Tarot is an ancient divination tool used to gain insight into individuals’ past, present and future. It consists of 78 cards divided into two categories: 22 Major Arcana (the trump cards) and 56 Minor Arcana (the suit cards). Each card has its own distinct meanings which represent life events and experiences. Through a reading, the cards can provide insight into an individual’s mind, emotions, and experiences.
Major Arcana in Tarot
The Major Arcana cards represent the most important aspects of life. They are the archetypes that make up our higher selves and consciousness, and our journey through life. These cards often represent a major life transition or a journey that will bring great transformation. They show the themes and energies that we are working with in our lives, and learning to understand and use.
The Tarot is composed of two sections: The Major Arcana (22 cards) and the Minor Arcana (56 cards). The Major Arcana are said to represent the greater secrets of our destiny, while the Minor Arcana are said to represent the lesser secrets of our everyday life. The Major Arcana is divided into three sections: the World, the Hermit, and the Wheel of Fortune. These cards have much to teach us about our journey, our purpose in life, and the energies that drive us.
| Name of Card | Upright | Reversed |
|---|---|---|
| The Fool | Beginning of journey, innocence, naivety. | Careless decisions, recklessness. |
| The Magician | Manifestations, creativity, making dreams come true. | Lack of focus, lack of control, being misguided. |
| The High Priestess | Intuition, mystery, hidden knowledge. | Misinterpreted messages, lack of trust in intuition. |
| The Empress | Abundance, fertility, wealth. | Unrealistic expectations, lavish spending, materialism. |
| The Emperor | Authority, power, strength. | Lack of control, stubbornness, domineering. |
| The Hierophant | Seeking spiritual guidance, looking to religious traditions for answers. | Stifling conformity, traditions, dogma. |
| The Lovers | Relationships, partnerships, love, intimacy. | Confusion, instability, unresolved conflicts. |
| The Chariot | Victory, control, power of will. | Lack of direction, impulsiveness, crashing. |
| Strength | Courage, strength of character, power of the human spirit. | Fear, difficulty in asserting oneself, mindless rage. |
| The Hermit | Guidance, solace, illumination from within. | Being too isolated, not seeking the necessary help. |
| Wheel of Fortune | Cycles of life, ups and downs. | Bad luck, repeating mistakes. |
| Justice | Balance, harmony, fairness. | Deferred decisions, injustice. |
| The Hanged Man | Suspension, transformation, renewal. | Being stuck in a situation, unwillingness to change. |
| Death | Endings, regeneration, renewal. | Holding on to the past, fear of change. |
| Temperance | Patience, courage, balance. | Rash decisions, friction, instability. |
| The Devil | Temptation, obsession, addiction. | Breaking free of attachments, confronting one’s demons. |
| The Tower | Upheaval, chaos, unexpected change. | Fleeing from reality, lack of preparation. |
| The Star | Hope, faith, solace. | Lack of faith, despair, feeling lost. |
| The Moon | Unconscious, creative inspiration, intuition. | Fear, anxiety, confusion, illusion. |
| The Sun | Life, vitality, joy. | Loneliness, lack of energy, loss of enthusiasm. |
| Judgement | Renewal, awakening, enlightenment. | Self-doubt, feeling stuck, lack of progress. |
| The World | Completion, wholeness, unity. | Feeling lost, disconnected, incomplete. |
As you can see, each card of the Major Arcana has its own unique meaning, deeply rooted in archetypes and spiritual wisdom. By learning the meaning of each card and recognizing its symbolism, we can gain insight into our lives and our spiritual journey.
Suit of Wands in Tarot
The Wands are one of four of tarot card suits, the others being swords, cups and pentacles. The suit of Wands symbolizes creativity, ambition, energy, passion and inspiration, as well as navigation, the power of the spiritual fire, and wisdom. Through the cards in this suit, you can get a better understanding of your goals in life, your motivation for success, and your spiritual connection.
All cards in this suit traditionally represent a masculine energy – a pioneer, explorer, war, or business. Each card in the Wand’s suite has a unique meaning, which can be further explored for deeper insights when read in conjunction with the other cards in your reading.
