The Tower

Imagery: A tower struck by lightning, figures falling as flames erupt from the structure.

General Themes: Necessary destruction, upheaval, sudden change, revelation, liberation.

The Tower Upright

There’s no easy way to put this. The Tower will mess you up! But not necessarily in the way you think. The Tower ushers in shocking, irrevocable change, like Death. Here, it is absolutely necessary and in alignment with cosmic law.

You are literally getting back down to earth and dismantling structures that no longer serve you, just like the figure falling from the tower in the image. You might feel like your world is falling apart, but the Tower only destroys what was already weak to begin with. The lightning bolt is consciousness, shattering illusions, toxic situations, and faulty foundations. Chances are, you’ll see that the thing that was destroyed was never any good to begin with.

The Tower literally breaks down toxic situations and old ways of being so you can move forward in a grounded, liberated way. Sure, it’ll shake you up, big time. But it will also allow you to move forward unencumbered by the structures and ways of being that created such toxicity in the first place. Don’t you want to be free of all that mess?

The Tower Reversed

Lucky you! You’re on the other side of a deep personal transformation. The sky is clearing and you no longer feel so heavy. You’ve done the work and your world is righting itself once again. This will be a soft feeling of contentment on the inside before you see anything manifesting on the outside.

Sometimes the Tower reversed shows up when you’ve averted disaster by trusting your instincts. Perhaps you felt the lightning about to strike and, instead of panicking, found a way to keep yourself safe while everything crumbled around you. In other words, you leaned into the shake-up instead of resisting it, which always makes big life changes easier.

This reversal invites you to embrace the process of rebirth. It will feel smoother and easier if you do.

The Bruja’s Guide to Tarot is the divination sister to the scholarly The Bruja Professor, a witchy take on literature, the occult & pop culture, and Enchantment Learning & Living, an inspirational blog celebrating life’s simple pleasures, everyday mysticism, and delectable recipes that are guaranteed to stir the kitchen witch in you.

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The Devil

Imagery: A horned figure presides over two chained individuals, symbolizing bondage and illusion.

General Themes: The shadow self, attachment, illusion, temptation, restriction.

The Devil Upright

Confession: I love the Devil. Everyone blames him for their sins—that old ‘devil made me do it’ line comes in handy when faced with the consequences of one’s actions—but really, Lucifer Morningstar will always be the light bringer in my readings. Sometimes the truth hurts, and the things the Devil casts a light on aren’t pretty. But he asks us to face them anyway. It’s the only way to work through what we need to.

This card, like Death, can feel scary because it asks you to face your shadow side and examine how you contribute to your present pain. How are you self-sabotaging? What unhealed wounds keep you in chains? Once you honestly answer those questions, you can integrate your shadow. This includes releasing old narratives about yourself. Don’t stay stuck in an old story just because it’s familiar. Look at the figures wrapped in chains. The chains are actually loose—they can leave at any time! So there’s something in your situation that is built on illusion or addiction. Once you break the cycle, you can free yourself from self-imposed bondage.

Sometimes the Devil wants you to loosen up and have some fun. If you’ve been feeling a little too virtuous and chaste, it’s time to reclaim your power by nourishing your wild side.

The Devil Reversed

Congratulations! You’ve freed yourself from your inner demons. You’ve befriended the monster under the bed and integrated your shadow. This puts you in the perfect position to take your power back.

Don’t let self-doubt keep you chained to old ways of being now that you are free. You might feel tempted to return to your old way of life because it’s familiar and comfortable. Don’t! Cast off those chains for good. There’s an incredible sense of agency that comes from confronting your darkness and finding yourself on the other side of the things that used to hold you back. You can face anything once you’ve done that.

See what I mean? The Devil is the light bringer—he’ll help, if you’re willing to go through hell to get to it.

The Bruja’s Guide to Tarot is the divination sister to the scholarly The Bruja Professor, a witchy take on literature, the occult & pop culture, and Enchantment Learning & Living, an inspirational blog celebrating life’s simple pleasures, everyday mysticism, and delectable recipes that are guaranteed to stir the kitchen witch in you.

If you enjoyed what you just read and believe that true magic is in the everyday…and good conversations with the tarot, subscribe to my newsletter below for regular doses of enchantment. Want even more inspiration? Follow me on Instagram and Facebook. Here’s to a magical life!

Temperance

Imagery: An angel pours water between two cups, one foot on land and one in water.

General Themes: Balance, moderation, harmony, integration, flow.

Temperance Upright

While perhaps not the most fun card of the deck, Temperance is an important reminder to cultivate moderation in all things. If you’ve been overdoing it—through hedonism or overwork—this card appears to restore balance.

