Whether you’re deep in your witchy era or simply curious about Tarot cards, here’s everything you need to know about these incredible tools for self-discovery.
What is Tarot?
Tarot has been an instrumental element in my own healing journey. It is a centuries-old system of divination and self-discovery that has captured the imagination of people around the world. The Tarot reflects back to us what we already know within ourselves, our inner wisdom.
The History of Tarot
While the exact birthplace and date remain the subject of debate among scholars, it is widely believed that Tarot cards first emerged in Europe during the 15th century, likely in Italy or France.
How does the Tarot work?
Card Selection
The Tarot reader or querent (the person seeking a reading) shuffles the Tarot cards while focusing on a specific question, situation, or intention. The act of shuffling helps to infuse the cards with the reader’s energy and intent.
Card Spread
Once the cards are shuffled, the reader or querent draws a specific number of cards and lays them out in a predetermined spread. The choice of spread depends on the nature of the question or the reading’s purpose.
Interpretation
The reader then interprets the meaning of each card, taking into account the symbolism, imagery, and the card’s position within the spread. Tarot cards are rich in symbolism and archetypal imagery, and their interpretations are often based on traditional meanings as well as the reader’s intuition.
Numerology in Tarot
Numerology plays a significant role in Tarot, adding an additional layer of depth and symbolism to the cards. In Tarot, each card in the deck, both in the Major and Minor Arcana, is associated with a specific number.
Elements in Tarot
The elements are a fundamental aspect of Tarot, and they play a crucial role in understanding the cards and their symbolism. In Tarot, there are four primary elements: Earth, Water, Air, and Fire, each associated with a specific suit in the Minor Arcana.
Tarot Card Meanings: The Major Arcana
The Major Arcana in Tarot comprises 22 cards that are rich in symbolism and hold archetypal significance. Each one represents profound life experiences, spiritual lessons, and major turning points. The following descriptions offer a glimpse into the depth and diversity of the Major Arcana cards, each providing unique insights and guidance for various aspects of life and personal growth.
The Fool
The Fool marks the beginning of the journey, symbolizing innocence, spontaneity, and a carefree approach to life. This card often represents a new phase, adventure, or opportunity. The Fool carries a sense of optimism, embracing the unknown with childlike wonder.
The Magician
The Magician is a card of manifestation and power. It signifies the ability to channel one’s energy and resources to bring about change. The card suggests resourcefulness, creativity, and the capacity to transform one’s reality through focused intention and willpower.
The High Priestess
The High Priestess embodies intuition, mystery, and the unconscious. She represents the connection to the deeper aspects of oneself and the hidden realms of knowledge. This card encourages listening to inner wisdom, trusting instincts, and exploring the mysteries of the subconscious mind.
The Empress
As a symbol of fertility, nurturing, and abundance, The Empress represents the creative force of life. It signifies growth, beauty, and the flourishing of relationships. This card encourages embracing the nurturing aspects of femininity and the bountiful energy of nature.
The Emperor
The Emperor represents authority, structure, and control. It signifies the need for order, leadership, and a disciplined approach. This card encourages taking charge of situations, asserting oneself responsibly, and establishing a solid foundation for future endeavors.
The Hierophant
The Hierophant embodies tradition, spiritual guidance, and conformity to societal norms. It represents institutions, religious beliefs, and the search for higher meaning. This card encourages seeking wisdom from established sources and adhering to principles that provide structure and support.
The Lovers
The Lovers card represents love, partnerships, and choices. It signifies not only romantic connections but also the need to make decisions based on personal values. This card encourages exploring relationships with authenticity and making choices that align with one’s true self.
The Chariot
The Chariot symbolizes determination, willpower, and triumph over obstacles. It represents a journey fueled by inner strength and resilience. This card encourages harnessing one’s energy and focus to overcome challenges and achieve victory through discipline and control.
Strength
Strength is a card of inner strength, courage, and patience. It signifies the power of gentleness and resilience, emphasizing the ability to overcome challenges with a calm and composed demeanor. This card encourages facing difficulties with compassion and courage.
