The Rider-Waite-Smith (RWS) tarot system stands as a cornerstone in the world of divination, offering profound insights into universal laws and significant spiritual themes. Developed in the early 20th century, this deck has become the modern standard for tarot practice, particularly valued for its accessible imagery and structured symbolism. The system comprises 78 cards, divided into the Major Arcana and Minor Arcana, with the Major Arcana representing the "Greater Mysteries" of life's journey. For homeowners, business owners, and spiritual seekers alike, understanding the RWS tarot can provide a framework for personal growth, decision-making, and holistic energy balancing. This article explores the foundational elements of the RWS Major Arcana, its historical context, and its practical applications in tarot readings, drawing exclusively from established sources on the subject.
The Structure and Origins of the Rider-Waite-Smith Tarot
The Rider-Waite-Smith tarot deck was first published in 1909 by William Rider & Son in London. It was conceptualized by Arthur Edward Waite, a member of the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, with illustrations by Pamela Colman Smith. This deck revolutionized tarot by introducing fully illustrated Minor Arcana cards, transforming abstract pips into narrative scenes that are easier to interpret. Unlike earlier decks, which often featured simple pip cards (e.g., five wands without imagery), the RWS deck provides a pictorial language that supports intuitive reading and teaching.
The deck's structure follows the traditional 78-card format: - 22 Major Arcana cards: Representing significant life lessons, spiritual themes, and universal laws. - 56 Minor Arcana cards: Divided into four suits (Wands, Cups, Swords, Pentacles), each containing 14 cards (Ace through Ten, plus Court Cards: Page, Knight, Queen, King).
A notable feature of the RWS numbering is the placement of Strength as Key VIII and Justice as Key XI, a choice influenced by the Golden Dawn tradition. This differs from the Marseille deck, which often swaps these positions. The Minor Arcana in RWS is scenic and narrative, making it particularly suitable for beginners, as it allows for visual storytelling during readings.
The term "Major Arcana" was coined in the 1800s by Jean-Baptiste Pitois (under the pseudonym Paul Christian) to describe ancient esoteric ideas about the universe's creation, cycles, and laws. Waite adopted this term, drawing from the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn's teachings to create a deck that embodies a perennial philosophy. While Waite rejected the popular theory of tarot's Egyptian origins, he designed the Major Arcana to depict universal spiritual concepts, such as fate in the Wheel of Fortune, initiation with the Magician, and spiritual regeneration with the Judgement card.
Pamela Colman Smith's artwork is integral to the deck's success. Her illustrations are narrative and readable at a glance, capturing the essence of each card's meaning. Historically, her contributions were often overlooked, but modern sources credit her for making the deck visually intuitive. The RWS deck's design has influenced countless variations, but its core symbolism remains the foundation for most tarot interpretations today.
The Major Arcana: Universal Laws and Spiritual Themes
The 22 cards of the Major Arcana represent universal laws and significant spiritual themes in one's life. When multiple Major Arcana cards appear in a reading, it often indicates that the situation is fated or tied to important lessons on the spiritual path. These cards form the "Greater Mysteries," contrasting with the "Lesser Mysteries" represented by the Minor Arcana, which deal with daily choices and practical matters.
In esoteric traditions, candidates undergo the Lesser Mysteries as a preparatory phase lasting 1-5 years, involving tests and trials. Only a select few progress to the Greater Mysteries, symbolizing deeper initiation. The Major Arcana mirrors this journey, guiding individuals through life's profound transitions.
The Fool's Journey
A central concept in the RWS Major Arcana is the "Fool's journey," where the Fool (Key 0) represents the incarnated soul embarking on a path through the other 21 cards. This journey symbolizes the soul's evolution, encountering archetypal energies and lessons along the way. It begins with innocence and potential (The Fool) and culminates in completion and integration (The World, Key 21).
The Major Arcana cards can be grouped thematically to understand their collective wisdom: - Cards 0-6 (The Fool to The Lovers): Focus on personal development, self-discovery, and relationships. - Cards 7-14 (The Chariot to Temperance): Deal with challenges, balance, and inner strength. - Cards 15-21 (The Devil to The World): Address transformation, revelation, and fulfillment.
Each card in the Major Arcana contains descriptions of key elements and fortune-telling meanings, providing doorways to the unconscious and potential insights into future events. As noted by Carl Jung, "Tarot Cards provide doorways to the unconscious and maybe a way to predict the future." The Arcana of Tarot encapsulate wisdom for life, representing situations each person must navigate to achieve happiness.
