The Arcana of the Matrix of Destiny: How to Calculate Your Arcanum and the Meaning of All 22
The arcana are the foundation of the Matrix of Destiny. Each number in the matrix, from 1 to 22, corresponds to one of the Major Arcana of the Tarot, and it is their combination that describes a person's character, talents and tasks. In this article we'll look at what the arcana are, how to calculate your arcanum by date of birth, and what each of the 22 arcana means. If you are only just starting out, read the overview article on the Matrix of Destiny first.
What the Arcana in the Matrix of Destiny Are
How to Calculate Your Arcanum by Date of Birth
You can find your key arcanum in a minute. Take the day of birth: if it is no greater than 22, that is your day arcanum. If it is greater, add the digits together. Examples:
- born on the 7th → arcanum 7 (the Chariot);
- born on the 19th → arcanum 19 (the Sun);
- born on the 29th → 2 + 9 = 11 → arcanum 11 (Strength).
This is the arcanum of the day of birth — your "calling card". But the full matrix consists of several arcana, and counting them by hand takes a while. It is easier to enter the date into a Matrix of Destiny calculator — it builds all the positions at once and gives a reading for each arcanum.
The 5 Key Arcana of the Matrix of Destiny
At the centre of the matrix are the five most important positions. It is with these that a reading begins:
- The arcanum of the day of birth — how people see you, your manifested qualities.
- The arcanum of the month — your inner, spiritual potential; it unfolds after the age of 30–35.
- The arcanum of the year — karmic tasks and the programs of your lineage.
- The arcanum of life purpose — the main vector of fulfilment, the sum of the central energies.
- The arcanum of the comfort zone — the state in which you recover and feel supported.
Once you know these five arcana, you already have the semantic framework of the personality. The remaining positions refine money, relationships and health.
The Meaning of All 22 Arcana of the Matrix of Destiny
Below is a brief meaning of each arcanum. In the matrix they describe the energy of a specific position (personality, money, relationships and so on), so the same arcanum unfolds in its own way in different zones.
1. The Magician
The energy of action and will. The ability to begin, to bring ideas into the world, to influence through words. In its plus — realisation and charisma; in its minus — manipulation and scatteredness.
2. The High Priestess
Intuition, depth, secret knowledge. The capacity to feel and understand without words. In its minus — coldness and withdrawal into oneself.
3. The Empress
Abundance, creativity, motherhood, the attraction of resources. The energy of care and beauty. In its minus — laziness and indulging one's desires.
4. The Emperor
Structure, power, support, responsibility. The ability to build and keep order. In its minus — rigidity and control.
5. The Hierophant (the High Priest)
Tradition, mentorship, spiritual guidelines. The energy of the teacher and the conveyor of knowledge. In its minus — dogmatism.
6. The Lovers
Choice, relationships, values. Harmony through love and partnership. In its minus — wavering and dependence on the opinions of others.
7. The Chariot
Movement towards a goal, will, victory through self-control. The energy of achievement. In its minus — stubbornness and a race with no stopping.
8. Justice
Balance, honesty, the law of cause and effect. The ability to see the truth. In its minus — judgement and an all-or-nothing attitude.
9. The Hermit
Wisdom, the search for meaning, the inner light. The capacity to be your own support. In its minus — isolation and loneliness.
10. The Wheel of Fortune
Cycles, change, luck, fateful turns. The ability to catch the wave. In its minus — instability and gambling with fate.
11. Strength
Inner power, gentle steadfastness, the courage of the heart. Taming the passions with love rather than pressure. In its minus — suppression or aggression.
12. The Hanged Man
A pause, a shift of perspective, acceptance. Growth through letting go of haste. In its minus — self-sacrifice and getting stuck.
13. Death
Transformation, the ending of the old for the sake of the new. The energy of deep change. In its minus — fear of change and drawn-out crises.
14. Temperance
Harmony, balance, healing, the joining of opposites. The energy of measure. In its minus — passivity and avoiding extremes to the point of stagnation.
15. The Devil
Matter, the passions, the power of desires, money. A powerful resource for achievement. In its minus — addictions and shadow scenarios.
16. The Tower
The destruction of illusions, sudden change, liberation through crisis. In its minus — upheaval and self-destruction.
17. The Star
Hope, inspiration, faith, healing. Bright prospects and talents. In its minus — illusions and being cut off from the ground.
18. The Moon
The subconscious, intuition, fears and illusions. A rich inner world. In its minus — anxiety and deceiving oneself.
19. The Sun
Joy, success, clarity, vital force. The energy of fulfilment and warmth. In its minus — pride and burnout.
20. Judgement
Awakening, reappraisal, a second chance, the call of life purpose. In its minus — self-criticism and the weight of the past.
21. The World
Completeness, wholeness, realisation, harmony with the world. The energy of the master. In its minus — a sense of being "stuck on the threshold".
22. The Fool
Freedom, spontaneity, new beginnings, trust in the path. Lightness and risk. In its minus — irresponsibility and chaos.
The Strengths and Weaknesses of the Arcana
How to Find Out the Meaning of the Arcana in Your Matrix
So that you don't have to keep all 22 meanings in your head, build your own matrix: enter your date of birth into the calculator and you'll see which arcanum stands in each position (personality, life purpose, money, relationships), with a ready-made reading. This is the fastest way to move from general theory to a reading of your own chart specifically.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Arcana of the Matrix of Destiny
How do I calculate my arcanum by date of birth?
Take the day of birth: if it is no greater than 22, that is your day arcanum. If it is greater, add the digits together (for example, 29 → 2 + 9 = 11). To see the arcana in all the positions of the matrix, enter the date into a Matrix of Destiny calculator.
How many arcana are there in total in the Matrix of Destiny?
The Matrix of Destiny uses the 22 Major Arcana — from the Magician (1) to the Fool (22). Each number of the matrix corresponds to one of them.
What does my main arcanum mean?
The main arcanum (the arcanum of the day of birth) shows your manifested qualities — how those around you see you. Its meaning depends on the number: 7, for example, is the Chariot (drive and purpose), and 11 is Strength (inner steadfastness). The full interpretation of your arcanum is given in the reading of the matrix.
Are there bad arcana?
No. Every arcanum has a strong and a weak side. The "difficult" arcana (the Devil, the Tower, Death) are not a verdict but energies of transformation and growth. The task is to express the arcanum in its plus.
How do the arcana in the matrix differ from Tarot cards?
The symbolism is shared — the 22 Major Arcana. But in the Matrix of Destiny the arcana are calculated from the date of birth and describe the code of the personality, rather than turning up at random in a spread. This is numerology, not fortune-telling.
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