The Hermit
The Hermit represents solitude, introspection, and the pursuit of inner wisdom. It symbolizes a period of self-discovery and spiritual enlightenment. This card encourages taking time for introspection, seeking knowledge from within, and embracing the solitude necessary for personal growth.
Wheel of Fortune
The Wheel of Fortune represents change, cycles, and destiny. It signifies the ups and downs of life and the inevitability of change. This card encourages adapting to the ebb and flow of circumstances, understanding the cyclical nature of life, and embracing the opportunities presented by change.
Justice
Justice embodies fairness, balance, and legal matters. It signifies the need for ethical decisions, accountability, and the pursuit of truth. This card encourages approaching situations with impartiality, making choices based on moral principles, and understanding the consequences of one’s actions.
The Hanged Man
The Hanged Man symbolizes surrender, letting go, and seeing things from a different perspective. It represents a willingness to release attachments and surrender to the flow of life. This card encourages embracing a new outlook, accepting temporary suspension, and finding enlightenment through a change in perspective.
Death
Death is a card of transformation, change, and new beginnings. It symbolizes the end of a cycle and the potential for rebirth. This card encourages letting go of the old to make way for the new, accepting change, and embracing the transformative power of renewal.
Temperance
Temperance represents balance, moderation, and harmony. It signifies the blending of opposites and finding a middle path. This card encourages moderation in all aspects of life, seeking harmony, and integrating conflicting elements to create a balanced and fulfilling existence.
The Devil
The Devil symbolizes temptation, materialism, and bondage. It represents the challenges of attachments and the influence of material desires. This card encourages self-awareness, breaking free from unhealthy patterns, and recognizing the illusions that may be limiting personal growth.
The Tower
The Tower is a card of sudden change, upheaval, and revelation. It represents the breaking down of old structures to make way for new ones. This card encourages embracing change, releasing attachments to the past, and recognizing that upheavals can lead to greater understanding and growth.
The Star
The Star represents hope, inspiration, and spiritual insight. It symbolizes a sense of renewal and connection to a higher purpose. This card encourages maintaining faith in the midst of challenges, seeking inspiration from within, and trusting in the guidance of the universe.
The Moon
The Moon embodies illusion, intuition, and the subconscious. It represents the mysteries hidden in the depths of the psyche and the importance of intuition in navigating the unknown. This card encourages exploring the realms of the subconscious, embracing intuition, and understanding the influence of emotions on decision-making.
The Sun
The Sun is a card of success, joy, and vitality. It signifies a period of positivity, abundance, and enlightenment. This card encourages embracing one’s true self, basking in the light of achievement, and experiencing the fullness of life with enthusiasm and confidence.
Judgment
Judgment represents rebirth, awakening, and self-discovery. It symbolizes a call to reflection and the opportunity for a fresh start. This card encourages self-evaluation, taking responsibility for one’s actions, and embracing the potential for personal transformation.
The World
The World is a card of completion, fulfillment, and wholeness. It represents the culmination of a journey and the attainment of goals. This card encourages celebrating achievements, recognizing interconnectedness with the universe, and embracing a sense of wholeness and fulfillment.
Tarot Card Meanings: The Minor Arcana
The Minor Arcana in the Tarot deck consists of four suits: Wands, Cups, Swords, and Pentacles. Each suit has cards numbered from Ace to Ten, along with four court cards: Page, Knight, Queen, and King. The Minor Arcana typically focuses on the everyday aspects of life, including relationships, emotions, thoughts, and material concerns.
Suit of Wands
The suit of Wands is associated with the element of Fire, symbolizing passion, energy, and inspiration. Wands represent the spark of creativity, the pursuit of goals, and the drive to manifest one’s desires. This suit often signifies the journey of self-discovery, personal growth, and the initiation of new projects or ventures. Wands are linked to the realms of intuition, spirituality, and the creative force that fuels endeavors. The energy of Wands encourages enthusiasm, innovation, and the willingness to embrace challenges with courage and determination.
