Tarot ~ basic anatomy

The Tarot is a deck of 78 cards divided into two sections: the Major Arcana and the Minor Arcana.

The Major Arcana is made up of 22 cards, numbered 0 to XXI, that represent or reflect major themes, challenges and areas for growth in our lives.

The Minor Arcana consists of 56 cards divided into four suits: Wands, Cups, Swords, and Pentacles. Each suit has cards numbered 1 – 10 and a set of Court Cards traditionally designated to a King, Queen, Knight and a Page.

The cards of the Minor Arcana tend to reflect our daily lives and how we might respond, feel, think and act in certain scenarios and to certain people.

The Court Cards can represent some of those people and the influence or effect they may have on us. They can also point to aspects of our own personalities that we might want to channel or temper depending on the situation.

The suits correspond with the four elements of Fire, Water, Air and Earth. The Major Arcana may be associated with a 5th Element ~ Spirit.

Explore the Tarot with me

With all that said, go ahead and explore the cards below.

This particular journey for me through the Rider Waite Smith deck started out in a pretty disorderly fashion but very quickly became more systematic. And of course, with such a mammoth task I just had to take it card by card, as if there were any other way…

Keywords and common meanings are included on this page. For more detailed definitions, correspondences, reverse meanings, references to other decks, and my personal experiences of the cards, click on any card to explore further.

The Major Arcana

The Magician from the Rider Waite Tarot

The Fool 0

The beginning of a new journey • Adventure • Youth • Raw potential • Naivety • Leap of faith • Fool’s wisdom

The Magician from the Rider Waite Tarot

The Magician I

Manifesting • Talents and skills • Mastery • Focus • Intention • A channel for divine energy • As above, so below

The Magician from the Rider Waite Tarot

The High Priestess II

Divine feminine energy • Intuitive and psychic powers • Inner wisdom • Power of dreams • Spirituality • Female intuition

The Magician from the Rider Waite Tarot

The Empress III

Feminine power • Creativity • Female sexuality • Nurturing • Self-care • Mother/mother nature • Abundance • Nature’s cycles • Female cycles

The Magician from the Rider Waite Tarot

The Emperor IV

Authority and control • Structure • Organised and analytical • Power • Confidence • Father/figure • Masculine energy • Tyranny

The Hierophant, The Rider Waite Tarot

The Hierophant

Conformity • Establishment & hierarchy • Accepted/traditional wisdom • Moral superiority • Spiritual leader/teacher/mentor • Interpreter • Spiritual practice • Code of ethics

6 of Wands, The Rider Waite Tarot

The Lovers VI

Relationship • Passion •  Connection • Twin flames • Choose love • Balance, harmony & heart-centredness • Divinity in sexual union • Healthy choices & boundaries • Self-love & respect

The Chariot VII, The Rider Waite Tarot

The Chariot VII

Will • Focus • Pathfinding • Trail blazing • Determination • Facing obstacles head-on • Taking action • Self-control

Strength, The Rider Waite Tarot

Strength VIII

Gentle strength • Courage • Compassion for self & others • Self-acceptance • Forgiveness • Subtle power • Self-mastery • Kindness to animals

The Hermit IX, The Rider Waite Tarot

The Hermit IX

Look within • Inner wisdom • Retreat, meditation • Mindfulness • Spiritual connection • Peace • Enlightenment • Teacher, therapist

The Wheel of Fortune, The Rider Waite Tarot

Wheel of Fortune X

Change & uncertainty • Seasons, cycles, rhythms & patterns • Fate, destiny, fortune • Luck & opportunity • Life’s ups & downs • Karma & consequences • Inevitability

Justice XI, The Rider Waite Tarot

Justice XI

Important choice • Right & wrong • Cause & effect • Be the change • Morality • Moral dilemma • Truth, objectivity, justice • Balance, harmony & equality

The Hanged Man, The Rider Waite Tarot

The Hanged Man XII

New perspective • Bigger picture • Embrace change • Waiting • Meditation • Sacrifice, surrender, humility • Pause, delay, stuck • Release old patterns

Death, The Rider Waite Tarot

Death XIII

Inevitable end of a matter • End of a cycle • Acceptance • Release • Faith • Rebirth, new beginning • Transformation • Growth

Temperance, The Rider Waite Tarot

Temperance XIV

Virtue of temperance • Moderation, patience • Blending, collaboration • Alchemy, transformation & healing • Synergy & synthesis • Artistry & creativity • Integration of light & dark

