What All 78 Tarot Cards Mean For Both The Major & Minor Arcana
It's fun to learn how to read the tarot.
unsplash Do you know how to read Tarot cards? If you want to buy and read your own Tarot cards, you'll need to know what each card in the deck means. You might have an intuitive personality already, and find that understanding the symbolism isn't too hard at all.
If not, taking the time to learn what each card means will require some effort on your part.
If you had a personal Tarot reading by an astrologer or tarotist, they might have made it look easy.
You probably were curious about what your cards meant even beyond what you were told at the time of your predictions.
So, how do people read Tarot cards?
And what's the best way to learn the meaning of each card in the deck?
Every single card in the deck has a different meaning and will give you a glimpse into your life.
The purpose of Tarot cards is to give one an idea of what their future will look like, with these cards you get to see if you are going to encounter any difficulties (financial, emotional, etc.), relationships, self-discovery, and so much more about your life.
Tarot cards are put into different groups, the first 22 being Major Arcana and 56 cards remaining get divided by element.
Here are the meaning, element, and number, with zodiac sign related to each Tarot card starting with the Major and Minor Arcana deck.
Major Arcana
1. The World Tarot Card
Zodiac Sign: Saturn
Element: Earth
Number: 21/3
The World Tarot card symbolizes balance when you have an encounter with this card you should expect unity and joy in your life. Also, this card is showing you have a desire to make the world a better place.
2. The Judgement Tarot Card
Zodiac Sign: Scorpio
Element: Fire
Number: 22
Judgement Tarot card is all about meeting self-reflection. When this is pulled you are coming to terms with who you are, and evaluating yourself.
3. The Sun Tarot Card
Zodiac Sign: Leo
Element: Fire
Number: 19/10/1
When Sun is pulled it represents fulfillment you are going to receive in your life soon. This card gives you strength and success.
4. The Moon Tarot Card
Zodiac Sign: Pisces
Element: Water
Number: 17/8
The Moon is showing you might be unsure about the direction your life is going in. This card can bring clarity into your life, and guide you through the darkness in your path.
5. The Star Tarot Card
Zodiac Sign: Aquarius
Element: Air
Number: 17/8
Star being pulled indicates that you are very blessed. It is also showing that you have been through something very dark and have overcome it.
6. The Tower Tarot Card
Zodiac Sign: Aries
Element: Fire
Number: 16/5
This card is showing that change is about to happen, many people find this card frightening due to it coming across as a disaster. In the heart of the card, it means a groundbreaking change is coming soon in your life.
7. The Devil Tarot Card
Zodiac Sign: Capricorn
Element: Earth
Number: 15/6
When Devil is being pulled it is representing you might have emptiness in your life, it is also showing your lack of power and entrapment in your life.
8. Temperance Tarot Card
Zodiac Sign: Sagittarius
Element: Fire
Number: 14/5
Temperance is showing you have the ability to remain calm during high-stress situations. It is also showing that you have a deep level of trying to find meaning in every situation you are involved in.
9. The Death Tarot Card
Zodiac Sign: Scorpio
Element: Water
Number: 13/4
Many people try to avoid this card because of the word “death”, but the meaning of this card is not as frightening as it may seem.
This card means the start of something new is going to begin, another part of your journey is going to end soon. A major change will be coming to you.
10. The Hanged Man Tarot Card
Zodiac Sign: Pisces
Element: Water
Number: 12
The Hanged Man is showing that this person is very passionate, this card is representing that they are waiting for something good to happen.
11. The Justice Tarot Card
Zodiac Sign: Libra
Element: Air
Number: 8 or 11
Justice is signifying that a decision is going to happen in your life, but it will affect you and others close to you.
12. Wheel of Fortune Tarot Card
Zodiac Sign: Sagittarius
Element: Fire
Number: 10
Wheel of Fortune is showing that life is full of ups and downs that we can’t control.
13. The Hermit Tarot Card
Zodiac Sign: Virgo
Element: Earth
Number: 9
When you get a Hermit, it is representing you have a lot of wisdom and thrives when alone.
14. The Strength Tarot Card
Zodiac Sign: Leo
Element: Fire
Number: 11 and 8
When the strength card is pulled it is showing you have the ability to remain strong and calm in situations.
15. The Chariot Tarot Card
Zodiac Sign: Cancer
Element: Water
Number: 7
The Chariot card is pulled when you overcome challenges.
