Meanings of Tarot Card Deck
The Tarot Deck has 78 cards and is made up of the Major Arcana consisting of 22 cards and the Minor Arcana consisting of 56 cards.
The Tarot cards of the Major Arcana hold the deep meanings or deep secrets of a given reading. Representing the Journey of Life, these cards display a scene containing many elements and often have a numeral and a name on the face.
Meaning of Each Tarot Card in the Major Arcana
The Minor Arcana are the lesser meanings or lesser secrets of the Tarot reading. The 56 cards are made of 4 suits. The Wands, Cups, Swords, and Coins. Each suit is made up of an ACE, 2 – 10, and four court cards the Page, Knight, Queen, and King. The meaning of numbered cards have a relationship to numerology, for instance the 5s are turning points and the 10s are the conclusion of a cycle.
Meaning of Each Tarot Card in the Wands Suit
The Wands suit is also called Staves, Rods, Batons and Clubs. This suit is the Peasant suit and is associated with Fire, Creativity and Energy.
| King of Wands | Queen of Wands | Knight of Wands | Page of Wands |
| Ace of Wands | Two of Wands | Three of Wands | Four of Wands |
| Five of Wands | Six of Wands | Seven of Wands | Eight of Wands |
| Nine of Wands | Ten of Wands |
Meaning of Each Tarot Card in the Cups Suit
The Cups suit is also called the Chalices and Hearts. This suit is the Clergy suit and is associated with Water, Emotions and Love.
| King of Cups | Queen of Cups | Knight of Cups | Page of Cups |
| Ace of Cups | Two of Cups | Three of Cups | Four of Cups |
| Five of Cups | Six of Cups | Seven of Cups | Eight of Cups |
| Nine of Cups | Ten of Cups |
Meaning of Each Tarot Card in the Swords Suit
The Swords suit is also called the Spades. This suit is the Nobility or Military Class and is associated with Air, Reason and Will.
| King of Swords | Queen of Swords | Knight of Swords | Page of Swords |
| Ace of Swords | Two of Swords | Three of Swords | Four of Swords |
| Five of Swords | Six of Swords | Seven of Swords | Eight of Swords |
| Nine of Swords | Ten of Swords |
Meaning of Each Tarot Card in the Coins Suit
The Pentacles suit is also Coins, Disks and Diamonds. This Tarot suit is the Merchants class and is associated with Earth and Material body or possessions.
Arcana is the plural form of Arcanum which refers to a deep secret or secret remedy.
Disclaimer: Because numerous types of Tarot cards and Tarot decks exist, with and without names or numbers. Some switch the Fire and Air, some change names, etc I try to stick with the Rider-Waite Tarot Deck. This is mainly because of its popularity. I will admit, though, the older decks tend to have a more interesting history. I intend to provide specific information on historical Tarot decks in the future. Maybe a blog series on the various historical Tarot decks.