Tarot Card Meanings

Find a card by its place in the deck or its suit. Each guide explains the imagery and meanings, including upright and reversed interpretations. If you are starting out, follow the beginner learning pathway.

Major Arcana

The 22 Major Arcana cards describe broad themes and turning points, from The Fool’s beginning to The World’s completion.

The Fool

Tarot Card Meaning

Upright new beginnings, innocence, spontaneityReversed recklessness, naivety, poor judgement

The Magician

Tarot Card Meaning

Upright power, ability, concentrationReversed manipulation, poor preparation, unused talents

The High Priestess

Tarot Card Meaning

Upright intuition, higher consciousness, mysteryReversed concealed intentions, ignored instincts, intuition clouded by doubt

The Empress

Tarot Card Meaning

Upright abundance, femininity, beautyReversed creative block, dependence, disharmony at home

The Emperor

Tarot Card Meaning

Upright Authority, responsibility, structureReversed Domination, rigidity, weak leadership

The Hierophant

Tarot Card Meaning

Upright Tradition, teaching, shared beliefsReversed Questioning convention, restrictive rules, conformity

The Lovers

Tarot Card Meaning

Upright love, marriage, connectionReversed disharmony, inequality, conflicting values

The Chariot

Tarot Card Meaning

Upright Direction, willpower, determinationReversed Loss of direction, aggression, stalled progress

Strength

Tarot Card Meaning

Upright Courage, patience, compassionReversed Self-doubt, insecurity, depleted confidence

The Hermit

Tarot Card Meaning

Upright Reflection, solitude, inner guidanceReversed Isolation, loneliness, withdrawal

Wheel of Fortune

Tarot Card Meaning

Upright good fortune, karma, destinyReversed bad luck, disruptive forces, delays

Justice

Tarot Card Meaning

Upright fairness, truth, integrityReversed injustice, dishonesty, bias

The Hanged Man

Tarot Card Meaning

Upright suspension, constraint, releaseReversed martyrdom, uncertainty, indecision

Death

Tarot Card Meaning

Upright endings, beginnings, transformation and changeReversed resistance to change, stagnation, difficulty moving on

Temperance

Tarot Card Meaning

Upright Balance, moderation, patienceReversed Imbalance, excess, conflict

The Devil

Tarot Card Meaning

Upright Attachment, dependency, compulsionReversed Breaking free, recognising a pattern, reclaiming choice

The Tower

Tarot Card Meaning

Upright disaster, turmoil, abrupt changeReversed a crisis averted, resistance to change, the end of upheaval

The Star

Tarot Card Meaning

Upright hope, spirituality, renewalReversed lost faith, anguish, discouragement

The Moon

Tarot Card Meaning

Upright Uncertainty, dreams, intuitionReversed Emerging clarity, releasing fear, concealed feelings

The Sun

Tarot Card Meaning

Upright joy, affection, accomplishmentReversed temporary sorrow, delayed success, pride

Judgement

Tarot Card Meaning

Upright Awakening, renewal, accountabilityReversed Self-doubt, harsh self-judgement, avoidance

The World

Tarot Card Meaning

Upright completion, integration, achievementReversed unfinished work, delayed success, frustration and a lack of closure

Suit of Wands

Wands belong to the element of Fire and concern creativity, ambition and action.

Ace of Wands

Tarot Card Meaning

Upright inspiration, strength, creationReversed delays, false starts, lost motivation

Two of Wands

Tarot Card Meaning

Upright Future planning, personal power, ambitionReversed Fear of the unknown, poor planning, blind ambition

Three of Wands

Tarot Card Meaning

Upright Preparation, vision, enterpriseReversed Lack of foresight, delays, setbacks

Four of Wands

Tarot Card Meaning

Upright Celebration, harmony, marriageReversed Communication breakdown, instability, family division

Five of Wands

Tarot Card Meaning

Upright Competition, disagreement, rivalryReversed Conflict resolution, avoided confrontation, cooperation

Six of Wands

Tarot Card Meaning

Upright Public acclaim, success, growthReversed Egotism, disgrace, lost confidence

Seven of Wands

Tarot Card Meaning

Upright Challenge, defence, determinationReversed Surrender, confusion, exhaustion

Eight of Wands

Tarot Card Meaning

Upright Speed, action, newsReversed Postponement, frustration, delays

Nine of Wands

Tarot Card Meaning

Upright Courage, perseverance, resilienceReversed Exhaustion, guardedness, uncertainty

Ten of Wands

Tarot Card Meaning

Upright Burden, responsibility, hard workReversed Overload, avoiding responsibility, release

Page of Wands

Tarot Card Meaning

Upright Eagerness, exploration, discoveryReversed Blocked ideas, discouragement, lack of direction

Knight of Wands

Tarot Card Meaning

Upright Energy, enthusiasm, desireReversed Haste, distraction, frustration

Queen of Wands

Tarot Card Meaning

Upright Energy, warmth, affectionReversed Shyness, jealousy, contention

King of Wands

Tarot Card Meaning

Upright Leadership, vision, enterpriseReversed Impulsiveness, urgency, ruthlessness

Suit of Pentacles

Pentacles belong to Earth and concern work, money, the body and material resources.

