Tarot Card Meanings List - 78 Cards By Suit, Element, and Zodiac (original) (raw)
cups major arcana pentacles swords wands
The Major Arcana is a 22 card set within the tarot that is considered to be the core and the foundation for the deck. All of the deck is filled with archetypal significance, but this is most pronounced within the Major Arcana. These cards follow a storyline that tells of the spiritual travels taken from the innocent wonder of The Fool to the oneness and fulfillment of The World. In other words, these cards tell the story of humanity's spiritual evolution into enlightenment and individuation.
And so, as we follow the journey of the Fool, we can start seeing common parallels between our own stages in life and those in the cards, each card teaching a specific lesson and a concept to meditate over. Because they form the basis of the tarot, some readings can sometimes be conducted with only the Major Arcana as well.
The Fool Meaning
✦ ✦ ✦ Upright: innocence, new beginnings, free spiritReversed: recklessness, taken advantage of, inconsiderationFull Tarot Meaning
The Magician Meaning
✦ ✦ ✦ Upright: willpower, desire, creation, manifestationReversed: trickery, illusions, out of touchFull Tarot Meaning
The High Priestess Meaning
✦ ✦ ✦ Upright: intuitive, unconscious, inner voiceReversed: lack of center, lost inner voice, repressed feelingsFull Tarot Meaning
The Empress Meaning
✦ ✦ ✦ Upright: motherhood, fertility, natureReversed: dependence, smothering, emptiness, nosinessFull Tarot Meaning
The Emperor Meaning
✦ ✦ ✦ Upright: authority, structure, control, fatherhoodReversed: tyranny, rigidity, coldnessFull Tarot Meaning
The Hierophant Meaning
✦ ✦ ✦ Upright: tradition, conformity, morality, ethicsReversed: rebellion, subversiveness, new approachesFull Tarot Meaning
The Lovers Meaning
✦ ✦ ✦ Upright: partnerships, duality, unionReversed: loss of balance, one-sidedness, disharmonyFull Tarot Meaning
The Chariot Meaning
✦ ✦ ✦ Upright: direction, control, willpowerReversed: lack of control, lack of direction, aggressionFull Tarot Meaning
Strength Meaning
✦ ✦ ✦ Upright: inner strength, bravery, compassion, focusReversed: self doubt, weakness, insecurityFull Tarot Meaning
The Hermit Meaning
✦ ✦ ✦ Upright: contemplation, search for truth, inner guidanceReversed: loneliness, isolation, lost your wayFull Tarot Meaning
The Wheel of Fortune Meaning
✦ ✦ ✦ Upright: change, cycles, inevitable fateReversed: no control, clinging to control, bad luckFull Tarot Meaning
Justice Meaning
✦ ✦ ✦ Upright: cause and effect, clarity, truthReversed: dishonesty, unaccountability, unfairnessFull Tarot Meaning
The Hanged Man Meaning
✦ ✦ ✦ Upright: sacrifice, release, martyrdomReversed: stalling, needless sacrifice, fear of sacrificeFull Tarot Meaning
Death Meaning
✦ ✦ ✦ Upright: end of cycle, beginnings, change, metamorphosisReversed: fear of change, holding on, stagnation, decayFull Tarot Meaning
Temperance Meaning
✦ ✦ ✦ Upright: middle path, patience, finding meaningReversed: extremes, excess, lack of balanceFull Tarot Meaning
The Devil Meaning
✦ ✦ ✦ Upright: addiction, materialism, playfulnessReversed: freedom, release, restoring controlFull Tarot Meaning
The Tower Meaning
✦ ✦ ✦ Upright: sudden upheaval, broken pride, disasterReversed: disaster avoided, delayed disaster, fear of sufferingFull Tarot Meaning
The Star Meaning
✦ ✦ ✦ Upright: hope, faith, rejuvenationReversed: faithlessness, discouragement, insecurityFull Tarot Meaning
The Moon Meaning
✦ ✦ ✦ Upright: unconscious, illusions, intuitionReversed: confusion, fear, misinterpretationFull Tarot Meaning
The Sun Meaning
✦ ✦ ✦ Upright: joy, success, celebration, positivityReversed: negativity, depression, sadnessFull Tarot Meaning
Judgement Meaning
✦ ✦ ✦ Upright: reflection, reckoning, awakeningReversed: lack of self awareness, doubt, self loathingFull Tarot Meaning
The World Meaning
✦ ✦ ✦ Upright: fulfillment, harmony, completionReversed: incompletion, no closureFull Tarot Meaning
Associated with the element of fire, the suit of wands represents passion, inspiration and willpower. The wands imbue their users with primal energy, for it is through them that the cycle of creation can begin. Because of their ability to bring energy into any situation, they are also associated with action, ambition and making plans. At their worst, they can refer to situations that are filled with recklessness and lack of direction. As you follow the journey within the wands, you'll come across these themes again and again.