The Devil, The Rider Waite Tarot

The Devil XV

Shadow self • Dependence, co-dependence • Excess, addiction • Darker impulses • Lack of will • Illusion, delusion • Scapegoating • Choice

The Tower, The Rider Waite Tarot

The Tower XVI

Shock • Crisis, catastrophe • Breakdown, burn out • House of cards • Ivory tower • Ignorance to enlightenment • Starting from scratch • Opportunity for growth

The Moon, The Rider Waite Tarot

The Star XVII

Hope • Inspiration • Self-love and acceptance • Forgiveness • Nurturing the soul – watering your ‘inner garden’ • Fertile imagination – creativity • Overcoming self-doubt

The Moon, The Rider Waite Tarot

The Moon XVIII

Illusion & delusion • Confusion • Secrets & lies • Subterfuge & deception • Lack of vision & clarity • Path ahead unclear • Waiting & indecision • Cycles & timing • Feminine energy & power • Power of dreams

The Sun, The Rider Waite Tarot

The Sun XIX

Warmth & growth • Light & clarity • Success • Confidence, enthusiasm & dynamism • Positivity • Happiness • Openness, transparency, innocence • Masculine principle • Power of now

Judgement, The Rider Waite Tarot

Judgement XX

Moment of truth• Wake up call • Enlightenment, spiritual awakening • New way of thinking • Rebirth • Rise up • Release, surrender • Stand up, speak up • Answer the call • Calling, purpose • Self-expression – music, writing, art, dance • Memories, past lives

Judgement, The Rider Waite Tarot

The World XXI

Fulfillment & joy • Universal abundance • Completion, completedness • Integration • Connection, connectedness • Centre, centeredness • Harmony • Full circle • Beginning & end • Microcosm, macrocosm • Evolution • Travel

The Minor Arcana ~ Wands

The Magician from the Rider Waite Tarot

Ace of Wands

Creative spark • New ideas and inspiration • A new creative or business enterprise • Sexual energy and drive • A new sexual connection

The Magician from the Rider Waite Tarot

2 of Wands

Planning – business & life • Getting a creative project off the ground • Imagination • Travel plans • Security • Stepping out of comfort zone

The Magician from the Rider Waite Tarot

3 of Wands

First steps • Starting something • New horizons & opportunities • Expectations, hopes & dreams • Inspiration to inspired action • Risk

The Magician from the Rider Waite Tarot

4 of Wands

Celebration of life & love • A wedding/relationship milestone • Safety, stability & security • Acknowledging achievements • Harvest • Homecoming

The Magician from the Rider Waite Tarot

5 of Wands

Healthy competition • Ambition • Rivalry • Conflict • Diversity • Progress • Creative play • Group or family dynamics

6 of Wands, The Rider Waite Tarot

6 of Wands

Success • Recognition • Balanced leadership • Confidence • Courage & compassion • Time to shine • Enjoy the ride

7 of Wands, The Rider Waite Tarot

7 of Wands

Take a stand • Fight for what you believe • Rise above • Perseverance • Determination • Tenacity • Resilience • Victory • Taking the high ground

8 of Wands, The Rider Waite Tarot

8 of Wands

Speed • Moving forward • Going with the flow • Surrender • Putting ego aside • Full of ideas • Huge potential • Allowing space & time

9 of Wands, The Raider Waite Tarot

9 of Wands

Inner strength • Resourcefulness • Self-reliance • Achievement • Resilience • Defensiveness • Boundaries • Trust issues • Unhealed wounds

10 of Wands, The Rider Waite Tarot

10 of Wands

Burdened by achievements • Weight of responsibility • Obligation • Burnout • Creative blocks • Holding back • Fear of letting go

Page of Wands, The Rider Waite Tarot

Page of Wands

Youthful passion & exuberance • Lust for life • Daring & bravery • Sexual attraction • Discovery of pleasure • Energetic, independent & confident • Intuitive • Impulsive & naive

Knight of Wands, The Rider Waite Tarot

Knight of Wands

Passionate • Creative/Sexual energy • Motivated & taking action • Travel • Impulsive • Fearless or reckless • Hasty, in a rush

Queen of Wands, The Rider Waite Tarot

Queen of Wands

Passionate & enthusiastic • Creative & instinctive • Confident & independent • Sexually assertive/liberated • Fiercely loyal • Protective • Generous • Sociable

KIng of Wands, The Rider Waite Tarot

King of Wands

Inspirational leader • Passionate masculine energy • Creative • Intuitive • Resourceful • Tenacious, risk-taker • High handed • Distant

