You may be considering how to design your own tarot cards, or planning to order your own custom printed tarot cards. Firstly, you’re just wondering what do all these different tarot cards mean – well read on.
Welcome! Tarot isn’t about predicting doom or telling you exactly what’s going to happen next Tuesday at 3:17 PM. It’s about insight, reflection, a little mystery and sometimes, surprisingly good advice.
Each card in the deck has its own personality and message—some uplifting, some challenging, all helpful in the right context. This guide will walk you through some of the most well-known tarot cards and meanings so you can start reading with confidence (or at least understand what your reader is talking about).
Key Takeaway – The Cards at a Glance
Here’s a quick, easy list of the 78 cards:
Major Arcana:
1. 0 – The Fool – New beginnings, innocence, leap of faith
2. I – The Magician (Magus) – Personal power, manifestation
3. II – The High Priestess – Intuition, mystery, inner wisdom
4. III – The Empress – Abundance, creativity, nurturing
5. IV – The Emperor – Structure, authority, stability
6. V – The Hierophant – Tradition, guidance, learning
7. VI – The Lovers – Choices, relationships, values
8. VII – The Chariot – Willpower, determination, direction
9. VIII – Strength – Courage, patience, inner calm
10. IX – The Hermit – Solitude, reflection, inner search
11. X – Wheel of Fortune – Cycles, destiny, change
12. XI – Justice – Fairness, truth, accountability
13. XII – The Hanged Man – Perspective, pause, surrender
14. XIII – Death – Transformation, endings, rebirth
15. XIV – Temperance – Balance, moderation, harmony
16. XV – The Devil – Attachments, limitation, temptation
17. XVI – The Tower – Sudden change, awakening, release
18. XVII – The Star – Hope, renewal, inspiration
19. XVIII – The Moon – Intuition, illusion, internal shifts
20. XIX – The Sun – Joy, clarity, success, vitality
21. XX – Judgment – Reflection, awakening, renewal
22. XXI – The World – Completion, unity, achievement
Minor Arcana:
Suits of Wands (Fire Element):
Ace of Wands, Two of Wands, Three of Wands, Four of Wands, Five of Wands, Six of Wands, Seven of Wands, Eight of Wands, Nine of Wands, Ten of Wands, Page of Wands, Knight of Wands, Queen of Wands, King of Wands.
Suit of Cups (Water Element):
Ace of Cups, Two of Cups, Three of Cups, Four of Cups, Five of Cups, Six of Cups, Seven of Cups, Eight of Cups, Nine of Cups, Ten of Cups, Page of Cups, Knight of Cups, Queen of Cups, King of Cups.
Suit of Swords (Air Element):
Ace of Swords, Two of Swords, Three of Swords, Four of Swords, Five of Swords, Six of Swords, Seven of Swords, Eight of Swords, Nine of Swords, Ten of Swords, Page of Swords, Knight of Swords, Queen of Swords, King of Swords.
Suit of Pentacles (Earth Element):
Ace of Pentacles, Two of Pentacles, Three of Pentacles, Four of Pentacles, Five of Pentacles, Six of Pentacles, Seven of Pentacles, Eight of Pentacles, Nine of Pentacles, Ten of Pentacles, Page of Pentacles, Knight of Pentacles, Queen of Pentacles, King of Pentacles.
Tarot Card Meanings – A Brief Overview
The Fool – A Leap of Faith
Let’s start at the very beginning. The Fool tarot card (card 0) is about new beginnings, a fresh perspective, and diving in headfirst—even if you don’t have a full plan yet.
The meaning of the Fool in tarot cards is all about potential. There’s excitement, possibility, and yes, a little risk involved. But the Fool reminds you that some of life’s most magical moments happen when you trust your instincts and take that first step.
You might not know where the road leads, but the tarot card meaning of the Fool is clear: start anyway. There’s wisdom in being open, playful, and curious.
Death – Don’t Panic
Few cards create more drama than this one. But the Death tarot card meaning isn’t about literal endings (99.9% of the time). It’s about transformation.
The meaning of the tarot Death card is that something in your life is ready to evolve. An old way of thinking, a habit, or a situation may be ending—so something better can take its place. Think of it like a shedding of skin.
Whether you're going through a breakup, a job change, or personal growth, the tarot cards death card meaning suggests you're on the verge of a new chapter. The message? Release what no longer fits. There’s power in letting go.
The Hanged Man – Embrace the Pause
The Hanged Man tarot card meaning is often misunderstood. He’s not stuck—he’s choosing to pause.
This card invites you to take a step back and look at things from a different angle. It’s about surrender, stillness, and sometimes even sacrifice (not in a dramatic way—think letting go of control).
If you’re in limbo or waiting for clarity, the Hanged Man reassures you that this pause is part of the process. Insight comes when you stop pushing.
The Devil – Face the Patterns
The Devil tarot card tends to raise eyebrows, but it’s not about anything evil. It's about entrapment—and your power to escape it.
