The Higher or Major Arcana

The 22  symbols of the Higher Arcana advise us of the universal  laws and  lessons in operation, within  then we find the steps we take towards self-realization. We learn about the Law of Love from the Empress, the Law of Action from the Wheel of Fortune,  the Law of Karma from Justice, the Law of Acceptance from the Hanged Han. We also learn we must be careful with our emotions through the Lovers, Devil and Moon. Also, we have teachers along the way through the Hierophant, Hermit and Star. Plus balance is an important aspect through the Chariot, Temperance, Star and the World.  That we have choice by the High Priestess and flexibility by the Fool. By studying and meditating on these 22 symbols many doorways open up in understanding the universal laws and lessons within each one of us operates.

The Higher Arcana demonstrates the definite laws and lessons. When you turn up a symbol of the Higher Arcana you know you are confronting a lesson or law.    It has a heavier  value than the Lower Arcana. It will mean you have to be aware of the lesson it is teaching you.  The difference between the seven of cups and the Moon is tremendous, yet they are of similar gender. The seven of cups shows the mind is becoming Imaginative.   

The Moon shows the subconscious mind is taking over due to Imagination.  These laws and lessons apply to everyone, no one is exempt.    It does not matter who you are or if you believe or disbelieve. The laws and lessons do not change.Therefore to understand them is to aid yourself and others who come to you for guidance.

 

