The Major Arcana
If you pick out a Major Arcana card it will be a strong message. The Major Arcana are key cards to finding out where issues originate and how to overcome obstacles. They can also show up when things are going particularly well and you are on the right track. Be sure to take heed of any messages from the Major Arcana.
I have used key words to show the main traits of each card and a short explanation to go into slightly more detail.
The Fool: card 0
Beginning of a journey. enthusiasm, energy, recklessness, impulsiveness, naivety rashness, spontaneity, passion, initiative. The fool tells of a new beginning and warns that activities should be thought through carefully. Be cautious of things or events you are not certain about. You have a great deal of energy and enthusiasm, try to use this positively. You may become upset if things do not go your way. Look before you leap!
The Magician: card 1
Experimental, influential, powerful, ambitious, learning, wilful, courageous, original, self-reliant, flexible, and masterful, creative energy, and expertise. Always busy and looking for innovative ideas, the Magician tells of things as yet unknown that will turn your life around.
The High Priestess: card 2
Mysterious, able to access consciousness, enabling, thoughtful, mindful, and patient, use common sense, objective, sensible, practical, strong. To realise your potential. A strong feminine influence is at play. Strong, thoughtful seeking enlightenment from within. Trust your inner voice. Realise your mental capabilities. Have faith in yourself. The High Priestess relies on her superior knowledge to show you the most sensible course of action, take note of her sensible guidance which will come from within.
The Empress: Card 3
Loving, mothering, abundance, nature loving, fertile, physical, pleasure loving, secure, nurturing, sensual, grounded, selfless, non-materialistic, leader traits, motivational, practical, decisive, brings security and protection. The Empress tells of close bonds and strength and the need to be selfless in some future situation.
The Emperor: Card 4
Strong personality, patriarchal, diligent, confident, aloof. Caring but distant, single minded and stern. Structure, order, and regulation. Dominant force. Reliable and protective. A possible fertility card. Could be controlling. Guide, protector, and provider. The Emperor suggests that you need to be very careful in a situation that will come up. Look at it from all angles, then you will have confidence that you have made the right decision. Be wary of dominant and controlling factors within yourself or those around you.
The Hierophant/High Priest: Card 5
Learning, teaching, maturity, wisdom, conformity, group identity, loyal, contented, predictable, kindness, timidity, guided faith. Team player. An old soul. The Hierophant advises you to be loyal in a situation that will arise, do not be swayed by other people and their ideas use the knowledge that you have created for yourself to guide you. This could also represent someone that would be a good mentor or guide for you if you need to take advice.
The Lovers: Card 6
Relationships, personal interactions, love, sensuality, spirituality, sharing, caring, fulfilment, purpose, beauty, tenderness, support, partnership, marriage, intimacy, sympathy, unanimity, yearning, seeking, optimism, freedom. If the lovers card appears it tells of the importance of relationships. The card generally appears when a new or existing relationship is becoming stronger and can foretell the appearance of a potential future partner.
The Chariot: Card 7
Reaching goals, achievement, dominating, competitive, determination, focussed, assertive, egotistical, mastering emotions, authoritarian, success, escape, freedom, progression, fertile mind. The chariot tells of a challenge that is about to come to an end. There is still time to make everything good before you give up, you will succeed!
Strength: Card 8
The quietness of strength, inner strength, compassion, patience, gentleness, persuasive, influential of thought, holding things together, courage, virility. Mental rather than physical strength, The strength card tells you that you have the inner resolve and fortitude to achieve your goals.
The Hermit: Card 9
Deep thinking, contemplation, solitude, decision making, learning, introspection, guidance, mindfulness, caution, self-denial. The Hermit advises you to listen to your own inner voice. Take some time away from the pressures around you and allow your mind to rest.
The Wheel of Fortune: Card 10
Recurring situations, easily influenced, building a future, a turning point, involvement, calmness, thoughtful, fate, wisdom, destiny, self-control, realisation of self, self-purpose, and self-worth, putting things in perspective. The wheel of fortune often tells of situations that may often appear in your life and have not yet been addressed. You need to allow events to take their natural course with the current situation and then act accordingly after. Do not interfere or try to control the situation allow the wheel to turn as it will. It can also be a sign of change in your life.
Justice: Card 11
Balance, self-recognition, intuition, responsibility, awareness of right and wrong, ethics, honesty, decisiveness, perseverance, guidance, harmony, kindness, equity. Possible legal matters. The justice card comes up if you have been in any situation where you feel you have been treated unfairly. The truth will come to the surface, and you will feel much better about the situation soon. Fight for what is right!