Learn More about the Suit of Wands
Knight of Wands Meaning
✦ ✦ ✦ Upright: action, adventure, fearlessnessReversed: anger, impulsiveness, recklessnessFull Tarot Meaning
King of Wands Meaning
✦ ✦ ✦ Upright: big picture, leader, overcoming challengesReversed: impulsive, overbearing, unachievable expectationsFull Tarot Meaning
Queen of Wands Meaning
✦ ✦ ✦ Upright: courage, determination, joyReversed: selfishness, jealousy, insecuritiesFull Tarot Meaning
Page of Wands Meaning
✦ ✦ ✦ Upright: exploration, excitement, freedomReversed: lack of direction, procrastination, creating conflictFull Tarot Meaning
Two of Wands Meaning
✦ ✦ ✦ Upright: planning, making decisions, leaving homeReversed: fear of change, playing safe, bad planningFull Tarot Meaning
Three of Wands Meaning
✦ ✦ ✦ Upright: looking ahead, expansion, rapid growthReversed: obstacles, delays, frustrationFull Tarot Meaning
Five of Wands Meaning
✦ ✦ ✦ Upright: competition, rivalry, conflictReversed: avoiding conflict, respecting differencesFull Tarot Meaning
Six of Wands Meaning
✦ ✦ ✦ Upright: victory, success, public rewardReversed: excess pride, lack of recognition, punishmentFull Tarot Meaning
Eight of Wands Meaning
✦ ✦ ✦ Upright: rapid action, movement, quick decisionsReversed: panic, waiting, slowdownFull Tarot Meaning
Nine of Wands Meaning
✦ ✦ ✦ Upright: resilience, grit, last standReversed: exhaustion, fatigue, questioning motivationsFull Tarot Meaning
Ten of Wands Meaning
✦ ✦ ✦ Upright: accomplishment, responsibility, burdenReversed: inability to delegate, overstressed, burnt outFull Tarot Meaning
Ace of Wands Meaning
✦ ✦ ✦ Upright: creation, willpower, inspiration, desireReversed: lack of energy, lack of passion, boredomFull Tarot Meaning
Four of Wands Meaning
✦ ✦ ✦ Upright: community, home, celebrationReversed: lack of support, transience, home conflictsFull Tarot Meaning
Seven of Wands Meaning
✦ ✦ ✦ Upright: perseverance, defensive, maintaining controlReversed: give up, destroyed confidence, overwhelmedFull Tarot Meaning
The suit of cups rules over all that is associated with emotions, the unconscious, creativity, and intuition. They frequently talk about relationships, whether romantic or otherwise, and one's imagination and inner world. They are associated with the element of water, which becomes a frequent visual theme within this suit. At their worst, the cups suit is fret with uncontrolled feelings, fantasy, and a disconnect with one's inner voice.
