Tarot Major and Minor Arcana

Major Arcana

There are hundreds of books giving different meanings for these cards. Some are very light-hearted, some very dark and sinister. Having read several and visited many sites, seeking insight, I have comprised a list of the most used meanings for these cards. Do some research on your own to see what resonates for you. The Fool-the unexpected, whether good or bad. May mean an Unexpected meeting with someone.

1) The Magician-power, maybe a new start. But, can mean you are being tricked.

2) The High Priestess-wisdom, a secret being revealed. Or, if negative, a secret being kept from you.

3) The Empress-the birth of a child, a new creative endeavor. But, can mean financial loss or an unwanted pregnancy

4) The Emperor-A man in your life will do great things to help you. Or, a man in your life will deceive you.

5) The Hierophant-following you moral obligations. Or not following rules, or following your own drummer.

6) The Lovers-following your heart, letting your heart rule your head. Can mean an unhappy love affair that needs ending.

7) The Chariot-indicates some kind of movement, usually forward to win. Negatively, can mean a delay or some kind of stalling frustration.

8) Justice-good omen for business or legal issue. If negative, can mean the opposite.

9) The Hermit-time for patience, aloneness to make a wise decision. If negative, can mean suspicion and not listening to good advice.

10) Wheel of Fortune-good luck. Negative-bad luck

11) Strength-willpower, ability to see something through. Or, challenges due to jealousy and ignorance

12) The Hanged man-a time of stress or illness. Or, can mean you are playing the martyr.

13) Death-a time of sudden and life-changing events.

14) Temperance-happy home life. Or strife and fighting.

15) Devil-warns of obsessive ness or addiction, not only with people, but also with things.

16) The Tower-something very unsettling is about to happen. If you handle it wisely, it will bring good things, eventually.

17) The Star-good luck and spiritual awareness.

18) The Moon-good omen, artistic gifts will shine. May mean that lies will out you.

19) The Sun-Good news, all is well. If negative, delays, possible arrogance.

20) Judgment-something new, move quickly. Negative-obstinacy has cost you, once again.

21) The World-Completion, finishing, joy. Negative- can mean even more delay. Things not getting finished

Minor Arcana

The minor arcane contains 56 cards, very similar to our ordinary deck of playing cards. There are four suits, Wands, Cups, Swords and Pentacles. Each suit has cards numbered from Ace to ten, plus a page, knight, queen and king. Now, there are many different interpretations of the meanings of these suits in a reading. We will begin with the elements.

Wands represent Fire. Wands in a reading may signify a strong idea or need. Something, which needs to be done, and usually right away. In the layout, one must look for where the Wand lies. It may point to something that must be done before an event or something that will happen after.

Cups, the Water suit, deal with emotions or feelings. Sometimes these are hidden. In the positive, a Cup can mean greater artistic or psychic abilities. In the negative, perhaps a tendency for overindulgence in alcohol or drugs.

Swords, representing Air, point to thoughts. These cards signify communication in writing and speaking. Sometimes it can show that bad news will be circulated about the seeker, usually in a very public manner. It can mean a struggle with this information. On the high side, Swords can mean a good time period for creating, especially in writing.

Pentacles, the Earth suit, show the real stuff. They stress health and work situations, usually involving money. Pentacles are the actual physical things around the question, the outcome that can be seen or felt.

Some readers view Wands as Air and Swords as Fire. You can make this decision yourself on how the suits feel to you as you use them. The best way to get your true reading is practice, practice, practice! Get the feel of your cards. Keep them with you at all times. Don?t let others handle them a lot. Lay them out and study them. Get various tarot books, read them and see which resonates with you. Soon your readings will become more and more accurate.

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