Ace of Wands
The Ace of Wands signifies a burst of creative energy, new opportunities, and the spark of inspiration. It represents the potential for growth and the initiation of passionate projects or endeavors.
Two of Wands
The Two of Wands represents planning, decision-making, and looking toward the future. It suggests considering options, making choices, and taking the first steps toward manifesting goals.
Three of Wands
The Three of Wands signifies expansion, foresight, and collaboration. It represents the anticipation of success, the exploration of new horizons, and the need for strategic planning.
Four of Wands
The Four of Wands symbolizes celebration, harmony, and achievements. It represents a time of joy, stability, and communal support, often associated with events such as weddings or significant milestones.
Five of Wands
The Five of Wands represents competition, conflict, and challenges. It suggests the need to navigate through differences, find common ground, and overcome obstacles through teamwork or negotiation.
Six of Wands
The Six of Wands symbolizes victory, recognition, and public acclaim. It represents the successful completion of a project or goal, leading to acknowledgment and a sense of accomplishment.
Seven of Wands
The Seven of Wands signifies courage, determination, and standing one’s ground. It represents the need to defend one’s position, face challenges with resilience, and assert oneself in the face of opposition.
Eight of Wands
The Eight of Wands represents swift action, progress, and the unfolding of events. It signifies a period of rapid development, communication, and the resolution of issues.
Nine of Wands
The Nine of Wands symbolizes resilience, perseverance, and overcoming challenges. It represents the strength to endure and move forward despite setbacks, emphasizing the importance of staying the course.
Ten of Wands
The Ten of Wands signifies responsibility, burdens, and the need for delegation. It represents the completion of a cycle, but with it comes the awareness of the weight of responsibilities and the importance of sharing the load.
Page of Wands
The Page of Wands embodies the spirit of enthusiasm, curiosity, and the pursuit of creative inspiration. This card often heralds the beginning of a new creative or spiritual journey, marked by a sense of adventure and a willingness to explore fresh opportunities.
Knight of Wands
The Knight of Wands symbolizes energy, ambition, and swift action. This card represents a determined individual on a quest for their goals, facing challenges with courage and embracing a spirit of adventure and exploration.
Queen of Wands
The Queen of Wands signifies confidence, charisma, and the ability to inspire others. She is a natural leader, nurturing those around her with warmth and encouragement. This card embodies a passionate and creative force.
King of Wands
The King of Wands represents leadership, vision, and the pursuit of goals with unwavering determination. This card signifies a charismatic and confident leader who takes charge, inspires others, and approaches challenges with a bold and strategic mindset.
Suit of Cups
The suit of Cups is associated with the element of Water, symbolizing emotions, relationships, and intuition. Cups represent the realm of feelings, love, and connections with others. This suit often reflects the ebb and flow of emotions, ranging from deep joy to profound sorrow. Cups signify matters of the heart, spiritual growth, and the exploration of one’s inner world. The energy of Cups encourages empathy, compassion, and the pursuit of emotional fulfillment. It invites individuals to navigate the waters of their emotions and cultivate meaningful connections with those around them.
Ace of Cups
The Ace of Cups symbolizes emotional new beginnings, love, and intuition. It represents the potential for deep emotional connections, spiritual insights, and the overflowing of feelings.
Two of Cups
The Two of Cups represents partnership, harmony, and mutual attraction. It signifies the coming together of individuals in a supportive and balanced relationship, whether romantic or platonic.
Three of Cups
The Three of Cups symbolizes celebration, friendship, and joyous gatherings. It represents the enjoyment of life, shared experiences, and the nurturing of meaningful connections.
Four of Cups
The Four of Cups signifies introspection, contemplation, and the search for inner fulfillment. It represents a period of self-reflection and the evaluation of personal satisfaction and emotional well-being.
Five of Cups
The Five of Cups represents loss, grief, and emotional disappointment. It signifies the need to acknowledge and process negative emotions while also recognizing the potential for healing and growth.
