Tarot is a powerful tool for self-discovery, decision-making, and spiritual insight. Understanding the meanings of all 78 tarot cards can help interpret readings with confidence and clarity, whether for oneself or others. The tarot deck is divided into two main sections: Major Arcana and Minor Arcana. The Major Arcana represents transformative life lessons, while the Minor Arcana consists of four suits—each corresponding to an element and different aspects of daily experiences. Today, tarot is used worldwide for personal growth, spiritual exploration, and intuitive readings. Tarot cards are a deck of 78 cards, each with unique imagery and symbolism. They are used for divination, self-reflection, and spiritual guidance, helping people gain insight into their lives and situations.
The tarot is a fascinating tool for exploring our interior lives and thinking about the deeper meaning to be found all around us. While many believe the 78 tarot cards to hold supernatural powers, much of the meaning to be found in tarot comes from within the individual rather than from mystical powers. Tarot is a great tool for focusing our own intuition and wisdom, and the meaning we find in the cards typically comes from within our own knowledge and experience. According to history books, tarot cards were originally developed in the Middle Ages to play card games. They are a different branch descended from the same original decks that gave us modern playing cards. It was only centuries after they first were used to play games that French and English occultists began using them for cartomancy, or the use of cards to divine the future. French writers created a powerful myth that tarot cards had once been the lost pages of the ancient Egyptian Book of Thoth, which gave them their mystical allure. However, a careful historical study has found that tarot cards developed in response to the meaning that users attributed to them, taking shape around the beliefs and practices of their users. Simplified tarot meanings are encrypted in different symbols depicted on each card.
The Major Arcana: Tarot Card Meanings and Interpretations
The tarot deck is divided into two major parts. The most famous are the Major Arcana cards, which are numbered from zero to 22 and carry an image with a unique meaning. These twenty-two cards stand outside the four suits of the Minor Arcana and carry tarot meanings that are independent of the suits. Because these cards stand alone, they are considered more powerful and are associated with teaching larger lessons about life. When these cards appear in a tarot reading, the Major Arcana cards are generally thought to guide the narrative of a traditional tarot reading. Major Arcana tarot cards can be thought of as a kind of narrative explaining the soul’s growth toward enlightenment, and the selection of Major Arcana cards you receive in a reading can show you the part of the path of growth you are currently on. The meaning of tarot cards in the Major Arcana is connected to turning points and major life events.
The Major Arcana consists of 22 cards representing major life events and spiritual lessons. The 22 Major Arcana cards represent life's karmic and spiritual lessons, significant life events, and turning points on your soul's journey. Following The Fool's Journey, these cards tell the story of humanity's spiritual evolution into enlightenment and individuation. The sequence of the Major Arcana cards is often referred to as the “Fool's Journey,” after the card “The Fool,” which is the zero card and therefore the starting point through the Major Arcana. While tarot card meanings can vary with the individual, each number in the list of tarot cards in the Major Arcana can be seen as a different step on an individual’s personal journey of self-discovery. The story begins at zero with The Fool, who represents innocence and newness, and it ends with The World at 22, a card that represents completeness and the fullness of experience and wisdom. According to a guidebook, every tarot card withholds its basic definition and explanation, but correct interpreting the Major Arcana is only possible with deep learning and understanding the symbolism of each card.
The Minor Arcana: Tarot Card Meanings and Significance
While the Major Arcana tarot cards’ meaning is different for each card, the Minor Arcana cards carry a different significance. These cards are relevant to day-to-day life and the smaller experiences of everyday life. In other words, while the Major Arcana are all about teaching you major life lessons, the Minor Arcana cards offer you practical advice on navigating the ins and outs of everyday situations. The Minor Arcana includes 56 cards divided into four suits, focusing on everyday experiences and challenges.
The four suits of the Minor Arcana are Wands, Cups, Swords, and Pentacles. Each suit corresponds to an element and different aspects of daily experiences. Below, explore the five sections of tarot, each leading to its dedicated page: - Wands – Linked to the element of Fire, representing creativity, ambition, and action. - Cups – Connected to the element of Water, symbolizing emotions, relationships, and intuition. - Swords – Ruled by the element of Air, representing intellect, truth, and challenges. - Pentacles – Aligned with the element of Earth, representing stability, finances, and material concerns.
