Each Tarot deck is divided into two main parts. The Major Arcana (Arcana is Latin for secret) is composed of 22 cards that represent symbolic missives, elements in the physical universe, and the experiences we encounter on our spiritual journeys.

The Major Arcana includes all the cards commonly associated with the Tarot, each numbered with a Roman numeral. These are some general descriptions of each card's meaning:

0. The Fool - Choices, new paths, naiveté

I. The Magician - Creativity, personal power, deception, technology

II. The High Priestess - Subconscious influences, spirituality, intuition

III. The Empress - Material wealth, fertility, motherhood

IV. The Emperor - Leadership, fatherhood

V. The Heirophant - Conventional rulership
VI. The Lovers - Relationships, choices in romantic matters
VII. The Chariot - Mind over emotions, travel, new directions
VII. Strength - Love over hate, boldness, character
IX. The Hermit - Wisdom, soul searching, reclusiveness
X. The Wheel - The see-saw of Life, good and bad fortune
XI. Justice - Equanimity, legal issues
XII. The Hanged Man - Surrendering to higher powers, interruptions
XIII. Death - Change, transformation, regeneration
XIV. Temperance - Compliance, organization, patience, balance
XV. The Devil - Temptation, material enslavement, obligation
XVI. The Tower - Eradication of selfishness, complete disintegration and/or rebirth
XVII. The Star - Health, faith, encouragement
XVIII. The Moon - Betrayal, unanticipated dangers, spiritual issues, the mysterious, occultism
XIX. The Sun - Achievement, freedom, union, giving birth to children or new ideas
XX. Judgment - Spiritual enlightenment, decisions, truth
XXI. The World - Success in all pursuits

The Minor Arcana contains 56 cards - four "suits" just like regular playing cards. These suits are labeled differently in many decks, but are usually Wands (fire, passion, creativity), Swords (air, intellect, communication, Cups (water, emotion, relationships, intuition) and Pentacles (earth, money, the physical realm). Each suit has 14 cards numbered Ace through ten, and includes Court Cards - the Page, Knight, Queen and King. There are a few different ways to interpret the Minor cards if they come up in a reading. One way is to view them as representing stages in personal development in light of the element and expression of the card.

The hierarchy of the card also has significance:

Ace - Beginnings, the arrival of new and different things
Two - Choices, decisions
Three - Organization, preparation
Four - Security, support
Five - Challenges, flexibility
Six - Understanding habits and cycles
Seven - Individuality, self-discovery
Eight - Collecting ideas, accomplishment, development
Nine - Growth, maturation
Ten - Satisfaction, ultimate expression
Page - Taking chances, risky
Knight - Direction, force
Queen - Wise, qualified, clever
King - Endings, ability and readiness to move ahead