Six of Cups
The Six of Cups symbolizes nostalgia, innocence, and the joy of childhood memories. It represents a return to the past, reconnecting with roots, and finding comfort in simplicity.
Seven of Cups
The Seven of Cups signifies choices, fantasies, and imagination. It represents the need to make decisions amid various options and the importance of distinguishing between reality and illusion.
Eight of Cups
The Eight of Cups represents emotional growth, moving on, and the pursuit of deeper fulfillment. It signifies the willingness to leave behind what no longer serves one’s emotional well-being in search of greater meaning.
Nine of Cups
The Nine of Cups symbolizes contentment, emotional satisfaction, and wish fulfillment. It represents a state of emotional abundance, joy, and the realization of desires.
Ten of Cups
The Ten of Cups signifies emotional fulfillment, harmony, and bliss in relationships. It represents the achievement of a harmonious and emotionally satisfying family or community life.
Page of Cups
The Page of Cups symbolizes emotional sensitivity, creativity, and the exploration of feelings. This card often represents a messenger of emotional insights, artistic inspiration, and the beginning of a journey into the depths of the heart.
Knight of Cups
The Knight of Cups embodies romantic pursuits, artistic endeavors, and a dreamy, idealistic approach to life. This card signifies the pursuit of emotional fulfillment, creative expression, and a quest for the beauty and depth of human connection.
Queen of Cups
The Queen of Cups signifies intuition, empathy, and emotional depth. She is a nurturing and compassionate individual who understands the complexities of the human heart. This card embodies emotional wisdom and the ability to connect with others on a profound level.
King of Cups
The King of Cups represents emotional balance, compassion, and mastery of feelings. This card symbolizes a calm and understanding leader who navigates challenges with emotional intelligence, wisdom, and a keen sense of empathy.
Suit of Pentacles
The suit of Pentacles is associated with the element of Earth, symbolizing the material world, practicality, and abundance. Pentacles represent the physical aspects of life, including finances, career, and the tangible resources that sustain us. This suit often reflects the journey of building a secure and stable foundation, both materially and spiritually. Pentacles signify the importance of practicality, hard work, and the value of tangible achievements. The energy of Pentacles encourages a grounded approach to life, emphasizing responsibility, resourcefulness, and the rewards that come from diligent effort.
Ace of Pentacles
The Ace of Pentacles symbolizes material opportunities, prosperity, and the potential for abundance. It represents the beginning of a new financial or material venture.
Two of Pentacles
The Two of Pentacles represents balance, adaptability, and juggling priorities. It signifies the need to manage resources wisely and navigate changes with flexibility.
Three of Pentacles
The Three of Pentacles signifies collaboration, teamwork, and the pursuit of excellence. It represents the successful implementation of plans through the combined efforts of a skilled team.
Four of Pentacles
The Four of Pentacles symbolizes stability, financial security, and the importance of conservation. It represents the need to balance the desire for material comfort with the recognition of generosity and sharing.
Five of Pentacles
The Five of Pentacles represents hardship, financial struggle, and the need for resilience. It signifies a challenging period but also the potential for assistance and support from unexpected sources.
Six of Pentacles
The Six of Pentacles symbolizes generosity, charity, and the balanced exchange of resources. It represents the importance of giving and receiving, creating a harmonious flow of abundance.
Seven of Pentacles
The Seven of Pentacles signifies assessment, patience, and the anticipation of results. It represents a period of waiting and evaluating the progress of one’s efforts, with an eye toward long-term success.
Eight of Pentacles
The Eight of Pentacles represents dedication, craftsmanship, and skill development. It signifies a commitment to honing one’s abilities and putting in the effort required for mastery.
Nine of Pentacles
The Nine of Pentacles symbolizes independence, self-sufficiency, and the enjoyment of material success. It represents the fulfillment that comes from personal achievements and financial stability.