Learn More about the Suit of Cups
Ace of Cups Meaning
✦ ✦ ✦ Upright: new feelings, spirituality, intuitionReversed: emotional loss, blocked creativity, emptinessFull Tarot Meaning
Two of Cups Meaning
✦ ✦ ✦ Upright: unity, partnership, connectionReversed: imbalance, broken communication, tensionFull Tarot Meaning
Three of Cups Meaning
✦ ✦ ✦ Upright: friendship, community, happinessReversed: overindulgence, gossip, isolationFull Tarot Meaning
Four of Cups Meaning
✦ ✦ ✦ Upright: apathy, contemplation, disconnectednessReversed: sudden awareness, choosing happiness, acceptanceFull Tarot Meaning
Five of Cups Meaning
✦ ✦ ✦ Upright: loss, grief, self-pityReversed: acceptance, moving on, finding peaceFull Tarot Meaning
Six of Cups Meaning
✦ ✦ ✦ Upright: familiarity, happy memories, healingReversed: moving forward, leaving home, independenceFull Tarot Meaning
Seven of Cups Meaning
✦ ✦ ✦ Upright: searching for purpose, choices, daydreamingReversed: lack of purpose, diversion, confusionFull Tarot Meaning
Eight of Cups Meaning
✦ ✦ ✦ Upright: walking away, disillusionment, leaving behindReversed: avoidance, fear of change, fear of lossFull Tarot Meaning
Nine of Cups Meaning
✦ ✦ ✦ Upright: satisfaction, emotional stability, luxuryReversed: lack of inner joy, smugness, dissatisfactionFull Tarot Meaning
Ten of Cups Meaning
✦ ✦ ✦ Upright: inner happiness, fulfillment, dreams coming trueReversed: shattered dreams, broken family, domestic disharmonyFull Tarot Meaning
Page of Cups Meaning
✦ ✦ ✦ Upright: happy surprise, dreamer, sensitivityReversed: emotional immaturity, insecurity, disappointmentFull Tarot Meaning
Knight of Cups Meaning
✦ ✦ ✦ Upright: following the heart, idealist, romanticReversed: moodiness, disappointmentFull Tarot Meaning
Queen of Cups Meaning
✦ ✦ ✦ Upright: compassion, calm, comfortReversed: martyrdom, insecurity, dependenceFull Tarot Meaning
King of Cups Meaning
✦ ✦ ✦ Upright: compassion, control, balanceReversed: coldness, moodiness, bad adviceFull Tarot Meaning
The swords is the suit of intelligence, logic, truth, ambition, conflict and communication. It is associated with the element of air. In readings, these cards focus on the faculty and power of intellect, which like the swords themselves, are double-edged. This can be used for both good or evil, to help and to harm, and our greatest conflicts usually come from this delicate balance. At their worst, the swords can be abusive, harsh, and lack empathy.
Learn More about the Suit of Swords
King of Swords Meaning
✦ ✦ ✦ Upright: head over heart, discipline, truthReversed: manipulative, cruel, weaknessFull Tarot Meaning
Knight of Swords Meaning
✦ ✦ ✦ Upright: action, impulsiveness, defending beliefsReversed: no direction, disregard for consequences, unpredictabilityFull Tarot Meaning
Queen of Swords Meaning
✦ ✦ ✦ Upright: complexity, perceptiveness, clear mindednessReversed: cold hearted, cruel, bitternessFull Tarot Meaning
Page of Swords Meaning
✦ ✦ ✦ Upright: curiosity, restlessness, mental energyReversed: deception, manipulation, all talkFull Tarot Meaning
Ten of Swords Meaning
✦ ✦ ✦ Upright: failure, collapse, defeatReversed: can't get worse, only upwards, inevitable endFull Tarot Meaning
Nine of Swords Meaning
✦ ✦ ✦ Upright: anxiety, hopelessness, traumaReversed: hope, reaching out, despairFull Tarot Meaning
Eight of Swords Meaning
✦ ✦ ✦ Upright: imprisonment, entrapment, self-victimizationReversed: self acceptance, new perspective, freedomFull Tarot Meaning
Seven of Swords Meaning
✦ ✦ ✦ Upright: deception, trickery, tactics and strategyReversed: coming clean, rethinking approach, deceptionFull Tarot Meaning