The Devil meaning in tarot cards often relates to limiting beliefs, unhealthy attachments, or behaviors that no longer serve you. This card shines a light on what’s holding you back—whether it’s fear, addiction, people-pleasing, or self-doubt.
The good news? You're not stuck. Those chains are loose. The first step is noticing the pattern, then deciding how to break free.
The Moon – Things Are Not What They Seem
Ah, The Moon—mysterious, dreamy, and occasionally confusing.
The Moon tarot card meaning is tied to intuition, illusion, and the unconscious. It often shows up when emotions are high or when you're navigating uncertain territory.
Not everything is out in the open, and that's okay. This card suggests you slow down, pay attention to your inner voice, and trust your instincts over surface appearances. The fog will clear in time.
The Sun – Light, Clarity, and Joy
If The Moon is mystery, The Sun is clarity, combined with warmth and joy.
The Sun tarot card meaning is one of the most positive in the deck. It suggests success, optimism, and good vibes ahead. When this card appears, it often means things are coming together—goals achieved, truth revealed, and a feeling of deep contentment.
It's a card of truth, celebration, and personal freedom. Lean into it!
The Hierophant – Learning from Tradition
The Hierophant tarot card meanings can appear a bit serious at first glance, but this card offers deep wisdom.
It often points to spiritual or formal education, guidance from a mentor, or the role tradition plays in your life. You might find yourself leaning into community, learning from others, or even reconsidering your beliefs.
The tarot cards Hierophant meaning asks: What do you believe? And who helped shape that belief? It’s a call to understand your foundation—before deciding how to grow beyond it.
Judgment – Your Wake-Up Call
Time for reflection. The meaning of the tarot card Judgment is about taking stock of your life. Are you living in alignment with your purpose? Are you ready to let go of past versions of yourself?
This card doesn’t judge you—it asks you to do the judging. It can symbolize a spiritual awakening, the end of a chapter, or the need to forgive (yourself or others).
The Magus (aka The Magician) – Your Power, Activated
The Magus tarot card (more commonly called The Magician) is the ultimate reminder: you already have what you need.
The meaning of the Magus tarot card is all about using your resources, talents, and willpower to create what you want. You’ve got the tools—now trust yourself to use them.
This is a “yes” card. Take action. Manifest. Believe.
Ace of Wands – That Spark You Needed
The meaning of the Ace of Wands tarot card is all about fresh energy, creativity, and the excitement of starting something new.
If this card shows up, you might be entering a passionate new phase. Maybe a creative idea, a career move, or even just a burst of motivation to tackle something you’ve been putting off.
It’s the match strike that starts a fire—now it’s up to you to keep it going.
Understanding the Minor Arcana: Your Guide to the Everyday Magic of Tarot
While the Major Arcana might steal the spotlight with their cosmic drama and sweeping life lessons, the Minor Arcana is where tarot gets wonderfully real. These 56 cards are your day-to-day companions, offering insight into your relationships, work life, emotional states, and inner world.
They're divided into four suits: Wands, Cups, Swords, and Pentacles—each with 14 cards (Ace through 10, plus Page, Knight, Queen, and King).
So, if you’re curious what the Two of Swords is trying to tell you or wondering why the Nine of Pentacles feels so luxurious, this guide is for you.
Let’s break it down suit by suit.
Suit of Wands (Fire Element)
Theme: Passion, creativity, inspiration, energy, and ambition.
Wands often show up when you’re dealing with projects, purpose, or personal power.
The Wands Cards:
1. Ace of Wands – A spark of inspiration, new ideas, fresh energy.
2. Two of Wands – Planning your next move, future thinking.
3. Three of Wands – Waiting for your efforts to bear fruit.
4. Four of Wands – Celebration, community, a joyful homecoming.
5. Five of Wands – Conflict, competition, or scattered energy.
6. Six of Wands – Victory, public recognition, a well-earned win.
7. Seven of Wands – Standing your ground, defending your beliefs.
8. Eight of Wands – Swift action, momentum, messages on their way.
9. Nine of Wands – Persistence, setting boundaries, wounded but strong.
10. Ten of Wands – Overload, burden, carrying more than you should.
11. Page of Wands – Curiosity, enthusiasm, the start of a new venture.
12. Knight of Wands – Bold moves, high energy, impulsive action.
13. Queen of Wands – Confidence, charm, creative leadership.
14. King of Wands – Visionary, authoritative, natural-born leader.
Suit of Cups (Water Element)
Theme: Emotions, love, intuition, connection, and the subconscious.
Cups reflect your heart—your emotional life, relationships, and inner tides.
The Cups Cards:
1. Ace of Cups – New love, emotional renewal, open-heartedness.
2. Two of Cups – Soulful connection, mutual respect, budding romance.
3. Three of Cups – Celebration, friendship, coming together with joy.
4. Four of Cups – Apathy, introspection, missing what's in front of you.
5. Five of Cups – Grief, disappointment, but also hope still standing.
6. Six of Cups – Nostalgia, childhood memories, innocence.
7. Seven of Cups – Too many choices, illusion, fantasy vs. reality.
8. Eight of Cups – Walking away, leaving behind what no longer fits.
9. Nine of Cups – Emotional satisfaction, wishes coming true.
10. Ten of Cups – Harmony, happiness, lasting love and connection.
11. Page of Cups – Dreamy creativity, messages of the heart, openness.
12. Knight of Cups – Romance, following your heart, poetic gestures.
13. Queen of Cups – Emotional depth, intuition, nurturing energy.
14. King of Cups – Compassionate leadership, emotional wisdom.
Suit of Swords (Air Element)
Theme: Intellect, truth, conflict, clarity, and communication.
