The hidden significance of Tarot cards: The Major Arcana

According to many insiders, the 22 cards known as the 'Major Arcana' represent the true Tarot, the 'Book of Thoth'. In fact, the remaining 56 cards, the Minor Arcana, are not essential for interpreting this mysterious book. However, this is not the case. Nothing is possible without the 22 cards.

Some spread systems only use the 'big ones' and disregard the 'small ones' completely. Anyone who studies the matter will quickly discover why. The Tarot's symbols contain everything – nothing 'falls through the cracks', you could say.

Beginners are well advised to take plenty of time to familiarise themselves with the Major Arcana in particular. There are many ways to approach them. For example, you could start with the first card and contemplate its symbolism for a day – you will then realise that you could easily continue for weeks. Then move on to the second card, and so on until you reach the last one. Alternatively, you could lay out all 22 cards face up and choose the one that appeals to you the most. Everyone can find their own exciting way of discovering the world of Tarot.

Many decks have small cards with no pictorial representation, showing only the appropriate number of symbols – something that could never be the case with the main cards. Only these cards carry the ancient symbols, without which transmission would be inconceivable.

One of the most beautiful and also most common decks is the Rider-Waite Tarot, to which all descriptions refer. This is because the images in this edition are particularly clear and concise yet still very appealing.

The Rider-Waite Tarot deck shows the symbolism without too many creative additions, focusing on the essentials. It is therefore highly recommended for beginners. In addition, the Minor Arcana are illustrated, making interpretation much easier. As there are countless decks in different styles and designs, this book discusses the clear symbolism of the Rider-Waite deck, which can be applied to most others.

The Major Arcana form a self-contained system, offering a logical chain of development that can be experienced in various ways. Each card can interact with any other card, each one showing a different perspective. Imagine a book whose text changes depending on what you want to learn. It is a personalised guidebook that adapts to the situation at hand. This is precisely what the Tarot is, whether you use all the cards or just the Major Arcana.

Card 0 of the Major Arcana: The Fool

The Fool is depicted cheerfully prancing along a rugged ridge, his eyes fixed on the sky as he casually holds a rose. This is the card numbered 0 in the Rider-Waite Tarot deck. It can appear at the beginning or end of the Major Arcana, in which case it is numbered XXII.

The Fool carries only what he needs in a small bag, he doesn't burden himself with much luggage. Accompanying him is a small white dog that, like the jester, capers on the precipice. Each further step could result in a fall, yet the Fool and the dog are unconcerned. He is in higher regions, breathing free air and allowing nothing to weigh him down or hold him back. His childlike confidence enables him to walk through these airy realms with the sun at his back, paying no attention to the path ahead.

Is he a real fool? How you take it. The card belongs entirely to the element of air, symbolised by the predominant colour yellow. This signifies change, the unexpected, lightness and adventure. The Fool in the picture has no fixed destination. He wanders with great self-confidence, looking forward to the wonders he will encounter. He trusts himself and the world.

The dog represents the unconscious and instinctive, and here it happily follows its master. The little white dog symbolises innocence. The Fool is innocent too. He has no intention of doing anything evil, nor does he want to. Even when he encounters evil, he does not recognise it as such. If he does, he trusts his star to protect him. The Fool also represents our childish side and our innocent exploration of the world. Wisdom comes only through experience, which is often costly. The Fool has just begun his journey and still enjoys the protection of innocence.

Full of self-confidence, he stumbles upon things without searching for them because he does not know what he should be looking for. He lacks nothing and is happy. His exaggerated, mannered posture suggests a sense of humour, showing that he can laugh at himself as easily as he laughs at others. One viewer may find the picture enchanting and smile as they look at it, while another may see nothing but a vain monkey bristling with excessive self-conceit and stupidity.

How you interpret the Fool depends on your perspective. Those who nurture their inner child and embrace playfulness will immediately connect with the card. They may harbour an unspoken longing to let go and be light-hearted, as they have taken on too many duties and responsibilities.

In contrast, those who reject their playful side, denying it to themselves and becoming overwhelmed because they never relax, will dislike him at first. You could say he scares them. This is because he appeals to the inner child and the 'pure fool' in each of us. He may be cleverer than you think. ... End of excerpt.

👉 Would you like to find out more? This series of essays provides valuable guidance on how to use Rider-Waite Tarot cards.

👉 Ever wondered about the mystical world of Rider-Waite Tarot? Dive into the symbolism and secrets behind the beloved deck with my book 'Decoding the Wisdom of Rider-Waite Tarot'. Uncover the hidden meanings and stories behind each card, and learn how to tap into the wisdom of this iconic deck. Get ready to unlock the mysteries of the universe, one card at a time.

👉 We expect to publish our book in October 2025. For now, we are only releasing excerpts. Make sure you bookmark this page: "Decoding the Wisdom of Rider-Waite Tarot".

Read more:
– Using Tarot cards as a guide and aid for decision-making
– Mistakes when dealing with Tarot cards: The right way to use the Tarot
– Cards of the Major Arcana: The Magician – The High Priestess – The Empress
– Try swinging a pendulum. Communicate with your inner self

© 'The hidden significance of Tarot cards: The Major Arcana. Card 0 of the Major Arcana: The Fool': An essay by Eleonore Radtberger (translated by Izabel Comati), 08/2025. Image credit: The Rider-Waite Tarot Deck, CC0 (Public Domain Licence).