What are the differences between the Major and Minor Arcana?
The Major and Minor Arcana differ in a number of generally obvious ways … The Major Arcana, which simply means “greater secrets”, is understood to refer to the more universal influences at work in our lives, metaphysical concepts, higher or greater energies, and are also seen to reflect a spiritual evolution through the progression of the cards. The Major Arcana is usually twenty-two cards, numbered zero to twenty-one, and depict states of being and universal archetypes such as the Fool (innocence, naivete, openness), the Wheel of Fortune (movement, progress, destiny, karma), and Temperance (balance, gentleness, artistic integrity). Major Arcana cards in readings often indicate major phases in one’s life, or big decisions, personal transformation, etc. The Minor Arcana, which means “lesser secrets”, is traditionally comprised of four suits representing basic elements of physical or mundane life. For example, the suit of Wands most often refers to energy, action, forward motion – all
