Cards of the Major Arcana: The Magician – The High Priestess – The Empress

Today, we will present three more cards from the Major Arcana of the Rider-Waite Tarot deck. Together, they exemplify the balance of action, intuition and nurturing energy in the Tarot.

The Magician card represents the power of action and the ability to turn dreams into reality. Associated with the four elements – earth, air, fire and water – the Magician encourages you to utilise your abilities. When this card appears, it suggests that you have all the necessary resources for success and that now is the time to take the initiative.

The High Priestess represents intuition, wisdom and mystery. Sitting between the conscious and unconscious realms, she emphasises the importance of inner knowledge and spiritual insight. It often signifies a time for reflection and seeking deeper truths, reminding us that not everything can be seen on the surface.

The Empress embodies nurturing, abundance and creativity. She symbolises fertility in both the literal and figurative senses. She encourages you to embrace sensuality and connect with nature. When she appears, it usually signals a period of love and harmony, inviting you to celebrate life's beauty.

Below, we present some excerpts from the author's comprehensive tarot book. For more information about the book, please refer to the notes.

Card I of the Major Arcana: The Magician

'Recognise your potential. All possibilities are open to you.' This is the message of the Magician, the card with the number one. In the Rider-Waite Tarot, this card depicts a man dressed in white with a red cloak. He holds his staff aloft and points upwards with one hand and downwards towards the earth with the other.

Initiates know: 'Everything is above and below.' Everything has its equivalent in the cosmos. The same law applies everywhere. On the table in front of him are a coin, a sword and a chalice. Along with the staff, these represent the four elements of the Tarot – or, you might say, he is bringing them into play.

Above his head, is a lemniscate, the symbol for infinity. The flowers represent growth and life. The whole picture is bursting with activity. The Magician seems to be shouting: 'Let the game begin!' He invites the viewer to recognise his power and turn thoughts into actions. One of the card's many meanings is the realisation of an idea. It's a journey from thought to action, from calm to strength. The image also symbolises the self's willpower to realise its inner potential. The Magician stands between the purely spiritual idea and its realisation – he is the link.

He confidently handles all the elements and uses them wherever necessary. Unlike the previous card, the 0, everything here is deliberate and intentional. This card invites us to take control and embark on our own adventure. If you draw this card, it is calling out to you: 'What are you waiting for? It's all in your hands. The means to do what you want are within you.' ... End of excerpt.

Card II of the Major Arcana: The High Priestess

The Magician represented the beginning of action. He is action itself – movement. He represents the masculine aspect of the universe. Opposite him appears the High Priestess, who embodies the feminine principle. Sitting on a throne, she holds a scroll bearing the word 'Torah' in the Rider-Waite Tarot deck. This indicates the profound secrets of the Kabbalah.

Behind a curtain, there is a passageway between two pillars – the secrets are yet to be discovered and the path must be explored. The curtain bears a pattern of large pomegranates, the fruits of life. Life itself is to be explored and experienced – one's own universe. Following the Magician, the High Priestess reveals the duality of things, showing that everything has an opposite. Nothing can be considered in isolation. This principle encompasses above and below, right and left, light and dark – duality.

In many cultures, the sun represented masculine power, while the moon represented the feminine. The life-giving power of the sun was attributed to men – who were considered to be light, bright and open. They were also associated with the element of fire. In contrast, women were associated with the moon, gentle light, twilight and water.

The High Priestess was the keeper of secrets, holding the key to knowledge and, above all, to the unconscious mind. In the card, the folds of her robe cascade like a waterfall over the crescent moon at her feet, symbolising the waxing moon. Water is associated with emotions, and the moon symbolises the unconscious, among other things. ... End of excerpt.

Card III of the Major Arcana: The Empress

The Empress symbolises the creative power of duality, representing pairs such as left and right, active and passive, head and heart, and outer and inner. She sits amidst fruitful growth and ripening. Everything around her is green, blossoming, and bearing lush fruit. She sits on a throne with red cushions and holds a sceptre. Her robe falls in rich folds and is adorned with pomegranates. She also wears a crown of stars. At her feet, tall wheat stalks bear plump golden ears.

The earth itself is depicted as rich and abundant. The woman in the picture is an empress who is also pregnant, symbolising all-encompassing growth. She is the embodiment of life, the personification of the nourishing earth and of feminine strength and power. Her authority is inherent.

In fact, the Empress can indicate pregnancy when asked about. Themes of maternity, family, children and marriage are also present. Above all, however, it signifies successful relationships, whether business or emotional. Pregnancy usually symbolises the maturation of an idea or the beginning of something new. Its messages are growth and positive development. It does not demand obedience or take centre stage; it simply forms part of the laws of nature. It is the pure, primal force of life. She is not interested in symbols of power – her strength is obvious.

She embodies strength, willpower and assertiveness. 'Why worry?' she seems to ask. 'You have every opportunity and can draw on everything.' She always highlights the wealth within each individual. ... End of excerpt.

Would you like to find out more? Eleonore's book offers valuable guidance on using Rider-Waite Tarot cards. You can read some excerpts here:
– Using Tarot cards as a guide: Explore the wisdom of the Rider-Waite deck
– Mistakes when dealing with Tarot cards: The right way to use the Tarot
– How to interpret the hidden significance of Tarot cards: The Major Arcana
– Try swinging a pendulum. Communicate with your inner self
– Cards of the Major Arcana: The Emperor – The Hierophant – The Lovers
– Cards of the Major Arcana: The Chariot – Justice – The Hermit

© 'Cards of the Major Arcana: The Magician – The High Priestess – The Empress. Exploring the balance of action, intuition, and nurturing energy in the Tarot': A series of essays by Eleonore Radtberger (translated by Izabel Comati), 09/2025. Image credit: Pressenet.