The Hanged Man: Card 12
Inactivity, retrospection, solitude, deep thoughts, meditation, hesitation, passiveness, caution, in limbo, transition, inactivity, apathy, readjustment. The Hanged Man is telling you that you are being indecisive and need to focus on the issue at hand rather than looking at the bigger picture. Given time the answer will come to you.
Death: Card 13
Changes, transition, limbo, endings, beginnings, inevitability, choices, sheering away what you do not need. The Death card foretells change to something that is familiar to you. It may be that a change in approach is needed, or that a change will unexpectedly happen that you will need to deal with. Do not be afraid, change is inevitable and often for the best. It is the end of a chapter in your life that has served its purpose, but it makes way for a new chapter and a new beginning.
Temperance: Card 14
Balance, quiet control, calmness, integrity, confidence within, compromise, synthesis, moderation, self-restraint, security, healing, flourishing, feeling grounded, parental love, good influence, fortunate omen. The Temperance card tells you that all is good in your situation, if you are worried you need not be as everything is going to turn out fine.
The Devil: Card 15
Negativity, selfishness, materialism, despair, greed, envy, jealousy, obsessiveness, physicality, physical and mental abuse, addiction, workaholic, devoid spirituality, shock, unkind thoughts, or actions. If the devil comes up in your cards you need to be aware that something or someone does not have your best interests at heart. This could even be yourself if you are allowing people to overshadow you or put you into situations you are not happy about. The devil tells you to have a good hard look at your circumstances and if there is something or someone that is not making you happy then get rid of it or them.
The Tower: Card 16
Enlightenment, shedding old ideals or beliefs, losing perceived security, sudden change, disruption, loss, setback, balance restored through destruction, new beginnings through challenging situations. If the Tower appears it is telling you that it is time to face up to your fears. You may suffer an unexpected loss of some kind and will need to have strength to deal with the new situation. Look at this as a challenge that you can overcome, and you will get through it.
The Star: Card 17
Happiness, pure vision, positive influence, infinite possibilities, true love, ecstasy, innocence, beauty, profound knowledge, innovative ideas, peace, ethereal, inspirational, fulfilling, promising, pleasure. The Star is a beautiful card that brings light and happiness into your life. All your accumulated knowledge has been leading you to a point that allows you to truly be yourself and the star shows you the way.
The Moon: Card 18
Illusion, apprehension, anxiety, disorientation, dreams, confusion, female power and instinct, quest, transformation, lunacy, deception, caution, spirituality, fantasy. extroversion, inspiration, enchantment. A female symbol. The moon tells you that all is not being revealed. Although the card has a spiritual basis it is telling you to look deep within to see if you can identify an issue that needs some attention and that you need to know exactly what is going on before you can address the situation.
The Sun: Card 19
Happiness, vitality, positivity, relaxed, confident, joyful, brilliance, warmth, comfort, optimism, energy, radiance, understanding, forgiving, satisfying, accomplished, brilliant relationships. An incredibly positive card. The Sun tells you that you should be feeling very happy and contented. You may have achieved something you have been aiming for. Maybe there has been some good news. You are in good health and have plenty of energy. Perhaps somebody new has entered your life and made everything seem enriched. Trust in your abilities and they will pay off!
Judgment: Card 20
Decisiveness, balance, wisdom, knowledge, fairness, introspection, clarity, finding the right path, a reckoning, transformation, re-birth, forgiveness, honesty, favourable judgment. The Judgment card tells you that you need to find time to come to a proper decision. You may be in a position of being judged or having to make judgment on others. There are many distractions around you, but you have the knowledge and honesty to pursue the right outcome. By being decisive you will be able to start a new beginning and transform your life. This card should be looked at as representing fairness and honesty. Trust in your better judgment!
The World: Card 21
Integrating, combining, healing, flourishing, prospering, finding contentment, fulfilment, wholeness, happiness, synthesis, activity, positivity, feeling needed and wanted, wholeness. Things are looking good if you choose the World card. You should be feeling happy and contented. Everything is going your way. Your goals can be accomplished you have everything you need to succeed. Relationships should be harmonious and bring you security and fulfilment. You have found your path and should stick with it if it makes you happy.
The Court Cards
Court Cards tend to appear when relationships of any kind are at the front of your mind. They represent different aspects of the human psyche and possess traits that can guide you when you are uncertain.
