The Journey of the Soul The traditional meaning of the 22 major arcana of the Tarot of Marseille

© 2000  

This text condenses my years of reflection and writings on what we can learn from these images. The complete version is available at editions letarot.com

The 22 Major Arcana of the Tarot are a coded description of the journey through life, from incarnation to liberation, of an individual soul. It is a geographical map which describes the inner itinerary of a being.


Each arcanum represents a stage along the way, a level of achievement. By examining them in order, one after the other, each of us can feel the particular energy which emanates from these images . One may "play at remembering", and find oneself saying, "I, too, have experienced this...." In the end, perhaps he will realize that the Tarot is telling the story of his own life

This is the teaching which the Ancients, master builders of the Medieval cathedrals, chose to entrust to a game of cards. Because of its modest form, because the game was a way to make money, because it spoke through images and not in words, and for doubtless other reasons as well, the message has come down to us.