Interestingly, this card is also about finding contentment in the here and now, with what you have. We can live in a culture that asks us to do more, buy more, and be more. Temperance doesn’t want us to mute our exuberance, but it does want us to know when we’ve done enough, spent enough, or given enough. I think of Temperance as the Goldilocks card. When it appears, you need to find the balance that is just right. Not too much, not too little.

It’s a fine art to cultivate enough-ness and it takes a certain amount of presence to do so. That’s why patience is key here. You might be healing or discovering a new way to be in the world. Keep flowing and integrating your lessons. The Goldilocks effect will kick in soon.

Temperance Reversed

Reversed, Temperance is begging you to reevaluate your life and sweep away stagnation that comes in the form of overindulgence, excess, or too-muchness of any kind. Sometimes the overindulgence is restriction or repression—if you’re too rigid, you prevent anything meaningful from growing in your life.

Restore balance between mind, body, and spirit. It’s worth looking at why you fell so far out of alignment in the first place. What emotions or situations were you avoiding (or coping with)? Temperance reversed asks you to stop self-medicating so you can deal with the heart of the matter.

The Bruja’s Guide to Tarot is the divination sister to the scholarly The Bruja Professor, a witchy take on literature, the occult & pop culture, and Enchantment Learning & Living, an inspirational blog celebrating life’s simple pleasures, everyday mysticism, and delectable recipes that are guaranteed to stir the kitchen witch in you.

If you enjoyed what you just read and believe that true magic is in the everyday…and good conversations with the tarot, subscribe to my newsletter below for regular doses of enchantment. Want even more inspiration? Follow me on Instagram and Facebook. Here’s to a magical life!

Death

Imagery: A skeletal figure rides a horse, often with fallen figures and a rising sun in the background.

General Themes: Endings, transformation, rebirth, release, cycles of life.

Death Upright

This is one of the more feared cards in the deck, but it is actually pretty life-affirming if you look at it. Death celebrates the end of one chapter and the beginning of another. Death can feel scary because it signals a definitive change that is irreversible. But if you think about it, we are always leaving one part of our lives behind and embracing another, always changing and being reborn—if we’re allowing ourselves to grow, that is.

Embrace this change. The more you fight it, the harder it will be. Don’t fear the unknown. This change has been a long time coming, and it’s important to step into that future with grace and dignity. This new chapter is coming either way, and it’s up to you to decide how difficult or smooth this transition will be.

Death advises you to lean into this necessary and inevitable change.

Death Reversed

The reversal of Death indicates a profound psychic shift. While the upright form of this card implies an external change, this card emphasizes a significant change in your way of thinking and being in the world. It might not seem like anything about you has changed on the outside looking in, but these internal shifts are often the most significant in how they shape your life moving forward. Think of this transformation as seeing technicolor for the first time. You can never go back to the black-and-white world you existed in before.

As a result of this shift, you’ll find yourself in a time of deep cleanings or purging. The old way won’t do anymore. Embrace this personal transformation, like you would with Death upright, and mourn the old way of being if you need to. There is always loss when you move on in life. The important thing is that you release the past perspective so that you can continue to honor your new vision.

The Bruja’s Guide to Tarot is the divination sister to the scholarly The Bruja Professor, a witchy take on literature, the occult & pop culture, and Enchantment Learning & Living, an inspirational blog celebrating life’s simple pleasures, everyday mysticism, and delectable recipes that are guaranteed to stir the kitchen witch in you.

If you enjoyed what you just read and believe that true magic is in the everyday…and good conversations with the tarot, subscribe to my newsletter below for regular doses of enchantment. Want even more inspiration? Follow me on Instagram and Facebook. Here’s to a magical life!

The Hanged Man

Imagery: A figure hangs upside down from a tree by one foot, a halo glowing around their head.

General Themes: Surrender, perspective shift, letting go, pause, spiritual insight.

The Hanged Man Upright

The Hanged Man is one of those topsy-turvy cards that wants you to get a new perspective. Upright, it features a figure hanging upside down, which can feel like the card itself is upside down. But the figure doesn’t seem distressed. In fact, he seems relaxed and luminous, thanks to the halo around his head. When this card appears, this is not a time for action.

Surrender to the flow of the universe. Seriously. Let go. Then let go some more. Release expectations and any need for control. Allow this pause to happen and enjoy this liminal moment. The more you fight it, the longer you will be stuck in limbo. You have to stay still to move forward.

The Hanged Man Reversed

Like the Four of Swords or the Hermit, the Hanged Man reversed is like a giant caution sign, begging you to heed the message of the upright card. Give yourself permission to press pause. Surrender to what is and stop fighting this uphill battle. It might feel hard to let go, especially when you are used to controlling an outcome. But this reversal insists that pushing ahead will not only set you back further but also compromise your peace or any sense of growth.

