Tarot Card of the Year 2022

One interesting way to use Tarot cards is to calculate which Major Arcana card represents a particular year. As you might guess, this involves adding the individual numbers of the year to arrive at a total that matches the number of a Major Arcana card.

For background, here are my thoughts about the card for 2021:

2 + 0 + 2 + 1 = 5 = THE HIEROPHANT

Rider-Waite-Smith Tarot

I typically see this card as representing organized religion and/or established entities, methods, and traditions. On one hand, as an American, I might see this as encouraging because it suggests that the “traditional” operation of government is going to prevail, in spite of efforts to create a government in which the Executive Branch has more power than any other.

At the same time, I can see The Hierophant as an indication that organized religion -- particularly the “conservative Christian right” – will continue to increase pressure and build power in order to try to bring society at large in line with their beliefs.

Wow. I do see all of this in what actually happened in 2021.Now let’s move on to 2022.

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Card for 2022

 2 + 0 + 2 + 2 = 6 = THE LOVERS

Rider-Waite-Smith Tarot

As anyone who has studied the Tarot will tell you, when The Lovers card appears, it may or may not be about a romantic relationship. Historically, there are other meanings. Some Lovers cards depict a man who appears to be trying to decide between two women (one of whom is usually young and beautiful, while the other is a “wifely sort,” whatever that means). That representation suggests that a choice needs to be made.

The Lovers can be about a partnership of any kind, not just romantic. However, it does suggest a sense of “yin-yang”  -- aka masculine/feminine, positive/negative, etc.  In The Lovers, we can see apparently opposing energies coming together to create a stronger, more powerful “whole.”

What energies might “come together” in 2022? Will we see more attempts at cooperation and compromise between “far right” and “far left” factions in politics? Might we see a more literal interpretation in which men and women are able to reach a common ground in some area(s)?

Overall, I think this card indicates a positive, helpful energy. Writing about the occult meaning of numbers, Paul Foster Case gives the following keywords for Six: "balance, equilibration, symmetry, beauty; harmony of opposites, reciprocity; complementary activities, polarity, love." Let’s hope for that, shall we?

For commentary on The Lovers card from Tarot of the Cat People, click HERE.  

For commentary on The Lovers astrological associations from a variety of decks, click HERE. 

As for the number SIX, I presented a detailed discussion HERE.

Tarot Card of the Year: 2020 and 2021

One interesting way to use Tarot cards is to calculate which Major Arcana card represents a particular year. As you might guess, this involves adding the individual numbers of the year to arrive at a total that matches the number of a Major Arcana card.

Here are my calculations and thoughts for the years 2020 and 2021.

Card of the Year for 2020

2 + 0 + 2 + 0 = 4 = THE EMPEROR

Rider-Waite-Smith Tarot

To see versions of The Emperor from other decks, 

along with astrological associations, click HERE.

As an American, my first thought upon seeing this card was that it represents Donald Trump and the authoritarian type of government he seems to want for this country (with him as “the authority,” of course). He wants to be “The Emperor.” And that influence in both a personal sense and larger sense is going to continue to affect, infect, and infuse not only American life but life around the world.

Another way to look at this card for 2020 is to think of it as representing a struggle for control, which we are certainly seeing not only here but elsewhere in the world. Who will be “The Emperor”? Who will be in charge? Who will rule? An individual? A select group of people? The masses?

When we look at the number FOUR, we can see a variety of meanings. I explored the number FOUR in detail HERE.

Card of the Year for 2021

2 + 0 + 2 + 1 = 5 = THE HIEROPHANT

Rider-Waite-Smith Tarot

To see versions of The Hierophant from other decks, 

along with astrological associations, click HERE.

I typically see this card as representing organized religion and/or established entities, methods, and traditions. On one hand, as an American, I might see this as encouraging because it suggests that the “traditional” operation of government is going to prevail, in spite of efforts to create a government in which the Executive Branch has more power than any other.

At the same time, I can see The Hierophant as an indication that organized religion -- particularly the “conservative Christian right” – will continue to increase pressure and build power in order to try to bring society at large in line with their beliefs.

As for the number FIVE, I presented a detailed discussion HERE.


I feel these two cards definitely show areas of focus for 2020 and 2021.