The table below provides an overview of each card in the suit of Wands:
| Name of Card | Upright | Reversed |
|---|---|---|
| Ace of Wands | Creative potential, ambition, success. | Lost enthusiasm, delays in goals, frustration. |
| Two of Wands | Exploring possibilities, planning for the future. | Fear, lack of clarity, procrastination. |
| Three of Wands | Exploration, vision, mastery, personal growth. | Unrealistic expectations, arrogance. |
| Four of Wands | Material and spiritual success, celebration. | Excessive idealism, avoidance of reality. |
| Five of Wands | Competition, cooperation, individual progress. | Divisive attitudes, conflict. |
| Six of Wands | Victory, public recognition, self-confidence. | Conditional success, insecurity. |
| Seven of Wands | Flexibility, courage, fighting back. | Lack of strength, scattered energy, false confidence. |
| Eight of Wands | Swift change, progress, clarity. | Dissatisfaction, stagnation, unfinished business. |
| Nine of Wands | Perseverance, inner strength, fortitude. | Lack of faith, weakness, isolation. |
| Ten of Wands | Commitment, responsibility, hard work. | Overburden, self-destructive patterns, fear of failure. |
| Page of Wands | Creativity, enthusiasm, communication. | Lack of focus, low self-esteem, immaturity. |
| Knight of Wands | Action, adventure, risk. | Disappointment, recklessness, difficulty controlling one’s temper. |
| Queen of Wands | Inspiring leader, assertiveness, excellent communicator. | Self-centeredness, possessiveness, lack of empathy. |
| King of Wands | Charismatic leader, ambitious, persistent. | Controlling, aggressive, domineering. |
The Suit of Cups in Tarot
The Suit of Cups is one of the four suits found in the Minor Arcana of the Tarot and is associated with emotional matters. The Suit of Cups represents love, relationships, intuition, feelings, creativity, and even dreams and fantasies. It is the suit of the heart and can be a great resource for those looking for insight and understanding about their relationships. In each card of the Suit of Cups, there is an image and meaning that can provide a great deal of insight about relationships, feelings, and circumstances.
When interpreted through the lens of the Tarot, the Suit of Cups can represent a great deal. In some cases, it represents the good things that are happening in our lives. This can include anything from new relationships to beautiful dreams. In other cases, it could be interpreted as a warning sign of something that could be harmful or toxic. In every case, it is important to pay attention to the imagery and the meaning associated with the card to determine its true significance.
The Suit of Cups consists of 14 cards, each with a unique image and interpretation. Listed below are the names of the 14 cards in the Suit of Cups, their upright interpretation, and reversed interpretation.
| Name of Card | Upright | Reversed |
|---|---|---|
| Ace of Cups | New emotional energy, abundance, joy | Feelings of dissatisfaction, sadness, fear |
| Two of Cups | Balance, partnership, friendship | Estrangement from a loved one, unbalanced emotions |
| Three of Cups | Celebration, joy, friendship | Disappointment, sadness, loneliness |
| Four of Cups | Contemplation, stillness, inner peace | Boredom, stuck in a rut, need for change |
| Five of Cups | Mourning, disappointment, letting go | Acceptance, moving past sadnessgrief |
| Six of Cups | Nostalgia, memories, comfort | Over sentimentality, living in the past |
| Seven of Cups | Creative manifestations, abundance of possibilities | Confusion, distraction, disappointment |
| Eight of Cups | Letting go, moving on to something better | Stagnation, hesitation, unwillingness to move on |
| Nine of Cups | Satisfaction, abundance, joy | Overindulgence, complacency, contentment |
| Ten of Cups | Harmony, home, perfect union | Breaking of relationships, disharmony |
| Page of Cups | Creativity, emotion, idealism | Lack of emotion, naïveté, emotional immaturity |
| Knight of Cups | Romance, creativity, imagination | Manipulation, fantasy, unrealistic expectations |
| Queen of Cups | Compassion, warmth, intuition | Emotional fatigue, depression, instability |
| King of Cups | Wisdom, compassion, capability | Controlling behavior, manipulation, coldness |
It is important to remember that the cards are not definitive and should be interpreted in the context of the querent’s life. Every person’s journey is unique and the Suit of Cups can offer insight to many different situations. By interpreting the cards in the Suit of Cups, tarot readers can gain a deeper understanding of emotions, relationships, and other matters of the heart. You can also learn about couples and relationships in Kundali Matching.
The Suit of Swords: An Overview
The Suit of Swords is a suit in most tarot decks. It is connected with rational thinking and decision-making. The name “Swords” is said to come from the historical weapon of choice for knights and warriors.
The Suit of Swords is often associated with communication, knowledge, intellect, and power. Upright cards of this suit typically represent clarity of thought, truth and balance. Reversed cards are usually associated with mental confusion, indecision, and falsehood.
In readings, the Suit of Swords can appear with other arcana cards. These cards can show what energies are influencing the situation, whether it be positive or negative. For example, if a card from the Suit of Wands is present in a spread, it can point to a high energy outcome, while a card from the Suit of Pentacles may suggest a slow but steady approach. Conversely, if both a Suit of Swords and a Suit of Cups are present, it could be a sign that two sides of an argument are being considered.
