Learn what Personal Arcana is and how to discover yours

One of the most magical things about the spiritual and esoteric world is knowing how to interpret numbers with the help of other ancient wisdom like tarot and astrology. The unification of these knowledge gives us the power to reclaim our true soul essence.

And one way is to know what your personal arcana is. The word “arcana” means mystery, and in the language of tarot, arcanas are keys to unlocking profound knowledge of each “arcana” in the deck. And as each arcana has a number, we can associate this number with numerology and the meaning with the arcana itself.

As the arcanas, especially the major ones, speak of the journey of The Fool — the life stages he experiences, the Personal Arcana is about the person's life mission through numerology.

This life mission symbolizes the main purpose that the person aims to achieve in their existence. It serves as a compass, guiding and giving meaning to the experiences lived throughout life.

And how to identify our Mission and the Personal Arcana?

To identify your Mission and the Personal Arcana, start by calculating the sum of all the digits of your birthdate. The correct process involves adding the day, the month, and the year you were born. Let's see how this works with a practical example:

05/27/1984 = 05 + 27 + 1984 = 2016 = 2 + 0 + 1 + 6 = 9 – personal arcana 9

You must add the month + day + year and with the result, you add all the digits until you get a result between 1 and 22.

Another example:

03/15/1970 = 03 + 15 + 1970 = 1988 = 1 + 9 + 8 + 8 = 26 = 2 + 6 = 8 – personal arcana 8

Note, if the result is above 22, you add again. To find a number based on the 22 Major Arcanas of the Tarot.

The meaning of each Personal Arcana

Now, we will explore the meaning of each Personal Arcana and its relationship with the life mission, as interpreted by numerology. It's important to understand that each arcana offers unique insights that align with an individual's life trajectory and personal goals.

PERSONAL ARCANA 1 - THE MAGICIAN

The Personal Arcana of The Magician symbolizes a mission of initiative and courage. This arcana asks for self-confidence and independence from others' opinions. Emotional balance is crucial, as well as the care not to emotionally isolate oneself.

PERSONAL ARCANA 2 - THE HIGH PRIESTESS

The Arcana of The High Priestess represents the mission of living deep and harmonious relationships. Intuition is a key tool, and sharing wisdom and solutions with others is essential.

PERSONAL ARCANA 3 - THE EMPRESS

The Empress as Personal Arcana highlights the mission of communicating and motivating. There's an emphasis on enjoying life, socializing, and engaging in creative activities and hobbies that stimulate creativity.

PERSONAL ARCANA 4 - THE EMPEROR

The Emperor as Personal Arcana indicates a mission focused on work and the affirmation of personal power. It's important to live a simple and busy life without missing out on opportunities to grow personally or professionally.

PERSONAL ARCANA 5 - THE HIEROPHANT

The Hierophant as Personal Arcana represents a mission of faith and acquisition of knowledge. Focus on your own spiritual journey, maintain unwavering faith, and practice what you preach, instead of worrying about others' opinions.

PERSONAL ARCANA 6 - THE LOVERS

Balance between the loving and familial aspects of life is highlighted by The Lovers as Personal Arcana. It's crucial to avoid letting others influence your decisions in these fields, stay away from conflicts and gossip, and practice non-discrimination in all choices.

PERSONAL ARCANA 7 - THE CHARIOT

This arcana encourages taking control of your life, with faith and determination. Those under the influence of The Chariot should pride themselves on their spiritual independence and personal achievements, guiding themselves with solid planning and clear goals.

PERSONAL ARCANA 8 - STRENGTH

Strength, as Personal Arcana, represents the need to confront challenges with intelligence and wisdom. One should deal in a balanced way with practical and spiritual aspects of life, relax, and believe in their abilities, using their charisma and influence positively.

PERSONAL ARCANA 9 - THE HERMIT

The Hermit, as Personal Arcana, encourages living a life of reflection and self-knowledge. Seek serenity in your space, avoid dependency on others, and transmit wisdom, always careful not to give too much of yourself, remembering that everything has its time.

PERSONAL ARCANA 10 - WHEEL OF FORTUNE

The Wheel of Fortune, as Personal Arcana, represents the mission to trust in fate and maintain faith in motion. It's vital to know what you want and have the confidence that things will align. Act with dedication, but without pressure, and be selective in personal relationships.

PERSONAL ARCANA 11 - JUSTICE

Justice, as Personal Arcana, highlights the importance of rationality and respect for rules. Avoid excessive rigidity, practice justice in a balanced and rational way, and stay away from negative and conflictual influences.

PERSONAL ARCANA 12 - THE HANGED MAN

The Hanged Man, as Personal Arcana, symbolizes the mission to observe and understand life from multiple perspectives. Avoid stagnation and the tendency to give up, focusing on living in the present and avoiding fixation on the past.

PERSONAL ARCANA 13 - DEATH

The mission to embrace change and act quickly is represented by the Death, as Personal Arcana. Procrastination should be avoided, and decisions should be made wisely to avoid losses. Challenges, like dealing with others' envy, are opportunities to strengthen personal power.

PERSONAL ARCANA 14 - TEMPERANCE

The Personal Arcana of Temperance, encourages the search for balance and harmony in spiritual life. Learn to forgive and free yourself from grievances, especially in family relationships, always keeping yourself in motion and growth.

PERSONAL ARCANA 15 - THE DEVIL

The Devil, as Personal Arcana, suggests a mission involving the management of impulses and clarity in interpersonal relationships. It's important to develop a stronger sense of spirituality, which can protect you from unwanted external energies and teach you how to express yourself in a positive and conscious way.

PERSONAL ARCANA 16 - THE TOWER

The Tower, as Personal Arcana, indicates a mission to build, destroy, and rebuild. Cultivate emotional resilience to overcome adversities and continuously rebuild yourself, working on forgiveness and overcoming grievances.

PERSONAL ARCANA 17 - THE STAR

The Personal Arcana of The Star, symbolizes the mission to follow dreams and maintain hope. It's crucial to take care of your well-being in all aspects and value your emotions to make your own 'Lucky Star' shine.

PERSONAL ARCANA 18 - THE MOON

The Moon, as Personal Arcana, invites a deep dive into the waters of spirituality and self-knowledge. It's fundamental to develop a strong connection with your inner world, discerning reality from illusions, and using your possible mediumistic ability as a tool for discovery and protection.

PERSONAL ARCANA 19 - THE SUN

The Sun, as Personal Arcana, represents the mission to radiate joy and find satisfaction in life. Avoid superficialities and live deeply, celebrating special moments, cultivating meaningful relationships, and maintaining a healthy balance in all areas of life.

PERSONAL ARCANA 20 - JUDGEMENT

The mission of critical evaluation and the ability to identify opportunities are indicated by the Judgment as Personal Arcana. Use your critical sense constructively, organize your daily life to maintain stability, and avoid getting stuck in the past, resolving pending issues, and avoiding procrastination.

PERSONAL ARCANA 21 - THE WORLD

The World, as Personal Arcana, encourages achieving great accomplishments, maintaining a positive and proactive view of life. It's fundamental to keep your goals confidential, develop your mediumistic and spiritual abilities, and stay open to perceptions of the world around you.

PERSONAL ARCANA 22 - THE FOOL

The Fool, as Personal Arcana, symbolizes the quest for unconditional freedom in all aspects of life. Balance the need for freedom with responsibility, seize opportunities for travel and new experiences, and cultivate a deep spiritual connection.

Note: this reading is according to the Rider-Waite deck. If you are a practitioner of traditional tarot, just reverse the numbering of the arcanas 8 and 11, with 8 being Justice and 11 being Strength. The meaning remains the same.