Key Major Arcana Cards and Their Meanings
While the full 22-card deck offers a comprehensive map of human experience, the sources provide insights into specific cards and their broader implications. For example: - The Fool (Key 0): Symbolizes new beginnings, innocence, and spontaneous action. In the Fool's journey, it marks the start of the spiritual path. - The Magician (Key 1): Represents initiation, manifestation, and the power to shape reality through focused will. - The High Priestess (Key 2): Embodies intuition, hidden knowledge, and the subconscious. - The Empress (Key 3): Signifies abundance, nurturing, and creative fertility. - The Emperor (Key 4): Denotes structure, authority, and stability. - The Hierophant (Key 5): Represents tradition, spiritual guidance, and established institutions. - The Lovers (Key 6): Highlights choices in relationships, harmony, and alignment of values. - The Chariot (Key 7): Symbolizes determination, victory through control, and overcoming obstacles. - Strength (Key 8): Focuses on inner fortitude, compassion, and mastering primal energies (note the RWS numbering places it here). - The Hermit (Key 9): Encourages introspection, wisdom-seeking, and soul-searching. - The Wheel of Fortune (Key 10): Represents fate, cycles of change, and the turning points in life. - Justice (Key 11): Deals with fairness, truth, and karmic balance (note the RWS numbering places it here). - The Hanged Man (Key 12): Symbolizes surrender, new perspectives, and voluntary sacrifice. - Death (Key 13): Signifies transformation, endings leading to rebirth, and necessary change. - Temperance (Key 14): Embodies balance, moderation, and alchemical blending of opposites. - The Devil (Key 15): Highlights bondage, materialism, and the shadow self. - The Tower (Key 16): Represents sudden upheaval, revelation, and breaking down illusions. - The Star (Key 17): Symbolizes hope, inspiration, and spiritual renewal. - The Moon (Key 18): Deals with illusion, the subconscious, and navigating uncertainty. - The Sun (Key 19): Denotes joy, vitality, and enlightened success. - Judgement (Key 20): Represents awakening, absolution, and spiritual rebirth. - The World (Key 21): Signifies completion, integration, and the fulfillment of the journey.
These cards are not isolated; their meanings deepen when placed next to other cards in a spread, providing context for the reading.
Tarot Readings with the Rider-Waite-Smith System
Tarot readings using the RWS deck focus on interpreting the cards' imagery and symbolism to gain insights into questions or situations. The deck's scenic Minors make it easier for readers to develop a solid base of knowledge, allowing them to read any RWS-based deck more effectively. Many beginner resources assume the RWS system because it standardizes the pictorial language of tarot.
Interpreting Major Arcana in Readings
When a large number of Major Arcana cards appear in a reading, it suggests the themes are highly significant, perhaps fated, and relate to profound spiritual lessons. This contrasts with Minor Arcana cards, which represent daily choices—such as acting on anger (5 of Wands), cheating (7 of Swords), or suppressing emotions through external pleasures (9 of Cups). The Major Arcana elevates the reading to a higher plane, encouraging reflection on life's purpose and karmic influences.
For instance, if The Wheel of Fortune appears alongside The Lovers, it might indicate a fated relationship choice influenced by destiny. Similarly, Death followed by The Star could signal a transformation leading to renewed hope.
Practical Approaches to RWS Readings
- Using the Full Deck: The RWS deck is designed to be read as a whole, integrating Major and Minor Arcana for a comprehensive view.
- Focusing on Major Arcana for Learning: Beginners often start by concentrating on the 22 Major Arcana cards to grasp core spiritual themes before expanding to the full deck.
- Reversals: Many readers skip reversed card meanings (upside-down interpretations) to maintain consistency and avoid complexity. Adopting them later is an option for advanced practice.
- Card a Day Practice: A simple method involves pulling one card daily to build familiarity with the deck's imagery and meanings. This practice helps users connect with the unconscious and reflect on personal growth.
The RWS deck's influence extends to modern variations. While different editions (e.g., Radiant Rider-Waite Tarot) may alter color palettes or line work—introducing vibrantly recolored versions with golden yellows and purples—the core structure and meanings remain consistent. These adaptations can subtly change the reading's feel but do not alter the fundamental symbolism.
Applications for Personal and Holistic Growth
For spiritual seekers and individuals interested in holistic living, tarot readings with the RWS deck can serve as a tool for self-reflection and energy balancing. By contemplating the Major Arcana, one can explore universal laws that govern life's cycles, fostering a sense of harmony and alignment. In residential or commercial contexts, tarot can complement practices like Vastu Shastra or numerology by providing intuitive guidance on spatial arrangements or timing decisions.
For example, consulting the tarot during home planning might reveal insights through cards like The Empress (abundance in living spaces) or The Emperor (structural stability), aligning with holistic energy harmonization principles.
Limitations and Ethical Considerations in Tarot Practice
It is essential to approach tarot with discernment, as the sources emphasize that tarot cards provide doorways to the unconscious but do not guarantee predictive accuracy or miraculous outcomes. Carl Jung's observation highlights their role in accessing deeper wisdom rather than definitive fortune-telling. Readers should avoid over-reliance on the cards for critical life decisions and instead use them as a complement to personal intuition and professional advice.
The historical development of the RWS deck underscores its esoteric roots, but practitioners are encouraged to respect its origins without endorsing unverified theories, such as Egyptian connections. The deck's reliability stems from its widespread adoption and the clarity of Pamela Colman Smith's illustrations, making it a trustworthy tool for those seeking balance and success.
In summary, the Rider-Waite-Smith Tarot's Major Arcana offers a profound map of spiritual themes, guiding users through life's universal laws. By engaging with this system, individuals can cultivate greater self-awareness and holistic well-being.