Tarot Cards and Their Basic Meanings
Welcome to the fascinating world of tarot. As many of you may know, I often reference Tarot cards in my work, mainly because they are a rich source of symbolism and insight. To help you understand the cards, I’ve included this page dedicated to tarot meanings. Whether you’re a seasoned reader or just starting your journey into the mystical realm of tarot, this chart will serve as a quick reference guide.
But there is another important reason for including this chart on my website. Every time you order a product on my website (something that is shipped to you), I include a small packet of free gifts, including a single tarot card. This single card is meant to be a personal message just for you.
The card you receive can offer guidance, insight, or simply a new perspective. Use the chart on this page to uncover the basic meaning of your card. Remember, tarot is a deeply personal journey, and your interpretation of each card’s symbolism is just as important as its traditional meaning.
THE MAJOR ARCANA
0: The Fool: Starting over, being hopeful, and having faith in life
1: The Magician: Action, the ability to make things happen
2: The High Priestess: Doing nothing, going inside, and the supernatural, instinct
3: The Empress: Plenty, care, fertility, and life in full bloom! Motherhood, nurturing
4: The Emperor: Order, strength, control, and authority
5: The Hierophant: Traditions, institutions, society, and the rules that govern it
6: The Lovers: Love, desire, choice, and coming together
7: The Chariot: Moving, making progress, and coming together, holding steady
8: Strengths: bravery, hidden strength, and stepping into your animal self
9: The Hermit: Mindfulness, silence, and meditation, one day at a time
10: Wheel of Fortune: Waves, shifts, and ups and downs, anything can happen
11: Justice: Balance, fairness, and equality, unbiased decisions
12: The Hanged Man: Giving up, getting a new viewpoint, and becoming wiser
13: Death: The end of something, change, abruptness
14: Temperance means balance, moderation, and common sense, flow
15: The Devil: Bad habits, addiction, and giving up your power
16: The Tower: Fall of stable structures, freedom, and sudden understanding
17: The Star: Peace, hope, and a good sign!
18: The Moon: secrets, dreams, and the mind
19: The Sun: Good luck, happiness, and everything will be fine
20: Judgment: Rebirth, a new phase, a calling from within
21: The World: completion, wholeness, achievement, and joy in living
THE MINOR ARCANA
SWORDS
King: Serious, in charge, logical, and focused on the mind and brain
Queen is smart, writes well, talks to people, but is cold, and she cuts through the nonsense.
Knight: Determined, fierce, and bold in pursuing goals
Page—not stable mentally or intellectually, acts without thought
Ace of Swords means a new start, a sudden chance or idea, and clarity.
2: Not Making Up Your Mind
3: Breakup and deception
4: rest, meditation, and vacation
5: Mind games and anger
6: getting help, leaving, and going somewhere better
7: hidden plans, theft, stealing joy or confidence
8: Feeling helpless and stuck, self-imposed problems
9: Anxiety and an overactive mind
10: giving up, feeling depressed, hurting yourself
CUPS
King: We need to recognize our deepest thoughts and not block them out.
Queen: caring for others emotionally, intelligent, and sensitive
Knights are romantic, daring, and follow their hearts.
Page: Creative, motivated, and learning how to be an artist
Ace of Cups means happiness and emotional satisfaction.
2: relationship, desire, and compatibility
3: a party, having fun with friends, and laughing
4: Being bored or unhappy with what is being offered
5: focusing on the bad things and feeling sorry for yourself
6: sweetness, kindness, and help
7: so many options! Making no choice and getting lost in daydreams
8: Giving up something to find something better
9: self-indulgence and pleasure
10: mental happiness, success, and bliss
WANDS
King: focused on career, grown, and passionate
Queen: Sure of herself, focused, and full of life’s joys
Knight: A daring, risk-taking person who follows his heart.
Page: motivated and excited about work and life
Ace of Wands: Fresh starts, creative sparks, and fresh ideas
2: Thinking and deciding what to do with one’s life
3: Getting what you deserve for your hard work
4: Happy times, safety, and home
5: Competition, small fights, or disagreements
6: Achievement, success, and praise
7: Being on guard and defense
8: Speed; things happen quickly
9: Pessimism, getting ready for the worst
10: Feeling suffocated, worn out, or like you have too many tasks
PENTACLES
King: Enjoys the good life such as food, drink, and fun, and is well off financially.
Queen: sound in mind and body, stable, and calm
Knight: Careful, smart, and slow to move forward.
Page: Student, dedication to learning
Ace of Pentacles: Money, a clear sense of your life’s meaning, and goals.
2: Balance and doing many things at once
3: meaningful work, enjoying one’s work, and a good job
4: Putting things away, feeling poor, and holding back because of fear
5: Minor money issues, health issues, and a sense of being outsider
6: Kindness, taking and giving help
7: Patience, while you wait for your goals to come true
8. Focused work, hard work, and setting the groundwork
9: Comforts like luxury, rest, money, and things
10: Making money and having good work relationships