The Fool’s Journey: Understanding the Major Arcana in Tarot

I truly began to understand and appreciate the complex themes of the Major Arcana when I learned about the Fool’s Journey. This perspective frames the Fool as experiencing each card in sequence, growing in spiritual awareness along the way. Seeing the cards in this way also helped me understand how they follow a natural progression and how each card builds on the one before it. This realisation was a breakthrough moment for me!

The Major Arcana as a Journey to Wholeness

At its core, the Major Arcana represents a journey toward wholeness and an understanding that we are not separate from everything else. We first experience different aspects of ourselves in isolation, but the process of integration allows us to transcend rigid identities. The Major Arcana also teaches us to hold opposing perspectives without defining ourselves by them.

A great way to visualise the Fool’s Journey is by laying out all 22 cards in sequence, as shown below. When arranged this way, three distinct lines emerge, representing the major story arcs within the deck:

• Cards 0–7: Learning about the external world and societal expectations

• Cards 8–14: Turning inward to discover our true selves

• Cards 15–21: Developing spiritual awareness and embracing transformation

The sequence of the Fool's Journey

Now, let’s explore each stage of the Fool’s Journey in detail.

The Outer Concerns of Society (Cards 0–7)

This first section of the Major Arcana represents our early life experiences, particularly how social conditioning shapes our understanding of the world.

The journey begins with the Fool (0), and is a symbol of pure potential. Nothing has taken form yet, so all possibilities remain open. The Fool embodies freedom, innocence, and fearlessness, much like our childhood selves who were untouched by societal expectations.

The Fool then encounters duality, first through the Magician (I) and the High Priestess (II)—representing the masculine and feminine aspects of magic. The Magician teaches the power of manifesting in the physical world, while the High Priestess unlocks the mysteries of the subconscious.

Next, he meets the Empress (III) and Emperor (IV), embodying the nurturing qualities of nature and the structured laws of society, respectively. Through them, the Fool learns both warmth and discipline.

With the Hierophant (V), unity begins to emerge. But it is still through a very narrow lens. Here, the Fool is introduced to societal expectations through education, tradition, and collective beliefs. We can see this as our school years, and the Hierophant as the beliefs pushed on us through teachers and our peers. This is followed by The Lovers (VI)—a moment of profound connection where the Fool experiences love for the first time. Think of this as the intensity of teenage romance, where we see ourselves reflected in another and marvel at the similarities.

Finally, the Fool reaches The Chariot (VII), which is an easy place for us to stop growing. The Chariot is a card of willpower and determination, where we often feel like we have control over our lives. Yet much of this control is an illusion, as he is often trying to control what is outside of his control. The Chariot represents success within the external world, but deeper self-discovery still lies ahead.

The Search Inward (Cards 8–14)

At this stage, the Fool begins questioning the status quo. He realises that external achievements do not provide lasting fulfilment, which prompts him to undertake a deeper spiritual search.

He first encounters Strength (VIII), which is the first place where a blending of divine forces occurs. Here, the Fool learns that true power comes not from force, but from balancing strength with compassion. We see this balance of energies through the infinity sign over the woman's head. This is the first step toward inner harmony.

A period of introspection follows with The Hermit (IX), as the Fool withdraws from the external world to climb up the mountain and discover who he truly is. From this vantage point, he sees the Wheel of Fortune (X) turning, which a reminder that life is in constant motion and beyond his control. He must be accepting of what is.

Confronted with this truth, the Fool recognises a need to explore this liminal space of not knowing. He reaches Justice (XI), where he sits in this space, sword of truth raised to the sky and the scales in her other hand, so she can see clearly her next basic action. But true surrender comes with The Hanged Man (XII), who hangs suspended between what was and what is yet to be. Here, the Fool learns patience, trust, and the wisdom of letting go.

Only after surrendering does he meet Death (XIII, which is a card not of physical death, but of profound transformation. Something old must end for something new to emerge. This leads to Temperance (XIV), where the Fool integrates what remains essential and learns to flow with life rather than resist it.

The Development of Spiritual Awareness (Cards 15–21)

The final arc of the Fool’s Journey is the most dramatic for a reason! This line forces him to confront negative deep-seated beliefs, let go of outdated identities, and ultimately, embrace the unknown. And it encourages him to shed these identities without needing to reinforce a sense of duality in the process.

I see the energy of this story arc as an intense card (or two!) and then a reprieve card, all the way up to the World.

The Devil (XV) represents the illusions and limitations the Fool still clings to. These old patterns once served him but now keep him trapped. To move forward, he must break free. This destruction is sudden and unavoidable in The Tower (XVI), which is a moment of upheaval that dismantles everything false so that only the truth remains.

Out of the chaos emerges the beauty of The Star (XVII), offering healing, hope, and a sense of renewal. Here, the Fool reconnects with his deepest values and pours love into both his inner and outer worlds.

However, with The Moon (XVIII), uncertainty resurfaces. The Fool expects to emerge from the pool of The Star with a clear sense of who he is after all this transformation. Instead, he is met with confusion and fear. And that’s because the Moon is about moving beyond certainty and saying “I don’t know who I am”, and continuing to move.

Only then does he reach The Sun (XIX), which is a space of joy, light, and trust in the Universe. The Fool realises that he doesn’t need to have all the answers, because life will support him regardless. And what a joy that is!

The penultimate card, Judgement (XX), is a final awakening. It calls the Fool to release the shackles to all remaining attachments to his past self. Only by letting go completely can he step into The World (XXI), which a state of wholeness, completion, and profound trust in life. Even if that’s different from what we expected.

Yet, the Fool’s Journey never truly ends. What I love about The World card is how it shows us that life doesn't suddenly become sailing because we've found spiritual healing. It's an ongoing cycle of self-discovery. Each moment of integration is followed by another leap into the unknown. We continue evolving, spiraling through new experiences, each time with greater wisdom.

Final Thoughts on the Fool’s Journey in Tarot

And that is the story of the Fool’s Journey and the Major Arcana! I love how this structure brings more depth and meaning to each card, and helps put them in context when they come up in tarot readings. Integrating the Fool's Journey into my own tarot practice has helped demystify a lot of the major themes of the Major Arcana, so I feel more confident when they come up in readings.

I hope this persepctive also helps you with your tarot readings!

Which part of the Fool’s Journey resonates with you the most? Let me know in the comments—I’d love to hear your thoughts!

I also do 1:1 tarot readings in person in Sheffield (UK) and online, and you can book directly here. You can also check out my workshops and other 1:1 course offerings!