Each of the 78 Tarot Cards can sometimes have dozens of possible meanings based on whether the questions is about romance, career, health, money or family. There are also some minor differences in what different tarot experts believe are the meanings. After several years of research and practice with tarot, I have come up with this list of short (easy to remember) general meanings that I use as the baseĀ for each card.
Regardless of the general list of meanings you use, during a reading, additional information will come from source specifically for the client.
Card | Upright | Reversed |
---|---|---|
0 Fool | Take the risk but watch your step | There are things you need to address |
1 Magician | You have what you need | Out of touch with reality |
2 High Priestess | Listen to your intuition not emotion or logic | Something is blocking your higher self |
3 Empress | Compassion, peacekeeper | Domestic disharmony |
4 Emperor | Discipline and obeying the rules | Being irresponsible |
5 Hierophant | Pursuit of traditional knowledge | Think outside the box |
6 Lovers | Someone loves you, but you may want to make a different choice | Temporary romantic breakup |
7 Chariot | Get in the Drivers seat | Delayed journey |
8 Strength | Use honey not vinegar | Arguments |
9 Hermit | Take time alone to think | Need more social interaction |
10 Wheel of Fortune | Things are changing fast around you | A setback requires you to rethink our original plan |
11 Justice | Treat people fairly and you will be treated fairly | A feeling of being cheated out of something |
12 Hanged Man | A sacrifice | Don't be stubborn |
13 Death | Accept the end of a situation | Baggage keeps you from moving forward |
14 Temperance | Caution | Waste |
15 Devil | Sexual desire and passion | Victory over your emotions |
16 Tower of Destruction | A setback causes need to rebuild | You need to strengthen your foundation |
17 Star | Healing and rebirth is directly ahead | Lack of faith, illness |
18 Moon | Don't be deceived | Mental health issues |
19 Sun | A wonderful experience is ahead of you | Low energy |
20 Judgement | You need to listen more | Don't run away from your feelings |
21 World | Freedom to choose a new path | Low self esteem |
Ace Pentacles | Financial opportunity, job or increased pay | Feeling of loss or actual loss |
2 Pentacles | Find balance | Need to concentrate on just one thing |
3 Pentacles | Recognition | Need to bring people together to resolve something |
4 Pentacles | Clinging too much (let go) | Feeling of jealousy |
5 Pentacles | Left to struggle in the cold but not alone | Loneliness is resolved through inner work |
6 Pentacles | Be generous | Feeling of arrogance, not needing anyone |
7 Pentacles | Don't rest on what you accomplished, still work ahead | Carelessness, scattered thoughts |
8 Pentacles | Quality is important and may be reached with learning new skills | Don't micromanage or be too nearsighted. |
9 Pentacles | Self Sufficiency resulting in achievement | Need more self discipline |
10 Pentacles | Mature Relationship | Without Enthusiasm, need more joy |
Page Pentacles | Focus on work and finances | Unrealistic expectations |
Knight of Pentacles | Good news about finances | Don't procrastinate |
Queen Pentacles | Faithful relationship | Someone is a martyr |
King Pentacles | Material needs are met | Some you know may not be trustworthy |
Ace Swords | New idea or career | Confusion, infatuation |
2 swords | Set strong boundaries with others | Relationship can be revived |
3 swords | Prepare for disappointment or broken heart ahead if you don't make changes | Petty quarrels |
4 Swords | Rest, do not take action at this time | Need for action |
5 Swords | Its not all about you, care for others | Backstabbing or an argument with no winner |
6 Swords | Travel | Delays in progress |
7 Swords | Secretive, afraid of being trapped, may take wrong action | Someone needs encouragement |
8 Swords | You feel trapped, you can seek help | Freedom will come |
9 swords | Anxiety you imagine is worse than the reality | No need for change, accept your situation |
10 swords | Betrayal or end to relationship or job but pick yourself up | You will get a second chance |
Page Swords | Stand your ground | Critical questions need to be answered |
Knight Swords | Overcome fear and take action even if out of your comfort zone | A troublemaker |
Queen Swords | Get more involved | Need soft understanding approach (feminine) |
King Swords | Trying to analyze too much | Strict controlling behavior |
Ace Cups | New love | Relationship is not meeting your needs |
2 Cups | Perfect understanding between two people | Not enough chemistry in the relationship |
3 Cups | Friendship | Someone is unfaithful |
4 cups | You don't like your choices | Reason to hope |
5 Cups | Don't overlook opportunities | Need to recover from emotional wounds |
6 Cups | Happiness from someone in your past or at a distance | Bitter memories |
7 Cups | Need to prioritize | Indecision |
8 Cups | Look for greener pastures | Inability to leave a bad situation |
9 cups | Satisfaction | Discontent, unfulfilled |
10 Cups | Domestic harmony | Be satisfied and stop seeking a better situation |
Page cups | Social invitation | Childish behavior |
Knight Cups | Romantic invitation or emotional move | Deception, lack of motivation and even emotional problems |
Queen Cups | Do not deny your emotions | Shallow behavior |
King Cups | Control your emotions | Being seen as untrustworthy |
Ace Wands | Accept what is offered | Idea won't take hold, back to drawing board |
2 Wands | Completion of contracts and partnership commitments | Loss of faith |
3 Wands | Explore a new path | Don't whine or blame others |
4 Wands | Marriage or acceptance by friends and family | Upcoming event will need more help than anticipated |
5 Wands | Competition | Conflict can be beneficial |
6 Wands | Victory | Be patient, success may be delayed |
7 Wands | You feel defensive but you are in a strong position to confront fears and obstacles | Others may be intimidated by you, tone it down |
8 Wands | Making Progress on the right track | Things are moving forward without you, do you feel left out? |
9 Wands | Look around, protect yourself and possessions | Paranoia |
10 Wands | Don't burn out on responsibilities | Show appreciation in order to get more help |
Page Wands | Restless | Don't be pessimistic or a victim |
Knight of Wands | Moving house or job | Feel insecure and stuck in a situation |
Queen of Wands | Needing attention | Acts undependable , not wanting anyone to become dependent. |
King Wands | Need to understand people first | In awkward situation, may be wise to retreat |
Other Useful Websites with Additional Information about Tarot Card Meanings
http://www.tarotwikipedia.com/tarot-card-meanings/
http://www.aeclectic.net/tarot/learn/meanings/
http://www.psychic-revelation.com/reference/q_t/tarot/tarot_cards/
http://www.ata-tarot.com/resource/cards/
https://www.tarot.com/tarot/cards