The Minor Arcana ~ Cups

The Magician from the Rider Waite Tarot

Ace of Cups

Peace, love & contentment • Unconditional love • An open heart – receptive • New emotional matter/connection • Emotional fulfilment • New relationship phase

The Magician from the Rider Waite Tarot

2 of Cups

Love and friendship • Mutual respect • Emotional contentment • Partnership • Reconciliation • Meeting of souls • Balanced relationship • Sharing equally

The Magician from the Rider Waite Tarot

3 of Cups

Love and friendship• Celebration of love • Marriage • Sisterhood • Fun • Joy • Abundance • Laughter

The Magician from the Rider Waite Tarot

4 of Cups

Quiet withdrawal • Despondency • Lack of motivation • Boredom and apathy • Lost mojo • Introspection • Meditation

5 of Cups. The Rider Waite Tarot

5 of Cups

Loss • Sadness • Grief • Loneliness • Regret • Guilt • Shame • Denial • Repressed emotions

6 of Cups, The Rider Waite Tarot

6 of Cups

Reunion • Inner child • Childhood • Innocence/innocence lost • Memories & nostalgia • Reciprocal feelings & affection • Gift of friendship • Processing the past • Past lives

7 of Cups, The Rider Waite Tarot

7 of Cups

Choices • Lack of focus • Fantasy • Escapism • Illusory rewards • Bright shiny objects & people • Scattered thoughts/feelings • Excess & addictive behaviour

8 of Cups, The Rider Waite Tarot

8 of Cups

Walking away • Letting go • Releasing the past • Turning your back • A journey or departure • A spiritual path • Self-discovery • Beginning of the end

9 of Cups, The Rider Waite Tarot

9 of Cups

Contentment • Emotional fulfilment • A wish come true • Self-satisfaction • Smugness • Over-indulgence • Lack of intimacy/connection • Addiction

10 of Cups, The Rider Waite Tarot

10 of Cups

Emotional fulfilment • Contentment • Happiness • Love • Happy family • Love’s ideal • Gratitude • Idealism

Page of Cups, The Rider Waite Tarot

Page of Cups

Youthful, open-hearted delight • Good news , pleasant surprise • Open to love, new romance • Sweet, gentle, romantic idealist • Artistic, creative, poetic • Intuitive, imaginative, dreamer • Inner child • Lacks emotional maturity

Knight of Cups, The Rider Waite Tarot

Knight of Cups

Romantic • Chivalrous • Passionate • Creative • Hero • Lover • Dreamer • On a quest for love

Queen of Cups, the Rider Waite Tarot

Queen of Cups

Nurturing • Empathetic • Emotional depth, maturity & intelligence • Open-hearted • Spiritual • Intuitive, psychic • Expressive • Receptive • Reflective • Enigmatic

King of Cups, The Rider Waite Tarot

King of Cups

Balanced, compassionate leadership • Emotional maturity & mastery • Self-controlled, level-headed • Committed & loyal • Negotiator, diplomat • Calm under pressure

The Minor Arcana ~ Swords

The Magician from the Rider Waite Tarot

Ace of Swords

A moment of truth • Mental clarity • Double-edged sword • Intellect • New ways of thinking • Power of thoughts, words and actions • Lofty ideals • Big picture thinking

The Magician from the Rider Waite Tarot

2 of Swords

A choice • Change • Momentary peace and quiet • Taking time to think • Looking within for answers • Impartiality • A time to face the truth with open eyes

The Magician from the Rider Waite Tarot

3 of Swords

Heart ache • Love lost • Understanding and growth through pain and loss • Compassion for the suffering of others • Empathy • Sensitivity

The Magician from the Rider Waite Tarot

4 of Swords

Rest and retreat • Recovery from burnout • Healing from trauma • Mental health concern • Self-care/love • Peace • Meditation and prayer

5 of Swords, The Rider Waite Tarot

5 of Swords

Defeat • Cruelty • Detached & cold • Winning whatever the cost • Hollow victory • Cutting your losses • Picking your battles • Survival

6 of Swords, The Rider Waite Tarot

6 of Swords

Escape • Seeking refuge • Travelling away • Moving to safety • Accepting help • Rescue & Recovery • Bravery • Helping others • Peace after turmoil

7 of Swords, The Rider Waite Tarot

7 of Swords

Lucky escape • Deceit • Betrayal • Resilience • Survival • Getting away with it • Victory by any & all means • Looking out for #1 • Untrustworthy, untrusting

8 of Swords, The Rider Waite Tarot

8 of Swords

Self-limiting beliefs • Giving in to fear • Blind submission • Feeling trapped • Mental trap • Facing reality

