Tarot Hack 1: Major Arcana Journey

The Major Arcana of the Tarot follows what is often called either ‘the Fool’s Journey’ or ‘the Hero’s Journey’. In essence it is a cradle to grave depiction from birth though to actualised adulthood (Fool to World) showing the various stages of maturation and their interaction with typical external influences, powers and choices.

Understanding the narrative structure of the Major Arcana can give the new tarot reader a crash course/boost into tarot reading skill without the need for constant reference to the tarot guide book that accompanies the deck they use.

Chapter One: Early life/ Childhood

A young child (The Fool) is full of innocence, confidence and curiosity. The world is their oyster and they have little or no fear – which is more naivete than skill. They also feel they can be king of the world (or their favourite Marvel Comic hero) because as the Magician they have the sense of limitless skill, and as the High Priestess they are perhaps more connected to the other-world and the numinous than adults. But for all this they need nurturing and support and a stable loving base (The Empress) to rest their kingly or queenly heads at the end of each adventurous day.

Chapter 2: School and Higher Learning/ Early Career

School starts and gives the Fool their first taste of external discipline, structure and order and the need to play nice with others within regimented activities (The Emperor). This continues to the more complex levels of higher education- college or university and to understanding the broader cultural norms in society and in the workplace (The Hierophant). Now they also encounter love and relationships – all the mad rush of first crushes, first loves and choices about how to relate – bloom and blossom – (the Lovers) and with that the need to balance far more complex and compelling emotions, beliefs and responsibilities (the Chariot). This gives the Fool the first taste complex self mastery.

Chapter Three: Young to mid adult years.

By now the Fool has weathered the blessings and challenges of early relationships, early career and moving into adult life. A lot of big firsts occurred in Chapter 2, but more is to come in Chapter 3. The Fool feels well able to meet these challenges (Strength) but also has learnt the value of introspection and self-analysis (the Hermit). So they’re less likely to just rush in. They understand fate/fortune will sometimes be with them and sometimes won’t (The Wheel) and if not already, they now enter into a range of legal dimensions: contracts, home buying, marriage etc (Justice) and/or they have a true appreciation of the rules of the world.

Chapter 4: Full Adulthood

The Fool now has a real sense of who they are, and part of them also knows the choices they’ve made so far have made them in some ways, thereby narrowing future choices available. They also know they need to change old habits and preferences to move forward but may be reluctant to do so (Hanged Man) or to make any sacrifices to simplify or de-clutter their life to gain new perspectives or momentum. Still, they face key choices now whether they want to or not (Death) and some may be avoided for a time, but others cannot. To get this right they need balance (Temperance) and in many cases their choices now will impact others too (family, colleagues etc). They become very aware of how they’ve trapped themselves in beliefs/habits/addictions or how others have put boundaries around them that must be addressed. (Devil)

Chapter 5 – Mid Life Crisis to Middle Age

Now if the Fool has not learned the lessons of Chapter 4 and made the necessary choices and sacrifices/ liberations then the universe will do this for them by way of major changes and breakdowns of existing structures (work, family, love, health) through the Tower, making this card the classic mid life crisis portent. But after major change comes renewed hope though the Star, leavened to some extent by an understanding how new worlds and approaches come bring mysteries and hidden information (the Moon). But the Fool is confident in a mature and developed sense, no longer the callow child of Chapter 1, and proceeds to self-actualisation (the Sun).

Epilogue/Chapter 6: Old Age

Old age brings the Fool a chance for a life review, to consider the impact of their choices and actions on their karma and their legacy. (Judgement). They have reached a point of culmination and clarity for their life and the World celebrates the life well lived before death and rebirth begins the journey anew.