encounter opposing forces and learn to govern them in a new and more advanced way.
Strength teaches us that we do not need to kill the lion within ourselves — we need to tame it and
put its power at our service.
Strength. The name of this Arcana derives from the name of an ancient virtue. The philosopher
Plato identified four cardinal virtues that form the foundation of an ideal state: prudence, justice,
courage, and temperance.
All other virtues fall under these four and depend upon them.
The virtues are rooted in the qualities of the soul: wisdom is based on reason, courage on will,
temperance on overcoming sensual impulses, while justice represents the harmonious
combination of the three preceding virtues.
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On the summit of snow-covered peaks stands a solitary figure in a gray cloak, illuminating the cold,
silent landscape with the light of his lantern. The old man holds a staff in his hand, and we see only
his profile. His guiding light proclaims: “Where I am, you too may one day arrive.”
With The Hermit, the descent into the lower world begins, along with a shift of attention from the external
to the internal. At this stage, the hero’s path of conscious development reaches its completion: he has
attained the summit of knowledge, and now it is time to reflect and draw conclusions.
“Who am I? Why did I come into this world? And where will I go afterward?”
Questions such as these become impossible to ignore. They compel a person to stop, turn inward, seek
the inner sage, and try to hear the answers that arise from within.
The Hermit. The name literally refers to someone who has “withdrawn” or “gone away.” The word
conveys the idea of one who has left the world behind. In English, the Arcana is called The Hermit,
meaning a recluse or solitary ascetic.
It is the image of an ascetic who has withdrawn from worldly life. In a Tarot reading, this may represent
any process of stepping away from something or someone — withdrawing from activities, leaving a
relationship, retiring, or entering a period of solitude and introspection.
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