Guide to the Minor Arcana of the tarot
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The four suits, the ten numbers and the court cards: everything you need to understand the 56 Minor Arcana cards and read them methodically, without learning them by rote.
Minor ArcanaWands (Batons)The Wands suit gathers 14 tarot cards around momentum, energy, creation and action. Here is how to read them, from the Ace to the King.Minor ArcanaCupsCups are the suit of emotions, relationships and imagination in the tarot. The journey from Ace to King and the differences between decks.Minor ArcanaSwordsSwords are the suit of thought, speech and decisions. The journey from Ace to King, the symbolism of air and the differences between decks.Minor ArcanaPentacles (Pentacles)Pentacles, or Pentacles, are the suit of the concrete: work, resources, home and know-how. The journey from Ace to King and the differences between decks.Minor ArcanaThe Aces in the TarotThe four Aces open each suit of the tarot: a seed, a proposal, a beginning. Here is their traditional meaning, their images and the mistakes to avoid.Minor ArcanaThe Twos in the TarotThe Twos of the tarot speak of duality, choice, balance and encounter. Here is the traditional meaning of each Two and the mistakes to avoid.Minor ArcanaThe Threes in the TarotThe Threes of the tarot speak of growth, expression and collaboration. Here is the traditional meaning of each Three and the mistakes to avoid.Minor ArcanaThe Fours in the TarotThe Fours of the tarot speak of stability, structure, pause and sometimes rigidity. Here is the traditional meaning of each Four and the mistakes to avoid.Minor ArcanaThe Fives in the TarotThe Fives of the tarot speak of conflict, loss, upheaval and adjustment. Here is the traditional meaning of each Five and the mistakes to avoid.Minor ArcanaThe Sixes in the TarotThe Sixes of the tarot speak of restored harmony, exchange, transition and recognition. Here is the traditional meaning of each Six and the mistakes to avoid.Minor ArcanaThe Sevens in the TarotThe Sevens of the tarot speak of trial, assessment, choice and patience. Here is the traditional meaning of each Seven and the mistakes to avoid.Minor ArcanaThe Eights in the TarotThe Eights of the tarot speak of movement, mastery, renewal or a feeling of being held back. Here is the traditional meaning of each Eight and the mistakes to avoid.Minor ArcanaThe Nines in the TarotThe Nines of the tarot speak of a near completion, vigilance, satisfaction and solitude. Here is the traditional meaning of each Nine and the mistakes to avoid.Minor ArcanaThe Tens in the TarotThe Tens of the tarot speak of completion, overload, the end of a cycle and renewal. Here is the traditional meaning of each Ten and the mistakes to avoid.Minor ArcanaThe Court Cards: Pages, Knights, Queens and KingsThe 16 court cards of the tarot: page, knight, queen and king in each suit. Names vary between decks, and so do the ways of reading them.Minor ArcanaThe Ace of WandsThe Ace of Wands, first card of the suit of fire: a hand rises from a cloud holding a staff that is sprouting new growth. Upright and reversed meanings, Marseille and Rider-Waite-Smith.Minor ArcanaThe Two of WandsThe Two of Wands shows a man on the battlements of his castle, holding a globe: the card of choosing a direction and of vision. Meaning, Marseille, Rider-Waite-Smith, questions.Minor ArcanaThe Three of WandsThe Three of Wands shows a man seen from behind, watching ships out at sea: the card of active waiting and of widening horizons. Meaning, Marseille, Rider-Waite-Smith.Minor ArcanaThe Four of WandsThe Four of Wands shows a garland stretched between four staves and people celebrating: the card of festivity, firm foundations and home. Meaning, Marseille, Rider-Waite-Smith.Minor ArcanaThe Five of WandsThe Five of Wands shows five young people brandishing their staves in disorder: the card of rivalry, agitation and healthy competition. Meaning, Marseille, Rider-Waite-Smith.Minor ArcanaThe Six of WandsThe Six of Wands shows a laurel-crowned horseman acclaimed by a crowd: the card of recognition and public success. Meaning, Marseille, Rider-Waite-Smith, questions.Minor ArcanaThe Seven of WandsThe Seven of Wands shows a man on a height fending off six staves raised against him: the card of the position to defend and of perseverance. Meaning, Marseille, Rider-Waite-Smith.Minor ArcanaEight of WandsThe Eight of Wands shows eight staves streaking across the sky in one single movement: the card of speed, news and events that follow one another. Meaning, Marseille, Rider-Waite-Smith.Minor ArcanaNine of WandsThe Nine of Wands shows a man with a bandaged head leaning on his staff in front of a row of eight others: the card of fatigue, vigilance and resilience. Meaning, Marseille, RWS.Minor ArcanaTen of WandsThe Ten of Wands shows a man bent under a bundle of ten staves, on his way to a