Tarot Card Meanings: The Complete Guide

Whether you’re new to tarot or a seasoned reader, understanding tarot card meanings is crucial for insightful and accurate readings. The traditional tarot deck is made up of 78 cards, divided into the Major Arcana and Minor Arcana. Each card has its own unique symbolism and interpretation, contributing to the larger story revealed during a tarot reading. In this guide, we’ll go through each card, its core meaning, and how it can be interpreted during a reading.

The Major Arcana (22 Cards)

The Major Arcana consists of 22 cards that represent life-changing events, spiritual lessons, and deep karmic energies. These cards are powerful indicators in a reading, signaling major themes and pivotal moments.

1. The Fool (0): New beginnings, spontaneity, adventure.
2. The Magician (1): Manifestation, resourcefulness, power.
3. The High Priestess (2): Intuition, mystery, inner wisdom.
4. The Empress (3): Abundance, nurturing, creation.
5. The Emperor (4): Authority, structure, control.
6. The Hierophant (5): Tradition, spiritual guidance, learning.
7. The Lovers (6): Love, harmony, relationships.
8. The Chariot (7): Determination, willpower, success.
9. Strength (8): Courage, patience, inner strength.
10. The Hermit (9): Introspection, solitude, wisdom.
11. Wheel of Fortune (10): Change, cycles, destiny.
12. Justice (11): Fairness, truth, law.
13. The Hanged Man (12): Surrender, new perspectives, letting go.
14. Death (13): Transformation, endings, rebirth.
15. Temperance (14): Balance, moderation, patience.
16. The Devil (15): Temptation, materialism, bondage.
17. The Tower (16): Upheaval, revelation, sudden change.
18. The Star (17): Hope, inspiration, renewal.
19. The Moon (18): Illusion, intuition, the subconscious.
20. The Sun (19): Joy, success, celebration.
21. Judgement (20): Reflection, reckoning, awakening.
22. The World (21): Completion, accomplishment, unity.

The Minor Arcana (56 Cards)

The Minor Arcana represents day-to-day events and smaller life lessons. These 56 cards are divided into four suits:

1. Wands (Fire Element): Represents action, ambition, and creativity.
2. Cups (Water Element): Symbolizes emotions, intuition, and relationships.
3. Swords (Air Element): Reflects intellect, conflict, and truth.
4. Pentacles (Earth Element): Connected to material aspects, career, and stability.

Wands – Fire Element

Wands represent action, ambition, and creativity. Linked with the Fire element, these cards often signify inspiration, passion, and movement. In a tarot reading, Wands are associated with energy, growth, and taking action.

• Ace of Wands: New beginnings, inspiration, potential.
• Two of Wands: Future planning, decisions, discovery.
• Three of Wands: Expansion, growth, foresight.
• Four of Wands: Celebration, harmony, homecoming.
• Five of Wands: Conflict, competition, tension.
• Six of Wands: Victory, recognition, success.
• Seven of Wands: Defense, standing your ground, perseverance.
• Eight of Wands: Speed, movement, swift action.
• Nine of Wands: Resilience, courage, persistence.
• Ten of Wands: Burden, responsibility, hard work.
• Page of Wands: Enthusiasm, exploration, discovery.
• Knight of Wands: Adventure, impulsiveness, passion.
• Queen of Wands: Confidence, determination, independence.
• King of Wands: Vision, leadership, honor.
• Ace of Wands: New beginnings, inspiration, potential.
• Two of Wands: Future planning, decisions, discovery.
• Three of Wands: Expansion, growth, foresight.

(Continue with the rest of the Wands suit)

Cups – Water Element

Cups symbolize emotions, intuition, and relationships. Connected with the Water element, Cups reflect how we connect with others and our deeper feelings. In tarot readings, they are often associated with matters of the heart and emotional well-being.

