Cards of the Major Arcana: The Sun – Judgement – The World

Today, we will present three more cards from the Major Arcana of the Rider-Waite Tarot deck. Together, they symbolise vitality and joy, rebirth and awakening, as well as the successful completion of a journey.

The Sun card embodies success, vitality, and joy. It radiates positivity and enlightenment. It often signifies happiness, clarity, and personal growth, and suggests that a period of warmth, confidence, and positive outcomes is approaching.

The Judgement card reflects rebirth, awakening and self-reflection. It signals the need to evaluate past actions, make amends, and embrace transformation, and suggests that an important life decision or spiritual realisation is approaching.

In contrast, the World card symbolises completion, achievement, and harmony. It signifies the successful conclusion of a journey, representing fulfilment and integration. It encourages celebrating accomplishments and embracing new beginnings.

The following are extracts from the author's book on tarot. Further information about the book can be found in the notes.

Card XIX of the Major Arcana: The Sun

The sun has finally risen. It looms large in the sky, shining on a golden child. The small, curly-haired figure is innocently naked and basking in its warmth.

Adorned with a floral wreath and a red feather, the child smiles, looking irresistibly cheerful and happy. Sitting on a calm and patient horse with no reins, saddle or bridle, the sun child holds a large red banner. The scene is surrounded by sunflowers in a walled garden.

The Sun card depicts an idyllic scene of sheltered, protected happiness within one's own personal space. It is truly a place in the sun, just as you would imagine. Joy, happiness and trust are the words that spring to mind when looking at this card. The blue sky is filled with a benevolent sun, its powerful rays shining down on the smiling child and the flowers.

The garden offers warmth and safety, providing a refuge for the soul. Nothing can happen here – there are no dangers. There are no depths to plummet to, nor any uncertain paths to tread – everything is as it should be. In this garden, the inner child lives happily and contentedly, experiencing nothing bad or frightening. Everything can unfold here under the sun's rays. You can have confidence here – you are safe. ... End of excerpt.

Card XX of the Major Arcana: Judgement

At first glance, the Judgement card does not appear to be very positive. We see an angel blowing a trumpet which fills almost the entire sky.

According to biblical tradition, the angel has awakened the dead. This is the Last Day, the Day of Judgement.

When all things come to an end, everything will be made clear and nothing will remain hidden. As I said, not a very optimistic scenario. However, if you let the image sink in, there is much more to it than that.

In some decks, this card is called 'Karma' and represents the cosmic whole, including rebirth. This is an important concept also acknowledged by the Christian faith, albeit under different conditions. This card does not signify a final end, but rather a new beginning.

After everything that has happened and been learnt, after fools have become rulers and magicians, and after walking the dark and light paths, it is time to stop. The Last Judgement is a test according to the laws of the cosmos or karma, rather than human judgement. ... End of excerpt.

Card XXI of the Major Arcana: The World

The World is the final Major Arcana in the Tarot. In some decks, it is called 'The Universe'.

In this picture, a joyful dancer is surrounded by a boundless green wreath, symbolising infinity. The beginning is the end and vice versa – it is a perpetual cycle. The woman holds a magic wand in each hand – above and below are one and the same, and all is in cosmic motion.

The garland could also represent the 'zero' of the first card, that of the Fool. In the face of the cosmos, everything is at the Fool's stage – those who accept the things they cannot change in a positive way grow beyond them. Every thread in the infinite fabric of existence has its purpose, yet few people allow themselves to let go enough to take a step back and glimpse their tiny part in the pattern. Not even the smallest part remains static. Everything is in motion and in flux.

Everything is subject to change. After all, life is a constant process of movement, loss, searching and discovery. The possibilities are endless, even if we realise only a small part of them. Every individual embarks on a journey and, at the end of it, they rediscover what they lost when they lost their foolishness or innocence. This end is inevitable and cannot be avoided, except perhaps by someone who is able to close their eyes to the cosmic truth. ... 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 Magician – The High Priestess – The Empress
– 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: Wheel of Fortune – Strength – The Hanged Man
– Cards of the Major Arcana: Death – Temperance – The Devil
– Cards of the Major Arcana: The Tower – The Star – The Moon

© 'Cards of the Major Arcana: The Sun – Judgement – The World. Exploring the themes of success, self-reflection and harmony in Tarot': A series of essays by Eleonore Radtberger (translated by Izabel Comati), 04/2026. Image credit: Pressenet.