There is something about this situation you’re not seeing clearly. If things are feeling upside down, roll with it and try to look at this situation from a different vantage point. Most importantly, don’t force change. Let it unfold naturally. Some changes—the very best—can only happen with time and patience.

The Bruja’s Guide to Tarot is the divination sister to the scholarly The Bruja Professor, a witchy take on literature, the occult & pop culture, and Enchantment Learning & Living, an inspirational blog celebrating life’s simple pleasures, everyday mysticism, and delectable recipes that are guaranteed to stir the kitchen witch in you.

If you enjoyed what you just read and believe that true magic is in the everyday…and good conversations with the tarot, subscribe to my newsletter below for regular doses of enchantment. Want even more inspiration? Follow me on Instagram and Facebook. Here’s to a magical life!

Justice

Imagery: A seated figure holds scales in one hand and a sword in the other, symbolizing balance and truth.

General Themes: Fairness, truth, accountability, balance, cause and effect.

Justice Upright

This card is powerful. Justice is about cosmic law. The universe has its own rules**,** and if someone violates them, then Justice needs to be served. This card shows up when you’ve violated your own nature—doing something to appease the status quo when it isn’t right for you, for example—and it comes with a cost, as does pushing beyond what is yours to do or have. Justice is about accountability.

Embody your truth. That’s the best way to live from a place of integrity and clarity. Not everyone will understand your choices. What matters is that you made them intentionally and live by them. This is about how things are, not how you wish they were. There’s no glamour to Justice, just choices and their consequences.

Be intentional with your energy to maintain divine balance.

Justice Reversed

Reversed, Justice wants you to realign with cosmic law and restore divine balance. You’ve gotten off track somehow, likely wishing things are better or different than what they actually are. There’s power and healing in seeing things for what they are without sugarcoating it or judging things too harshly. It’s only from this place of honesty that you can find a resolution or reclaim your integrity.

Balance is key here, as are healthy boundaries. You might be feeling vindictive or your sense of Justice is otherwise compromised. Or you might have a disconnect between your actions and values. Taking a step back and looking at things impartially will help you find a better solution.

This card can also show up when you’re being too hard on yourself or not being honest with yourself in some way. Only a real heart-to-heart with yourself can bring you clarity.

The Bruja’s Guide to Tarot is the divination sister to the scholarly The Bruja Professor, a witchy take on literature, the occult & pop culture, and Enchantment Learning & Living, an inspirational blog celebrating life’s simple pleasures, everyday mysticism, and delectable recipes that are guaranteed to stir the kitchen witch in you.

If you enjoyed what you just read and believe that true magic is in the everyday…and good conversations with the tarot, subscribe to my newsletter below for regular doses of enchantment. Want even more inspiration? Follow me on Instagram and Facebook. Here’s to a magical life!

The Wheel of Fortune

Imagery: A great wheel turns with various figures around it, often including symbols of fate and destiny.

General Themes: Cycles, fate, change, destiny, turning points, luck.

The Wheel of Fortune Upright

The Wheel of Fortune is about the inevitable ups and downs of life. We can’t prevent them, but we can learn to embrace the plot twists in a way that helps us live better—more deeply, with richer relationships—without being completely unmoored when life throws us a curveball. This card invites you to flow with the cycles of life rather than trying to control specific outcomes.

Have faith. The universe has your back. That doesn’t mean your life will be problem-free, but it does mean that if things feel difficult right now, you will find yourself in a better phase of life soon. Sometimes the difficult things are actually gifts in disguise. See those symbols of fate and destiny in the card? It might feel like some divine intervention is redirecting you to a better life, even if the lesson is hard in the moment. Embrace optimism here. You might feel uncertain, but you don’t need all the answers to move forward, just an open mind and trust in the universe.

The Wheel of Fortune Reversed

It’s time to break negative patterns! Reversed, the Wheel of Fortune wants you to examine how you might be creating or, at the very least, contributing to the drama and heartache in your life. Does your world feel like one big telenovela? Take a step back and rethink the energy you put out into the world. The only way you can reverse your fortune is by doing things differently, and that starts with a good, hard look at your inner world.

Like its upright form, the reversal invites you to embrace the cyclical nature of life. You might be feeling stuck or out of sync with your life. Doing the inner work to clear stagnation will help with this, but it is also important to let go of expectations. Instead, learn to go with the flow more and listen to what the energy is telling you. Stagnation is a sign that you need to get your energy moving in other areas of your life in order to feel like you’re growing holistically. Likewise, this can be an invitation to relearn some old lessons.