Ten of Pentacles
The Ten of Pentacles signifies wealth, legacy, and the culmination of material success. It represents the realization of long-term goals, often involving family or generational prosperity.
Page of Pentacles
The Page of Pentacles embodies practicality, diligence, and the pursuit of tangible goals. This card often represents a diligent and detail-oriented individual who is focused on learning, growth, and the practical aspects of life.
Knight of Pentacles
The Knight of Pentacles signifies responsibility, hard work, and a methodical approach to goals. This card represents a dedicated and patient individual who pursues success through steady effort, meticulous planning, and a strong sense of duty.
Queen of Pentacles
The Queen of Pentacles represents practicality, nurturing, and financial stability. She is a caring and resourceful individual who values a secure and comfortable environment, often taking on the role of a provider and caretaker.
King of Pentacles
The King of Pentacles symbolizes wealth, success, and mastery in the material realm. This card represents a prosperous and reliable leader who manages resources with competence and efficiency, embodying the qualities of a successful and grounded individual.
Suit of Swords
The suit of Swords is associated with the element of Air, symbolizing intellect, communication, and clarity of thought. Swords represent the realm of the mind, thoughts, and the power of words. This suit often reflects the challenges and conflicts that arise from mental processes and communication. Swords signify the pursuit of truth, logical reasoning, and the ability to cut through illusions. The energy of Swords encourages clear thinking, objective analysis, and the strength to face difficult truths. It challenges individuals to overcome mental obstacles and find resolution through thoughtful consideration.
Ace of Swords
The Ace of Swords symbolizes clarity, truth, and mental breakthroughs. It represents the potential for new ideas, intellectual clarity, and the power of clear communication.
Two of Swords
The Two of Swords represents decisions, balance, and the need for perspective. It signifies a choice between two options, often requiring careful consideration and a willingness to confront uncomfortable truths.
Three of Swords
The Three of Swords symbolizes heartbreak, sorrow, and emotional pain. It represents the experience of loss or disappointment, emphasizing the need for healing and emotional release.
Four of Swords
The Four of Swords signifies rest, recuperation, and contemplation. It represents a period of introspection, self-care, and mental rejuvenation after a period of stress or difficulty.
Five of Swords
The Five of Swords represents conflict, defeat, and the consequences of unethical actions. It signifies the need to choose battles wisely and the importance of fair play and ethical conduct.
Six of Swords
The Six of Swords symbolizes transition, moving on, and finding solace. It represents a journey from a challenging situation to a calmer, more stable state, often with the support of others.
Seven of Swords
The Seven of Swords signifies deception, cunning, and strategic thinking. It represents the need to be cautious of dishonesty, betrayal, or hidden motives in a situation.
Eight of Swords
The Eight of Swords symbolizes restriction, self-imposed limitations, and the feeling of being trapped. It represents the need to break free from mental constraints and see beyond perceived barriers.
Nine of Swords
The Nine of Swords represents anxiety, worry, and troubled thoughts. It signifies the impact of mental stress and the importance of addressing fears and concerns to find peace of mind.
Ten of Swords
The Ten of Swords symbolizes an end, rock bottom, and the potential for transformation. It represents the completion of a difficult cycle and the opportunity for renewal and rebirth.
Page of Swords
Page of Swords: The Page of Swords embodies curiosity, intellect, and the pursuit of knowledge. This card often represents a youthful and inquisitive energy, encouraging a fresh perspective, clear communication, and the exploration of new ideas.
Knight of Swords
The Knight of Swords signifies determination, swift action, and the pursuit of justice. This card represents a bold and assertive individual who tackles challenges with decisiveness, often advocating for truth and fairness.
Queen of Swords
The Queen of Swords represents clear communication, independence, and intellectual strength. This card embodies a perceptive and articulate individual who values truth and rational thinking, approaching situations with clarity and objectivity.
King of Swords
The King of Swords symbolizes authority, intellect, and rational decision-making. This card represents a powerful and fair-minded leader who approaches challenges with logical and strategic thinking, seeking solutions based on wisdom and experience.