All 78 cards
Tarot card meanings
Every card in the tarot, upright and reversed, in clear, modern language. Pick a card to see what it means for love, career, money, study and family, along with advice and its usual yes-or-no lean.
Major Arcana
The 22 Major Arcana trace a journey from The Fool's first step to The World's completion. When they appear in a reading, they point to big themes and turning points in your life.
- The Foolnew beginnings, spontaneity, trust
- The Magicianmanifestation, skill, focus
- The High Priestessintuition, inner knowing, mystery
- The Empressabundance, nurturing, creativity
- The Emperorstructure, authority, stability
- The Hierophanttradition, mentorship, shared values
- The Loverslove, union, aligned values
- The Chariotdetermination, willpower, momentum
- Strengthinner strength, courage, compassion
- The Hermitsolitude, reflection, inner guidance
- Wheel of Fortunecycles, turning point, good timing
- Justicefairness, truth, accountability
- The Hanged Manpause, surrender, new perspective
- Deathendings, transformation, transition
- Temperancebalance, moderation, patience
- The Devilattachment, temptation, unhealthy habits
- The Towersudden change, revelation, upheaval
- The Starhope, renewal, inspiration
- The Moonuncertainty, illusion, intuition
- The Sunjoy, success, vitality
- Judgementawakening, inner calling, renewal
- The Worldcompletion, achievement, wholeness
Suit of Wands
Wands are the fire suit: energy, ambition, creativity and the spark to act. They show where your drive is heading and what you are excited to build.
- Ace of Wandsinspiration, new venture, creative spark
- Two of Wandsplanning, future vision, decision
- Three of Wandsexpansion, foresight, progress
- Four of Wandscelebration, homecoming, harmony
- Five of Wandscompetition, conflict, rivalry
- Six of Wandsvictory, recognition, confidence
- Seven of Wandsstanding your ground, perseverance, courage
- Eight of Wandsspeed, momentum, news
- Nine of Wandsresilience, persistence, boundaries
- Ten of Wandsburden, responsibility, hard work
- Page of Wandscuriosity, exploration, exciting news
- Knight of Wandsaction, adventure, passion
- Queen of Wandsconfidence, warmth, courage
- King of Wandsleadership, vision, entrepreneurship
Suit of Cups
Cups are the water suit: feelings, love, friendship and intuition. They show what is happening in your heart and in your closest bonds.
- Ace of Cupsnew feelings, love, compassion
- Two of Cupspartnership, mutual attraction, connection
- Three of Cupsfriendship, celebration, community
- Four of Cupsapathy, contemplation, discontent
- Five of Cupsdisappointment, regret, sadness
- Six of Cupsnostalgia, childhood, innocence
- Seven of Cupschoices, fantasy, illusion
- Eight of Cupswalking away, seeking meaning, letting go
- Nine of Cupswish fulfilled, contentment, satisfaction
- Ten of Cupsharmony, family happiness, emotional fulfilment
- Page of Cupscreative spark, intuition, curiosity
- Knight of Cupsromance, charm, imagination
- Queen of Cupscompassion, intuition, emotional calm
- King of Cupsemotional balance, diplomacy, wise counsel
Suit of Swords
Swords are the air suit: thoughts, words, decisions and conflict. They can feel sharp, but they help you cut through confusion and see clearly.
- Ace of Swordsclarity, breakthrough, truth
- Two of Swordsindecision, stalemate, avoidance
- Three of Swordsheartbreak, grief, painful truth
- Four of Swordsrest, recovery, retreat
- Five of Swordsconflict, hollow victory, tension
- Six of Swordstransition, moving on, travel
- Seven of Swordsstrategy, secrecy, cutting corners
- Eight of Swordsfeeling trapped, self-doubt, restriction
- Nine of Swordsworry, sleepless nights, overthinking
- Ten of Swordspainful ending, rock bottom, release
- Page of Swordscuriosity, new ideas, eager learning
- Knight of Swordsambition, fast action, determination
- Queen of Swordshonesty, clear boundaries, independence
- King of Swordsintellectual authority, fairness, clear judgement
Suit of Pentacles
Pentacles are the earth suit: money, work, home and the practical side of life. They show what you are building, slowly and steadily, over time.
- Ace of Pentaclesnew opportunity, prosperity, solid start
- Two of Pentaclesbalance, adaptability, juggling priorities
- Three of Pentaclesteamwork, collaboration, craftsmanship
- Four of Pentaclessecurity, saving, control
- Five of Pentacleshardship, feeling left out, insecurity
- Six of Pentaclesgenerosity, sharing, fair exchange
- Seven of Pentaclespatience, long-term view, assessment
- Eight of Pentaclesdiligence, skill-building, practice
- Nine of Pentaclesindependence, self-reliance, comfort
- Ten of Pentacleslegacy, family, long-term security
- Page of Pentaclescuriosity, new learning, ambition
- Knight of Pentaclesreliability, routine, persistence
- Queen of Pentaclesnurturing, practical care, abundance
- King of Pentaclessecurity, leadership, abundance
Major and Minor Arcana
A tarot deck has 78 cards. The 22 Major Arcana, from The Fool to The World, stand for big themes and turning points: new beginnings, inner strength, endings and hope.
The 56 Minor Arcana describe everyday life. They come in four suits of 14 cards each: Ace to Ten, then four court cards, the Page, Knight, Queen and King.
The four suits and their elements
Wands belong to fire: energy, ambition, creativity and action. Cups belong to water: feelings, love, friendship and intuition.
Swords belong to air: thoughts, words, decisions and conflict. Pentacles belong to earth: money, work, home and the practical things you build over time.
Numbers add another layer. Aces are fresh starts, the middle numbers bring tests and growth, and Tens show a cycle reaching its end. Court cards often describe a person, or a way of acting you can choose to take on.
How to read reversed cards
When a card appears upside down, its theme is still there, but it works differently. It may be turned inward, delayed, blocked or overdone.
Read a reversal as a question: what here needs my attention? Heavy cards such as Death or The Tower, upright or reversed, speak of change and letting go, never of literal harm.
Using these meanings
Each card page covers the traditional imagery, the core meaning and how the card shows up in daily life, along with its element and astrology links.
A meaning is a starting point. In a reading, let the card's position and your own question shape what it says to you. When you are ready, the free six-card reading puts these meanings to work on your own question.
Free six-card reading
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FAQ
Tarot card meanings: questions and answers
How many cards are in a tarot deck?
78: the 22 Major Arcana and the 56 Minor Arcana, which are split into four suits of 14 cards.
What is the difference between the Major and Minor Arcana?
The Major Arcana show big life themes and turning points. The Minor Arcana show day-to-day situations, feelings and choices.
Are reversed tarot cards bad?
No. A reversed card shows its theme turned inward, delayed or out of balance. It points to what needs attention, not to bad luck.
Which tarot cards mean yes?
Bright, open cards such as The Sun and the Ace of Cups usually lean yes. Each card page shows its usual lean upright and reversed, but treat it as a nudge, not a promise.
Does the Death card mean someone will die?
No. Death stands for an ending that makes room for something new, like closing a chapter or outgrowing a habit. It is about change, not physical death.
Do I need to memorise all 78 meanings?
No. Learn the four suits and what the numbers mean, and most cards start to make sense. You can always look a card up here when it appears.