Decoding the Divine Feminine: Female Archetypes in the Major Arcana
The Rider-Waite-Smith Tarot, a deck created by Arthur Edward Waite and masterfully illustrated by Pamela Colman Smith, is widely recognized for its rich symbolism and deep insights into the human psyche.
This deck is divided into two main sections: the Major and Minor Arcana.
The Major Arcana consists of 22 cards that represent significant life themes, spiritual lessons, and archetypal energies that play a pivotal role in understanding the soul’s journey through the world of form. These cards are numbered from 0 to 21, starting with The Fool and ending with The World. The Major Arcana tells a story of personal and spiritual development, often referred to as the "Fool's Journey." These cards capture the essence of human experience, from the innocence and potential of The Fool to the completeness and unity of The World.
The Minor Arcana is made up of 56 cards divided into four suits: Wands, Cups, Swords, and Pentacles. The Minor Arcana can be viewed as a reflection of the daily trials and tribulations we face, addressing the more practical and mundane aspects of our existence.
In this article, we'll explore the archetypal qualities and key symbols of the most influential female figures within the Major Arcana of the deck.
THE HIGH PRIESTESS
The High Priestess represents intuition, mystery, and the subconscious mind.
Seated between the esoteric pillars of Boaz (the black pillar, which signifies severity, form, and limitation) and Jachin (the white pillar, which represents mercy, force, and expansion), she serves as a spiritual guide and guardian of esoteric knowledge.
Her presence encourages us to trust our intuition, explore our inner world, and embrace the unknown.
ASTROLOGICAL CORRESPONDENCE: MOON
The Moon symbolizes intuition, emotions, and the unconscious, reflecting the cyclical nature of life and our connection to the inner world.
SEPHIROT: DA’AT
Da’at represents knowledge and the unification of wisdom (Chokhmah) and understanding (Binah) on the Kabbalistic Tree of Life, acting as a prism of divine insight.
ELEMENT: WATER
Water symbolizes emotions, intuition, and the flow of energy, embodying the dreamy and transformative qualities of this element.
HEBREW LETTER: GIMMEL
Gimmel, the third letter of the Hebrew alphabet, represents giving and receiving and is associated with the flow of divine beneficence and the nurturing qualities of the mother.
THE EMPRESS
The embodiment of nurturing, abundance, and creation, The Empress symbolizes Mother Earth and the life-giving forces of nature. She urges us to connect with our creative power, cultivate self-love, and appreciate the beauty that surrounds us. The Empress reminds us to care for ourselves and others, fostering growth and harmony in our lives.
ASTROLOGICAL CORRESPONDENCE: VENUS
Venus symbolizes love, beauty, and harmony. It reflects the spiritual connection we find in relationships, the arts, and pleasure.
SEPHIROT: BINAH
Binah represents understanding and receptivity on the Kabbalistic Tree of Life, embodying the nurturing aspect of the divine feminine and the ability to shape and form ideas.
ELEMENT: EARTH
Earth symbolizes stability, practicality, and groundedness, embodying the material and tangible aspects of life that provide a solid foundation for growth and development.
HEBREW LETTER: DALETH
Daleth, the fourth letter of the Hebrew alphabet, represents a door or entrance, symbolizing the transition from potential to actuality and the opening of possibilities.
STRENGTH
Strength is the epitome of courage, inner power, and compassion. Depicted as a woman gently taming a lion, this card highlights the importance of channeling our energy and passions constructively. Strength encourages us to face our fears, persevere through challenges, and exercise patience and understanding when dealing with difficult situations.
ASTROLOGICAL CORRESPONDENCE: LEO
Leo symbolizes confidence, creativity, and self-expression, reflecting the fiery energy and passion of this zodiac sign that desires to be seen and appreciated.
SEPHIROT: CHESED
Chesed represents mercy, kindness, and expansion on the Kabbalistic Tree of Life, embodying the generous and loving nature of the divine.
ELEMENT: FIRE
Fire symbolizes transformation, energy, and passion, embodying the dynamic and vital force that propels action and change.
HEBREW LETTER: TET
Tet, the ninth letter of the Hebrew alphabet, represents goodness and the potential for positive outcomes, symbolizing the concealed good that can be revealed through right action.
THE STAR
As a symbol of hope, inspiration, and spiritual guidance, The Star represents the cosmic connection between the individual and the universe. The figure of a woman pouring water into a stream signifies the flow of inspiration and the power of renewal. The Star urges us to remain optimistic, trust in our spiritual path, and embrace the potential for transformation.
ASTROLOGICAL CORRESPONDENCE: AQUARIUS
Aquarius symbolizes innovation, individuality, and humanitarianism, reflecting the progressive and forward-thinking energy of this air sign.
SEPHIROT: NETZACH
Netzach represents victory, eternity, and the endurance to overcome obstacles on the Kabbalistic Tree of Life, embodying the persistence and creativity necessary to manifest our desires.
ELEMENT: AIR
Air symbolizes intellect, communication, and the exchange of ideas, embodying the intangible yet vital forces that connect us all.