The Bruja’s Guide to Tarot is the divination sister to the scholarly The Bruja Professor, a witchy take on literature, the occult & pop culture, and Enchantment Learning & Living, an inspirational blog celebrating life’s simple pleasures, everyday mysticism, and delectable recipes that are guaranteed to stir the kitchen witch in you.

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The Hermit

Imagery: A solitary figure stands on a mountain holding a lantern, illuminating the path ahead.

General Themes: Introspection, solitude, wisdom, inner guidance, spiritual search.

The Hermit Upright

In many ways, the Hermit is a lot like Strength as it emphasizes inner fortitude over external appearances. This figure wants you to find answers from within rather than looking to the outer world for solutions. Notice how the robed figure holds a lantern to illuminate the road in front of him. This symbolizes our intuition and how it can literally light the way.

Seek nourishment in solitude and enjoy a time of introspection. Now, this card doesn’t ask you to completely self-isolate or become a literal hermit, something I was a touch guilty of doing whenever I got this card in my early tarot studies. I often felt this card was an invitation to go full introvert, as I often pulled it when I was feeling world-weary. And while it can be useful to take some time away from things, the Hermit is more aptly asking us to reconnect with our inner wisdom. We can be out in the world and part of things, even as we stay connected to our deeper self. Once I discovered that, I found that I could be out in the world and enjoy meaningful connection without losing myself.

The Hermit Reversed

Like the Four of Swords, the Hermit is much the same upright and reversed. Only the message of the reversal is like a caution sign, shouting at you to slow down and pull inward. If you’ve been giving a lot out, you might get this card as a sign to pull back and stop giving out so much.

It’s time for some soul-searching and reflection. Reconnect with your inner world so that you don’t lose track of who you are. Sometimes this reversal is asking you to redirect your energy to things that nourish your inherent sense of self and well-being. Union with self leads to healthy relationality in the outer world.

Conversely, you might also pull this card if you’ve been a little too introspective. Don’t get lost in your head. You’re a living, breathing being and deserve to enjoy all that life has to offer. Go out and enjoy yourself!

The Bruja’s Guide to Tarot is the divination sister to the scholarly The Bruja Professor, a witchy take on literature, the occult & pop culture, and Enchantment Learning & Living, an inspirational blog celebrating life’s simple pleasures, everyday mysticism, and delectable recipes that are guaranteed to stir the kitchen witch in you.

If you enjoyed what you just read and believe that true magic is in the everyday…and good conversations with the tarot, subscribe to my newsletter below for regular doses of enchantment. Want even more inspiration? Follow me on Instagram and Facebook. Here’s to a magical life!

Strength

Imagery: A gentle figure calmly tames a lion, often with an infinity symbol above their head.

General Themes: Inner strength, compassion, courage, patience, gentle control.

Strength Upright

This card is like a gentle breeze on a summer night. Calming. Refreshing. Life-affirming. Strength is a card that reminds us that you don’t have to be the biggest, loudest, or most forceful to be strong. A soft touch goes a long way.

If you’re dealing with boundary issues, the message here is that awareness and mindfulness do a better job of resetting boundaries than sheer force. The bigger a deal you make of setting limits, the harder it is to restore equilibrium. Lead by example here and be patient.

Outer strength comes from inner fortitude. Sometimes, courage looks like showing up every day and doing what you need to do. It’s not in fighting big battles or making grand stands. It’s in being present and creating spaces that nourish and inspire.

Lastly, Strength asks you to be gentle with yourself as you navigate difficult situations.

Strength Reversed

Reversed, this card reminds you that, while you might not feel like it in the moment, you do have what it takes to make it through whatever situation you’re dealing with. Tap into your inner strength.

Explore moments when self-doubt creeps in…what wisdom can you find in them? It takes a certain amount of courage to look at your shadow side and the parts of yourself you wish weren’t there. But that’s the only way you can move forward: take heart and look at those things and integrate them. They will help you as you navigate the road ahead.

Lastly, you might be feeling like you need to act tough or be hard on yourself to get results. Remember, gentleness is a form of strength.

The Bruja’s Guide to Tarot is the divination sister to the scholarly The Bruja Professor, a witchy take on literature, the occult & pop culture, and Enchantment Learning & Living, an inspirational blog celebrating life’s simple pleasures, everyday mysticism, and delectable recipes that are guaranteed to stir the kitchen witch in you.

If you enjoyed what you just read and believe that true magic is in the everyday…and good conversations with the tarot, subscribe to my newsletter below for regular doses of enchantment. Want even more inspiration? Follow me on Instagram and Facebook. Here’s to a magical life!

The Chariot

Imagery: A figure rides a chariot pulled by two contrasting sphinxes or horses, representing opposing forces.

General Themes: Determination, willpower, control, forward movement, victory through focus.

