Now that we've had a primer on the Major Arcana Journey, let's dive in a bit deeper and see how each of the 22 cards connect the different Sephiroth on the Tree of Life. There's also a Hebrew letter and its meaning that is of importance, don't worry about why too much for now.
First let's see it in the downward direction from 1 Kether to 10 Malkuth. The divine light streams from Keter down through each Sephira, clothing itself in wisdom, love, form, and dream, until at last it crystallizes as the material world in Malkuth.
Path 11: 1 Keter ↔ 2 Chokmah — The Fool — א Aleph (Ox, Breath, Air)
The primordial Breath leaps from the Crown into raw dynamic force. Innocence meets power; Aleph’s airy openness shows the Fool’s trust in the infinite.
Path 12: 1 Keter ↔ 3 Binah — The Magician — ב Beth (House)
Will takes form. The House of Understanding receives the Word; Beth is the container, the dwelling that focuses the Magician’s will into manifestation.
Path 13: 1 Keter ↔ 6 Tiferet — The High Priestess — ג Gimel (Camel, Bridge)
Across the great span the Veiled One ferries light to the solar heart. Gimel, the camel, symbolizes the journey across the desert, carrying hidden wisdom between spirit and heart.
Path 14: 2 Chokmah ↔ 3 Binah — The Empress — ד Daleth (Door)
The Door between force and form opens. Daleth is the gateway of creativity, where Chokmah’s energy enters Binah’s form, birthing abundance.
Path 15: 2 Chokmah ↔ 6 Tiferet — The Emperor — ה Heh (Window)
Archetypal authority descends to the heart. Heh, the window, is the opening through which divine order becomes visible, allowing the Emperor’s structure to shine.
Path 16: 2 Chokmah ↔ 4 Chesed — The Hierophant — ו Vav (Nail, Hook)
The Nail binds tradition to expansion. Vav joins heaven and earth, symbolizing continuity; the Hierophant fastens wisdom into ritual and lineage.
Path 17: 3 Binah ↔ 6 Tiferet — The Lovers — ז Zayin (Sword)
The Sword of discernment unites opposites. Zayin cuts illusion, forcing choice; the Lovers’ union is born of separation overcome.
Path 18: 3 Binah ↔ 5 Geburah — The Chariot — ח Cheth (Fence, Enclosure)
Contained power advances. Cheth is the enclosure, a protective shell; the Chariot’s armor channels Binah’s discipline through Geburah’s fire.
Path 19: 4 Chesed ↔ 5 Geburah — Strength — ט Teth (Serpent)
Mercy grapples with Might and tames it. Teth, the serpent, symbolizes both danger and kundalini power; Strength shows courage to master instinct with love.
Path 20: 6 Tiferet ↔ 4 Chesed — The Hermit — י Yod (Hand)
The solar heart climbs to Jupiter’s wisdom. Yod, the hand, is the smallest letter, the seed of creation. The Hermit’s lantern is the focused spark of Yod.
Path 21: 7 Netzach ↔ 4 Chesed — Wheel of Fortune — כ Kaph (Palm of the Hand)
The palm turns the cycles: passion matures into benevolence. Kaph symbolizes grasp and potential, showing how fortune is held and released.
Path 22: 6 Tiferet ↔ 5 Geburah — Justice — ל Lamed (Ox-Goad)
The goad corrects course. Lamed, the ox-goad, trains and directs. Justice brings alignment, guiding the radiant heart with truth.
Path 23: 8 Hod ↔ 5 Geburah — The Hanged Man — מ Mem (Water)
Surrender reorients thought under the sword. Mem is water, fluid and reflective. The Hanged Man yields, entering the deep waters of sacrifice for insight.
Path 24: 6 Tiferet ↔ 7 Netzach — Death — נ Nun (Fish)
Desire is transformed. Nun, the fish, swims through the waters of change, shedding forms. Death teaches the cycle of endings feeding new life.
Path 25: 9 Yesod ↔ 6 Tiferet — Temperance — ס Samekh (Prop, Support)
The Archer’s path: dream refined into gold. Samekh supports and upholds — Temperance is the balancing prop, alchemy holding opposites steady.
Path 26: 8 Hod ↔ 6 Tiferet — The Devil — ע Ayin (Eye)
Clear seeing breaks glamor. Ayin is the eye, perception itself. The Devil challenges: what do you see, and what enslaves your vision?
Path 27: 7 Netzach ↔ 8 Hod — The Tower — פ Peh (Mouth)
The Mouth cries out and false structures fall. Peh is speech, power released; the Tower shatters illusion with a shout of truth.
Path 28: 9 Yesod ↔ 7 Netzach — The Star — צ Tzaddi (Hook, Fishing-Hook)
The hook draws dream toward desire’s green shore. Tzaddi pulls the seeker upward, like a fish caught in light; the Star heals with guiding hope.
Path 29: 10 Malkuth ↔ 7 Netzach — The Moon — ק Qoph (Back of the Head)
From the Kingdom to the tides. Qoph is the unconscious, the back-brain of dreams. The Moon’s path is mystery and intuition beneath surface awareness.
Path 30: 9 Yesod ↔ 8 Hod — The Sun — ר Resh (Head, Face)
Clarity pours from intellect into the dream-mirror (and back). Resh is the head or face, the shining countenance of the Sun illuminating all.
Path 31: 10 Malkuth ↔ 8 Hod — Judgment — ש Shin (Tooth, Fire)
Fire-tooth awakens the deadened mind. Shin is consuming flame and the trident letter; Judgment burns away the old and resurrects clarity.
Path 32: 10 Malkuth ↔ 9 Yesod — The Universe (World) — ת Tav (Cross, Mark, Seal)
The Seal of the Kingdom opens upward. Tav, the final letter, is the signature of completion, the stamp that turns matter into a doorway to the subtle.