• Ace of Cups: Love, new relationships, compassion.
• Two of Cups: Partnership, unity, connection.
• Three of Cups: Celebration, friendship, community.
• Four of Cups: Contemplation, apathy, reevaluation.
• Five of Cups: Loss, regret, disappointment.
• Six of Cups: Nostalgia, memories, childhood.
• Seven of Cups: Choices, fantasy, illusion.
• Eight of Cups: Walking away, introspection, searching for truth.
• Nine of Cups: Contentment, satisfaction, gratitude.
• Ten of Cups: Fulfillment, harmony, divine love.
• Page of Cups: Creativity, curiosity, possibilities.
• Knight of Cups: Romance, charm, idealism.
• Queen of Cups: Compassion, intuition, emotional depth.
• King of Cups: Emotional balance, control, generosity.
• Ace of Cups: Love, new relationships, compassion.
• Two of Cups: Partnership, unity, connection.
• Three of Cups: Celebration, friendship, community.

(Continue with the rest of the Cups suit)

Swords – Air Element

Swords represent intellect, conflict, and truth. Associated with the Air element, they symbolize thought, communication, and decision-making. In tarot readings, Swords often point to challenges, mental clarity, and conflict resolution.

• Ace of Swords: Clarity, truth, breakthrough.
• Two of Swords: Difficult choices, indecision, stalemate.
• Three of Swords: Heartbreak, sorrow, grief.
• Four of Swords: Rest, recovery, meditation.
• Five of Swords: Conflict, betrayal, loss.
• Six of Swords: Transition, change, moving forward.
• Seven of Swords: Deception, trickery, strategy.
• Eight of Swords: Restriction, fear, feeling trapped.
• Nine of Swords: Anxiety, worry, nightmares.
• Ten of Swords: Painful endings, crisis, defeat.
• Page of Swords: Curiosity, mental energy, alertness.
• Knight of Swords: Action, ambition, determination.
• Queen of Swords: Independence, perception, clear-mindedness.
• King of Swords: Authority, truth, intellectual power.
• Ace of Swords: Clarity, truth, breakthrough.
• Two of Swords: Difficult choices, indecision, stalemate.
• Three of Swords: Heartbreak, sorrow, grief.

(Continue with the rest of the Swords suit)

Pentacles – Earth Element

Pentacles symbolize material aspects, career, and stability. Connected to the Earth element, they are representative of the physical world, including money, work, and practical matters. In tarot readings, Pentacles often relate to financial opportunities, career decisions, and manifestations of success.

• Ace of Pentacles: New financial opportunities, prosperity.
• Two of Pentacles: Balance, adaptability, prioritization.
• Three of Pentacles: Teamwork, collaboration, learning.
• Four of Pentacles: Control, stability, conservation.
• Five of Pentacles: Hardship, loss, financial struggle.
• Six of Pentacles: Generosity, charity, giving and receiving.
• Seven of Pentacles: Patience, hard work, delayed success.
• Eight of Pentacles: Apprenticeship, mastery, skill development.
• Nine of Pentacles: Abundance, luxury, self-sufficiency.
• Ten of Pentacles: Wealth, family, long-term success.
• Page of Pentacles: Ambition, diligence, new ventures.
• Knight of Pentacles: Hard work, responsibility, routine.
• Queen of Pentacles: Practicality, comfort, nurturing.
• King of Pentacles: Security, discipline, abundance.
• Ace of Pentacles: New financial opportunities, prosperity.
• Two of Pentacles: Balance, adaptability, prioritization.
• Three of Pentacles: Teamwork, collaboration, learning.

(Continue with the rest of the Pentacles suit)

Using Tarot Card Meanings in a Reading

Understanding the tarot card meanings is just the first step. To perform an insightful tarot reading, you need to look at how the cards interact with each other and their placement in the spread. The Major Arcana often signifies major shifts, while the Minor Arcana points to daily influences and challenges.

For example:

• If The Lovers appears next to The Chariot, it may indicate a strong push forward in a relationship.
• If The Tower is near The Wheel of Fortune, prepare for unexpected changes that are out of your control.

Final Thoughts

Learning the meanings of all 78 tarot cards is a journey that deepens your intuition and improves your tarot reading skills. Whether you’re just starting or looking to expand your understanding, mastering these interpretations will allow you to unlock deeper insights into your life and the lives of others.

If you’re ready to explore your journey through the cards, why not try a free 3-card tarot reading at MoonTimeTarot.com? Discover what the cards have to say about your past, present, and future.