The Chariot Upright

This card has a lot of power behind it. The Chariot upright invites you to stand tall and embrace your path. It is a card of fierce determination and sheer willpower. Now is your time to push forward in whatever it is you are trying to achieve….but not in the way you think.

Typically, we think of forward movement as something that requires tremendous effort. But the tarot is always poetic, so in this case, this card is asking you to focus on your path and find strength in flow and forward motion. You don’t become victorious through sheer force, but in consolidating your energy and knowing your path.

Take heart. You can do this.

The Chariot Reversed

Reversed, the message of this card is to chill out! Release your need for control. This isn’t a situation that you can micromanage your way out of. In fact, the tighter you hold the reins, the bigger the mess you’ll make.

Instead, let go. Literally. Let go of the reins and see how things play out. Be receptive to new possibilities. Your vision is so narrow you can’t quite imagine another way through this at the moment, so get expansive. Step back and look around you. Take a deep breath. Then take action when a better solution presents itself.

Once you’ve loosened up enough, get moving. Don’t fret about the outcome, just go!

The Bruja’s Guide to Tarot is the divination sister to the scholarly The Bruja Professor, a witchy take on literature, the occult & pop culture, and Enchantment Learning & Living, an inspirational blog celebrating life’s simple pleasures, everyday mysticism, and delectable recipes that are guaranteed to stir the kitchen witch in you.

If you enjoyed what you just read and believe that true magic is in the everyday…and good conversations with the tarot, subscribe to my newsletter below for regular doses of enchantment. Want even more inspiration? Follow me on Instagram and Facebook. Here’s to a magical life!

The Lovers

Imagery: A couple stands beneath an angel, often with a tree of knowledge and a tree of life,symbolizing union and choice.

General Themes: Love, union, choice, alignment of values, relationships, harmony.

The Lovers Upright

If the Tower is one of the most feared cards in the deck (although it is truly less frightening than people think), the Lovers is probably one of the most beloved—and for good reason. It conjures rose-colored glasses, softer feelings, and all the delicious things life can offer. It wants you to celebrate divine unity between yourself and the Universe—and sometimes with another, if romance is on the table.

We typically think of this card in terms of romantic love and, like the Two of Cups, it can be a promising card to draw in a reading about your love life. But the Lovers is also more deeply about falling in love with your life. Your passion and integrity will lead the way to meaningful connections, both romantic and platonic.

All loving relationships start with wholeness of self, so make sure you’re practicing self-care and working through what you need to. That work is a solid foundation for future healthy relationships.

The Lovers Reversed

This card often appears when you are feeling unloved or disconnected from the world around you. Self-doubt is the likely culprit. You might also be feeling under-appreciated or like your personal life needs attention. Nourish yourself and cultivate self-love. From there, the world will open up to you and unnecessary distractions will fade.

This is a time to restore balance in all parts of your life. If one area feels under-nourished, tend it more and pull back from parts of your life you’ve been giving a lot (maybe too much?) of your energy to. The Lovers is about divine unity and balance, so work towards finding that harmony again. This requires you to let down your guard and enjoy the sweeter things in life without apology.

Seriously, appreciate your magic! 

The Bruja’s Guide to Tarot is the divination sister to the scholarly The Bruja Professor, a witchy take on literature, the occult & pop culture, and Enchantment Learning & Living, an inspirational blog celebrating life’s simple pleasures, everyday mysticism, and delectable recipes that are guaranteed to stir the kitchen witch in you.

If you enjoyed what you just read and believe that true magic is in the everyday…and good conversations with the tarot, subscribe to my newsletter below for regular doses of enchantment. Want even more inspiration? Follow me on Instagram and Facebook. Here’s to a magical life!

The Hierophant

Imagery: A spiritual leader sits between pillars, offering blessings to two followers.

General Themes: Tradition, spiritual guidance, institutions, belief systems, learning from established wisdom.

The Hierophant Upright 

I’ll admit, this is a tough card for me. If the Queen of Wands is an infinity card, or one that speaks deeply to me, the Hierophant is her opposite, as the card I have the least in common with and the one I have only ever drawn a handful of times in all the years I’ve been studying tarot. I think it’s because he represents a more traditional religious figure, and I can’t really do religion without bursting into flames (see also: that witch life). Still, this card has taught me just as much as the Queen of Wands, in its own way.

The Hierophant has made me redefine what is sacred to me, and that’s exactly what it is inviting you to do, too. Reclaim your natural divinity. You don’t need an external belief system or structure to know that you are sacred. Spiritual wisdom is found within.

The Hierophant Reversed

Much like its upright form, the Hierophant reversed invites you to remember that you are sacred. It can come when you are feeling less-than or are experiencing pressure from external forces to make your spirit small or otherwise shrink your soul to make others comfortable.

