What does each tarot card mean?
It isn’t only readers who want to know what each card means. People who read for themselves want to know too. Sometimes you just want to see the other meanings, or a few good ones, after getting hit by one negative card after another.
There are 78 tarot cards, split into two groups: 22 Major Arcana and 56 Minor Arcana. Each group gives a different kind of detail and carries a different weight. Most of the time, the meanings of the Major Arcana run deeper and matter more than those of the Minor Arcana.
The Minor Arcana splits further into four suits: Wands, Cups, Swords and Pentacles. Go one step further and each suit has 10 number cards and 4 court cards.
However good a card looks, every card always has its own positive side and its own negative side. Sometimes a card that looks frightening has something to teach us. A card that looks enchanting can sometimes draw us in before we notice. So it’s worth knowing how to understand the meanings, choose which one to use, and fit it to the situation, so you don’t get careless (not too carried away, and not too scared).
The cards below link to the meaning of each card. Take your time reading through them and studying the meanings.
Major Arcana
The Foolnew beginnings
The Magiciancreative thinking
The High Priestessmysteries
The Empressbeing natural
The Emperorauthority
The Hierophantgroups
The Loverslove
The Chariotmoving forward
Strengthself-control
The Hermitinsight meditation
Wheel of Fortuneluck
Justicejustice
The Hanged Mancoming to terms
Deathendings
Temperanceharmony
The Devilbondage
The Towersudden and unexpected
The Starhope
The Moondreams
The Sunnew life
Judgementgetting something back
The WorldachievementMinor Arcana
Wands
Ace of Wandsideas popping into your head
Two of Wandsstarting to take control
Three of Wandsideas taking shape
Four of Wandsfirst success
Five of Wandsunrest
Six of Wandsvictory
Seven of Wandsdaring to fight
Eight of Wandsacting quickly
Nine of Wandsdetermination
Ten of Wandsfeeling weighed down
Page of Wandscheerful child
Knight of Wandsenergetic and ambitious
Queen of Wandslively, energetic woman
King of Wandsenergetic and devoted to what he cares aboutCups
Ace of Cupslove
Two of Cupslove
Three of Cups
Four of Cupsboredom
Five of Cupssadness
Six of Cupshappiness
Seven of Cupsgluttony
Eight of Cupsweariness
Nine of Cupssatisfaction
Ten of Cupsfeeling fulfilled
Page of Cupsan emotionally sensitive child
Knight of Cupsa thinker
Queen of Cupsquiet woman
King of Cupsan emotionally gentle manSwords
Ace of Swordsthoughts and ideas
Two of Swordsbalance and compatibility
Three of Swordsgrief
Four of Swordsa truce
Five of Swordsdefeat
Six of Swordsunderstanding
Seven of Swordsfeeling weak
Eight of Swordsbeing disturbed
Nine of Swordsthinking ill of others
Ten of Swordscollapse
Page of Swordsa child who thinks fast and acts fast
Knight of Swordsthinks fast, decides fast
Queen of Swordsan intelligent woman
King of Swordsa decision-makerPentacles
Ace of Pentaclesstarting to take shape
Two of Pentaclestrying to keep balance
Three of Pentacles
Four of Pentaclesstability
Five of Pentaclesthings going to waste
Six of Pentaclessuccess
Seven of Pentacleshaving enough
Eight of Pentaclescalm and composed
Nine of Pentaclesflourishing
Ten of Pentacleswealth
Page of Pentaclesorderly
Knight of Pentaclesreliable
Queen of Pentaclesalways busy and energetic
King of Pentacleshardworking