Which Tarot Card Are You Stuck On in Your Own Fool’s Journey?

The Fool’s Journey is the story of personal growth and transformation told through the 22 Major Arcana cards. It represents the path we all walk in life—from new beginnings to trials, wisdom, and ultimately, fulfillment. Each Major Arcana card marks a lesson, a challenge, a person who influences our path, or a shift in perspective.

But sometimes, you might find ourselves lingering on a particular card, repeating patterns, or feeling like you can’t move forward. Or, a particular card is haunting you during your readings. (Btw, if you are interested in learning how to read the tarot, start with our step-by-step guide.)

If that’s the case, pause, take a moment, and look at this different interpretation of those 22 cards to discover your next step. Which one resonates the most?

If multiple cards do, you might see a pattern emerging. If you’re not sure which fits you best, it might be worth doing a tarot reading using only the Major Arcana and asking it where you’re stuck, then looking at that card’s explanation below.

The Fool (Card 0) – You’re Leaping Before Looking

You’re full of excitement and ready to take on new adventures, but you might not be thinking things through. While embracing the unknown is part of the journey, it can also mean you’ve been making impulsive choices that lead to unnecessary struggles. You may find yourself rushing ahead without considering potential consequences, leading to unnecessary missteps or missed opportunities for deeper understanding.

How to Move Forward: Pause and assess before jumping. Enthusiasm is great, but a little planning will go a long way.

The Magician (Card I) – You Have Ideas, But No Action

You have all the potential, skills, and tools to create something amazing, but you’re hesitating. Maybe it’s self-doubt, fear of failure, or waiting for the perfect moment—but, frankly that moment may never come. Instead of stepping into your power, you seem to be stuck in endless planning, convincing yourself you need just a little more preparation before you begin. (Hint: You don’t.)

How to Move Forward: Take small, tangible steps. Even imperfect action is better than none.

The High Priestess (Card II) – You’re Overthinking and Seeking More Knowledge

You feel like you need one more book, class, or sign from the universe before making a move. While deepening your knowledge is valuable, too much waiting can lead to stagnation. Instead of trusting your inner wisdom, you may be searching for external validation or more information to confirm what you already suspect to be true.

How to Move Forward: Trust your intuition. You already know more than you think.

The Empress (Card III) – You’re Giving to Everyone but Yourself

You’re nurturing, creative, and full of love—but you might be overextending yourself for others while neglecting your own needs. Your ability to provide and care for others is one of your strengths, but when you constantly pour from an empty cup, exhaustion and resentment can build. It may feel unnatural to prioritize yourself, but true abundance comes from balance—when you care for yourself, you can better support those around you.

How to Move Forward: Set boundaries and prioritize self-care. Your well-being is just as important as those you care for.

The Emperor (Card IV) – You’re Being too Rigid

You crave structure and authority, but you may be clinging too tightly to control. This can make it hard to adapt when things don’t go as planned. Your need for order may be causing you to resist change, leaving you feeling frustrated or overwhelmed when life doesn’t conform to your expectations.

How to Move Forward: Loosen the grip and allow flexibility. True strength includes knowing when to let go.

The Hierophant (Card V) – You’re Following the Rules Too Closely

Tradition and wisdom have their place, but are you living by outdated beliefs or societal expectations that no longer serve you? You may be feeling constrained by external influences, whether from family, religion, or societal norms, making it difficult to carve your own path forward.

How to Move Forward: Question what you’ve been taught and carve your own path.

The Lovers (Card VI) – You’re Indecisive and Over-Romanticizing

You’re at a crossroads, possibly in love or life choices, but fear of making the wrong move keeps you frozen. Instead of making a decision, you might be weighing every possibility endlessly, afraid of what you’ll lose rather than focusing on what you stand to gain.

How to Move Forward: Listen to your heart, but make a choice. Growth comes from committing to a path.

The Chariot (Card VII) – You’re Charging Ahead Without Checking the Map

You’re determined and driven, but are you sure you’re heading in the right direction? You may be so focused on progress that you haven’t stopped to consider whether your current path aligns with your deeper purpose.

How to Move Forward: Slow down and align your actions with your true goals.

Strength (Card VIII) – You’ve Been Pushing Through Without Rest

You’re resilient, but constantly pushing yourself may lead to burnout. True strength isn’t just endurance—it’s knowing when to rest. You may feel like you have to prove your resilience by never stopping, but inner strength is about sustainability, not productivity.

How to Move Forward: Balance determination with self-care. You don’t have to do everything alone.

The Hermit (Card IX) – You’re Isolating and Overthinking

Time alone can be insightful, but are you avoiding people or opportunities because it feels safer to retreat? You may be in a period of deep introspection, but if it’s preventing you from engaging with the world, it could be holding you back rather than guiding you forward.