	No.  0  The Fool Key:  Complete motion by faith Meaning:    This person to his own drumbeat because he believes in what he is doing.   He is not listening to anyone, and appears to be walking off the edge of a cliff, which only a fool would do.    But he knows full well as he walks off, firm ground will appear and all will be well.    He has complete faith.    He knows his prayers will be answered because he walks with the force of love and the laws of the universe.
	No. 1  The Magician Key:    All things are possible;    as above so below Meaning:    This person has the ability to create whatever he wants.  He has all the ingredients he needs, and by aspiring he can bring down all the power he needs in order to attain what he desires on the material plane.    By utilizing the power of the universe, he can create what he desires.    He has the power, and the energy and needs only to begin creating.
	No. 2  The High Priestess Key:   Choice Meaning:   This person has to make a choice.  The responsibility of the decisions are ours alone. We must choose either to the right, the positive, or to the left the negative.    We must always be sure our thoughts are positive so the choices we have to make come easily.    If you do take the path to the left, the negative, rest assured you will return to the feet of Isis again and again until you do choose the correct, the positive path.
	No. 4  The Emperor Key:   Experience Meaning:  This person has to use his previous experience in his life.  The Emperor has won his battle of life.  He has earned his position within life, and while he was earning it, he learnt many, useful  things. Now he must be careful that he does not become too aloof and withdrawn, as the bare mountains are behind him.  His future will depend on how he uses his knowledge gained from his previous experience.
	No. 5  The Hierophant Key:  Seeking guidance Meaning:  This person has to consult with someone who has knowledge   and authority, e.g. Doctor, Lawyer, Teacher.   The person needs answers that he does not have and which someone else can give him.    This could also be spiritual  knowledge.  As each person seeks spiritual advancement they must eventually seek out a teacher on the material piano.  This teacher will then give them the keys to the knowledge they need.
	No. 6  The Lovers Key:  Indecision - Confusion Meaning:  This person will be confused or uncertain.  The Lovers   must demonstrate that  one must utilize the positive to control the negative in order to reach the  forces of understanding awaiting them.    It states we can receive inspiration and utilize it, but we must approach humbly and simply,  and not get caught up in our own  illusions, generated by our subconscious mind.  If we get caught up in the clouds, representing the emotions, then we must be careful of making decisions.  We have to ask, what are our desires?   Are they of a higher order, or are we going around in circles?   Make sure your three minds are working for your advancement.
	No.  7   The Chariot Key:  Drive Meaning: This person has control; therefore he has the drive to proceed after his goals. He knows where he is going and is determined to get there. Right now he is well balanced and in control and will be able to proceed in life with an understanding of the material laws he has learnt.
	No. 8  Strength Key:  Strength to overcome Meaning:   This person is relying on her spiritual powers 'as above so below', in order to handle the situation at hand.    She has no fear.    By drawing upon her understanding of the spiritual forces available to help her 'ask and you will receive' she has the help, therefore, she can control the situation.    She can overcome the obstacles which crop up in life.
	No. 9  The Hermit Key:  Knowledge needed Moaning:   This person needs wore knowledge and will have to listen very closely to his inner self to find the answers needed The light is always shining for those who pursue knowledge. There are always those ready to help, if we are ready to listen. Meditations and prayer shall open the door for those teachers, therefore 'seek and ye shall find'.    So many times we know the answer within ourselves, and need only to look..
	No. 10  The Wheel of Fortune Key: Action Meaning:  the person will be involved in changes within the life.  Through these changes knowledge is being gained.   Wheel of Fortune advises us there must be movement within the life - no one learnt anything by sitting still.  Only by pushing at life and giving it substance, can we learn the force of life can lift us into knowledge.    Sometimes the life speeds up and movement occurs without us wishing it. Learn to relax and learn from these experiences which occur.  Other times it is necessary to put your new found knowledge to work. By doing so, you will see it for its correct worth, thereby, learning more.    No matter which way it is being applied, the life,   right now is busy.
	No. 11  Justice Key:  What you put out will come back Meaning:  No Matter what situation this person is In. there Is no changing it. The condition has to be work through as it is a Karmic condition and has been created by them. The Justice symbol  is the personification of the Law of Karma - the law of cause and effect - what you put out  you will get back.    Every thought, every word and every action is returned to you.    You are responsible for you!    This law is in operation ALL the time.    We often watch our actions and spoken words, but do we watch our thoughts?   Our thoughts are powerful, so let us make them positive, happy thoughts which will be reflected into our words and action. Then we can reap the rewards of life rather than feel the edge of the sword.    There are times in life when we have to accept the conditions and deal with them as they are because of this  is the law.  We cannot change  it,  therefore,  accept,  resolve and proceed on.
	No. 12  The Hanged Man Key: Acceptance of Reversals Meaning:   This person is encountering a condition which they would rather not have to deal with.    By accepting the situation they will learn to live with, or cope with, the situation at hand.    By bringing down the forces of love,   faith and strength one is able to handle the reversals that come into the life.    With the acceptance of a situation, you will find you will take certain actions to change it.    Until you accept the reversal totally, you will only be ignoring the situation and it will not go away until you have completely recognized and accepted it.
	No. 13  Death Key:  Rebirth of old conditions Meaning:   This person is moving away from conditions, which caused him pain and hurt.  As these old conditions fall away new ones will take their place.  Don't look back to the hurt, but realize from the experience, much has been learnt and know it is knowledge which is the true companion of man.    The mystic rose on the flag demonstrates it is our own inspirations which aid us in rising above the old conditions and lead us towards the now ones.
	No.  14  Temperance Key:   Blending of all circumstances to create balance Meaning:   This person is able to balance the different conditions in his life. He has   the  knowledge  !o blend  the different aspects of his life, thereby creating harmony
	No. 15  The Devil Key: Beware of emotions Meaning:    This person has to b« careful of their emotions for if they are  not already out of control,   they are close to being  out of control.  The devil is the representative of our emotions or imagination having taken over due to our subconscious mind being in control.    When you see the symbol it is warning you that even with the best intentions, you can be wrong, your mind can be leading you astray.    Also, on a higher level, look closely at the guides and inspirations you have been receiving.    Do they measure up to the standard you want? You should always be in control of you, not something or somebody else.    By obtaining more knowledge you can overcome the trappings of the subconscious mind and rise above every¬thing, even your own desires, as there la no devil except of our own making.
	No.  16  The Tower Key:  Beware of unexpected happenings Meaning; This person will have something completely unexpected happen to them. There are times in life when out of the blue events occur which destroy everything we have built up. How fast can we rebuild?   How fast can we recover - this is our test. our philosophy is being tested, thrown completely against events over which we have no control.    One can succumb to fear and indecision, or  they can rebuild, quickly in positive knowledge of the  laws,  signified by the 22 yods.    We must be sure that we don't bring on the Tower through wrong thinking.    The old saying 'pride cometh before a fall', comes to mind with this symbol, because no matter how good our intentions are, unless they are of the highest motive,  they can come crumbling down.     Also, other people can affect the life, and inadvertently bring down what you have been working towards.    Make sure the foundation you are working from is of rock, and will sustain you, no matter what occurs within the life.
	No.  17  The Star Key:  Knowledge being given out Meaning:  This person is helping,  or is able to help those around her  by being able to give out love and understanding.  She has to be aware of the delicate balance in giving out this knowledge. The symbol contains a warning similar  to watering a plant:   if you give the  plant  too much  water,   it drowns.  If too little it dies  from starvation.  To find the correct balance is the key. The ability  is  there, as in the symbol  to pour  the knowledge in a controlled, balanced manner, taking the energy given to her and changing it into a positive material source for helping others. At the same  time as she is helping others,  she  is also feeding her own reservoir of knowledge,  so she will not run dry.
	No. 18  The Moon Key:  Watch out motives Meaning:   This person must be careful  of decisions and actions that they will make  in the next while. They have to check their motives, making  sure they are being honest and not deceiving  themselves.  The sub- conscious mind is memory.  Make sure it is well in control.  Be sure you don't lose everything you have worked for by getting a false sense of your own value (ego) which comes from the subconscious mind.    Make sure your BEST motives are in control of your desires.
	No.  19  The Sun Key:  Growth, Reward, Truth and Progress Meaning : This person is beginning a new cycle of life.. The trials of the past are put behind and they are now ready to proceed ahead with the knowledge they have learnt from their experiences. There comes a time when we must embrace the Laws and allow the philosophy to rule our lives. Thus in the humility the child exhibits you can proceed.  The number 19 is considered in mythology and legends as the number of the Sun.  One who has attained the age of nineteen becomes a Sun initiate,   ready to achieve on the inner plane what the Sun accomplishes In giving life and warmth to the earth. Now Is your time to reap those benefits.    Therefore proceed ahead and enjoy your  rewards.
	No. 2O  Judgment Key:  Accepting results of your decision Meaning:  This person is now experiencing the results of a previous choice.     At sometime previously they made a choice, now they will receive the benefits of this choice.   Whether they think the choice was a good one or not, they have to bear the consequences of it.    If the end result Is how you wanted it, be thankful and proceed on.   If the end result Is not as good as you like it to be, accept the consequences of your decision,   learn from It  and  proceed on.
	No.  21  The World Key: Attainment Meaning:   This person has attained their goals and have overcome all the difficulties encountered on the way.  The negative has been brought under control and therefore, the positive and negative are completely balanced.  The material and spiritual worlds have blended into one.    The laurel wreath also offers protection, so the person is protected, due to the balance they have achieved.  They will be happy and contented.