Meaning of Each Tarot Card
Having the meaning of each tarot card is a crucial part of learning to read the cards properly. For each card in the tarot deck, the meaning changes whether upright or reversed and there is a spectrum of possible tarot card meanings as opposed to just one meaning.
The Meaning of Each Tarot Card section of the site groups the card meanings according to suit and number. The Major Arcana is still organized card by card.
If you'd like to see each card individually, the Tarot Card Meanings page has the meaning of each tarot card on its own page.
That's why so much emphasis is placed on tarot card meanings - so much of the reading information and accuracy comes from properly understanding the tarot cards that you've been dealt.
The Tarot deck is comprised of 78 cards, 22 Major Arcana (Trumps) cards and another 56 cards, the Minor Arcana (Suits).
The Minor Arcana
Let's look at the basics of the <b>Minor Arcana (Suits)</B> first! The four suits present in the Minor Arcana are:
The Cups
AKA: Chalices
Element: Water
Zodiac: Pisces, Cancer, Scorpio
Playing Card Suit: Hearts
Rules: The Heart
The Cups focus on emotions and matters of the heart. The meaning of each Tarot card in the Cups suit tend to guide emotional questions of almost any nature. Connected to the element of Water, this suit rules the Zodiac Water signs of Pisces, Cancer and Scorpio. I want to know more-here's the meaning of each card in the Cups suit.
The Wands
AKA: Sticks, Staves, Rods, Batons
Element: Fire
Zodiac: Aries, Leo, Sagittarius
Playing Card Suit: Clubs
Class:Peasantry
Rules: The Spirit
The Wands rule the spirit, especially issues of creativity and energy. By spirit, I mean that the meaning of each Tarot card in this suit may rule issues of a deep level, connected to drive, purpose or even faith. Connected with the element of Fire, this suit rules the Zodiac Fire signs of Aries, Leo and Sagittarius. I want to know more-here's the meaning of each card in the Wands suit.
The Swords
AKA: I've never seen it called anything else!
Element: Air
Zodiac: Aquarius, Gemini, Libra
Playing Card Suit: Spades
Class:Nobility/Militia
Rules: The Mind or Will
The Swords control the mind or will. When I refer to the mind or will, it means that the meaning of each Tarot card in this suit can focus on intellectual questions or issues related to power. Connected with the element of Air, this suit rules the Zodiac Air signs of Aquarius, Gemini and Libra. I want to know more-here's the meaning of each card in the Swords suit.
The Coins
AKA: Pentacles
Element: Earth
Zodiac: Capricorn, Taurus, Virgo
Playing Card Suit: Diamonds
Class: Merchants
Rules: The Physical Realm (Wealth)
The Coins control issues in the physical world. It is a very physical suit so the meaning of each Tarot card may focus on family, money, health and home. Connected with the element of Earth, this suit rules the Zodiac Earth signs of Capricorn, Taurus and Virgo. I want to know more-here's the meaning of each card in the Coins suit.
Minor Arcana Continued
Each of the suits has 14 cards, including 4 'face' cards: Queen, King, Knight (or Lady) and Page (Or Princess). The remaining cards, numbered from Ace to Ten, can be illustrated or plain (just showing the a geometric grouping of the suit's symbols).
If a Tarot deck is described as having 'illustrated pips', it means that all of the Minor Arcana will have full pictures.
*Hint* Having a deck with illustrated pips is ALWAYS much easier and intuitive to read. Most newer decks created after the Rider-Waite deck (approx. 1910) have illustrated scenes of the card's meaning.
To discover the Minor Arcana grouped by numbers, click on any link below:
Meanings for Tarot Cards, Minor Arcana: The Aces
Meanings for Tarot Cards, Minor Arcana: The Twos
Meanings for Tarot Cards, Minor Arcana: The Threes
Meanings for Tarot Cards, Minor Arcana: The Fours
Meanings for Tarot Cards, Minor Arcana: The Fives
Meanings for Tarot Cards, Minor Arcana: The Sixes
Meanings for Tarot Cards, Minor Arcana: The Sevens
Meanings for Tarot Cards, Minor Arcana: The Eights
Meanings for Tarot Cards, Minor Arcana: The Nines
Meanings for Tarot Cards, Minor Arcana: The Tens
Whew! Still with me? Now on to the Major Arcana (Trumps)
Major Arcana
The Major Arcana features 22 illustrated cards that are rich in symbols and archetypes. Some decks will deviate slightly in the titles and order of cards. Click on the card's name below to discover the meaning of each Tarot card.
Here are some great video TarotVision tarot card meanings for each of The Major Arcana of the Rider-Waite Tarot on video.
Leave the Meaning of Each Tarot Card and Returrn to Discover Tarot Cards homepage
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