Tarot Archetypes: Unlock the Symbols of the Soul
If you are even slightly into the context of Tarot’s position in the modern world – not only as an instrument for divination but also for self-regulation and reflection – you’ll realize that the cards are having a major moment now. Today, they are a serious symbolic tool that speaks a specific language. They are increasingly understood by industry enthusiasts, experienced readers, and people who think outside the box.
What we see on the cards are not just nice pictures. Each element reflects a psychological blueprint and a significant part of the human experience. Whether you’re a beginner just starting to learn about tarot or have been reading cards for years, understanding the archetypes behind the cards can open an entirely new dimension of interpretation. Let’s see what these archetypes can tell us.
What Are Tarot Archetypes?
The term “archetype” comes from ancient Greek and means “pattern.” The idea behind the word is that it shows us a central motive that lives deep within every personality. Archetypes are subjects to change in different contexts and life scenarios. Moreover, there are several archetypes in each person.
According to the well-known psychologist Carl Jung, archetypes live in the collective unconscious – a shared space collecting symbols and patterns through generations. This explains why humans across cultures tell similar stories about heroes, sages, fathers, lovers, and other recurring roles. Ultimately, it’s about our inner landscape. The 78 Tarot cards are an embodiment of these archetypes.
Major Arcana: The Big Archetypes
The 22 cards of the Major Arcana are where archetypal patterns shine the brightest. These cards serve as a spiritual roadmap. Even more, they represent a journey—one that repeats throughout different phases of our lives. Here are some key archetypes from the Major Arcana. In readings, psychology, and everyday life, these symbols and characters appear in different forms:
- 0 — The Fool: The Innocent. The Fool doesn’t mean “foolish.” This archetype is brave in a unique way. He’s ready to leap into the unknown and start fresh. The number zero symbolizes the beginning of every journey – when you start something new without knowing how it will end. The Fool represents the wanderer, the romantic. He understands the consequences of not having it all figured out. And he’s ready to experience this journey with an open heart and grace. The shadow side of this archetype includes recklessness and naivety.
- 1 — The Magician: The Manifestor. This archetype represents potential and power. The Magician unites all four suits of the Minor Arcana: Wands, Pentacles, Cups, and Swords. He symbolizes the bridge between the higher and inner worlds. In the modern world, the Magician can be the visionary or entrepreneur whose creativity allows him to solve any problem. His shadow side includes illusions, manipulation, and egoism.
- 2 — The High Priestess: Intuition. The High Priestess invites you to access deep feminine wisdom. This archetype is about the bond between the conscious and unconscious mind. She stands between the logical and mystical aspects of being. She represents cycles, dreams, and mysteries that can’t be explained but can be understood. This archetype is the healer, the keeper of secrets. She appears when someone needs to go inward and trust their inner voice. The shadow side includes emotional unavailability and withholding.
- 13 — Death: Transformation. Many fear the Death card, but it doesn’t represent literal death. It’s one of the most powerful—and hopeful—archetypes. It represents logical and inevitable endings that lead to new starts. When something no longer serves you, Death helps you forget it and begin again. This archetype embodies transformation. It’s fatal and necessary. It’s about releasing fear and letting go.
- 21 — The World: Integration. The last, twenty-first, card in the Major Arcana symbolizes wholeness. This is the archetype of unity. Remember the Fool, who started with nothing and no expectations? The World reminds us that by accepting all our experiences and the many sides of ourselves, we become truly free.
Minor Arcana: Everyday Archetypes
The remaining 56 cards of the tarot give insight into practical, day-to-day life. Compared to the Major Arcana (which represent big events and deep transformation), the Minor Arcana shows how archetypes play out in relationships, work, emotions, and thoughts.
Each suit has a symbolic meaning:
- Cups: Water, emotions, love, intuition;
- Swords: Air, conflict, clarity, thoughts;
- Wands: Fire, creativity, passion, action;
- Pentacles: Earth, body, security, material world.
There are also the Court Cards, which represent specific archetypes in action. Here’s a breakdown:
- The Page: The Student. The Page in each suit represents the desire to learn and curiosity. This archetype embodies the beginner—the one eager to absorb new knowledge. Pages carry new perspectives and energy. But in a bit of different kind than a Fool archetype. They remind us it’s okay to be new at something and that lifelong learning is natural.
- The Knight: The Seeker. Knights are constantly moving and achieving goals. Depending on the suit, their mission changes – it could be spiritual (Wands) or practical (Pentacles). Knights can also be impulsive or limited by their ideas.
- The Queen: The Nurturer. Queens embody feminine energy of a wisdom ruler that influences others using her intuition. Queens reflect abundance, strength, emotional intelligence. Their core qualities are care and deep self-reassurance.
- The King: The Leader. Kings are an embodiment of wisdom and deep life experience. Kings on each suit express leadership in the style of their suit – for example, the King of Cups leads with compassion, the King of Swords with strategy. The shadow side of Kings includes despotism.
Why do Archetypes Matter in Tarot Readings?
When a reader considers archetypes during a tarot reading, the practice becomes more than fortune-telling – it transforms into a meaningful dialogue with the soul. Archetypes reflect who you are at a given moment, and who you are becoming.
Using archetypes as a compass allows tarot to serve as a tool for deep self-exploration. Consider the difference between these two questions: “Will I get the job?” and ”What part of me is asking to rise?” The latter brings transformation and growth.
Practicing Tarot with Archetypes in Mind
During learning more and more about tarot archetypes you start to notice that different ones may arise inside you at different moments. Try to analyze what energy you are holding and see what archetypes guide you. Maybe you feel in a Fool season – starting from zero and opening a new chapter? Or probably experience the era of a High Priestess and feel calm and intuitive? Get ready to discover that you might express the vibes of different archetypes depending on the situation, being a Queen with your family and a King at the office.
If you want to understand how tarot archetypes reflect your inner life, try a simple daily practice. Each day, pull a card – not as a prediction, but as a reflection. Ask:
“Which archetype wants to guide me today?”
Then, journal about your thoughts, draw a sketch or reflect quietly. Notice how this insight speaks to you. Over time, you’ll develop a clearer picture of which archetypes are most alive in you right now.
Afterall
When you view yourself through the lens of Tarot archetypes, you’ll realize they mirror your condition and character. Tarot doesn’t give you direct answers—it gives you yourself. With archetypes in mind, you begin to see the many forms and expressions of you. You’re not one fixed thing—you are everything you’ve ever been, and everything you are becoming. You’re the universe.
