The Major Arcana of the Tarot refers to the 22 cards in a standard 78-card deck. These 22 cards hold special occult and divinatory meaning developed over time beginning in the 18th century, with each Major Arcanum featuring symbolic elements and a number (from 0 to 21). Aside from its use in fortune-telling, the Major Arcana represents a path towards spiritual evolution, borrowing elements from a number of esoteric traditions including astrology, alchemy, Freemasonry, the Kabbalah and 19th-century occult organisations such as the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn. While different Tarot decks vary artistically and aesthetically, much of the symbolism remains consistent. Major Arcana is the deck of Tarot cards created by Leonora Carrington featuring her illustrations of the 22 cards of the Major Arcana. The deck was made by Carrington as part of her private practice and until recently, had remained unpublished and privately owned.