HEBREW LETTER: TZADIK
Tzadik, the 18th letter of the Hebrew alphabet, is associated with righteousness and integrity, symbolizing the pursuit of justice and moral righteousness in our actions and interactions.
JUSTICE
As a symbol of balance, fairness, and moral clarity, The Justice card represents the need for equilibrium in our lives and the importance of taking responsibility for our actions.
The figure of a woman holding a sword in one hand and scales in the other signifies the impartiality and discernment required to make fair decisions.
Justice urges us to be objective, uphold our principles, and strive for harmony in our inner and outer worlds. It’s a reminder that our actions have consequences and that we must be accountable for them in order to create a just and balanced life.
ASTROLOGICAL CORRESPONDENCE: LIBRA
Libra symbolizes balance, harmony, and justice, reflecting the diplomatic and fair-minded energy of this air sign.
SEPHIROT: TIFERET
Tiferet stands as a symbol of beauty, balance, and compassion within the Kabbalistic Tree of Life, capturing the essence of divine harmony and integration. Unique among the spheres, Tiferet is distinguished by its connectivity, holding a place of unity as it links with every other sphere on the Tree, thereby serving as a central hub that brings together all aspects of the divine.
ELEMENT: AIR
Air symbolizes intellect, communication, and the exchange of ideas, embodying the light and intangible qualities that facilitate connection and understanding.
HEBREW LETTER: LAMED
Lamed, the twelfth letter of the Hebrew alphabet, represents learning and teaching, symbolizing the pursuit of knowledge and the responsibility to share wisdom with others.
THE WORLD
As a symbol of completion, unity, and celebration, The World represents the culmination of the Fool's Journey and the harmony of the self with the cosmos. The World card is a dancing woman encircled by a wreath, symbolizing the enlightened soul that has achieved wholeness and balance.
The four creatures in the corners of the card—a man (Aquarius), eagle (Scorpio), lion (Leo), and bull (Taurus)—are associated with the fixed signs of the zodiac in astrology, further emphasizing the theme of unity and wholeness.
The World urges us to embrace the totality of our experiences, recognizing the interconnected nature of existence and celebrating the culmination of our personal growth and spiritual evolution.
ASTROLOGICAL CORRESPONDENCE: SATURN
Saturn is associated with structure, discipline, and responsibility. This planet represents the limitations and challenges that help shape and define our existence, urging us to take responsibility for our actions and learn from our experiences.
SEPHIROT: MALKUTH
Malkuth, the tenth sephira on the Kabbalistic Tree of Life, represents the physical world and our earthly experiences. It is the manifestation of the divine in the material realm, symbolizing the culmination of the spiritual journey and the grounding of spiritual energy in our everyday lives.
ELEMENT: EARTH
The Earth element symbolizes stability, practicality, and groundedness. It represents the tangible aspects of existence and our connection to the physical world, urging us to be practical and grounded in our approach to life.
HEBREW LETTER: TAV
Tav is the twenty-second and final letter of the Hebrew alphabet, symbolizing completion, truth, and perfection. It represents the culmination of a journey and the attainment of wisdom and understanding.
THE MOON
The Moon is considered a feminine symbol because it represents the intuitive, receptive, and nurturing aspects of the psyche, which are traditionally associated with the feminine principle.
The Moon reflects the light of the Sun, symbolizing the way in which the unconscious mind reflects and reveals the hidden aspects of our inner world. Just as the moon governs the tides and has a powerful effect on the Earth, the unconscious mind governs our emotions, dreams, and primal instincts, influencing our behavior in ways that may not always be apparent to our conscious mind.
The imagery of a moonlit night, with its shadows and mysteries, further emphasizes the connection between the Moon and the hidden, intuitive, and feminine aspects of our psyche. By exploring the depths of our subconscious and embracing our intuitive wisdom, we can gain a deeper understanding of ourselves and navigate the complexities of our inner world.
ASTROLOGICAL CORRESPONDENCE: PISCES
Pisces, the twelfth sign of the zodiac, is associated with compassion, imagination, and spiritual connectivity.
SEPHIROT: YESOD
Yesod, the ninth sephirah on the Kabbalistic Tree of Life, symbolizes the foundation and basis of all things, serving as a conduit for divine energy to manifest in the material world.
ELEMENT: WATER
The element of water represents emotion, intuition, and the subconscious, embodying the fluid and adaptable nature of our emotional landscape.
HEBREW LETTER: QOPH
Qoph, the nineteenth letter of the Hebrew alphabet, is associated with the back of the head and the subconscious, symbolizing the hidden and mysterious aspects of our consciousness.
Disclaimer: We recognize and appreciate that gender exists on a spectrum, and the terms "male" and "female" used in this article are not intended to limit or exclude any gender identities. Our exploration of the Rider-Waite-Smith Tarot's influential figures is an attempt to appreciate the qualities they represent rather than confining them to a binary understanding of gender. We encourage readers to interpret these figures in a way that resonates with their own experiences and understanding of gender diversity.
EXPLORE MORE OF THE SYMBOLISM WITHIN THE TAROT IN THE FORTHCOMING WORK, THE ARTIST DECODED TAROT BY JENNIFER SODINI AND YOSHINO (June 18, 2024)