Major arcana in the Rider Waite Smith tarot

The Major Arcana of the Rider-Waite-Smith Tarot are at the heart of the esoteric and spiritual symbolism of this famous tarot deck. Comprising 22 cards numbered 0 to 21, these arcana represent key stages in the inner journey known as the Fool’s Path.

Each card embodies a universal archetype, such as The Fool, The High Priestess, The Empress or Death, and offers a rich source of interpretation during a draw. The Rider-Waite-Smith tarot, designed in 1909 by Arthur Edward Waite and illustrated by Pamela Colman Smith, is distinguished by its detailed and symbolic images, which facilitate intuition and reading.

The major arcanas deal with profound themes: spiritual evolution, life choices, trials, transformations and revelations. In divination, they bring powerful messages and shed light on the dominant influences around the consultant.

To use the Major Arcana of the Rider-Waite-Smith is to explore the ancient wisdom of the tarot through an accessible and visual prism. Whether you are a beginner or an advanced practitioner, these cards remain an essential tool for deepening your esoteric practice.