The Devil

So here we are finally, the devil card.  Lets just be honest; nobody likes this card.  The card shows a creature that is half man and half goat. Because goats were seen as an "unclean" animal, this shows us that the figure is seen in a negative light.  Also the goat is where the term "scapegoat" came from which is the person or thing we like to blame our problems on.  The creature also has bat wings that represent the ability to suck us dry of our life force.  Looking at the card we could easily assume that the devil represents someone or something terrible in our lives, but truthfully it represents the darker sides of ourselves.  It is closely tied to addictions in all forms.  If you look at the two figures who are chained to him closely, you realize they could easily get away.  The devil represents our ability to trap ourselves in our own bad habits and give into our own animalistic tendencies.  If the devil card appears in your spread it is time to really examine how you are limiting yourself and causing yourself to be constrained.  It may be time to seek more balance and remember the lessons of temperance.  In the reverse, the devil shows you are understanding these constraints and beginning to break free. 

https://www.biddytarot.com/tarot-card-meanings/major-arcana/devil/

Temperance

Temperance is a breath of fresh air after the heavy and powerful energy of the death card.  The card shows an angel holding two cups.  The angel is known as being a hermaphrodite representing a balance between two genders.  The cups he holds represents balancing the conscious and unconscious mind.  The angel touches her toe in the stream before, not ready to completely dive in until she decides it is the right time.  The temperance card is represented by the astrological sign Sagittarius which rules over the ninth house of higher knowledge, truth, spiritual beliefs, and tolerance.  This cards meaning is clear, it tells us to strive for balance in our lives.  Resisting the urge to go to extremes and cultivating a place of inner peace is crucial now.  It also shows that we have a long term vision, and that we will patiently work day by day to cultivate it.  In the reverse this card shows for some reason you are being rash and unbalanced.  It could be because you cannot see your future or "the light at the end of the tunnel".  Find the reason behind this lack of stability in your life and solve it if you can

https://www.biddytarot.com/tarot-card-meanings/major-arcana/temperance/

Death

Death.  We all know it and we all fear it, so of course see this card is seen in a negative light.  This interpretation is misguided because the death card is not a card of pain, it is a card of powerful transformation in our lives.  The card shows death (the skeleton) wearing unbreakable armor and riding on a white horse waving a black and white flag.  The color of black signifies an absence of light and all that the light represents, while the white represents rebirth and purity.  At death feet there are children, women, and men; nobody is immune.  The sun in the background shows the cyclical nature of life in it's times of light and darkness.  This card is linked to the sign of Scorpio which is known to be connected with sex, death, deep intimate relationships, and emotional and spiritual transformations.  Scorpio is ruled by pluto the planet of transformation and renewal; the taking away of what does not work so that something better can be created.  That is what this card is, it shows that your life is going to change and you may be left with only a skeleton of the life you had before.  Remember however, when you take away something that is unbeneficial you make room for something better to come in.  If you find this card in the upright it is time to accept these changes and weed out what must be weeded out.  You may find that soon your life is unrecognizable, but for the better.  This could be the end to the drama, chaos, delay and negativity you have experienced.  Congratulations, you are now ready for a new chapter.  In the reverse this card shows you are resisting a necessary change and holding on tightly to the past.

https://www.biddytarot.com/tarot-card-meanings/major-arcana/death/

The hanged man

 The hanged man is the twelfth major arcana card of the tarot deck.  Some may consider this card to be very reminiscent of the hermit card. He represents a time of deep inner reflection that leaves us temporarily suspended.  I usually associate this card with mercury retrograde; a time when we are forced to inwardly reflect so we can choose a better direction.  Also during mercury retrograde, we may experience communication breakdowns, issues in transportation and technology, and a general sense of stagnation and delay.  That is the nature of this card, it indicates a fork in the road that is inevitablely good.  The hanged man hangs upside down from a tree with a placid expression on his face and a halo around him.  He reminds us of the importance of meditation and stillness, and of spirituality in general.  Interestingly enough, he is representative of the planet Neptune which rules over pisces.  The hermit card is thought to be connected to the opposite sign of pisces which is virgo. No matter how many differences these two signs share, they are both the most spiritual signs of the zodiac. So in short, if you pull this card then you are called to reflect and find a more meaningful purpose even if it means putting your material life on the sidelines for a while.  However in the reverse this card shows that you wish to move forward but find yourself stuck.  There may be something you need to let go of or make a sacrifice for in order to do so.

https://www.biddytarot.com/tarot-card-meanings/major-arcana/hanged-man/

Justice

Justice is the eleventh major arcana card and she is represented by the astrological sign of Libra.  She holds a double edged sword and a scale.  The scale represents balance, while the double edged sword represents being untouched by emotion or opinion.  This figure is concerned with a straight forward fairness that is based on logic.  Still the figure is nothing if not compassionate.  The justice card is about getting what you "deserve".  If you pull this card it means that good things will likely come your way if you have been good.  Think of him like a Santa Clause figure.  The universe knows when you've been bad or good so be good... for your own sake if nothing else.  In the reverse this card could mean you have been acting unfairly and you are going to get what you deserve or that you are avoiding admitting that maybe you haven't been "in the right".  This card could be wonderful! or terrifying.  Kind of like Libras.  I mean have you met an angry libra before?!  Justice is a dish best served cold as ice.  Watch yourself.


https://www.biddytarot.com/tarot-card-meanings/major-arcana/strength/

Waite, Arthur Edward. The pictorial key to the tarot. England: Dodo Press, 2008. Print.

Wheel of fortune

The wheel of fortune is full of symbols, not unlike the lovers card.  It shows the four fixed astrological signs Aquarius (the angel), Scorpio (the falcon), Taurus (the bull), and Leo (the lion).  These four signs are very different, but all possess the ability to find stability and strength and in this car each holds the torch a symbol of wisdom.  The wheel itself has Hebrew letters written on it that represent god.  There are other symbols we could discuss, but for the sake of convenience we will stick with what I have explained because I feel it gives enough foresight into the lesson behind the card.  The message is simple but so powerful, life moves in cycles and we must face the changes of life with strength. If the wheel of fortune appears in your spread you must remember that things will not always be the same.  In the upright this card suggests that things my begin to move in your favor or at least change drastically.  In the reverse it suggests the opposite, that things my begin to take  turn for the worst and you must accept your lack of control.  In either case it is important to remember how much life changes a daily, weekly, and monthly basis.  Chin up, things wont always be this way. 


https://www.biddytarot.com/tarot-card-meanings/major-arcana/strength/

Waite, Arthur Edward. The pictorial key to the tarot. England: Dodo Press, 2008. Print.

The hermit

The hermit is the ninth major arcana card.  It shows an old bearded man, cloaked, with a lantern and a walking stick atop a mountain.  The mountain he walks upon represents accomplishment, and the star in his lantern is the seal of Solomon which represents wisdom.  His cloak shields him from the outside world.  The hermit represents taking the solitary path and looking within or being introspective.  He is often linked to the sign of Virgo which is known for being introspective and seeking knowledge.  You may be asking the question, "why?" more than usual if you pull the hermit card in a tarot reading.  The hermit is about questioning the outside world but more importantly attempting to understand the self.  You are gaining a higher spiritual perspective.  If the card is reversed it can represent needing to spend more time alone or spending too much time alone and over indulging in the introspective energy of the hermit.
https://www.biddytarot.com/tarot-card-meanings/major-arcana/strength/

Waite, Arthur Edward. The pictorial key to the tarot. England: Dodo Press, 2008. Print.