What Tarot Card Groups Reveal About Your Life Journey

Have you ever felt like there’s more to your journey than meets the eye? Tarot decks hold the insights you need to uncover those hidden paths. Once you start understanding the tarot card divisions, you’ll realize there’s so much more depth to each card than you might have imagined.

But have you ever wondered, “How many cards are in a Tarot deck, and why are they divided this way?” Well, that’s exactly what we’re diving into. In this post, we’ll explore the Major Arcana, and Minor Arcana, and how these different sections come together to offer a complete guide for self-reflection and personal growth. Ready to dive in? Let’s get started!

A Brief History of Tarot Card Divisions

You might find it surprising, but Tarot cards weren’t always about spiritual readings. They were created in 15th-century Europe for playing games. Over time, though, their role shifted, and by the 18th century, mystics had linked them to deeper spiritual meanings. The tarot card divisions we know today—Major Arcana and Minor Arcana—became widely recognized during this period.

The Major Arcana came to symbolize the big, life-changing lessons we all go through, while the Minor Arcana dealt more with everyday situations and emotions. It’s fascinating to think about how tarot card groups went from a simple game to a powerful tool for divination, offering insights into both universal themes and personal experiences.

What are Tarot Card Groups?

When you dive into the world of Tarot, one of the first things you’ll notice is how the deck is split into different tarot groups. These sections help give structure to your readings and make them more insightful. A standard Tarot deck has two main groups: the Major Arcana and the Minor Arcana. Each group plays a unique role, with the Major Arcana focusing on big, life-altering events, and the Minor Arcana zooming in on day-to-day situations and emotions. Together, they give you a full, well-rounded view of your life. Let’s break it down!

The Two Main Tarot Card Groups

A standard Tarot deck has 78 cards, split into two main tarot groups:

• Major Arcana (22 cards)

These cards represent the big, life-changing moments—the ones that really make you think, grow, and transform. If you think of your life as a journey, the Major Arcana cards are the key turning points. They focus on universal themes like personal growth and spiritual lessons. Cards like The Fool, The Lovers, and The World are prime examples. These cards give you the big-picture insights.

• Minor Arcana (56 cards)

The Minor Arcana focuses on the everyday things—the emotions, situations, and challenges you face daily. While the Major Arcana guides you through big spiritual lessons, the Minor Arcana helps you navigate your current, more practical circumstances. It’s divided into four suits: Wands, Cups, Swords, and Pentacles. These suits give advice on everything from relationships to career to finances.

The Major Arcana: The Milestones in Tarot Card Groups

The Major Arcana consists of 22 cards, each with its meaning. These cards represent key life events and personal growth. The sequence starts with The Fool (0) and ends with The World (21), which is often called The Fool’s Journey—a story about spiritual growth and transformation.

• Symbolism and Archetypes: Cards like The Lovers, The Tower, and The Empress represent big human experiences like love, change, and creativity.
• Guidance in Readings: The Major Arcana often shows up when you’re going through major life changes or transformations. These cards make you look at the bigger picture.

This is why the Major Arcana tarot groups usually take center stage in a spread, guiding you through pivotal moments, while the Minor Arcana provides more specific, day-to-day advice.

The Minor Arcana: Daily Wisdom in Tarot Card Divisions

The Minor Arcana has 56 cards, and it’s all about giving you practical advice for everyday life. While the Major Arcana highlights the big picture, the Minor Arcana focuses on smaller moments like emotions, decisions, and day-to-day interactions. These tarot groups, when combined, provide a complete picture of your life.

The Minor Arcana is divided into four suits, each representing a different aspect of life:

• Wands (Fire): Ambition, energy, and personal growth, particularly in career or motivation.
• Cups (Water): Emotions, relationships, and intuition.
• Swords (Air): Logic, conflict, and intellectual challenges.
• Pentacles (Earth): Material matters, such as money, work, and stability.

Each suit has 14 cards—10 numbered cards (Ace through 10) and 4 Court Cards (Page, Knight, Queen, King), which help give more detail about situations and personalities.

Meet the Court Cards: The Personalities in Your Tarot Card Groups

Alright, let’s talk about the Court Cards—the characters in your Tarot deck that add a dash of personality. These cards aren’t just part of the Minor Arcana; they really stand out because they represent people, archetypes, or even different aspects of your own personality. In every suit (Wands, Cups, Swords, Pentacles), you’ll find four Court Cards: the Page, Knight, Queen, and King. Each has its own role to play, and they can either represent real people in your life or energies you might need to tap into.