The Suit of Wands: Fire, Ambition, and Action
Every tarot card tells a story—it reflects your journey, emotions, choices, and truth. The suit of wands carries the spark of fire. It’s about movement, ambition, and the energy that pushes you forward. These cards tap into your drive to create, lead, grow, and take bold steps. Whether it’s about your career, a personal goal, or a dream you can’t shake, Wands speak to the part of you that craves purpose and momentum. Upright, Wands show confidence, vision, and energy. For example, the Ace of Wands may show the beginning of a creative spark or a new project. The Ten of Wands in upright position shows hard work and persistence. Reversed, however, Wands might point to burnout, lack of direction, or holding back due to fear. What do Wands mean in tarot when they show up reversed? Often, it’s a nudge to check in with your inner hesitation or scattered energy. This suit reminds you that passion fuels progress—but it can also burn out if not managed well.
The Suit of Cups: Water, Emotions, and Relationships
The suit of Cups is connected to the element of Water, symbolizing emotions, relationships, and intuition. In upright positions, Cups cards often reflect emotional fulfillment, harmony in relationships, and intuitive insights. They encourage individuals to explore their feelings and connect with others on a deeper level. When Cups cards appear reversed, they may indicate emotional blockages, misunderstandings in relationships, or a need to address unresolved feelings. The imagery in Cups cards often depicts water elements, reinforcing the fluid and adaptive nature of emotions. Understanding the symbolism of Cups helps individuals navigate their emotional landscape with greater awareness.
The Suit of Swords: Air, Intellect, and Challenges
Ruled by the element of Air, the suit of Swords represents intellect, truth, and challenges. These cards often appear in readings when mental clarity, decision-making, or conflicts are at the forefront. In their upright position, Swords cards can signify clear thinking, truth-seeking, and the ability to cut through confusion. For instance, a card like the Ace of Swords may represent a breakthrough or a moment of mental clarity. However, when reversed, Swords cards might point to mental fog, unresolved conflicts, or communication breakdowns. The suit of Swords serves as a reminder that thoughts and words carry weight, and addressing challenges with honesty and intellect is essential for growth.
The Suit of Pentacles: Earth, Stability, and Material Concerns
Aligned with the element of Earth, the suit of Pentacles represents stability, finances, and material concerns. These cards are deeply connected to the physical world, including work, wealth, health, and the tangible aspects of life. Upright Pentacles cards often signify abundance, prosperity, and grounded efforts leading to results. For example, the Ten of Pentacles may indicate long-term financial security or family legacy. When reversed, they might highlight financial instability, materialism, or a disconnect from the physical world. The imagery in Pentacles cards frequently includes earthy symbols, reinforcing their association with stability and practicality. These cards encourage individuals to focus on building a secure foundation in their material lives.
How to Interpret Tarot Card Meanings
Interpret tarot cards by considering their imagery, symbolism, and traditional meanings. Trust your intuition and reflect on how each card's message applies to your question or situation. Upright and reversed positions can offer different insights. Tarot is best used as a tool for guidance and self-discovery rather than fortune-telling. It can highlight potential outcomes and offer advice, but your actions and choices shape your future.
For beginners, start by studying each card's basic meaning in both upright and reversed positions, then consider how it relates to your question. Simplified tarot meanings are encrypted in different symbols depicted on each card. For deeper insight, the ultimate guide to tarot card meanings offers keywords, descriptions, and valuable interpretations of each card in both upright and reversed positions. All interpretations are based on the timeless imagery of the Universal Waite deck, thoughtfully integrated with Ceerly’s own visual style. If you’ve ever asked, “What does each tarot card mean?” or “How can I start learning tarot as a beginner?”, you're not alone. Just click on any card below to uncover its meaning.
Conclusion
Tarot cards serve as a mirror to the soul, offering insights into life's journey through the Major and Minor Arcana. From the transformative lessons of the Major Arcana to the practical guidance of the four suits—Wands, Cups, Swords, and Pentacles—each card provides a unique perspective on personal growth, relationships, challenges, and material well-being. By understanding the symbolism and traditional meanings, individuals can use tarot as a tool for self-reflection and decision-making. Whether upright or reversed, each card invites deeper introspection, encouraging users to trust their intuition and take ownership of their path. As history shows, the power of tarot lies not in supernatural forces but in the personal meaning and wisdom derived from its imagery.