9 of Swords, The Rider Waite Tarot

9 of Swords

Nightmares • Self-doubt & loathing • Spiritual crisis • Existential dread • Fear worse than reality • Facing your fears & foes • Personal growth

10 of Swords, The Rider Waite Tarot

10 of Swords

End of a bad cycle or negative pattern • Painful situation draws slowly to an end • Exhaustion, rock bottom • Hope on the horizon • Death & rebirth • Release & let go • Inability to let go

Page of Swords, The Rider Waite Tarot

Page of Swords

Youthful curiosity • Messenger • Open to new ideas • Quick learner • Bright, quick thinking • Articulate & witty • Writer, student, avid reader, budding activist • Inner child • Lacks intellectual maturity

Knight of Swords, The Rider Waite Tarot

Knight of Swords

Driven • Ambitious • Independent • Highly intelligent • Intense, relentless • Impulsive, impetuous • Unbending, self-righteous • Angry • Hasty • Ruthless

Queen of Swords, The Rider Waite Tarot

Queen of Swords

Intelligent, logical, decisive • Honest & direct • Straight talking • Articulate • Fair-minded • Strong-willed • Fiercely independent • Judgemental, critical • Cynical

King of Swords, The Rider Waite Tarot

King of Swords

Strong leadership• Seeker & speaker of truth • Intellectual maturity & mastery • Mental clarity & vision • Focused • Highly rational, logical • Pragmatic

The Minor Arcana ~ Pentacles

The Magician from the Rider Waite Tarot

Ace of Pentacles

A new beginning • A move • A new job • Financial and family security • Planting seeds for future growth

The Magician from the Rider Waite Tarot

2 of Pentacles

Inevitability of change • Coping with change • Work/life balance • Juggling act • Prioritising • Delegating

The Magician from the Rider Waite Tarot

3 of Pentacles

Opportunity • Collaboration, cooperation & teamwork • Improvisation & creativity • Commission • Mentorship • Apprenticeship • Executing plans • Hard work

The Magician from the Rider Waite Tarot

4 of Pentacles

Prudence • Financial security• Over-cautiousness • Closed-off • Paranoia • Jealousy • Possessive behaviour • Miserliness • Stagnation • Blocked energy

5 of Pentacles, The Rider Waite Tarot

5 of Pentacles

Poverty • Hardships & challenges • Difficult changes • Out in the cold • Worry about physical wellbeing • Financial insecurity • Self-isolation • Asking for/accepting help

6 of Pentacles, The Rider Waite Tarot

6 of Pentacles

Generosity • Gratitude • Give & take • Charity • Social justice • Human kindness • Energy exchange • Balance

7 of Pentacles, The Rider Waite Tarot

7 of Pentacles

Success by investment of time & energy • Patience & faith • Care & attention • Sustained effort • Exhaustion • Fear of failure • Failure due to lack of effort

8 of Pentacles, the Rider Waite Tarot

8 of Pentacles

Mastering a craft • Artistry • Attention to detail • Throwing yourself into something • Finding joy in work • Trusting the process • Humble hard work • Selfless commitment • Attainment

9 of Pentacles, The Rider Waite Tarot

9 of Pentacles

Physical & material wellbeing • Material success • Contentment • Satisfaction & appreciation • Independence • Self-confidence • Self-care • Self-love & acceptance • Retreat & solitude

10 of Pentacles, The Rider Waite Tarot

10 of Pentacles

Material wealth, security & attainment * Home & family * Responsibility * Responsible spending * Real-world manifestation * Health in mind, body & spirit * Self Autonomy, sovereignty

Page of Swords, The Rider Waite Tarot

Page of Pentacles

Youthful earthy energy • Messenger • Open to new experiences • Learns through experience • Grounded • Physically adept & coordinated • Creative • Inner child • Lacks maturity

Knight of Swords, The Rider Waite Tarot

Knight of Pentacles

Purposeful & focused • Methodical, detail-oriented • Good with money • Consistent & reliable • Safe hands • Patient • Relaxed • Sexy, sensual • Generous

Queen of Swords, The Rider Waite Tarot

Queen of Pentacles

Warm, caring, nurturing • Earthy healing energy • Kind & generous • Grounded • Creative • Sensual • Protective • Practical • Good in business • Self-care

King of Swords, The Rider Waite Tarot

King of Pentacles

King of the Castle • Successful, high achiever • Practical • Manifestor • Good with money • Solid & stable • Comfortable • Virile • Stubborn, slow to change

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