Here’s a quick breakdown of what each Court Card represents:

• Page: The Page is full of youthful energy, curiosity, and fresh starts. If you’re embarking on a new journey or learning something new, the Page could be showing up to encourage you to dive in with an open heart.
• Knight: The Knight is all about action and movement. Think of the Knight as the go-getter who’s charging forward on a mission. If you’re feeling like it’s time to pursue a goal, the Knight is your card to summon that ambition.
• Queen: The Queen is calm, wise, and nurturing. She’s got emotional intelligence down to an art. Whether it’s about navigating a tricky relationship or finding emotional balance, the Queen can help you channel that intuition and care.
• King: The King symbolizes mastery, leadership, and control. He’s the one who’s got everything together. If you’re stepping into a leadership role or need to take charge of a situation, the King shows you how to harness that power.

In readings, the Court Cards are like the characters in your story—representing people or qualities that are influencing your situation. They bring personality to the Tarot card groups, helping you understand not just the energy around you, but also the specific forces at work in your life.

The Magic of Tarot Card Groups at Phenix Creation

At Phenix Creation, we celebrate the art and depth of Tarot. Each deck is designed to capture the essence of the Major Arcana and Minor Arcana, bringing them to life in a way that connects you with both spiritual and practical guidance. Whether you’re wondering how many cards are in a Tarot deck or exploring the different tarot groups, our decks are made to enhance your readings and deepen your connection to this ancient practice.

With Phenix Creation, Tarot is more than just a reading, it’s a journey of discovery. Dive into the wisdom waiting in each card and start your adventure now.

FAQs

1. What are tarot card divisions in a deck?

When we talk about tarot card divisions, we’re diving into how a tarot deck is organized to create balance and depth in readings. A standard deck has 78 cards, split into two main sections: the Major Arcana and the Minor Arcana. The Major Arcana includes 22 cards, each one representing big, life-changing lessons or deep spiritual milestones—these cards are like the heavy hitters of the deck. The Minor Arcana makes up the other 56 cards and is all about the little things—emotions, thoughts, and daily experiences. These divisions are key because they allow tarot readings to cover everything, from your soul’s journey to the small, everyday decisions that shape your path.

2. How are tarot groups different from each other?

The two main tarot groups—the Major Arcana and the Minor Arcana—are like two sides of the same coin, but with very different vibes. The Major Arcana deals with big, transformative themes: spiritual growth, archetypes, and major life events. Cards like The Fool, The Lovers, and The World are all about deep, life-changing experiences. The Minor Arcana, however, focuses on the more practical, day-to-day stuff. It’s divided into four suits—Wands, Swords, Cups, and Pentacles—and each suit covers a different aspect of life: Wands are all about passion and action, Swords represent intellect and challenges, Cups deal with emotions, and Pentacles cover money, work, and material stability. Together, these tarot groups balance each other out, offering both high-level spiritual guidance and practical advice.

3. How many cards in a tarot deck are part of the Major Arcana?

Out of the 78 cards in a traditional tarot deck, 22 cards belong to the Major Arcana. These are the big players in the deck—each one represents a crucial stage in the “Fool’s Journey,” a symbolic path of personal growth. Think of cards like The Magician, The High Priestess, and Death (no, it’s not as scary as it sounds!)—they deal with universal themes that can really make you stop and reflect. Whether upright or reversed, these cards speak to major shifts, decisions, and life lessons. So, while the Major Arcana takes center stage, it’s the cards that follow these big, transformative themes that offer the practical context you need.

4. What role do tarot card groups play in a reading?

Both tarot card groups—the Major Arcana and the Minor Arcana—play vital roles in tarot reading, and they do it in very different ways. The Major Arcana is your go-to for big, soul-searching insights, focusing on life’s major turning points, spiritual growth, and core archetypes. Meanwhile, the Minor Arcana zooms in on the more personal details—relationships, finances, and the emotional nuances of everyday life. For instance, a Major Arcana card could point to a huge transformation or life-changing event, while a Minor Arcana card can explain how to deal with the emotional or practical side of that change. Together, they create a complete picture—offering both the “why” and the “how.”

5. Are all tarot card divisions equally important in a reading?

Absolutely! Every tarot card division has its moment to shine, though they serve different purposes. The Major Arcana cards tend to grab the spotlight since they deal with profound themes and pivotal moments. But the Minor Arcana is just as crucial—without it, you wouldn’t have the practical, day-to-day advice that helps you navigate the situations the Major Arcana might point out. Imagine you’re getting the big message, like “You’re on the verge of a huge life transformation”—the Minor Arcana then steps in to tell you, “Here’s what’s going on right now, and here’s what you can do about it.” Together, these two divisions make a tarot reading both meaningful and actionable.

Final Thoughts

Once you know how the Major Arcana and Minor Arcana fit into the Tarot deck, you’ll feel more sure of yourself while reading. The Major Arcana dives into the big life changes, and the Minor Arcana covers the day-to-day stuff. When you look at them together, it gives you a complete view of your life’s story.

So, how do you feel about the tarot groups and the way they show up in your readings? Does knowing how many cards are in a Tarot deck, or understanding the different suits and their elements, change the way you interpret the cards? We’d love to hear your thoughts and stories—drop them in the comments below!