Six of Swords Meaning
✦ ✦ ✦ Upright: transition, leaving behind, moving onReversed: emotional baggage, unresolved issues, resisting transitionFull Tarot Meaning
Five of Swords Meaning
✦ ✦ ✦ Upright: unbridled ambition, win at all costs, sneakinessReversed: lingering resentment, desire to reconcile, forgivenessFull Tarot Meaning
Three of Swords Meaning
✦ ✦ ✦ Upright: heartbreak, suffering, griefReversed: recovery, forgiveness, moving onFull Tarot Meaning
Four of Swords Meaning
✦ ✦ ✦ Upright: rest, restoration, contemplationReversed: restlessness, burnout, stressFull Tarot Meaning
Two of Swords Meaning
✦ ✦ ✦ Upright: difficult choices, indecision, stalemateReversed: lesser of two evils, no right choice, confusionFull Tarot Meaning
Ace of Swords Meaning
✦ ✦ ✦ Upright: breakthrough, clarity, sharp mindReversed: confusion, brutality, chaosFull Tarot Meaning
The pentacles is the suit of all things worldly and material. Though we will immediately think of the pentacles as relating to financial matters, we also can understand them as being associated with security, stability, nature, health, and prosperity. The pentacles are of earth element. When we see pentacles show up in a reading, they are usually concerned with your long term future, career, generosity, your household, business investments and your feelings of sensuality. The negative side of the pentacles show up as greed, jealousy, miserliness, and unbridled ambition at the cost of all else.
Learn More about the Suit of Pentacles
King of Pentacles Meaning
✦ ✦ ✦ Upright: abundance, prosperity, securityReversed: greed, indulgence, sensualityFull Tarot Meaning
Queen of Pentacles Meaning
✦ ✦ ✦ Upright: practicality, creature comforts, financial securityReversed: self-centeredness, jealousy, smotheringFull Tarot Meaning
Knight of Pentacles Meaning
✦ ✦ ✦ Upright: efficiency, hard work, responsibilityReversed: laziness, obsessiveness, work without rewardFull Tarot Meaning
Page of Pentacles Meaning
✦ ✦ ✦ Upright: ambition, desire, diligenceReversed: lack of commitment, greediness, lazinessFull Tarot Meaning
Ten of Pentacles Meaning
✦ ✦ ✦ Upright: legacy, culmination, inheritanceReversed: fleeting success, lack of stability, lack of resourcesFull Tarot Meaning
Nine of Pentacles Meaning
✦ ✦ ✦ Upright: fruits of labor, rewards, luxuryReversed: reckless spending, living beyond means, false successFull Tarot Meaning
Eight of Pentacles Meaning
✦ ✦ ✦ Upright: apprenticeship, passion, high standardsReversed: lack of passion, uninspired, no motivationFull Tarot Meaning
Seven of Pentacles Meaning
✦ ✦ ✦ Upright: hard work, perseverance, diligenceReversed: work without results, distractions, lack of rewardsFull Tarot Meaning
Six of Pentacles Meaning
✦ ✦ ✦ Upright: charity, generosity, sharingReversed: strings attached, stinginess, power and dominationFull Tarot Meaning
Five of Pentacles Meaning
✦ ✦ ✦ Upright: need, poverty, insecurityReversed: recovery, charity, improvementFull Tarot Meaning
Four of Pentacles Meaning
✦ ✦ ✦ Upright: conservation, frugality, securityReversed: greediness, stinginess, possessivenessFull Tarot Meaning
Three of Pentacles Meaning
✦ ✦ ✦ Upright: teamwork, collaboration, buildingReversed: lack of teamwork, disorganized, group conflictFull Tarot Meaning
Two of Pentacles Meaning
✦ ✦ ✦ Upright: balancing decisions, priorities, adapting to changeReversed: loss of balance, disorganized, overwhelmedFull Tarot Meaning
Ace of Pentacles Meaning
✦ ✦ ✦ Upright: opportunity, prosperity, new ventureReversed: lost opportunity, missed chance, bad investmentFull Tarot Meaning
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