16. The Lovers Tarot Card
Zodiac Sign: Gemini
Element: Air
Number: 6
This is a card that is pulled when you have a great amount of trust for your significant other.
17. The Hierophant Tarot Card
Zodiac Sign: Taurus
Element: Earth
Number: 5
Hierophant is pulled when you are adapting to something new, also that you have boundaries that you will not break.
18. The Emperor Tarot Card
Zodiac Sign: Aries
Element: Fire
Number: 4
This card symbolizes control, and it is associated with masculine characteristics.
19. The Empress Tarot Card
Zodiac Sign: Taurus
Element: Earth
Number: 3
Contrary to the emperor, the empress is associated with femininity, motherhood, and fertility.
20. High Priestess Tarot Card
Zodiac Sign: Cancer
Element: Water
Number: 2
High Priestess symbolizes knowledge, and intuitive.
21. Magician Tarot Card
Zodiac Sign: Gemini
Element: Air
Number: 1
During a reading when the magician is pulled, it is meaning you need to tap into everything without hesitation.
22. The Fool Tarot Card
Zodiac Sign: Uranus
Element: Air
Number: 0
When The Fool is pulled it is showing innocence, and it is going to develop later.
The Minor Arcana
14 Suite of Wands — Fire element
14 Suite of Cups — Water element
14 Suite of Swords — Air element
14 Suite of Pentacles — Earth element
Within these 78 cards, it will enlighten you on what is going to happen in your future.
Tarot cards are not going to give you a play by play on everything that will happen in your life but is going to show you a basic outline of what encounter in the future.
23. Seven of Wands Tarot Card
Zodiac Sign: Aries, Sagittarius, Leo
Element: Fire
Number: 7
Seven of Wands shows you that you need to go through a struggle in order to become who you are meant to be.
24. Four of Wands Tarot Card
Zodiac Sign: Aries, Sagittarius, Leo
Element: Fire
Number: 4
Four of Wands symbolizes happiness, stability, and it is the perfect time to get close with someone.
25. Ace of Wands Tarot Card
Zodiac Sign: Aries, Sagittarius, Leo
Element: Fire
Number: 27/9
When this card shows up it is showing you have creativity, but in your voice, and how you come across certain aspects.
26. Ten of Wands Tarot Card
Zodiac Sign: Aries, Sagittarius, Leo
Element: Fire
Number: 10/1
This card symbolizes how you have already overcome so much, and you are finally achieving success!
27. Nine of Wands Tarot Card
Zodiac Sign: Aries, Sagittarius, Leo
Element: Fire
Number: 9
Nine of Wands shows you are very positive and hopeful during tough situations.
28. Eight of Wands Tarot Card
Zodiac Sign: Aries, Sagittarius, Leo
Element: Fire
Numbers: 8
Difficulties from Seven of Wands are finally over, meaning you are becoming stronger and more energy is coming your way.
29. Six of Wands Tarot Card
Zodiac Sign: Aries, Sagittarius, Leo
Element: Fire
Number: 6
Public relegation happens when this card is pulled, meaning you will get an award or achievement publicly for something you have achieved.
30. Five of Wands Tarot Card
Zodiac Sign: Aries, Sagittarius, Leo
Element: Fire
Number: 5
This card is showing you have conflict in your current life, a lot of times with this card it depicts a lack of communication.
31. Three of Wands Tarot Card
Zodiac Sign: Aries, Sagittarius, Leo
Element: Fire
Number: 3
You are planning your future, and are taking steps in order to manifest what you are aspiring to achieve in your life.
32. Two of Wands Tarot Card
Zodiac Sign: Aries, Sagittarius, Leo
Element: Fire
Number: 2
This means you are planning your future but you are taking a more realistic route on how to get to your goals.
33. Page of Wands Tarot Card
Zodiac Sign: Aries, Sagittarius, Leo
Element: Fire
Number: 26/8
Page of Wands the messenger and shows you what passion you have bestowed within you.
34. Queen of Wands
Zodiac Sign: Aries, Sagittarius, Leo
Element: Fire
Number: 24/6
This person shows extreme focus and determination when it comes to something they are passionate about.
35. King of Wands Tarot Card
Zodiac Sign: Aries, Sagittarius, Leo
Element: Fire
Number: 23/5
This card represents energy and shows how much of a natural-born leader you are.
36. Knight of Wands Tarot Card
Zodiac Sign: Aries, Sagittarius, Leo
Element: Fire
Number: 25/7
When this is pulled it is meaning you should take a vacation, King of Wands never has a dull moment and is always craving adventure!
