In a previous article titled Tarot Based Pantheon: 13 Major Arcana Gods and Goddesses we detailed the following Major Arcana gods and their cards:

• The Fool
• The Magician
• The High Priestess
• The Empress
• The Emperor
• The Hierophant
• The Lovers
• The Chariot
• Strength
• The Hermit
• The Wheel of Fortune
• Justice
• The Hanged Man

In this article, we continue down the path of the Major Arcana gods to explore the rest of the pantheon lurking in its archetypes and symbolism. Hold onto your hats as we complete the tarot-based pantheon.

Part 2: The Next 13 Major Arcana Gods and Goddesses

#13 Death

Death comes quietly and begins on the inside. While many who draw this card may be hesitant, death is a natural and necessary part of life. Whether literal or figurative, Death represents the transformative process that comes with shedding the old so that we may welcome a rebirth. It is astrologically represented by Scorpio guaranteeing an intense experience. The intensity of transformation can be painful and scary but Death can also be liberating. It offers an organic shift that starts from within that then becomes reflected in what we choose to manifest as a result of our transformation.

Deities: Hel, Hekate, Hades, Kali, Meng Po, The Morrigan, Persephone, Osiris, Isis, Marzanna, The Reaper, Arawn, Donn, Bilé, Santa Muerte, Mictlantecuhtli, Erio, and any deity that rules the underworld or facilitates transformation

#14 Temperance

Patience is a virtue that is hard to come by in our modern society of mass consumption. But when Temperance appears, it is a signal to pump the breaks. Ultimately, it’s about alchemizing and balancing the desires of give and take, more and less, yes and no. I find it ironic that that Temperance is represented by Sagittarius which promotes finding the perfect balance to maximize bliss.  

Deities: Jupiter, Vishnu, Apollo, Diana, Artemis, Brigid, Hermes, Isis, Cerridwen, and any other deity that is representative of alchemy and balance

#15 The Devil

We all have shadows. The Devil exposes and allows us to shake hands with our shadows by revealing where we play victim or offender. Represented by the astrological sign of Capricorn, this card highlights our domination and oppression of self and/or others through our possible addictions. These can include anything from overeating to overspending to drug abuse. Another aspect of The Devil is allowing ourselves to indulge in what makes us feel good in the moment from food to money to sex and beyond. The Devil makes you take notice of your unconscious vices. Nothing in this world is free and you must be willing to pay the price, whether positive or negative, attached to gluttonous behaviours.

Deities: Loki, Lucifer, Lilith, Satan, Veles, Dionysus, Pan, Baba Yaga, Set, The Horned God, Cernunnos, Baphomet, The Morrigan, Akerbeltz, Kadiempembe, and any other horned deity

#16 The Tower

Ever hear that saying, ‘It came crashing down on me like a tonne of bricks?’ The Tower in tarot brings sudden and abrupt change when it deigns to make an appearance. It seeks to destroy whatever is not working in our lives down to the very foundation so that we may start again. While it can represent catastrophic events and explosive energy, the trade off is that we get to start with a clean slate once the demolition is complete. Astrologically, The Tower is represented by Mars – the planet of war.

Deities: Kali, Mars, Ares, Pélé, Eris, Shiva, Brazo Fuertes (Cabo de Guerra), Perses, Batara Kala, Nergal, Holler, Angraboda, Loki, Fenrir, Tezcatlipoca, Shango and any other deity associated with destruction

#17 The Star

After enduring a horrendous ending with The Tower, The Star shines light into our dark recesses to guide us along the path. One of the most welcome Major Arcana gods to draw, The Star is a sign of hope, optimism, divine guidance, and a lightness of being. We can also gain inspiration from our dreams and lean more on our intuition when The Star appears knowing we are being divinely guided. Represented by Aquarius, this card dares us to step fully into our authentic self.

Deities: Astraeus, Astarte, Astraios, Aurvandil, Arianrhod, Urtzi, Nyx, Ratri, Erebus, Chandra, Inanna and any other deity associated with stars and the night

#18 The Moon

The light from The Star guides us further across the night sky to the greater light of The Moon. When The Moon appears, we are asked to explore all the things that go bump in the night both internally and externally. In our exploration we may be surprised to find that what we are afraid is mere illusion. Shadows cast as a result of their illumination in the dark by The Moon. Represented by Pisces, The Moon heralds a time of deep introspection, enhanced mysticism, and greater intuitive and empathetic ability. But be careful you don’t dive so deep that you become attached to toxic patterns rather than conscientious of them.