King of Wands
Trustworthy, wise, inspirational, motivational, energetic, adventurous, optimistic. Maturity, security, wisdom, administration, control, stubborn, powerful, dominance, experienced, grounded, determined, dependable, accomplished, proud, aspirational, motivated. If you have chosen, this card you are trustworthy and inspirational. You can be a driving force because you are secure in your knowledge and mature with your guidance. You have the energy and enthusiasm to achieve what you are aiming for and to help others with their goals. You may be the sort of person that moves or travels quite a lot and enjoys adventure. Anything is possible do not let things hold you back, be wise and aware that you are trusting, and some may take advantage of this trait.
King of cups
Loving, benevolent, spiritual, inspirational, caring, thoughtful, loyal, nurturing, vulnerable Maturity, security, wisdom, administration, control, stubborn, powerful, dominance, experienced, grounded, determined, dependable, accomplished, proud, aspirational, motivated. This card shows that you are a very loving and caring person. You like to have people around you, particularly family. You expect others to have the same high ideals of love and friendship as you do. You are trusting and intuitive and always see the best in everybody and everything. You are not particularly materialistic taking pleasure from nature and those around you. You may need to acknowledge deep feelings to avoid drowning out emotions
King of Pentacles
Financially secure, successful, practical, prosperous, mature, strong, powerful, experienced, accomplished, aspirational, motivated, proud, family orientated, . This card shows a good head for business and good news for business ventures. There is a powerful sense of financial security attached to this card. The King of Pentacles Enjoys the good life food, drink, relationships, and leisure and encourages you to do the same.
King of Swords
Logical, focussed, unemotional, diligent, controlling, intelligent, intellectual, practical, detached, manipulative, materialistic, ruthless, authoritative, judging, ambitious, strong. Secure, serious, controlling, rational, mind/intellect-focused, insensitive, decisive, powerful, authoritative, responsible, sensible, restless spirit.If this card appears it may mean that you are taking life too seriously or have surrounded yourself with people that focus too much on the material side of life. Your professional career may be all consuming which leaves you little time for emotional or spiritual activities. There may be a choice coming up between material or emotional aspects of your life and the King of Swords would advise you to be prudent and think carefully before making what could be a difficult choice. Be aware that your actions have ripples, and you may be affecting someone else without realising it.
Queen of Pentacles
Generous, compassionate, welcoming, grounded., practical, nurturing, kind, nature loving, honest, rebellious, fertile, logical. The Queen of Pentacles often turns up if you are happy in your situation. You are friendly and welcoming and open with your feelings. You are trusting and honest and care about getting these qualities back from the people you love. Your practical skills mean that you can make things work socially and professionally. Because of your caring nature you are very loving and loved.
Queen of Swords
Intelligent, forthright, honest, witty, realistic, intuitive, responsible, courageous, dependable, communicator, acts with clarity and decisiveness’. This Queen of swords shows that you appear to be honest and straightforward. In a work situation you show competence and great diplomacy. You are an intelligent and interesting person who enjoys their social life as much as their work. You may have learnt hard lessons from the past, but you have used these to make you stronger. You are non-judgmental and like to use your humour to diffuse awkward situations. People admire you from a distance!
Queen of Cups
Emotionally nurturing, intuitive, sensitive, Rebellious spirit, communicator, well adjusted, kind, carefree, Healthy in body and finances, grounded and calm. Sensitive, intuitive, loving, kind, understanding, maternal, gracious, charming, psychic, spiritual, patient, empathic, tranquil. This card shows that you are sensitive to others and their needs. You are loving and supportive to all around you. Your empathic abilities are verging on psychic, and you seem to have the ability to have a telepathic bond with others. You have an inner beauty that radiates from you. You are the queen of love! Use your skills to have a happy and rewarding day.
Queen of Wands
Confidant, focused, has zest for life Emotional, intuitive, thoughtful, prophetic, wise, strong, determined, compassionate, understanding, mediator, observer, adaptable, frivolity, sensitive, nurturing. This card shows that You do not give your heart easily. You are independent and like to live life to the full. You are flamboyant in a sensitive way and have a quirky nature. You can be incredibly determined if you have a goal in mind. You are communicative and creative and enjoy teaching or guiding others. People see you as inspirational and influential. There is an element of new life in this card that could apply to both your business and personal life.
Knight of Pentacles
Cautious, sensible, and slow to progress, diligence, stabilization through work, perseverance, and success. A young person who is dependable, not prone to flights of fancy. Earth as their element, gives this Knight a very grounding basis, they may appear to be wiser than there years. By working hard, this can lead to success, applying common sense and a cause that they believe in. Kind and understanding, meaning well for those around them, they may find peculiar ideas alien to there down to earth natures. Reality is grounding. If this card appears, it will be a day of realist expectations.