village: the card of burden, responsibilities and the end of a cycle. Meaning and symbolism.Minor ArcanaPage of WandsThe Page of Wands (Valet) shows a young man in a desert gazing at a staff: the card of curiosity, enthusiasm and fresh ideas. Meaning, Marseille, Rider-Waite-Smith.Minor ArcanaKnight of WandsThe Knight of Wands (Cavalier) charges on horseback through the desert, a staff in hand: the card of drive, adventure and impulsiveness. Meaning, Marseille, Rider-Waite-Smith.Minor ArcanaQueen of WandsThe Queen of Wands sits on a throne decorated with lions, a sunflower in one hand and a black cat at her feet: the card of warmth, charisma and confidence. Meaning, Marseille, Rider-Waite-Smith.Minor ArcanaKing of WandsThe King of Wands sits on a throne decorated with lions and salamanders, a flowering staff in hand: the card of vision, inspiring authority and enterprise. Meaning, Marseille, RWS.Minor ArcanaAce of CupsThe Ace of Cups shows a hand offering a cup from which water flows, while a dove descends towards it: the card of an opening heart and of sensitivity. Meaning, Marseille, Rider-Waite-Smith.Minor ArcanaTwo of CupsThe Two of Cups shows a man and a woman exchanging cups beneath a winged caduceus: the card of encounter, agreement and reciprocity. Meaning, Marseille, Rider-Waite-Smith.Minor ArcanaThree of CupsThe Three of Cups shows three women dancing with raised cups, surrounded by fruit: the card of celebration, friendship and shared joy. Meaning, Marseille, Rider-Waite-Smith.Minor ArcanaFour of CupsThe Four of Cups shows a young man with folded arms under a tree, ignoring the cup offered to him: the card of weariness and withdrawal. Meaning and symbolism.Minor ArcanaFive of CupsThe Five of Cups shows a figure in black gazing at three overturned cups without seeing the two that stand upright: the card of regret, loss and what remains. Meaning and symbolism.Minor ArcanaSix of CupsThe Six of Cups shows two children in a courtyard: one offers the other a cup of flowers. The card of nostalgia, childhood and simple gifts. Meaning, Marseille, Rider-Waite-Smith.Minor ArcanaSeven of CupsThe Seven of Cups shows a silhouette facing seven cups floating in the clouds, each holding a different image: the card of dreams, illusions and choices. Meaning and symbolism.Minor ArcanaThe Eight of CupsThe Eight of Cups shows a traveller walking away by night, leaving eight neatly arranged cups behind: the card of a chosen departure, the grief of a passing stage and the search for meaning. Meaning and symbolism.Minor ArcanaThe Nine of CupsThe Nine of Cups shows a satisfied man, arms folded, before nine cups set in an arc: the card of contentment, pleasure and a wish fulfilled. Meaning, Marseille, Rider-Waite-Smith.Minor ArcanaThe Ten of CupsThe Ten of Cups shows a couple, two children and a rainbow of ten cups above a house: the card of shared happiness and home. Meaning, Marseille, Rider-Waite-Smith.Minor ArcanaThe Page of CupsThe Page of Cups holds a cup from which a fish peeks out, at the water’s edge: the card of budding sensitivity, intuition and messages of the heart. Meaning, Marseille, Rider-Waite-Smith.Minor ArcanaThe Knight of CupsThe Knight of Cups rides a white horse at a walking pace, holding out a cup: the card of the proposal, romance and idealism. Meaning, Marseille, Rider-Waite-Smith.Minor ArcanaThe Queen of CupsThe Queen of Cups gazes at a closed, ornate cup while seated at the water’s edge: the card of empathy, intuition and emotional depth. Meaning, Marseille, Rider-Waite-Smith.Minor ArcanaThe King of CupsThe King of Cups sits on a throne floating on the sea, a cup in one hand: the card of emotional mastery, wisdom and diplomacy. Meaning, Marseille, Rider-Waite-Smith.Minor ArcanaAce of SwordsThe Ace of Swords opens the suit of thought and speech: a clear idea, a truth you dare to look at. Rider-Waite-Smith scene, upright and reversed meanings.Minor ArcanaTwo of SwordsThe Two of Swords shows a blindfolded woman holding two crossed swords: indecision, truce, the need to weigh things up. Scene, Marseille deck, upright and reversed meanings.Minor ArcanaThree of SwordsThe Three of Swords shows a heart pierced by three blades under the rain: grief, separation, a painful truth. Rider-Waite-Smith scene, upright and reversed meanings.Minor ArcanaFour of SwordsThe Four of Swords shows a knight effigy at prayer on a tomb: a pause, a withdrawal to regain strength after an ordeal. Rider-Waite-Smith scene, upright and reversed meanings.Minor ArcanaFive of SwordsThe Five of Swords shows a man gathering up the swords while two others walk away: conflict, bitter victory, rivalry. Rider-Waite-Smith scene, upright and reversed meanings.Minor ArcanaSix of SwordsThe Six of Swords shows a ferryman poling a boat carrying a veiled woman and a child: transition, departure, passage towards calmer waters. Scene, Marseille deck, upright and reversed