Reclaim your spiritual autonomy. You don’t need to shrink yourself in order to be part of things. In fact, the natural world, the universe both want you to be bold and vibrant and expansive—and if you are true to your inherent vitality, you will eventually meet like-minded souls.

So rebel against the status quo. There’s nothing for you there.

The Bruja’s Guide to Tarot is the divination sister to the scholarly The Bruja Professor, a witchy take on literature, the occult & pop culture, and Enchantment Learning & Living, an inspirational blog celebrating life’s simple pleasures, everyday mysticism, and delectable recipes that are guaranteed to stir the kitchen witch in you.

If you enjoyed what you just read and believe that true magic is in the everyday…and good conversations with the tarot, subscribe to my newsletter below for regular doses of enchantment. Want even more inspiration? Follow me on Instagram and Facebook. Here’s to a magical life!

The Emperor

Imagery: A stern ruler sits on a throne adorned with ram heads, symbolizing authority and structure.

General Themes: Authority, structure, leadership, stability, discipline.

The Emperor Upright

The Emperor invokes healthy masculinity. He asks you to step into your leadership role and assert yourself in the world. Again, we all have feminine and masculine aspects to ourselves, and this card wants you to lean into your external-facing masculine side, regardless of your gender.

This card knows how to create calm out of chaos through logical and methodical action. This isn’t a time to get carried away with your emotions. Let your knowledge and experience guide you.

The Emperor Reversed

Like the Empress reversed, this card reminds you not to over-give or take on unnecessary responsibility. Resist the urge to parent needy people. Release any guilt about turning away from unhealthy demands. You are the sovereign of your own well-being.

Conversely, you might be getting rigid or overly controlling to assert yourself. Take a step back. Let go. True leadership comes from alignment and stability, not power grabs. It’s worth taking a look at what might be making you insecure so you can find a healthy way to work through it.

The Bruja’s Guide to Tarot is the divination sister to the scholarly The Bruja Professor, a witchy take on literature, the occult & pop culture, and Enchantment Learning & Living, an inspirational blog celebrating life’s simple pleasures, everyday mysticism, and delectable recipes that are guaranteed to stir the kitchen witch in you.

If you enjoyed what you just read and believe that true magic is in the everyday…and good conversations with the tarot, subscribe to my newsletter below for regular doses of enchantment. Want even more inspiration? Follow me on Instagram and Facebook. Here’s to a magical life!

The Empress

Imagery: A nurturing figure sits in a lush landscape surrounded by nature, often crowned with stars.

General Themes: Fertility, abundance, creativity, nurturing, connection to nature.

The Empress Upright

The Empress is another sacred feminine figure, this time focused more on grounded abundance. She is often considered a Mother Earth or Green Woman archetype as she embodies Mother Nature in all her fertility, creativity, and nurturing energy.

She wants you to appreciate the abundance you’ve worked hard for and not take it for granted. Likewise, this is a time to nourish meaningful relationships—including your relationship to self—and flow with nature. This card is deeply nourishing and focuses on connection. The more you feed your soul and tend to those you love, the richer your life becomes.

The Empress Reversed

This Mother Earth card, when reversed, says you’re in serious need of some mothering yourself! You’ve likely been giving out a lot, and sometimes that’s necessary. But don’t give out so much that you’re at a deficit, and certainly don’t give away your energy to those who don’t fall under your care or otherwise enhance your proverbial ecosystem.

It’s okay to withdraw and reconnect with yourself. Refill your cup without guilt. This will restore balance and ultimately be good not just for you but for those around you. Remember, you have to nurture yourself before giving to others, or you will fall into unhealthy dynamics.

The Bruja’s Guide to Tarot is the divination sister to the scholarly The Bruja Professor, a witchy take on literature, the occult & pop culture, and Enchantment Learning & Living, an inspirational blog celebrating life’s simple pleasures, everyday mysticism, and delectable recipes that are guaranteed to stir the kitchen witch in you.

If you enjoyed what you just read and believe that true magic is in the everyday…and good conversations with the tarot, subscribe to my newsletter below for regular doses of enchantment. Want even more inspiration? Follow me on Instagram and Facebook. Here’s to a magical life!

The High Priestess

Imagery: A serene figure sits between two pillars, holding a scroll, with a veil of pomegranates behind her.

General Themes: Intuition, mystery, inner knowing, subconscious, sacred wisdom.

The High Priestess Upright

The High Priestess is the epitome of the sacred feminine. Regardless of your gender, this figure calls upon you to reconnect with your inner feminine wisdom (as we all have masculine and feminine aspects to ourselves). Be still and turn inward. Whatever you’re dealing with is not something that has an external solution.

