The Tarot Meanings
Here is an extremely basic
rundown of the meanings of
the tarot cards. These are
by no means the one and only
set of meanings that exist
for the Tarot. Different traditions
are followed in different
countries and even amongst
decks. The following meanings
are appropriate for decks
based on the Marseilles deck
and the Rider-Waite deck.
(Note for those using the
Rider-Waite deck: Strength
appears as card 8 and Justice
as card 11.)
The Major Arcana Tarot card meanings
of the Major Arcana (Latin
meaning "big secret")
deal with the human condition.
Each card represents the joys
and sorrows every man and
woman can experience in a
lifetime. The human drama
illustrated in 22 cards. Amazing,
isn?t it?
0 The Fool: New developments,
fresh starts, taking a risk.
1 The Magician: Opportunities,
working with your hands,
communication skills.
2 The High Priestess (The
Papess): Intuition, hidden
motivations, inner wisdom.
3 The Empress: Creativity
and abundance.
4 The Emperor: Authority
and control.
5 The Hierophant (The Pope):
Good advice and conforming
to the rules.
6 The Lovers: Emotional
choices, relationships.
7 The Chariot: Assertiveness,
progress.
8 Justice: Decision, clarity
of mind.
9 The Hermit: Going it alone,
listening to your own counsel.
10 The Wheel of Fortune:
Changes.
11 Strength: Quiet strength,
good health, dealing with
petty problems.
12 The Hanged Man: Sacrifice,
waiting.
13 Death: The end of a situation.
14 Temperance: Balancing,
moderation.
15 The Devil: Materialism,
greed, lust, bondage, anger.
16 The Tower: Sudden catastrophic
change.
17 The Star: Hope for the
future, good omen, education.
18 The Moon: Confusion,
loss of control.
19 The Sun: Success, fame.
20 Judgement: Rewards, karma,
judgement.
21 The World: Completion,
success, seeing the whole
picture.
The Minor Arcana The 56 minor cards
that follow the first 22 Major
Arcana cards. These 56 minor
Arcana cards are also called
pips, suit cards, minors,
and other terms. Arcanum is
singular, Arcana is plural
and the term means "secret."
Where the Major Arcana cards
are thought of as the "power"
cards or big players in a
reading, the Minor Arcana
serve in supportive roles
and augment the reading with
further insight and detail
of circumstances.
CUPS
Ace: A message of love,
the start of a romance.
Doing something for love.
Creativity.
Two: A happy relationship
or partnership.
Three: Partying and celebrating.
Four: Boredom and apathy.
The grass always seems
greener on the other side
of the fence.
Five: Depression and regret.
Six: Simple joys, something
or someone from the past.
Seven: Confusion, too
many choices, dreams and
illusions.
Eight: Leaving something
behind, change of lifestyle.
Nine: The wish card. Dreams
come true.
Ten: Good luck and happiness,
satisfaction.
Page: A new friendship.
News of something or someone
dear to your heart.
Knight: A proposal or
invitation. A good-natured,
brown-haired youth with
light eyes.
Queen: An intuitive woman.
A kindly brown-haired
woman with light eyes.
King: A gentle man. A
healer. A good advisor.
A good-natured, brown-haired
man with light eyes.
WANDS or RODS
Ace: New starts. New
business idea. Uprush
of energy.
Two: Planning for the
future. Anxiety. Working
partnership.
Three: Business success,
leading a group.
Four: House move, success.
Five: Trouble and strife,
especially petty fighting.
Six: Public success, recognition.
Seven: Fighting for your
vision, competing.
Eight: Communications,
quick movement.
Nine: Last minute problems,
self-protection.
Ten: Success which brings
(too) many burdens.
Page: News of work or
business, new interests.
Knight: Travel and action.
A red or fair-haired youth.
Queen: A business-like
or active woman. A red
or fair-haired woman.
King: An active and influential
man. A red or fair-haired
man.
COINS or PENTACLES
Ace: Money and security,
health.
Two: Juggling time and
money, cautiousness.
Three: New job or work,
success in work.
Four: Success but unwillingness
to move forward or change.
Five: Ill health, financial
losses, loss of self-esteem.
Six: Receiving and giving
help, financial and otherwise.
Seven: Making adjustments
in your plans and being
prepared to do the hard
work.
Eight: New job, studies,
working with a hobby.
Nine: Success from your
own efforts, security.
Ten: Money and property,
the countryside, inheritance.
Page: News abut money
or a job, study for a
job.
Knight: Cautious, patient
working towards a goal.
A dark-haired youth with
dark eyes.
Queen: An self-confident
and practical woman. A
dark-haired woman with
dark eyes.
King: An honest and practical
man. A dark-haired man
with dark eyes.
SWORDS
Ace: Crisis point, success
through difficulties.
Two: Sitting on the fence,
balance, waiting.
Three: Anxiety, unhappiness,
separation.
Four: Rest, hospital,
withdrawal.
Five: Fighting for the
wrong things, arguments,
being forced to recognise
your limitations.
Six: Moving away from
troubles.
Seven: Deception, theft,
non-confrontation.
Eight: Feeling trapped,
standstill, restrictions.
Nine: Anxiety, worries,
mental anguish.
Ten: Misfortune and endings,
failure.
Page: Spying, email or
telephone call, brash
new idea.
Knight: Upsetting changes,
arguments. A dark-haired
youth with grey eyes.
Queen: A widow. An unscrupulous
woman. A dark-haired woman
with grey eyes.
King: An ambitious and
authoritative man. A lawyer
or doctor. A dark-haired
man with grey eyes.
