| The tarot deck comprises 78 cards and is split into | | | | nature to achieve our wishes and dreams. But we |
| two sections: The Major Arcana and the Minor | | | | must act immediately, before the opportunity passes. |
| Arcana. The word "Arcana" means secret. | | | | And the moment does pass, as the journey moves |
| The Major Arcana number 22, and depict characters | | | | on through the cards. |
| (such as the Empress and High Priestess), social | | | | As the journey progresses, it takes in some difficult |
| principles (such as Justice), and objects (such as the | | | | themes. |
| Moon and the Chariot). Some represent a specific | | | | The Hanged Man is one such event and can indicate |
| quality, but all represent a state or a quality that | | | | a difficult phase. It gives an indication of how to get |
| must be experienced or in some cases overcome by | | | | through it. Sometimes the only way to regain control |
| everyone in their life's journey -- the Fools Journey. | | | | over some aspect of your life is to simply let it go. |
| Each card of the Major Arcana therefore symbolises | | | | This card acts as a reminder that the best answer to |
| an aspect of our being. Throughout our lives, we are | | | | a problem is not always the most obvious. |
| continually influenced and driven by the underlying | | | | Sometimes, the desire for action can be against your |
| forces that the Tarot depicts. | | | | best interests, and you may need to look before you |
| The first card is the Fool, and represents our first | | | | leap. |
| awareness. The final card is the World, which | | | | And so through to Death, showing that some things |
| represents fulfilment. In between, the other cards | | | | must end to allow the new to enter. Then |
| correspond to a point on the path to our final | | | | Temperance, indicating a need for moderation and |
| destination. | | | | self-control. |
| The Fool card shows a medieval jester, with the | | | | The Devil follows, warning that suffering depression, |
| ability to make people laugh with his childish and | | | | obsession or harmful addiction, will lead to making the |
| simple antics. The character is unpredictable and full | | | | wrong choices. |
| of surprises, full of playful innocence and without | | | | Finally, we will come to positive uplifting cards. The |
| worries, concerns or apprehension about the future. | | | | Star, a card of inspiration and hope. The Moon, again |
| Starting with the Fool, we begin the "Fools Journey." | | | | a card of hope and encouragement. And the Sun, |
| At the start, life is fundamentally good. We have no | | | | showing that you have all the energy and |
| baggage and with childlike innocence we can enjoy | | | | determination you need to overcome obstacles. It |
| life in all it's unpredictability. In a tarot reading, the Fool | | | | shows that you are on the right path to success and |
| signals a new start or change of direction. The Fool | | | | happiness. |
| also reminds us to trust our instincts, not to allow | | | | Finally we come to end of the Fool's journey in the |
| irrational fears to affect us, to believe in ourselves, | | | | form of the World card. This is associated with |
| and follow our hearts. | | | | success, completion and happiness. Like the Sun, the |
| All the other cards follow in the Fool's journey. The | | | | World is a very positive card, and tells you that your |
| Magician is next, and reminds us that we have an | | | | hopes and dreams are achievable. |
| opportunity to use the inherent creativity in our | | | | |