Star Wars: A New Hope is one of the most beloved films ever made. It helped redefine adventure cinema, launched an entire mythology, and shaped generations of storytellers. On the surface, it is a straightforward tale of a young farm boy who joins a rebellion, learns about a mystical Force, and helps save the galaxy.
But how well is the story actually put together beneath the spectacle? And what happens when we look at it not only as entertainment, but as a map of inner growth?
In this article, we examine A New Hope through the archetypes of our reinterpreted Major Arcana model — not as occult symbols, but as stages of psychological and spiritual development. We do this for two reasons. First, to see where the story might have room for improvement, especially in moments where critics and audiences sometimes feel something is “missing” but cannot quite explain why. And second, because stories often mirror our real lives, and by studying them we can understand our own inner journeys more clearly.
When we applied this lens to Star Wars, several interesting observations emerged. Many of the archetypes are present and surprisingly well-formed, even though George Lucas wasn’t consciously working with Tarot. Yet we also noticed that Luke’s inner growth remains relatively gentle and protected, while a deeper transformation quietly happens in Han Solo instead. In other words, the mythic framework is there — but its emotional weight lands in unexpected places.
With that foundation set, we can now walk step by step through the archetypes and see how they unfold in the film, where they resonate, and where they feel incomplete.
Let’s begin.
Major arcana archetypes in Star Wars IV
The Magician — will, light, and manifestation ✅
After the rather long intro, we are introduced to one of our magicians, Luke Skywalker. He immediately shows his technical expertise and aspires to join the Imperial Academy, probably to become a pilot.
We meet Han Solo further on, in the famous “crossing the threshold” Mos Eisley Cantina scene. He is obviously a crafty businessman and a pilot.
The Hermit — feeling alone ✅
Luke feels isolated on the farm, unseen and underused.
We are not talking about the intentional isolation of Obi-Wan, but the inevitable internal experience of the Hermit archetype we all go through at some point. From that vantage point, it becomes easier to see the High Priestess.
The High Priestess — object of inspiration ✅
A Magician without inspiration is, by definition, bored — in other words, uninspired. Luke sees the distressed transmission from Princess Leia. He is immediately interested in her and thinks about helping. She serves as the High Priestess, surrounded by the mystery of the Rebels and the Empire.
The Devil — opposition to the Magician ✅
In the beginning, Luke’s uncle steps into the role of the Devil. Fearing he would lose Luke, he opposes Luke’s wishes and desires, needing him to work on the farm — basically testing his will.
On a grander scale, the Empire of course opposes everyone’s freedom.
Justice — balance and free will, confusion ✅
Justice subconsciously balances our positive and negative thoughts. When the character is not outwardly negative, the environment opposes and challenges them, creating opportunities for free will. Confusion is always the state from which choices are being made.
Luke does not know whether to listen to his desires or to his uncle, and consequently wanders around rather confusingly.
The Lightning — a shock of light, inspiration ✅
Princess Leia is literally presented as a light hologram, surprising Luke like a bolt of lightning. Her beauty is like a lightning strike in the middle of his boring world.
We might also speculate that Obi-Wan inspires Luke when he mentions the Force and acknowledges his potential — especially since, at the same moment, Leia’s message is repeated in full.
The Lightning-Struck Tower — destruction of the old world ✅
For those who are fans of the modern version of this archetype, the death of his aunt and uncle fits here. It destroys Luke’s world and sets him off on a quest.
However, such events break free will and make his choice easier.
The Star — wayshower, hope ✅
Princess Leia’s transmission gives Obi-Wan and Luke hope that her father will know how to read the files hidden inside R2-D2, and that this knowledge will help the Rebellion fight the Empire.
And of course, “Hope” is in the title of the movie.
The Empress — elated self, arrogance, inflated ego, naïveté ✅
After becoming inspired, we do not see Luke becoming arrogant or naïve.
But Han Solo strongly reflects Empress energy through his self-absorbed bravado.