Knight of Swords
Fierce, determined, aggressively pursues goals, can think that he knows it all, but has not the experience to win new admirers. This Knight will be challenging, which in some cases is not a sad thing, because by testing the norm, new ideas may be forthcoming. This card could also relate to an issue that has stubbornly failed to be fixed, or a problem concerning others, here the logic of the mind and the swords, may help resolve the topic, but be aware that diplomacy and tact, will lead to a better outcome for everyone concerned, which includes this knight. I think, therefore I am right. Should be, I listen, therefore I know. If you get this card, the winds of change, will stir the imagination.
Knight of Cups
Romantic, adventurous, following one’s heart to find love, high ideas of beauty, the tender notions of the spirit, dreamer, and star gazer. This Knight can be caught up by too much serendipity, and may appear to be following unrealistic paths, which lead nowhere, no matter how sincere, their hearts and minds want something to be true. A sensitive soul full of love and goodwill towards others, well-meaning and true. An expression of deep feeling, demonstrated in words, written, or spoken. If this is your card of the day, you may find that your outlook is coloured by rose tinted glasses, and the world is a wonderful place.
Knight of Wands
An adventurous risk taker who follows his spontaneous thoughts. The fire that permeates this Knight, give him the ability to communicate his many ideas and thoughts, at lightning speed, but he also finds the slow pace of life a problem, in achieving the many plans, which fill his time. There is energy here to realise much, if only he can settle on one topic to master. Inpatients may be seen as rudeness, but he does not wish to offend, far from it, when in fact he has your best interests at heart. If this is your card for today, risk and chance could lead to exciting possibilities, going where few fear to tread, caution should be your watch word.
Page of Pentacles
Student, commitment to learning, a down to earth young person, dependable and loyal, not prone to fantasy. A child of reality, they gain certainty by what they see, hear and touch. This page is warm and loving, and appreciates the company of other people, where doing something is better than just thinking about it. If this is your card of the day, new horizons beckon in the material world.
Page of Swords
Mentally unstable or intellectually immature, acts without thinking, prone to fears, can be manipulative, and scornful of those who are not as clever, as them. There is a fragile delicate nature to this page, which is hidden behind aggressive behaviour, and instead of fighting fire with fire, even though this is an air sign, it would do well to understand that insecurities and over thinking, mask the need for reassurance and kindness. So, if this is your card, recognise that you may be dealing with a need for yourself or another to let go of the past, for hope lies in the future.
Page of Cups
Feelings and emotions, a dreamer, who is kind, sensitive and aware of the emotions of people. Easily hurt, in their naivety and innocence, they are blinkered to treachery, and take reproach to heart. They have a gentle outlook on life and will admire wiser and more experienced people. If this is your card of the day, then finding a good friend, will be more important than a full-blown love affair, gentleness and kindness are the order of the day.
Page of Wands
Excitingly inspired, imaginative about life and work, free spirited, and curious. Success and material gain are not the driving factors here, instead it is the wonderment of existing that inspires the passion in the breast. Idealism and enthusiasm of the young person, unaffected by the passage of time, may lead to a part realised notion or idea, that in the future, could materialise into something more concrete. There is a caring and thoughtful side to this Page, no matter how independent, she may appear. If this is your card, today, be patient, that not everything we want to happen, is going to materialise just because we want it to. The world turns, but so do we.
Minor Arcana
The Minor Arcana represent less weighty influences on the world around you. If you pick out a slightly negative Minor Arcana card you are getting a light warning to look out for something. If your card is a positive card it will be of something that will not have a huge effect on your life but is nevertheless significant to you.
Suit of Pentacles
The pentacles represent earth and generally guide you around financial and material aspects of life.
Ace of Pentacles
Financial reward, clarity of life purpose, new goals, earth signs, material as energy.
2 of Pentacles
Balance, multitasking, choices, yin and yan, two sides of the same coin.
3 of Pentacles
Meaningful work, enjoying one’s work, suitable career, creativity, stability, self-realization.
4 of Pentacles
Stability, perseverance, strengthening, harmony, earthly reality.
5 of Pentacles
Minor money troubles, health issues, feeling like an outsider, change and growth through crisis.
6 of Pentacles
Charity, accepting and giving help, perseverance, tolerance, understanding, success.
7 of Pentacles
Patience, waiting for your plans to bear fruit, gaining experience, caution of the outcome, nothing is set in stone.
8 of Pentacles
Hard work, focused efforts, laying the groundwork, use new skills, do not neglect knowledge learned, put it to use.
9 of Pentacles
Luxury, rest, financial and material comforts, gain, attainment, progression.