This is a time for intuition, not logic. Feel, don’t think. When the High Priestess appears, she’s telling you that you already know the answer to your question. You just need to trust your intuition.

The High Priestess Reversed

Reversed, the High Priestess is a warning. You’re disconnected from your inner voice and intuition. Perhaps self-doubt is causing you to override your instincts or you’re looking for external validation. You might even be prone to overthinking or emotional numbness.

The High Priestess reversed gently calls you back to yourself. Return to your calm center. Reconnect with your sacred feminine and trust your intuition. Look at the big picture and tune out the noise that keeps you from yourself.

The Bruja’s Guide to Tarot is the divination sister to the scholarly The Bruja Professor, a witchy take on literature, the occult & pop culture, and Enchantment Learning & Living, an inspirational blog celebrating life’s simple pleasures, everyday mysticism, and delectable recipes that are guaranteed to stir the kitchen witch in you.

If you enjoyed what you just read and believe that true magic is in the everyday…and good conversations with the tarot, subscribe to my newsletter below for regular doses of enchantment. Want even more inspiration? Follow me on Instagram and Facebook. Here’s to a magical life!

The Magician

Imagery: A figure stands before a table with the four suit symbols, one hand raised to the sky and one pointing to the earth.

General Themes: Manifestation, willpower, creation, resourcefulness, alignment of intention and action.

The Magician Upright

The Magician is one of the most magnetic and charismatic figures in the tarot. Why? Because he has mastered the deepest metaphysical truth: as within, so without, as above, so below. He has studied, he has listened, he has lived, and now his will is aligned with intention and energy to strike when the moment is hot. See how he raises one hand to the sky and one to the earth (as above, so below). This is a person who is one with himself and the universe.

This card asks you to clarify your goals and devote yourself to studying your inner and outer world. Once you have the knowledge, you will be ready to act when the moment is right. Magic happens when your mind, body, and soul are aligned and you flow with the currents of life, not fight them.

When the Magician appears, the message is clear: You are the spell.

The Magician Reversed

Reversed, this card asks you not to look for big spells or grand epiphanies. Instead, it’s time to live your magic. We conjure good things when we lean into ordinary life while maintaining an awareness of the greater energies at play in our lives.

Cultivate a healthy appreciation of self and your abilities. Trust that you have the power to get things done, often in unexpected ways. The Magician is powerful not because he constantly expends energy, but because he trusts his inner wisdom and life experience to strike when an opportunity presents itself.

Lastly, the Magician reversed offers a little caution: Your thoughts are spells, so cast them wisely.

The Bruja’s Guide to Tarot is the divination sister to the scholarly The Bruja Professor, a witchy take on literature, the occult & pop culture, and Enchantment Learning & Living, an inspirational blog celebrating life’s simple pleasures, everyday mysticism, and delectable recipes that are guaranteed to stir the kitchen witch in you.

If you enjoyed what you just read and believe that true magic is in the everyday…and good conversations with the tarot, subscribe to my newsletter below for regular doses of enchantment. Want even more inspiration? Follow me on Instagram and Facebook. Here’s to a magical life!

The Fool

Imagery: A carefree figure steps toward a cliff with a small bundle, accompanied by a white dog under a bright sky.

General Themes: New beginnings, spontaneity, innocence, trust in the journey, leap of faith.

The Fool Upright

Ahhhh…this is an exuberant card! The Fool, as the zero card in the Major Arcana, welcomes a fresh start, a new adventure, and the open, carefree perspective of youth. Embrace the unknown. Don’t think, overplan, or otherwise try to control the outcome. Just get moving! It’s time to trust the journey and take a leap of faith.

This card can also invite you to rediscover what brings you joy. Take pleasure in the little things and delight in the unexpected. Seek out new experiences and allow yourself to explore parts of yourself that haven’t gotten a lot of attention.

Welcome playfulness into your daily life. Be spontaneous and throw away that schedule. See what adventures wait when you walk out your door. The Fool might not have a lot of experience or knowledge, but he makes up for it with enthusiasm and openness.

The Fool Reversed

Loosen up! Get playful and get curious. Remember what it looks like to see the world as a child. What fills you with awe? What moments of ordinary wonder can you find? When was the last time you danced in the rain or had a long conversation with the moon? How often do you stop and smell the roses or try something new? If the answer to most of these questions is never or not for a long time…well, you’ve got some catching up to do.

Let go of the fear of failure. Make mistakes. Be curious. Have fun. Perfection is overrated. The Fool Reversed wants you to enjoy the possibilities of being an amateur. There is a special magic in not knowing what you’re doing—and doing it anyway. It is an act of pure faith that generates a lot of good energy and new opportunities.

