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Tarot Meanings Free Tarot Reading Tarot Decks
Tarot Cards
Free Tarot Reading

If you're just learning how to read Tarot cards, this chapter of our site should give you a great head start. Here we present our own take on the meanings of the popular Rider Waite Tarot deck. We feel this is one of the best decks to learn with (and stay with) because it has so many symbols hidden within its imagery for you to interpret. Whatever Tarot spread you choose to use, the card meanings here will help you to develop your skills as an authentic Tarot reader!

The Major Arcana

The most powerful cards of the Tarot are the Major Arcana, also known as the Trumps. These cards signify powerful spiritual and life changes and the more that appear in a Tarot reading, the more likely that there are forces at work beyond your control and that you should seek for the lessons within.

0. The Fool 11. Justice
1. The Magician 12. The Hanged Man
2. The High Priestess 13. Death
3. The Empress 14. Temperance
4. The Emperor 15. The Devil
5. The Hierophant 16. The Tower
6. The Lovers 17. The Star
7. The Chariot 18. The Moon
8. Strength 19. The Sun
9. The Hermit 20. Judgement
10. The Wheel of Fortune 21. The World

The Minor Arcana

The ancestors of the modern playing cards, the Minor Arcana represent the mundane in our lives, the daily events and situations that are represented by the ancient elements of Water, Fire, Air, and Earth.

The Suit of Cups
Symbolizing the element of Water in the Tarot, the suit of Cups represents the full range of emotions from romantic love, to sorrow, friendship, to loneliness. Look to the Cups for signs of new love, happy family, and the joy of good friends.

Ace of Cups Eight of Cups
Two of Cups Nine of Cups
Three of Cups Ten of Cups
Four of Cups Page of Cups
Five of Cups Knight of Cups
Six of Cups Queen of Cups
Seven of Cups King of Cups


The Suit of Wands
The Wands represent our courage and passions as indicated by the suit's association with the element of Fire. The Wands speak of career, ambition, and drive. They let us know if we're meeting our goals and what to change in order to achieve them.

Ace of Wands Eight of Wands
Two of Wands Nine of Wands
Three of Wands Ten of Wands
Four of Wands Page of Wands
Five of Wands Knight of Wands
Six of Wands Queen of Wands
Seven of Wands King of Wands


The Suit of Swords

The Swords represent the Air element and thus the mind, the intellect, communication, and strife. You'll find some of the more discouraging cards among the swords because it is our thoughts and words that typically get us into to the most trouble. But it is also our thoughts and words that can get us out, so even the worst clouds in this suit have a silver lining.

Ace of Swords Eight of Swords
Two of Swords Nine of Swords
Three of Swords Ten of Swords
Four of Swords Page of Swords
Five of Swords Knight of Swords
Six of Swords Queen of Swords
Seven of Swords King of Swords


The Suit of Pentacles

Some say that money makes the world go around. This is nowhere better indicated than in the Tarot suit of Pentacles, representing not only the element of Earth, but the importance of finance, stability, solidity, conservation, and fortitude in one's life. The Pentacles speak of money, but they also tell us about our health and home, being symbols of our most physical reality.

Ace of Pentacles Eight of Pentacles
Two of Pentacles Nine of Pentacles
Three of Pentacles Ten of Pentacles
Four of Pentacles Page of Pentacles
Five of Pentacles Knight of Pentacles
Six of Pentacles Queen of Pentacles
Seven of Pentacles King of Pentacles
   
 

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