37. King of Cups Tarot Card
Zodiac Sign: Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces
Element: Water
Number: 37/10/1
He is symbolizing empathy towards others, he truly cares and craves understanding in relationships.
38. Queen of Cups Tarot Card
Zodiac Sign: Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces
Element: Water
Number: 13
She is very caring, compassionate, and likes to connect with people on an emotional level.
39. Knight of Cups Tarot Card
Zodiac Sign: Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces
Element: Water
Number: 39/3
He is feminine but is not any less of a man than the King of Cups, this is implying he is more in touch with his emotions and is a lot more romantic!
4O. Page of Cups Tarot Card
Zodiac Sign: Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces
Element: Water
Number: 40/4
You are open to all ideas, even the ones that are new!
41. Ten of Cups Tarot Card
Zodiac Sign: Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces
Element: Water
Number: 10/1
Ten of Cards are fulfilled when they are surrounded by happiness, and family.
42. Nine of Cups Tarot Card
Zodiac Sign: Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces
Element: Water
Number: 9
Nine of Cards is showing that you are trying to find joy in life, oftentimes you lost this joy after a loss.
43. Eight of Cups Tarot Card
Zodiac Sign: Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces
Element: Water
Number: 8
This card is showing you that you are not happy with your current life situation.
44. Seven of Cups Tarot Card
Zodiac Sign: Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces
Element: Water
Number: 7
With this being pulled it is saying you are a dreamer more than anything.
45. Six of Cups Tarot Card
Zodiac Sign: Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces
Element: Water
Number: 6
This shows you that you are naive and generosity. Often times this is associated with childhood and teenage years.
46. Five of Cups Tarot Card
Zodiac Sign: Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces
Element: Water
Number: 5
Five of Cups symbolizes major disappointment in your life.
47. Four of Cups Tarot Card
Zodiac Sign: Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces
Element: Water
Number: 4
When this card is pulled it shows that one is unmotivated, and not encouraged.
48. Three of Cups Tarot Card
Zodiac Sign: Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces
Element: Water
Number: 3
Three of Cups, it brings ultimate happiness, you will never have a moment where you are not smiling.
49. Two of Cups Tarot Card
Zodiac Sign: Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces
Element: Water
Number: 2
This card can represent that a partnership you have is strong, it could be work or a romantic partnership.
50. Ace of Cups Tarot Card
Zodiac Sign: Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces
Element: Water
Number: 4/ 40/400/4000
You need to let go of your emotional baggage, this card indicates to let go of the past and look forward to the present and future.
51. King of Swords Tarot Card
Zodiac Sign: Gemini, Libra, Aquarius
Element: Air
Number: 51/6
King of Swords shows the intellectual powers you have in situations because you thoroughly think through your actions in situations.
52. Knight of Swords Tarot Card
Zodiac Sign: Gemini, Libra, Aquarius
Element: Air
Number: 53/8
Knight of Swords is determined in the sense of his goals. It often manifests everything and puts towards a lot of energy in what he wants.
53. Queen of Swords Tarot Card
Zodiac Sign: Gemini, Libra, Aquarius
Element: Air
Number: 52/7
She is very masculine, it means a lot of times that one makes decisions without using emotions.
54. Page of Swords Tarot Card
Zodiac Sign: Gemini, Libra, Aquarius
Element: Air
Number: 54/9
Page of Swords is a very curious girl, she never stops asking questions and is very nervous.
55. Ten of Swords Tarot Card
Zodiac Sign: Gemini, Libra, Aquarius
Element: Air
Number: 10/1
Ten of Swords is you got an unexpected disaster in your life, stuff like this is extremely unpredictable.
56. Nine of Swords Tarot Card
Zodiac Sign: Gemini, Libra, Aquarius
Element: Air
Number: 9
This Tarot card represents fear and anxiety. Also, this card can mean trauma.
57. Eight of Swords Tarot Card
Zodiac Sign: Gemini, Libra, Aquarius
Element: Air
Number: 8
The Eight of Swords Tarot card means that you are not in the best situation, you often feel suffocated.
58. Seven of Swords Tarot Card
Zodiac Sign: Gemini, Libra, Aquarius
Element: Air
Number: 7
Someone you know or yourself is trying to get away with something, this person is trying to be sneaky, and betray someone.