Ace of Pentacles

Tarot Card Meaning

Upright a new job, promotion, purchaseReversed poor planning, lost opportunities, unexpected expenses

Two of Pentacles

Tarot Card Meaning

Upright Movement, change, balanceReversed Overload, work and relationship imbalance, resistance to change

Three of Pentacles

Tarot Card Meaning

Upright Teamwork, early achievement, collaborationReversed Poor teamwork, disregarded skills, shoddy work

Four of Pentacles

Tarot Card Meaning

Upright Control, stability, possessionReversed Greed, self-protection, generosity

Five of Pentacles

Tarot Card Meaning

Upright Isolation, insecurity, worryReversed Recovery, renewed resources, spiritual poverty

Six of Pentacles

Tarot Card Meaning

Upright Generosity, shared resources, prosperityReversed Debt, selfishness, conditional charity

Seven of Pentacles

Tarot Card Meaning

Upright Vision, persistence, rewardReversed Procrastination, lack of direction, poor returns

Eight of Pentacles

Tarot Card Meaning

Upright Apprenticeship, learning, diligenceReversed Perfectionism, poor focus, low ambition

Nine of Pentacles

Tarot Card Meaning

Upright Gratitude, pleasure, self-sufficiencyReversed Overwork, guardedness, financial setbacks

Ten of Pentacles

Tarot Card Meaning

Upright Inheritance, retirement, familyReversed Family conflict, financial failure, loss

Page of Pentacles

Tarot Card Meaning

Upright Manifestation, financial opportunity, a new jobReversed Poor preparation, a short-term outlook, unfinished work

Knight of Pentacles

Tarot Card Meaning

Upright Patience, hard work, routineReversed Laziness, lethargy, unemployment

Queen of Pentacles

Tarot Card Meaning

Upright nurturing, generosity, practicalityReversed financial dependence, envy, greed

King of Pentacles

Tarot Card Meaning

Upright Wise advice, success, generosityReversed Stubbornness, ruthlessness, conditional gifts

Suit of Swords

Swords belong to Air and concern thought, communication, decisions and conflict.

Ace of Swords

Tarot Card Meaning

Upright mental clarity, breakthrough, raw powerReversed confusion, aggression, chaos

Two of Swords

Tarot Card Meaning

Upright Indecision, choices, truceReversed Indecision, confusion, information overload

Three of Swords

Tarot Card Meaning

Upright estrangement, sorrow, heartacheReversed releasing pain, compassion, reconciliation

Four of Swords

Tarot Card Meaning

Upright Contemplation, recovery, passivityReversed Restlessness, burnout, lack of growth

Five of Swords

Tarot Card Meaning

Upright Conflict, discord, lossReversed Openness to change, past grievances, resolution or renewed conflict

Six of Swords

Tarot Card Meaning

Upright Regretful but necessary transition, rite of passage, moving toward peaceReversed Difficulty moving on, emotional baggage, delays

Seven of Swords

Tarot Card Meaning

Upright Betrayal, pretense, getting away with somethingReversed Exposure, consequences, returned possessions

Eight of Swords

Tarot Card Meaning

Upright Isolation, self-imposed restraint, confinementReversed New perspectives, release, liberation

Nine of Swords

Tarot Card Meaning

Upright Depression, nightmares, intense anxietyReversed Hopelessness, severe despair, anguish

Ten of Swords

Tarot Card Meaning

Upright Betrayal, loss, crisisReversed Recovery, revival, fear of harm

Page of Swords

Tarot Card Meaning

Upright Talkative, inquisitive, mentally restlessReversed All talk and no effort, haste, unfulfilled promises

Knight of Swords

Tarot Card Meaning

Upright Outspoken, hasty, diligentReversed Distraction, disregard for consequences, aggression

Queen of Swords

Tarot Card Meaning

Upright Quick thinking, organization, intelligenceReversed Over-sensitivity, bitterness, coldness

King of Swords

Tarot Card Meaning

Upright Clear reasoning, intellectual ability, authorityReversed Manipulation, authoritarian behavior, cruelty

Suit of Cups

Cups belong to Water and concern emotions, relationships, imagination and intuition.

Ace of Cups

Tarot Card Meaning

Upright love, understanding, creativityReversed blocked feelings, suppressed emotion, disappointment

Two of Cups

Tarot Card Meaning

Upright Love, romance, attractionReversed Misunderstandings, emotional imbalance, indifference

Three of Cups

Tarot Card Meaning

Upright Celebration, friendship, supportReversed A love triangle, interference, canceled celebrations

Four of Cups

Tarot Card Meaning

Upright Boredom, indifference, dissatisfactionReversed A breakthrough, a new perspective, a fresh direction

Five of Cups

Tarot Card Meaning

Upright Loss, remorse, dissatisfactionReversed Moving on, acknowledgment, forgiveness

Six of Cups

Tarot Card Meaning

Upright Reunion, recollections, childhood memoriesReversed Living in the past, naivety, idealization

Seven of Cups

Tarot Card Meaning

Upright Fantasy, illusion, wishful thinkingReversed Being lured, diversion, confusion

Eight of Cups

Tarot Card Meaning

Upright Dissatisfaction, withdrawal, departureReversed Fear of leaving, desperation, aimless drifting

Nine of Cups

Tarot Card Meaning

Upright Wishes granted, contentment, happinessReversed Greed, discontent, materialism

Ten of Cups

Tarot Card Meaning

Upright Harmony, union, joyReversed Misaligned values, domestic problems, relationship difficulties

Page of Cups

Tarot Card Meaning

Upright A loved child, new love, a romantic proposalReversed Moodiness, rejection, separation

Knight of Cups

Tarot Card Meaning

Upright Romance, an ideal lover, charmReversed Jealousy, betrayal, manipulation

Queen of Cups

Tarot Card Meaning

Upright emotional assurance, serenity, intuition and compassionReversed emotional instability, codependency, self-neglect and distrust

King of Cups

Tarot Card Meaning

Upright Emotional harmony, discretion, generosityReversed Emotional manipulation, volatility, deception