came across my own post again so heres my old very incomplete list of the major arcana as grimms fairytales, if anyone has things to add or criticise please do im very undecided on some of these
The Fool: Hans im Glück / Hans in Luck - i think this one's pretty obvious, its freedom and a new beginning. Hans is a fool but he's carefree and happy
The Magician: Das tapfere Schneiderlein / The Brave Little Tailor - i think this is a card that a lot of fairytales would fit, not even necessarily the ones about actual magicians but more the ones about people who are clever and witty and get away by tricking their opponents, and the brave little tailor kinda seems like the best example for that
The High Priestess: dont have one for this yet
The Empress: Rumpelstilzchen / Rumpelstiltskin - not too sure about this one but i put it here when i made this list a year ago. i guess its kinda about motherhood?
The Emperor: dont have one here either
The Hierophant: i had könig drosselbart written down for this one but i dont think i like that choice. hm
The Lovers: Dornröschen / Sleeping Beauty - my initial choice for this one was the twelve dancing princesses but im changing it to dornröschen, it just wouldve felt wrong not to have her on here. and well theres the whole true loves kiss thing of course
The Chariot: i feel like it should be really easy to find a fairytale for this one but somehow i cant. aschenputtel would obviously fit well but i think i prefer her for strength
Strength: Aschenputtel / Cinderella - its about hardship and bravery and compassion, i think she fits best here
The Hermit: Die sieben Raben / The Seven Ravens - this is my favorite fairytale so im biased and wanted to make sure its on here BUT i also do think it fits. ive always liked the thought of the girl travelling the whole world alone to search for her brothers and walking so far that she reaches the moon and the sun and the stars
Wheel of Fortune: Der Froschkönig oder der Eiserne Heinrich / The Frog Prince - its about transformations, karma, consequences, cycles of life. kinda wanna give Heinrich his own card but thats not how it works. he could also be the hermit, but like, worse
Justice: Der Wolf und die sieben Geißlein / The Wolf and the Seven Young Goats - lots of fairytales about justice and karma out there, but this one's definitely the first one that comes to mind (for me)
The Hanged Man: Die Gänsemagd / The Goose Girl - picked this one because the goose girl kinda just immediately accepts her shitty fate. and of course Falada's head actually hangs on a wall in this so that also works
Death: Rotkäppchen / Red Riding Hood - this one also could've been justice (the ending is honestly kind of the same as wolf & die 7 geißlein??) but. the neverafter influence
Temperance: Schneeweißchen & Rosenrot / Snow-White & Rose-Red - i think the reason i picked this one is because its like. so harmonious. not much happens and both sisters are just very kind no matter what happens
The Devil: Tischlein Deck Dich / The Wishing Table - not sure if this one fits 100% but i think in the sense of like. greed and materialism it kinda does? also theres the goat that causes everything by being an asshole for no reason
The Tower: i think the obvious choice in terms of the actual symbol would be Rapunzel but im not sure if that really fits hmm
The Star: Die Sterntaler / The Star Money - kind of an obvious choice based on the name but i do think it also fits in terms of the story, its all about faith and kindness
The Moon: Hänsel & Gretel - children abandoned by their parents and being deceived by a witch, maybe it kind of works?
The Sun: Die Bremer Stadtmusikanten / Town Musicians of Bremen - this one's just lots of joy and happiness after hardship, its perfect i think
Judgement: Frau Holle / Mother Holle - it does not get any judgier than this one
The World: Der süße Brei / Sweet Porridge - this one's kind of a joke but also kind of not. cannot think of any other fairytale that would fit