Below is a table of the cards of the Suit of Swords, listing their name, their general meaning when in an upright position, and their general meaning when in a reversed position:
| Name of Card | Upright | Reversed |
|---|---|---|
| Ace of Swords | Clarity of thought, clear discernment, truth. | An inability to make decisions, mental confusion, false accusations. |
| Two of Swords | Difficult choices or inner conflicts. | Resisting change, feeling blocked, unwillingness to compromise. |
| Three of Swords | Painful truths, transformation, healing process. | Denial of the truth, depression or grief. |
| Four of Swords | Time for rest, space for reflection. | Isolation, withdrawal, or apathy. |
| Five of Swords | Conflict resolution, victory. | Defeat, discord, criticism. |
| Six of Swords | Moving forward, progress, journey. | Stagnation, unable to move on. |
| Seven of Swords | Deception, taking risks, clever plans. | Mishandling a situation, being untrustworthy. |
| Eight of Swords | A need for courage, seeing clearly. | Feeling powerless, confusion. |
| Nine of Swords | Dealing with anxiety, letting go of fear. | Remaining in fear, having worries that are unfounded. |
| Ten of Swords | Completion, end of an oppressive period. | Ifloss, ending with sadness, feeling overwhelmed. |
| Page of Swords | Diligence, curiosity, new ideas. | Misinformation, impulsiveness, arrogant behavior. |
| Knight of Swords | Defending an idea, boldness, courage. | Rashness, aggression, being a bad listener. |
| Queen of Swords | Intuitive intelligence, honoring truth. | Manipulation, coldness, inexperience. |
| King of Swords | Analytical and logical thinking, justice. | Unfairness, authoritarianism, rigidity. |
The Suit of Swords is an important suit to consider when doing any tarot reading, as it can reveal both the present state of the querent and the potential outcomes of their decisions. Whether upright or reversed, this suit can offer insight and clarity of thought.
The Major Arcana of the Suit of Pentacles
Pentacles represent the element of Earth in tarot readings, symbolizing the physical world and all earthly matters, from money to career to other elements of the material world. Each card in the suit of Pentacles can provide invaluable insight to a tarot reading.
| Name of card | Upright | Reversed |
|---|---|---|
| Ace of Pentacles | Unity, finacial stability, material wealth | Greed, caution, fear of change |
| Two of Pentacles | Balance, flexibility, adaptability | Instability, inflexibility, procrastination |
| Three of Pentacles | Accomplishment, creativity, success | Negligence, carelessness, perfectionism |
| Four of Pentacles | Security, stability, material gain | Possessiveness, isolation, poverty |
| Five of Pentacles | Perseverance, self-reliance, humility | Hopelessness, isolation, financial loss |
| Six of Pentacles | Generosity, charity, rewards | Stinginess, exploitation, ungratefulness |
| Seven of Pentacles | Patience, perseverance, hard work | Impatience, doubt, lack of motivation |
| Eight of Pentacles | Apprenticeship, craftsmanship, career | Unemployment, laziness, creative roadblocks |
| Nine of Pentacles | Independence, self-discipline, prosperity | Workaholism, reserve, loneliness |
| Ten of Pentacles | Family, legacy, traditions | Betrayal, broken families, financial ruin |
Symbolism
When a card from the suit of Pentacles appears during a tarot reading, it may not outright tell you the answer to your question, an dit may necessitate further exploration to gain a better understanding of its true meaning. Below is a list of some common symbols associated with each card, as well as what they may signify in a tarot reading.
An Ace of Pentacles is typically represented by a hand presenting a golden coin, which symbolizes the blessing of material security and finacial abundance. The Two of Pentacles is often depicted as a juggler trying to keep two coins balanced on either side to demonstrate the need to maintain equilibrium in order to succeed. The Three of Pentacles is usually an image of two craftsmen consulting with a patron, drawing attention to the importance of collaboration to assure success.
The Four of Pentacles often features an image of a man holding a pentacle up close, emphasizing the need to be mindful of possessions. The Five of Pentacles is often represented as two beggars walking away from a church, suggesting that a spiritual journey is often necessary to get back on one’s feet again. The Six of Pentacles usually contains two figures, one holding a scale and the other with golden coins, symbolizing equilibrium gained through generosity.
The Seven of Pentacles is typically represented by a figure looking off into the distance, holding up a pentacle, which serves as a reminder to stay focused and continue to work hard despite any shortcomings. The Eight of Pentacles is usually illustrated as a figure diligently carving a single pentacle, highlighting the value of hard work and craftsmanship. Lastly, The Nine of Pentacles is often depicted by a woman in a lush garden, showing that patience, self-sufficiency, and living within your means can lead to success.
Interpreting Tarot Card Meanings
When looking at Tarot cards, it is important to consider the card’s individual meaning as well as its position within a particular spread. A single card can be interpreted differently, depending on the surrounding cards, its position in the reading, and the overall context of the reading.
Interpreting Tarot card meanings can be difficult and complex, and it is often best to seek advice from an experienced Tarot reader. Ultimately, it is important to remember that the Tarot is a tool to gain insight and help with decision-making. It is not meant to predict the future, but to provide guidance to help individuals make choices that are in alignment with their highest good.