New to tarot? Click around below to learn more about the types of cards and spreads you'll encounter.
The Major Arcana cards are the most recognizable and impactful cards in a Tarot deck. These 22 cards represent situations we all face in the grand scheme of life, with each carrying specific messages of perspective and guidance to help you in times of need. While the Minor Arcana cards focus on the everyday actions and decisions you must face, these Major Arcana cards reveal messages about the bigger picture of your life and its long-term direction.
Though each of the Major Arcana cards stands alone with its own deep meanings and influences, these 22 Tarot cards also tell a united story. The first card, The Fool, is the main character of this story, and his experiences as he learns, grows, and makes his way through life are represented by the 21 cards that follow. This storyline is a great description of the accomplishments, setbacks, and lessons we all learn as we go through the trials and tribulations of our lifetime, growing into whole, complete beings by the end of our journey.
Of the 78 cards in a Tarot deck, the majority of them belong to the Minor Arcana! But just because they're called "minor" doesn't mean these cards have a minor influence in your life.
While the other cards -- the Major Arcana cards -- represent long-term situations you may experience, the Minor Arcana cards address what's happening in your daily life -- the small wins, struggles, interactions, and thoughts that you face regularly. They can provide insight into past situations, and help advise the decisions you need to make now to influence your future. Taking advice from the Minor Arcana can have a major impact on your daily life!
Your cup runneth over! This saying refers to an abundance of feelings, luck, and joy, and it's a great way to think about Tarot's suit of Cups. The suit of Cups is connected to our emotions, our relationships, and matters of the soul. When a Cups card comes up in your Tarot reading, pay attention to your dreams, your heart, and your intuitions. From great joy to immense grief, the Cups cards reveal how we truly feel -- and how others feel about us.
The Cups cards are associated with the summer season and the Water element, encouraging you to flow with your feelings and find happiness wherever you are. Some of the most fortunate of all Tarot cards are in the Cups suit, yet these cards can also turn up when you’re feeling confused about a relationship, disappointed with life, or lacking confidence in yourself.
Tarot cards in the Pentacles suit -- sometimes referred to as "Coins" -- pertain to things in the material and physical world. Often Pentacles are mistaken as only symbols of wealth and money matters. But in truth they speak of success and prosperity on all levels -- this includes money and career success, but also family, body, and health matters.
The suit of Pentacles is connected to the winter season and the Earth element, which represent stability, practicality, and determination, as well as giving and receiving. When a Pentacles card turns up in a Tarot reading, it’s typically an indicator that something in your material world needs attention. This can be positive -- such as a successful business transaction or a large inheritance; or negative -- such as health troubles or obstacles in the way of your success.
The Swords are associated with conflict and strife -- both external and internal. These cards cut to the heart of a matter, revealing challenges such as illness, heartbreak, war, loss, and death. But they can also reveal truths we need to face in order to overcome obstacles and move forward, which is ultimately a positive thing.
When a Swords card turns up in your Tarot reading, it's likely you are facing a challenge or will come into contact with a forceful person or situation. You may be on the verge of an argument or heartbreak, or you could be wrestling with the truth, mired in a legal battle, or stuck holding on to a rigid viewpoint. If you let them, the Swords cards can rid you of your denial and teach you valuable lessons.
The Swords cards are associated with the fall season and the Air element. They enhance the realm of the mind, of clarity and consciousness, and the sharp edge of truth. Because of their strong connection to truth, the Swords are also heavily associated with justice and fairness.
The Tarot suit of Wands -- sometimes called Rods, Staves, or Staffs -- represents the energy of movement, creativity, and invention. Wands represent ideas and innovation, and an entrepreneurial spirit. They are often related to your career or your sense of purpose in the world, but because of their connection to charm and desire, they can deliver strong love guidance, too.
The suit of Wands is connected to the spring season and the Fire element, so it carries many active messages of boldness, ambition, drive, competitiveness, and initiative. Whenever a Wands card appears, actions are being taken or suggested, and change is in the works. Wands are powerful and passionate cards that can urge you to make a bold move, or warn you when you're moving too fast.
Tarot cards are shuffled and laid out in any number of Tarot spreads. The best known spread is the Celtic Cross, but there are countless other Tarot spreads you can choose depending on what type of question you want to ask and how many cards you wish to draw. If you want to start out very simply, you can draw just one card about a specific person or situation. In fact, your question doesn't even need to be a question! It's called an "open reading" when you simply think about a person or situation instead of asking a direct question -- the cards will still provide insight.
Each position in a Tarot spread has its own significant meaning, just as every card has its own meaning. For example, your spread may feature positions for "past," "present" and "future," or for "possible outcome," so it's important to pay attention to the position in which each card turns up. A card speaking of heartbreak would surely mean something different if it turned up in the past instead of the future, right?
Here are a few common three card spreads to get you started.
All information pulled from tarot.com.