meanings.Minor ArcanaSeven of SwordsThe Seven of Swords shows a man slipping quietly away with five swords, leaving two behind: strategy, discretion, evasion. Scene, Marseille deck, upright and reversed meanings.Minor ArcanaEight of SwordsThe Eight of Swords shows a blindfolded woman, bound and surrounded by eight blades: a sense of being trapped, fear, and the limits we set for ourselves. Scene, Marseille, upright and reversed meanings.Minor ArcanaNine of SwordsThe Nine of Swords shows a person sitting up in bed, face in their hands, beneath nine blades: anguish, rumination, a difficult night. Scene, Marseille, upright and reversed meanings.Minor ArcanaTen of SwordsThe Ten of Swords shows a man face down on the ground, ten blades in his back, and a dawn on the horizon: an ending, a low point, the close of a cycle of thoughts. Scene, upright and reversed meanings.Minor ArcanaPage of SwordsThe Page of Swords is a young, alert mind, watchful and curious about everything. Rider-Waite-Smith scene, Marseille image, upright and reversed meanings, and questions for reflection.Minor ArcanaKnight of SwordsThe Knight of Swords charges on horseback, sword raised: the ardor of the mind, sharp speech, the risk of rushing. Rider-Waite-Smith scene, Marseille figure, upright and reversed meanings.Minor ArcanaQueen of SwordsThe Queen of Swords is unvarnished clarity: a seated woman, sword raised, who sees clearly and says things as they are. Rider-Waite-Smith scene, Marseille figure, upright and reversed meanings.Minor ArcanaKing of SwordsThe King of Swords is mastery of the mind: a seated sovereign, sword raised, who judges with rigor. Rider-Waite-Smith scene, Marseille figure, upright and reversed meanings.Minor ArcanaAce of PentaclesThe Ace of Pentacles opens the suit of matter: a hand offers a coin in a flowering garden, an image of a concrete beginning and a resource. The Rider-Waite-Smith scene and its meanings.Minor ArcanaTwo of PentaclesThe Two of Pentacles shows a juggler keeping two coins in motion on a rough sea: balance, adaptability, the art of holding several things at once. Scene and meanings.Minor ArcanaThree of PentaclesThe Three of Pentacles shows a craftsman carving an arch before two patrons: skill, collaboration, a project taking shape. Rider-Waite-Smith scene and meanings.Minor ArcanaFour of PentaclesThe Four of Pentacles shows a seated man clutching four coins to himself: security, conservation, and sometimes tension. Rider-Waite-Smith scene, upright and reversed meanings.Minor ArcanaFive of PentaclesThe Five of Pentacles shows two people walking through snow past a lit stained-glass window: lack, hardship, isolation, and the help that is easy to overlook. Scene and meanings, upright and reversed.Minor ArcanaSix of PentaclesThe Six of Pentacles shows a merchant holding scales who gives coins to two beggars: giving, sharing, balance, and power dynamics. Rider-Waite-Smith scene, upright and reversed meanings.Minor ArcanaSeven of PentaclesThe Seven of Pentacles shows a farmer leaning on his hoe before a bush heavy with coins: patience, evaluation, waiting for the harvest. Rider-Waite-Smith scene, meanings and correspondences.Minor ArcanaEight of PentaclesThe Eight of Pentacles shows a craftsman bent over his workbench, carving one pentacle after another: apprenticeship, practice and the patience of the trade. The Rider-Waite-Smith scene and its meanings.Minor ArcanaNine of PentaclesThe Nine of Pentacles shows an elegant woman in a vineyard garden, a falcon on her gloved hand: independence, comfort earned, the pleasure of what one has built. The Rider-Waite-Smith scene, meanings and correspondences.Minor ArcanaTen of PentaclesThe Ten of Pentacles shows an old man, a couple, a child and two dogs beneath an archway: inheritance, family, transmission, lasting stability. The Rider-Waite-Smith scene and its meanings.Minor ArcanaPage of PentaclesThe Page of Pentacles is the apprentice of matter: a young gaze fixed on a coin held in both hands. The Rider-Waite-Smith scene, the Marseille image, and meanings upright and reversed.Minor ArcanaKnight of PentaclesThe Knight of Pentacles is the slowest and most dependable of the knights: he advances at a walking pace, coin in hand, across a ploughed field. The Rider-Waite-Smith scene, the Marseille image, and meanings upright and reversed.Minor ArcanaQueen of PentaclesThe Queen of Pentacles is warm practical sense: a sovereign seated in a flowering garden, a coin resting on her lap. The Rider-Waite-Smith scene, and meanings upright and reversed.Minor ArcanaKing of PentaclesThe King of Pentacles is mastery of the concrete: a sovereign settled in a vineyard garden, a coin resting on his knee. The Rider-Waite-Smith scene, the Marseille image, and meanings upright and reversed.
The meanings mentioned belong to tradition and symbolism. They are neither promises of results nor medical advice.