Tarot and the Kabbalistic Tree of Life: The Major Arcana

Tracy Dixon
3 min readFeb 28, 2024

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The Majors Roadmap

Think of the Major Arcana in your tarot deck as a symbolic roadmap of your spiritual journey. These powerful cards illustrate archetypes, major life lessons, and the transformative forces at play within us. Did you know there’s a hidden layer of meaning in these cards? They are connected to an ancient mystical system known as the Kabbalistic Tree of Life, representing the path of the soul from its divine source to manifestation. Let’s dive in and explore this connection to unlock deeper wisdom from the Major Arcana.

The Tree of Life: A Quick Overview

The Tree of Life is a complex symbol found in the mystical tradition of Kabbalah. Think of it as a diagram of the soul’s journey — how the divine manifests as creation, and how it unfolds within our own consciousness. Let’s break it down into simple terms:

  • The Spheres (Sephirot): Imagine ten spheres connected by paths — these are the Sephirot. Each one represents a different aspect of divine energy and a stage of development along the spiritual path.
  • The Paths: There are 22 connecting paths on the Tree, each associated with a letter of the Hebrew alphabet. These paths represent experiences and transitions necessary for inner growth.
  • The Three Pillars: The Sephirot can be grouped into three pillars (left, middle, and right), signifying different spiritual qualities like expansion and contraction, or mercy and severity.

Important Note: We’ll focus mainly on the paths, as these have the strongest link to the Major Arcana.

Mapping the Major Arcana

The 22 cards of the Major Arcana correspond to the 22 paths on the Tree of Life. This isn’t simply assigning cards randomly; each card’s imagery and symbolism aligns with the specific energy and meaning of its corresponding path.

The Fool’s Journey Begins: Consider the Fool (numbered 0) as the spark of the soul at the very beginning, before even entering the Tree of Life. As the Fool progresses through the other Major Arcana cards, they follow a path mirroring the soul’s evolution through different experiences and stages of consciousness.

Example: The Magician

Jack Parsons Magician Tarot Card
  • Traditional Meaning: The Magician represents willpower, manifestation, and having the tools to create your reality.
  • Tree of Life Connection: The Magician aligns with the path connecting Kether (the source) to Chokmah (wisdom). This path signifies the initial burst of creative energy flowing from the divine into its first form.
  • Enhanced Interpretation: This connection deepens our understanding of the Magician. It’s not just about skillful action, but aligning your will with a higher purpose and tapping into the divine source to manifest your desires.

Why This Matters for Tarot Readers

  • Deeper Meanings: Understanding the Tree of Life adds a profound layer to your Major Arcana interpretations, revealing the spiritual forces at play behind the card’s practical meanings.
  • The Soul’s Path: The Major Arcana, through this lens, becomes a map of your inner journey. Readings become about soul development, not just predicting the future.
  • Self-Discovery: By understanding where each card falls on the Tree, you understand the qualities and potential challenges you’ll encounter at different stages of your spiritual evolution.

Let’s get practical! In the next section, we’ll explore further examples to illustrate how this knowledge transforms your tarot readings.

Article on the Minor Arcana

Unlocking Deeper Understanding

Tarot study guide

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Tracy Dixon

Freelance Ritual Expert, Artist, Thelemite, Akita mom. copperphoenixstudios.etsy.com, youtube:@Copperphoenixmeditations