The Bruja’s Guide to Tarot is the divination sister to the scholarly The Bruja Professor, a witchy take on literature, the occult & pop culture, and Enchantment Learning & Living, an inspirational blog celebrating life’s simple pleasures, everyday mysticism, and delectable recipes that are guaranteed to stir the kitchen witch in you.

If you enjoyed what you just read and believe that true magic is in the everyday…and good conversations with the tarot, subscribe to my newsletter below for regular doses of enchantment. Want even more inspiration? Follow me on Instagram and Facebook. Here’s to a magical life!

The Major Arcana

The traditional tarot deck is made up of 78 cards, which are broken into the Major Arcana (22 cards) and the Minor Arcana (56 cards). The Major Arcana is typically what people think of when they think of the tarot. They’re the big picture cards, the ones like Death or The Devil that get drawn at the start of a scary movie. It makes a certain amount of sense that these cards are used in stories this way, given that the focus is on the big archetypal energies at play in our lives, though I will say Death and The Devil are hardly the terrifying cards pop culture makes them out to be. (The award for the scariest card in Major Arcana goes to The Tower, by the way. But that, too, has its gift: burning anything that doesn’t serve us to the ground.

The Major Arcana likewise represents the Fool’s Journey, which I often consider a contrast to Joseph Campbell’s hero’s journey. The traditional hero’s journey tends to be more masculine-focused and rather too linear, with its emphasis on leaving home and later returning to it (I’m essentializing a lot here). What I love about the Fool’s Journey, in comparison, is that it honors the fact that we are always both at the end of one journey and starting another. Life is a series of beginnings and endings, not a linear thing. 

Like writers, we are always wrapping up one story and always starting a new one, always searching for new horizons and always returning home. The Fool’s Journey likewise emphasizes the metaphysical journeys we all go on—we might not leave our literal homes, but we can journey into the unconscious, the creative realm, and the dreamworld and be transformed.

The Cards in the Major Arcana

Each card in the Major Arcana represents an archetypal figure that helps The Fool learn something about himself or the universe as he continues his journey. It’s significant that this set starts at zero, with The Fool, and ends with 21, The World, signifying that the ultimate journey for The Fool is to be at home in The World.  

The Fool is zero, or starting with nothing. He represents a blank slate, childlike in his innocence. Each figure he meets along his journey is essential to his transformation into a man of the world. Below are the cards that make up the Major Arcana and the archetypal energy they represent (links to each card coming soon).

Card Archetypal Energy

0. The Fool Beginnings

1. The Magician Manifestation

2. The High Priestess Intuition

3. The Empress Abundance

4. The Emperor Security

5. The Hierophant The Sacred

6. The Lovers Union

7. The Chariot Determination

8. Strength Confidence

9. The Hermit Interiority

10. The Wheel of Fortune Luck

11. Justice Accountability

12. The Hanged Man Surrender

13. Death Endings

14. Temperance Balance

15. The Devil The Shadow Self

16. The Tower Necessary Destruction

17. The Star Nourishment

18. The Moon Lunacy

19. The Sun Happiness

20. Judgment Awakening

21. The World Wholeness

Themes of the Major Arcana

The Major Arcana also focuses on the larger story arcs in our lives, the archetypal and ancestral forces, the big-picture events, and the things we are fated to live out. We have free will, sure, but lately, I’ve begun to explore the idea that some things in our lives are fated. These ideas on fate have come to me specifically because of my work with the tarot and how it has helped me better understand things in my life that seem more fixed or, in some cases, destined to be. 

Think of fate as the stories written in our DNA, the stories written in our natal charts, if you are astrologically inclined, or things that get passed down to us blood memory, ancestry, and our own personal mythology. Often, we think of fate in negative ways—the terrible things that were doomed to happen—as a way to make sense of difficult situations. But I think there’s another side to fate. It’s our story, and the tarot can help us understand our individual path and love and appreciate it. 

So when Major Arcana cards appear in our readings, they give us a big-picture perspective of our lives, helping us better understand who we are, what our stories are, and how to lean into our fate. They represent our unique Fool’s Journey, inviting us to journey deeper into self and flow with the universe.

The Bruja’s Guide to Tarot is the divination sister to the scholarly The Bruja Professor, a witchy take on literature, the occult & pop culture, and Enchantment Learning & Living, an inspirational blog celebrating life’s simple pleasures, everyday mysticism, and delectable recipes that are guaranteed to stir the kitchen witch in you.

If you enjoyed what you just read and believe that true magic is in the everyday…and good conversations with the tarot, subscribe to my newsletter below for regular doses of enchantment. Want even more inspiration? Follow me on Instagram and Facebook. Here’s to a magical life!