Traditional Tarot Meanings

A standard Tarot deck contains 78 cards. Each card is connected to specific keywords, traditional meanings, lessons, activities, or remedies. Twenty-two cards make up the Major Arcana, which relates to specific biblical meanings, life lessons, and larger issues in life. The other 56 cards, the majority of the deck (added later), are called the Minor Arcana and, like regular playing cards they derived from, consist of four suits: the Suit of Wands (Clubs), The Suit of Cups (Hearts), The Suit of Swords (Spades), and the Suit of Coins (Diamonds), represent daily life. Sixteen of these cards are court cards, including a Knight, which regular playing cards do not have. While regular playing cards contain a Joker, Tarot does not.

 

  • Wands (passions and desires)
  • Cups (emotions)
  • Swords (thoughts, mental pursuits, brainstorming, decision-making)
  • Coins (the physical and material world, including securities and legacy)

The Tarot Major Arcana

The Tarot Minor Arcana

The Tarot Suit of Wands

The Tarot Suit of Wands is the same as the Suit of Clubs in a deck of regular playing cards, except for the Knight of Wands. There are no Knights in a regular deck of playing cards.

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The Tarot Suit of Swords

The Tarot Suit of Swords is the same as the Suit of Spades in a deck of regular playing cards, except for the Knight of Swords. There are no Knights in a regular playing cards.

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The Tarot Suit of Cups

The Tarot Suit of Cups is the same as the Suit of Hearts in a deck of regular playing cards, except for the Knight of Cups. There are no Knights in a regular playing cards.

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The Tarot Suit of Coins

The Tarot Suit of Coins is the same as the Suit of Spades in a deck of regular playing cards, except for the Knight of Coins. There are no Knights in a regular playing cards.

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