The Wheel of Fortune — the ups and downs ✅
It is good that Han Solo joins the group, because Luke on his own is too humble to experience bigger swings in this archetype. With an arrogant Han Solo around, the downs are inevitable.
Han brings trouble from the very start. Soon they are captured by the Death Star’s tractor beam.
The Emperor — control, authority ✅
Han Solo’s modus operandi is to control and bend reality to his will after failures.
This way of thinking mirrors the Empire.
Strength — force, manipulation ✅
The Empire uses weapons to control people — and our group also uses guns and lightsabers to get their way.
Darth Vader and Obi-Wan also resort to using “The Force.” However, that kind of force is indicative of the Chariot archetype, which they have apparently already reached.
The Moon — twilight, illusion ✅
Because the Empire uses force to rule planets, it creates only illusory stability — which is obvious, since the Rebels have risen.
Han Solo’s manipulative ways of escaping trouble also create nothing but twilight, where his reckoning feels inevitable.
At one point, Han and Luke disguise themselves as stormtroopers.
The entire tense Death Star sequence carries strong Moon energy.
The Hierophant — truth told, surfaced ❓
Obi-Wan serves as a proper Hierophant, delivering important information to the group.
But the deeper revelation for the story comes later, when the Rebels decode R2-D2’s hidden records at the base.
However, more proper use of this archetype would be to deliever truth from our protagonists.
The Hanged Man — the crashing of illusions, new viewpoints ❌
There is no obvious crashing of illusions that renders our protagonists humbled and inactive for a period of time.
The Sun — sincerity, heart-to-heart ❓
The closest we come to sincere emotional warmth is when Luke tells Leia that he wishes Han were there — and she gives him a small kiss.
Otherwise, this archetype is mostly missing.
The Two Paths (Lovers) — determination for good/bad ✅
Luke is determined to help the Rebels fight the Death Star, even though Han tells him it is suicide.
He chooses the positive path.
Death — ego death ✅
Luke is too nice and humble to have a major ego to overcome.
However, Han clearly overcomes his selfish ego when he returns to help Luke in the final battle. He chooses the positive path — “service to others.”
Judgement / Resurrection — rebirth ✅
After ego death, Han experiences resurrection into a more selfless version of himself.
We also have another resurrection: after Obi-Wan’s sacrifice, he is heard from the spirit world.
The Chariot — uninhibitedness, intuition ✅
After Han returns selflessly, the group is no longer burdened by his ego. Luke freely moves into position and destroys the Death Star.
The World — reconnection with the divine (true love) ✅
Luke hears loving guidance from Obi-Wan.
Han returns to help Luke.
At the end, Luke and Han are publicly acknowledged and celebrated.
Temperance — lightheartedness and moderation ❓
There is no return home to integrate their new selves.
However, the award ceremony carries a sense of lightheartedness and relief.
Closing thoughts
In the end, what becomes clear is that Star Wars gives us two parallel arcs. The archetypes that never fully land on Luke are quietly assigned to Han Solo. Luke is kept lovable, humble, and almost morally spotless from beginning to end. That makes him inspiring, but it also means his inner journey is lighter and offers less emotional payoff.
Han, on the other hand, carries what Luke doesn’t. His selfish bravado slowly collapses, and he returns at the crucial moment — choosing friendship, loyalty, and responsibility. If there is true ego-transcendence in A New Hope, it belongs to him.
All in all, the archetypes are surprisingly well represented — even though George Lucas never formally studied them. He did study Campbell and the Hero’s Journey, and in many ways these two systems are simply speaking different dialects of the same language. Both describe the gradual growth of the human being: the movement from comfort, through challenge, toward responsibility and service.
And that may be the real gift of Star Wars. It shows us that myth does not need heavy psychology to work. Sometimes, even a simple adventure story can quietly mirror the inner path we are all walking — on the screen, and in our own lives.
Thank you!
Ira