Swords deal with what’s going on in your mind: decisions, thoughts, sometimes anxiety.
The Swords Cards:
1. Ace of Swords – Breakthrough, mental clarity, truth revealed.
2. Two of Swords – Indecision, avoidance, needing to make a choice.
3. Three of Swords – Heartbreak, sorrow, emotional pain.
4. Four of Swords – Rest, recuperation, time out to heal.
5. Five of Swords – Tension, winning at what cost?, petty drama.
6. Six of Swords – Transition, leaving behind difficulty.
7. Seven of Swords – Deception, hidden motives, strategy.
8. Eight of Swords – Feeling trapped, self-imposed limitations.
9. Nine of Swords – Anxiety, nightmares, overwhelm.
10. Ten of Swords – Endings, betrayal, rock bottom—but rebirth is near.
11. Page of Swords – Curiosity, thirst for knowledge, youthful intellect.
12. Knight of Swords – Quick action, focused ambition, charging ahead.
13. Queen of Swords – Logic, independence, honest communication.
14. King of Swords – Clarity, mental strength, authoritative truth.
Suit of Pentacles (Earth Element)
Theme: Career, money, health, home, and long-term goals.
Pentacles are about stability, comfort, and the physical world you live in.
The Pentacles Cards:
1. Ace of Pentacles – A fresh opportunity in work, health, or finances.
2. Two of Pentacles – Juggling responsibilities, finding balance.
3. Three of Pentacles – Teamwork, learning, collaboration.
4. Four of Pentacles – Holding on too tight, fear of loss.
5. Five of Pentacles – Financial difficulty, feeling isolated.
6. Six of Pentacles – Generosity, giving and receiving, support.
7. Seven of Pentacles – Patience, long-term investment, re-evaluation.
8. Eight of Pentacles – Skill-building, dedication, practice.
9. Nine of Pentacles – Self-sufficiency, luxury, enjoying your success.
10. Ten of Pentacles – Legacy, financial stability, family wealth.
11. Page of Pentacles – Ambition, new studies, potential for growth.
12. Knight of Pentacles – Reliability, methodical progress, hard work.
13. Queen of Pentacles – Nurturing abundance, practicality, earth-mother energy.
14. King of Pentacles – Wealth, leadership, successful stewardship.
Remember: It’s All in the Context
Each Minor Arcana card brings something unique to a reading, and its meaning depends on what’s going on in your life (and what other cards are around). A Five of Cups might mean heartbreak today—but with a Ten of Cups nearby, it could be part of a bigger emotional healing journey.
Major vs. Minor Arcana: How They’re Different, and Why They’re Better Together
If you’ve ever stared at a full tarot deck and felt a little overwhelmed by all 78 cards—you’re not alone. There’s a lot going on in there! But once you understand the difference between the Major Arcana and the Minor Arcana, the whole system starts to feel a lot more approachable (and kind of brilliant, actually).
How They Work Together: The Bigger Picture
Here's the fun part: while they have different roles, the Major and Minor Arcana are partners in storytelling.
Think of it like this:
· The Major Arcana is the plot of the movie—those key turning points that move the story forward.
· The Minor Arcana is everything in between—the dialog, the character development, the pacing, the details that give the plot depth and meaning.
Let’s say you pull The Lovers (Major Arcana). That tells you there’s an important choice, relationship, or union at the center of your current situation. But then you also pull the Two of Swords (Minor Arcana), which shows indecision or avoidance. Now you’ve got a layered reading: an important choice is on the table, and you may be struggling to face it.
Together, these cards give a richer, more nuanced picture of what’s going on in your life and how to move forward.
How They Work Together: The Bigger Picture
|
Major Arcana |
Minor Arcana |
|
|
# of Cards |
22 |
56 |
|
Focus |
Spiritual lessons, life themes |
Daily experiences, emotions, actions |
|
Energy |
Big picture, archetypal |
Practical, personal, present moment |
|
Examples |
The Fool, Death, The Sun |
Ace of Cups, Nine of Swords, King of Wands |
|
When it shows up... |
Something significant is happening or shifting |
You're in the details—daily challenges, moods, and momentum |
Final Thought: They’re Both Magic, Just in Different Ways
So next time you do a tarot reading, notice which side of the deck shows up more. Is the Universe throwing down some Major Arcana wake-up calls? Or are the Minor Arcana gently nudging you to pay attention to what’s right in front of you?
Either way, both halves of the deck are speaking to you—and together, they help you tell your story more clearly, courageously, and consciously.
