The meaning of arches is a valuable guide for interpretation in a reading

The meaning of arches in tarot cards tells us about opportunities—whether presented by life or by our attitude in seeing things from a different point of view. It’s about moving from one phase to the next. The meaning of arches is also tied to initiation and renewal ceremonies in many cultures. Walking through an arch symbolizes the shedding of old situations and/or attitudes to step into a new phase of life. They also symbolize the expansion of the heavens. In fact, arches were celestial symbols tied to the sky gods in Greco-Roman culture, such as Zeus and Jupiter.

Arches also remind us of opportunities and that there’s always a way out because there’s always another possible path, always something more to see or consider. The meaning of arches also refers to duality, expressed in the two columns or pillars that form and support it. This feeling of duality really fits well with the arch because we often face some kind of contrast that pushes us to change (moving through the arch) our perspectives. All things are dual, having two sides: light/dark, good/bad, positive/negative. Therefore, both sides are valid in our experience—the yes and the no—because all of them represent us at different points. So, the meaning of arches could be seen as our moment of decision, when we choose one thing or another and move forward in line with that choice after weighing all the options.

These are the cards that feature arches in the tarot deck:

Another important aspect of arches is protection. Clearly, from a simple structural point of view, an arch is a covering, a place to take shelter. It also expresses movement, just as we see in solid buildings where there is a lot of activity beneath the arches that support them. This, of course, is a metaphorical sense we use to explain the meaning of arches in tarot cards. In this sense, arches encourage forward movement. Arches are a lasting symbol that says, “Move forward, and your world won’t crumble; it’ll only expand. You’re safe here.”

Take your time to think about what the arches are telling you in a tarot reading. You might ask yourself the following questions to gain more clarity about the arches in your readings:

-If I were to narrow this situation down to two choices, what would they be? -What kind of opening or opportunities can I see in my life? -There’s always another path. What other options can I spot? -Am I ready to move into a new light? To see from a new perspective? -Am I prepared to transition from one phase to another in my life?

All the symbols present in the tarot deck are significant and filled with meaning. The meaning of arches in tarot offers insights that may be as crucial as, or even more important than, the explanation of the card itself—and any good tarot reader knows how to decipher this.