We continue our ‘Learning the Tarot‘ series with Major Arcana Card Meanings 11 through 21.  Perfect if you are new to the Tarot, or just trying to develop a deeper understanding of the deck.

11 Justice

The Justice card’s prime message is that of accountability. Justice appears to us when we know we should do something and we’re not doing it. Keywords are Truth, fairness, equality, balance, accountability.

 12 The Hanged Man

There is no expectation with this card. All expectations, along with all actions have been suspended. The Hanged Man is in a state of purposeful, complete surrender, yielding his mind and body to the Universal flow. Keywords are: Suspend, surrender, yield, new perspective, enlightenment, sacrifice, in-between.

13 Death

Not as ominous as most think, the death card more often refers to an ending than an actual death. The Death card speaks of a major conclusion in an area of our lives. Often when this card shows up in a reading it means the person having the reading done has had, or will have a change that is monumental – an ending of circumstances that were dragging on for far too long and the only way to make a clean break is to have a sharp ending. Keywords are: The end of something, change, the impermeability of all things

14 Temperance

We have to be thoughtful in our approach to this card because its meaning won’t hit us over the head like a ton of bricks. Rather, it’s a subtle card that whispers in our ear “come closer.” Temperance card is a call for us to recognize the flow in our own lives, and observe the nature of energy. When we pull this card in a reading it is an indication that a healing is in need or is taking place. It is also a sign that subtle shifts are or need to take place in order to gain that peaceful scene we see pictured in this card. Keywords are: Healing, balance, moderation, being sensible, connection.

15 The Devil

When we pull the Devil card in a reading we’ve got some serious examining to do. We need to consider who or what is in charge of our lives. The Devil is a very loud message stating that we’re in danger of giving up our control to our base nature. Or, it’s a message that we’ve already dropped to a level of functioning that is beneath us. Keywords: Ego, destructive patterns, addiction, giving away your power, loss, enslavement.

16 The Tower

Tower card suggests, it is an anomaly of sorts. Such a drastic upheaval means the Universe trying to wake us up from our zombie-like state. This wake-up call comes in the form of an event that blind-sides us and shakes us out of the fog we’ve been living in. Keywords: Change, collapse of stable structures, release, sudden insight, eruption, blind-sided.

17 The Star

The Star Tarot card holds that same twinkly hope and promise we see when we look up at the stars in the night sky. Everything about the card suggests serenity, assurance, and hope. It is a message for us to take heart, be at peace and know that all is well. The waters running from the maiden’s pitchers are never-ending. There is an abundant supply of love and the cycles of life run smoothly along the currents of peace. Keywords: Hope, healing, calm, a good omen, guidance, cleansing.

18 The Moon

This is one of the few cards that is a story in-and-of-itself, and tells it from start to finish in one flash. The key to this card (and the moral of its story) is influence. We must constantly be aware of what is influencing our lives. The story of this card begins with the lobster (crawfish, or crab in other deck renditions) which represents us and our greatness or higher purpose/calling. Emerging from our primordial ignorance to start our journey of higher purpose. Our journey takes us down a winding path with many distractions (dogs and wolves.) We see the Moon, forever our illusive guide through all the distractions. But is she a help or a hindrance? When she is in her growth we feel ourselves expand in confidence with her. We can even become pregnant with our own importance when she is in her prime fullness. When she is waning, we feel ourselves shrink into the abyss of darkness, we grow unsure of our path and purpose. We may find ourselves confused at every turn. Keywords: Cycles, influence, mystery, the subconscious, dreams, confusion, intensity.

19 The Sun

Where the Moon may portray a subtle, undercurrent of influence, there is no subtlety with the Sun Tarot card. The sun is pervasive in its power, blazing with its message of vitality, and its presence in our lives equates to life-giving energy. Keywords are: Life, growth, vibrancy, success, happiness, all will be well, clarity, and new beginnings.

20 Judgment

There is no evidence of fear in the card, and no conveyance of scolding or negativity. This is because the Judgment Tarot card meanings are not about judging against others. It has nothing to do with negative judgments made against our actions or against other people. This card deals with honesty. When we understand that judgment is a natural, God-given gift that we can use in order answer our highest calling – it takes on an entirely new meaning. Keywords: Faith, honesty, rebirth, a new phase, inner calling

21 The World

The World is the last card in the Major Arcana. As such, it embodies the completion of a long, sometimes difficult journey. The World represents all elements coming together in order for us to receive the satisfaction and success for which we’ve been striving. Keywords: Balance, completion, wholeness, attainment, celebration of life, fulfillment, accomplishment.