How to Move Forward: Step back into the world. Connection brings wisdom, too.

The Wheel of Fortune (Card X) – You’re Waiting for Fate to Decide

Life is full of ups and downs, but are you surrendering too much control to external forces? It’s one thing to trust the universe, but another to passively wait for change without taking steps toward your goals.

How to Move Forward: Take an active role in shaping your destiny. Luck favors the prepared.

Justice (Card XI) – You’re Overanalyzing Right and Wrong

You want fairness and truth, but are you holding yourself to impossible standards? You may be waiting for perfect clarity before acting, but the reality is that life often exists in shades of grey.

How to Move Forward: Accept that not everything is black and white. Make the best choice with the information you have.

The Hanged Man (Card XII) – You’re in Limbo and Over-Contemplation

You feel suspended in time, waiting for something external to shift before you act. You may be seeing things from a new perspective, but if you linger too long, you risk stagnation. While taking a pause can be enlightening, avoiding action indefinitely can keep you stuck. Ask yourself whether you’re truly gaining insight or just delaying the inevitable.

How to Move Forward: Find a new perspective, then take intentional action.

Death (Card XIII) – You’re Resisting Change

You’re facing a transformation, but fear is holding you back from embracing it. Change can be uncomfortable, but resisting it only prolongs the pain. Whether it’s a relationship, a job, or an old version of yourself, clinging to what no longer serves you is preventing growth.

How to Move Forward: Let go of the old so something new can emerge. Change is necessary for growth.

Temperance (Card XIV) – You’re Trying to Balance Everything Perfectly

You’re trying to juggle multiple aspects of your life, but something always seems off. Maybe you’re prioritizing work over rest, or giving too much energy to others without replenishing your own reserves. Instead of feeling harmony, you feel stretched thin or out of sync.

How to Move Forward: Adjust as needed, but don’t let perfectionism keep you stagnant.

The Devil (Card XV) – You’ve Got Unhealthy Attachments and Self-Sabotage

You feel stuck in a cycle that’s hard to break—whether it’s toxic habits, self-doubt, fear, or external influences that hold you back. The Devil represents temptations and limitations that may seem inescapable, but often, the chains keeping you bound are looser than they appear. You may be convincing yourself that you have no control, when in reality, the power to free yourself is within reach.

How to Move Forward: Recognize what’s chaining you and take steps to break free.

The Tower (Card XVI) – Everything Is Falling Apart Around You

You’re experiencing sudden upheaval, and it feels like the ground beneath you is crumbling. Maybe it’s a breakup, job loss, or personal crisis, and the stability you relied on is gone. The Tower is about destruction, but it’s also about necessary change. Sometimes, the structures we build aren’t strong enough to last, and they must be torn down so something better can take their place.

How to Move Forward: Embrace the destruction. It’s paving the way for a stronger foundation.

The Star (Card XVII) – You’re Wishing Without Acting

You believe things will get better, but are you taking steps to make that happen? The Star is a card of renewal and optimism, yet sometimes, we get stuck in wishful thinking rather than action. You may be daydreaming about a brighter future while avoiding the work it takes to create it.

How to Move Forward: Combine faith with action. Dreams need effort to become reality.

The Moon (Card XVIII) – You’re Stuck in Confusion and Illusion

You’re struggling to see things clearly, caught in illusions, doubt, or uncertainty. The Moon can bring subconscious fears to the surface, making you question what’s real. Maybe you’re overanalyzing a situation, unsure whom to trust, or letting anxieties distort your judgment.

How to Move Forward: Trust your intuition, even if the path isn’t clear yet.

The Sun (Card XIX) – You’re Not Letting Yourself Be Happy

You’ve achieved something worth celebrating, but are you allowing yourself to feel the joy? The Sun represents success, happiness, and clarity, yet sometimes, we struggle to embrace the good. Maybe you’re waiting for the other shoe to drop or convincing yourself that you don’t deserve this happiness.

How to Move Forward: Celebrate your successes. You deserve happiness.

Judgment (Card XX) – You’re Afraid to Answer the Call

You feel a major shift coming, but you’re hesitating to step into it. Judgment is about awakening and stepping fully into your purpose, but fear, doubt, or lingering attachments to the past might be holding you back. Maybe you’re afraid of what others will think, or you’re worried about making the wrong choice.

How to Move Forward: Step up. This is your moment.

The World (Card XXI) – You’re Not Sure of the Next Step

You’ve reached the end of a journey—maybe you’ve completed a goal, a life phase, or a major transformation—but now you feel unsure about what comes next. The World signifies completion and fulfillment, but sometimes, reaching the end can feel anticlimactic. You may be wondering, “Is this it?” or feeling a bit lost without a new goal in sight.

How to Move Forward: Celebrate your journey, then embrace the next adventure. The Fool’s Journey begins again.

Which card resonates with you the most?