The meaning of tarot cards is based on the interpretation of the arcana. The deck of cards currently used in tarot is the traditional one, which is made up of 78 cards.
The cards belonging to the Major Arcana group represent relevant aspects of human life. These cards are the most important pillars of our existence, such as life and death, ethics, spirituality, and socialization with other individuals. The Minor Arcana, on the other hand, are the ones that represent the earthly and the material aspects, and the attitude of the querent towards these aspects.
Below, we will see the general meanings that can be applied during a card reading, both for the major and minor arcana.
Meanings of the Major Arcana
The Major Arcana are the 22 most relevant tarot cards, because through them, one can discover the fundamental bases in the life of the person who decides to consult the tarot. They are made up of archetypes and figures that have a lot of symbolism, both from mythology and religions.
The Fool
Represents intuition, a beginning, awakening, and new experiences.
The Magician
It means independence, freedom, and opening new paths. A stage in which you decide to take the initiative to start something new.
The High Priestess
Refers to silence, prudence, and mysteries. Indicates waiting and situations that remain hidden.
The Empress
Symbolizes love, prosperity, charm and abundance. This card represents fertility and wealth.
The Emperor
A card that symbolizes power, willpower, and certainty in actions. It is protection, justice, rigor, authority.
The Pope or Hierophant
Indicates constancy, generosity, knowledge that is passed on to others, and a warning to activate your intuition.
The Lovers
It signifies union, mutual attraction, the match between the internal and the external aspects. Creativity and motivation.
The Chariot
Represents communication. Indicates everything that is movement, a journey or a transfer. Hope and self-control.
Strength
Represents self-control, diplomacy, overcoming obstacles with love and a lot of inner strength.
The Hermit
Represents a patient person, with much wisdom, silent, and who prefers to remain isolated to meditate. It is the spiritual evolution.
Wheel of Fortune
Indicates movement, advancement, good luck and abundance. It represents destiny and the cycles of life.
Justice
Indicates the order of the Universe. Taking responsibility for the consequences of one’s actions. Fairness, integrity, laws. Legal matters.
The Hanged Man
Represents sacrifice, difficult situations that must be faced, strength and wisdom when making important decisions.
Death
Period of transformation. Something that ends to begin a new stage. Symbolizes progress, evolution.
Temperance
Represents a patient, prudent person, who must learn to adapt to changes, flexible, harmony, fluidity in what you undertake.
The Devil
Indicates secrets or something that remains hidden. It represents the lowest of human passions. Sexuality, temptation, confusion.
The Tower
Indicates unexpected changes, collapse of a situation, chaos, collapse, possible accidents. Failure. Your stability is broken.
The Star
It indicates beauty, harmony, love, motivation, and the omen of good health.
The Moon
Represents intuition, the beginning of a transformation. Everything related to the psyche.
The Sun
It means happiness, success and pleasure in all aspects of your life. Joys and lots of energy.
Judgment
Indicates communication, the search for further knowledge. A clearer picture, a radical change that will allow you to move forward. Inspiration and willpower.
The World
Represents the arrival of success in your life. Efforts that are rewarded. A stage that culminates in success. It is the feeling of accomplishment in all aspects.
Meanings of the Minor Arcana
The Tarot’s Minor Arcana are made up of 56 cards, divided into four suits: pentacles, clubs, cups and swords. At the same time, each suit is composed of 14 cards numbered from Ace to 10, the Jack, the Knight, the Queen and the King. These cards are very similar to the Spanish, French and Italian decks.
The Suit of Wands
They are associated with the element of fire, which is an active element. It symbolizes all things that bring us joy and energy.
In a reading, they are related to aspects concerning projects, hobbies, full happiness and sexuality. In its negative aspect, it indicates the presence of obstacles, energy that is lost, inability to defend oneself. It is associated with the signs Aries, Leo and Sagittarius.
The suit of Cups
The Cups are linked to the water element, which is a receptive element. It represents everything related to your emotional state.
In a reading, they refer to a sentimental relationship, emotions that are expressed and the exaltation of feelings, whether sad or happy. In its negative aspect, it indicates lack of empathy, breakups, emotional imbalance. It is associated with the signs Cancer, Scorpio and Pisces.
The suit of Pentacles
Pentacles are directly related to the earth element, which is a receptive element. It symbolizes the connection with the material world and the superficial.
In a reading, it indicates everything related to the body, the house, resources and intangible things. In its negative aspect, it represents that which is lacking, corruption, deterioration of physical health. It is associated with the signs Taurus, Virgo and Capricorn.
The suit of Swords
Swords are associated with the air element, which is an active element. It symbolizes the mental. In a reading, it represents an idea or a project, studies, innovations.
Also, it can indicate anxiety, obsession, and not being able to take things calmly. In its negative aspect, it indicates betrayal, mental confusion, psychosomatic problems. It is associated with the signs Gemini, Libra and Aquarius.
The complement of the Arcana
In general, we usually give more importance to the meanings of the Major Arcana, however, we should not neglect what the Minor Arcana can transmit to us. It is important to remember that the two groups of cards complement each other. Both are vital when an exhaustive and detailed interpretation of a situation or circumstance is required.