10 of Pentacles
Financial success, strong business relationships, creative energies into material form the realised aspect of the earthly pentacles.
Suit of Cups
The Cups generally relate to matters of the heart. They represent the element of water and fluid, ongoing issues.
Ace of Cups
Emotional fulfilment, joy, the source of life and love though water, receptive, soul knowledge.
2 of Cups
Partnership, mutual attraction, compatibility, finding love and being in love, harmony, balance, happiness.
3 of Cups
Celebration, fun with friends, laughter, fulfilment and bliss, harmony in love, generosity.
4 of Cups
Boredom, dissatisfaction with what is being offered, commitment issues, mediocrity, safety in monotony, this is not all there is.
5 of Cups
Dwelling on the negative, self-pity, recognising that all is not lost.
6 of Cups
Sentimentality, kindness, nostalgia, harmony, balance of the old and appreciating the now.
7 of Cups
So many choices! Indecision, getting lost in fantasy, unrealistic hopes, and dreams.
8 of Cups
Abandoning something in search of something better, letting go, transformation and transition.
9 of Cups
Indulgence, self-reliance, happiness from within, dreams may not be all that brings fulfilment, complete joy with oneself.
10 of Cups
Emotional bliss, happiness, attainment, fulfilment in love, finding bliss with another, the realisation of the completeness in being together.
Suit of Swords
The swords represent intellect and matters of the head rather than the heart. Swords show how the element of air can influence everyday life.
Ace of Swords
Fresh start, sudden opportunity, idea, clarity, using your head and not being overruled by your heart, difficult beginnings lead to positive outcomes, the power of the mind.
2 of Swords
Indecision by not analysing all the facts, balancing knowledge against ignorance, solutions, and clarity.
3 of Swords
Heartbreak, betrayal, shrewd insights into malice and rivalry, keeping one’s head to achieve a better outcome, not falling for the tricks of other people.
4 of Swords
Meditation, rest, retreat, inner knowledge of old fears that hold you back, understand that holding on to old troubles, keeps us from being happy, let them go, to find peace.
5 of Swords
Mind games, hostility, betrayal, awareness of what is occurring leads to a better defence, take decisive action and acquire fresh comprehension.
6 of Swords
Departure, accepting help, going somewhere better, peace of mind, leaving behind old setbacks, letting go of what cannot be changed, not being held by the past.
7 of Swords
Secret plans, dishonest behaviour, doubt by indecisiveness, use logic to overcome unfair behaviour, cut through to the truth, using the facts at hand.
8 of Swords
Feeling powerless and stuck, free yourself from what is holding you prisoner, for it is only you who can do this, the mind is a powerful tool to salvation.
9 of Swords
Overactive mind, anxiety, suffering, feelings of isolation, find help with those you trust, talk about what troubles you, there is a solution to the reflections of your fears, in the mind.
10 of Swords
Feeling defeated, self-sabotage, conclusion, letting go of what has run its course, pick yourself up for there is a new beginning, not the end, but a fresh understanding, to a better future.
Suit of Wands
The wands represent energy and the strength and vitality of youthfulness. They show how the element of fire can be influencing the more energetic areas of your life.
Ace of Wands
New beginnings, creative spark, fertile ideas, courage, self-realisation, fire energy at its most potent.
2 of Wands
Contemplation, assessing one’s life direction, patience, wait before acting, make sure you know what lies ahead, before taking the next step.
3 of Wands
Reaping the rewards of your efforts, plan carefully, development by hard work, creativity, new opportunities.
4 of Wands
Celebration, success, achievement, realisation of goals attained, do not rest on your laurels, for there is more that can be done, sometime in the future, enjoy what has been accomplished.
5 of Wands
Competition, minor struggles, or disagreements, stand up for what you have worked for, hold onto your ideals, for in time to come, you will succeed by being stronger.
6 of Wands
Success, accolades and achievement, victory, the path you have taken has been the right choice for you, and better things will come your way, stay balanced in your approach to future triumphs.
7 of Wands
Feeling defensive and on guard, trust in yourself, stand up for your ideals, do not seek approval from other people, this is a time to be courageous and brave.
8 of Wands
Speed, things manifesting quickly, knowledge and problem solving, flexibility, take time to think things through, out with the old, in with the new, weighing ideas up.
9 of Wands
Finding the strength from within, having to struggle to achieve a goal, but not giving up, if you are spirited and determined.
10 of Wands
Feeling oppressed, exhaustion, too many responsibilities, but also what has been attained, has not been easy, you deserve to recognise that your hard work, has paid off, even if the road has been a long and difficult one. Overworking on anything is not good for the soul.