Deities: Selene, Diana, Khonsu, Agni, Chandra, Artemis, Hekate, Luna, Máni, Ilargi, Luna, Any Triple Goddess, Devana, Hors, Tsukuyomi, Awilix and any other lunar deity

#19 The Sun

When The Sun appears, you can bet everything will be coming up roses. Everything on the Earth relies upon The Sun for its survival. The Sun provides warmth and light to give sustenance for growth. This applies to every living things from the smallest plant to the largest apex predator. Born out of the night, we now have returned to the day. Things always look different in the light of day – not so frightening and intimidating. Positive vibes, clarity and healing come along when The Sun decides it’s time to shine upon your life.

Deities: Ra, Apollo, Helios, Nanahuatzin, Inti, Surya, Amaterasu, Mithra, Ehki, Ainé, Brighid, Étaín, Macha, Lugh, Sól, Hors, Electryone, Sol and any other solar deity

#20 Judgement

In Egyptian mythology, Anubis awaits all who crossover to answer for their carnal deeds by weighing their heart against the weight of Maat’s (God of Justice) feather. Much like Justice, and it’s ruling astrological planet Pluto, Judgement comes to restore the karmic balance. However, with Judgement, often you are being called to the carpet for your behaviour in relation to an external circumstance rather than something internal. This is the part where we’ve had a blast at the club and now it’s time to settle the $500 bill with the bartender. We will always have to answer for our actions, even those that are seemingly insignificant. Think about the concept of paying it forward at the local coffee shop on your morning commute to work. How many times has that come back in your favor on a different occasion when you may have needed the help? This is Judgement.  

Deities: Pluto, Ma’at, Anubis, Hades, Persephone, Proserpina, Horus, Jesus and any deity associated with final judgement

#21 The World

Completion. The Fool has completed his journey and now is at the end but also a new beginning. You have accomplished a great feat and have gained great knowledge along the way. You have reached your goals and can now relish in the feeling of fulfillment and wholeness. The World is vast and expansive and always whispering with its seductive voice to those who are listening. Expansion, manifestation, wisdom, and renewal to see the world through a different lens than the one we had before is the award for making it to the top. Represented astrologically Saturn, it signals to us that order, discipline, maturity, and control have been harnessed to reap the greatest of rewards.  

Deities: Saturn, Kronos, Rhea, Kajamanu, Phaenon, Geb, Vishnu, Gaia, Sif, Njord, Ceres, Nike, Tyr, Athena and any other Saturnian deities

Pop Culture Pantheons as Major Arcana Gods and Goddesses

Pantheons of old are not the only pantheons you can pull from when doing this work. If you can see the sacred archetypes in popular culture, by all means, USE THEM! Books, movies, tv shows, comics, and even Hollywood stars can serve as some of the best archetypes and major arcana gods. I often think there is no better representation of The Magician than Gandolf the Grey from Lord of the Rings.

Or how about The Tower represented by Daenerys Stormborn burning everything to the ground with her dragons – if that doesn’t say complete destruction, I don’t know what does! Play around with the concept of pop culture pantheons in relation to the tarot. The results, and the joy they bring to your practice, might just surprise you. And sidenote, this is often a practice of chaos magicians but I find this practice can be relevant in any tarot practice.

Now that we have travelled along the path of The Fool’s Journey hopefully you have gained insight into utilising the tarot for deity work whether with the pantheons of antiquity or of modernity.

Meet Resident Writer: Allorah Rayne

Allorah Rayne is a practitioner of witchcraft and has been part of the online spiritual community since 2012. She is a Virgo sun, Pisces moon, and Leo rising. Her introduction to tarot was at the age of nine and she pursued more intensive learning at fifteen. Allorah is the founder of The Wayfaring Witch © where she offers soul origin profiles, tarot and oracle card readings, and individualized mentorships in the ways of the witch. She is also the co-founder alongside Kitty of Burning Hallows Productions which produces The Otherworldly Oracle Official Podcast and Mimir’s Well podcast. You can contact Allorah at the following social media sites Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Pinterest, on The Wayfaring Witch © website via live chat, or by e-mail at allorahrayne@gmail.com