Pronunciation: [ɑːkˈɑːnə] (IPA) 
The word "Arcana" is spelled with three syllables. The first syllable is "ar", pronounced /ɑː/, like the "ar" in "car". The second syllable is "ca", pronounced /kə/, like the "kuh" in "cup". The third syllable is "na", pronounced /nə/, like the "nuh" in "nut". Therefore, the IPA phonetic transcription for "Arcana" would be /ɑːkənə/. This word refers to secrets or mysteries, often associated with spiritual or occult practices.
Arcana is a noun that refers to secret or mysterious knowledge or information that is beyond the understanding of most individuals. Derived from the Latin word "arcanus," meaning hidden or secret, arcana represents esoteric, occult, or mystical insights that are typically only accessible to a select few who possess above-average knowledge, expertise, or spiritual understanding.
In a broader context, arcana often alludes to the undisclosed aspects of a particular subject or the occult knowledge associated with it. It may involve secret rituals, spiritual practices, or hidden teachings, often pertaining to divination, astrology, alchemy, or other mystical disciplines. Arcana encompasses a wide range of subjects, covering everything from ancient philosophies to supernatural elements and hidden truths embedded within folklore and mythology.
Furthermore, arcana refers to a category of cards within a tarot deck, known as the Major Arcana. Comprising 22 cards, these hold symbolic representations of significant life events, archetypes, lessons, and spiritual principles. Each card encapsulates its unique meaning and contributes to the overall divinatory interpretation when shuffled and selected during a tarot reading.
In summary, arcana signifies the concealed knowledge or wisdom that surpasses ordinary understanding, often associated with subjects of mysticism, secret practices, or hidden meanings in symbolic systems like the tarot. It represents a concept related to the spiritual, enigmatic, and profound aspects of human knowledge and existence.
Things secret, as if locked up.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
The word "arcana" is derived from the Latin term "arcanum", which means "secret" or "mystery". The singular form of "arcana" is "arcanum", but "arcana" is commonly used in English to refer to the plural. The term originated from the Latin phrase "arcana imperii", which translates to "secrets of power" or "mysteries of the state". It was often used in ancient Rome to refer to confidential matters pertaining to the state or imperial authorities. Over time, "arcana" has become associated with hidden or esoteric knowledge, particularly within the realms of occultism, astrology, and mysticism.