59. Six of Swords Tarot Card
Zodiac Sign: Gemini, Libra, Aquarius
Element: Air
Number: 6
With this card, you are realizing that you are not happy, but you start looking ahead to cheer yourself up; because you realize that this is temporary.
60. Five of Swords Tarot Card
Zodiac Sign: Gemini, Libra, Aquarius
Element: Air
Number: 5
Five of Swords shows that you engage in conflict, but this conflict is more of an in the moment type, and you will most likely regret it after.
61. Three of Swords Tarot Card
Zodiac Sign: Gemini, Libra, Aquarius
Element: Air
Number: 3
With this Tarot card we learn a lot, we learn about being discouraged, feeling down, and rejection.
62. Four of Swords Tarot Card
Zodiac Sign: Gemini, Libra, Aquarius
Element: Air
Number: 4
Four of Swords is showing you that you need a break from stress, so take a break and rest!
63. Two of Swords Tarot Card
Zodiac Sign: Gemini, Libra, Aquarius
Element: Air
Number: 2
It is showing you that soon you will encounter someone you don't necessarily like, you guys will not see eye to eye a lot of times.
64. Ace of Swords Tarot Card
Zodiac Sign: Gemini, Libra, Aquarius
Element: Air
Number: 55/10/1
The Ace of Swords Tarot card is representing you seeing life in new eyes.
65. King of Pentacles Tarot Card
Zodiac Sign: Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn
Element: Earth
Number: 65/11
King of Pentacles is very generous, and others feel safe around him because he is a natural protector.
66. Queen of Pentacles Tarot Card
Zodiac Sign: Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn
Element: Earth
Number: 66/12/3
She is very down-to-earth and family-oriented. Yet she is very organized and wants a tidy home. She also tries to live a very luxurious life.
67. Knight of Pentacles Tarot Card
Zodiac Sign: Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn
Element: Earth
Number:
The Knight is very prideful, has patience, and trustworthy. If you give this person an assignment they will get it done no questions asked.
68. Page of Pentacles Tarot Cards
Zodiac Sign: Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn
Element: Earth
Number: 68 and 5
She is at peace with the earth and is very earthly in all aspects of her life.
69. Ten of Pentacles Tarot Card
Zodiac Sign: Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn
Element: Earth
Number: 10 and 1
This card is showing you that all that you have worked hard is going to pay off, you often choose to take the long way to your goals so you don’t “cut corners”.
70. Nine of Pentacles Tarot Card
Zodiac Sign: Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn
Element: Earth
Number: 9
This card indicates that this person has become confident in who they are, showing that this person is able to enjoy a leisure lifestyle.
71. Eight of Pentacles Tarot Card
Zodiac Sign: Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn
Element: Earth
Number: 8
This person is focused only on work, it may seem like a negative way to live life but they are always striving for their goals.
72. Seven of Pentacles Tarot Cards
Zodiac Sign: Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn
Element: Earth
Number: 7
Seven of Pentacles is referring to a financial decision, it is showing you that your hard work is going to pay off soon.
73. Six of Pentacles Tarot Card
Zodiac Sign: Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn
Element: Earth
Number: 6
The Six of Pentacles Tarot card means you are in a good financial position, you don’t have to worry about your financial status.
74. Five of Pentacles Tarot Card
Zodiac Sign: Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn
Element: Earth
Number: 4
In a reading, the Five of Pentacles Tarot card is signifying that this person is going through an emotional issue. Often they may feel lonely, unwanted, lost, or going through a family situation.
75. Four of Pentacles Tarot Card
Zodiac Sign: Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn
Element: Earth
Number: 4
The Four of Pentacles Tarot card can be both negative and positive, it shows two things. The positive side is showing is, that you have worked hard in life to afford luxurious things, but it can be negative also because you start to only see the material worth.
76. Three of Pentacles Tarot Card
Zodiac Sign: Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn
Element: Earth
Number: 3
The Three of Pentacles tarot card shows that you will gain success very soon in life.
77. Two of Pentacles Tarot Card
Zodiac Sign: Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn
Element: Earth
Number: 2
Two of Pentacles is about balance and relates to money, too. This tarot card means that financially you will be are okay. You have enough to get you through life, but at this moment, money is tight for you.
78. Ace of Pentacles Tarot Card
Zodiac Sign: Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn
Element: Earth
Number: 69
Ace of Pentacles means you are ready for you to manifest your best life, this card is all about new beginnings you are going to encounter.
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Danielle Vickers is a writer who covers astrology, pop culture and relationship topics.