Tarot cards are simply a deck of cards with various symbols on each card. However the meaning of
each tarot card is very different. The cards and the symbols on them represent various things eg
death, birth, misfortune, fortune etc. Most people who read tarot cards believe they can reveal many
things about a person.
The French suited tarot cards were the first tarot cards used, but they were not used for predicting
the future. They were only for card games. Etteilla was the first person to use tarot cards to
predict the future. The pack of tarot cards used contained 78 cards. Each card consisted of various
symbols, and the meaning of each tarot card varied.
Tarot cards allow for a connection. This connection is between the card reader and the collective
unconscious. What is the collective unconscious? The collective unconscious is really a spiritual
connection. It exists between all living things in the past and present. Another explanation for
collective unconscious is a spiritual power - a power that's found everywhere in our universe.
It is not easy to interpret tarot cards. Firstly, one must remember the symbolic meaning of each
tarot card. Practise is very important for tarot card readers. Knowing the symbolic meaning of each
tarot card is not enough, the meaning of the card is dependent on the way the cards are laid out as
well. It is not possible to decipher the meaning of a card in isolation.
The main thing to understand before even attempting to understand the meaning of each tarot card, is
the fact that there are two major groups of cards. They are called the major arcana and the minor
arcana. The major arcana contains 22 cards. The minor arcana has 56 cards. The cards contained in
the major arcana are symbolic of greatly significant matters, but the minor arcana cards are used to
make predictions regarding the more specific day to day things eg personal life and career etc.
Included in the major arcana are the following cards: The World, Judgement, The Sun, The Moon, The
Star, The Tower, The Devil, Temperance, Death, The Hanged Man, Justice, Wheel of Fortune, The
Hermit, Strength, The Chariot, The Lovers, The Hierophant, The Emperor, The Empress, The High
Priestess, The Magician and The Fool.
The meaning of each tarot card is different like The Fool is symbolic of spiritual or physical
journeys and the start of a new cycle in life. The Magician signifies mastering of the material
world. The High Priestess is symbolic of secret knowledge and wisdom. The empress signifies
security, creativeness and general well being.
The Emperor symbolizes structure, responsibility, worldly power and authority. Routine and ritual,
guidance, and religious authority are what The Hierophand refers to. The Lover represents harmony
and union, and The Chariot is a sign of victory over adversity. Courage and self control fall under
Strength.
The meaning of each tarot card also depends on the card being upright or reversed. The meanings
discussed are in the case of upright cards. The Hermit indicates caution and want of prudence. The
Wheel of Fortune indicates effortless success, luck and good fortune. Justice indicates fair
solutions to conflict. The Hangman suggests devotion towards a worthy cause. Death is indicative of
a new life, a new beginning and major changes.
The Devil tarot card gives reference to physical things like money, and other material pleasures.
Temperance signifies cooperation, combination, and coordination. The moon is a symbol for illusions
or imagination, and The Star signifies healing and hope. The Tower stands for conflict, disruption,
loss or major changes in life.
The tarot card The World refers to completing projects, or life events providing fulfilment and
accomplishment, and The Sun signifies contentment and happiness. The Judgement represents joy which
has been found in work or in a certain period of life. These are simply basic meanings, however the
true meaning of each tarot card is much more complicated than this.
Within the minor arcana there are 4 suits, and each suit includes 14 cards. The four suits are the
Suit of Cups, Suit of Coins, Suit of Swords and the Suit of Wands. The cards within the Cups suit
are the Ace of Cups, 2 of Cups, 3 of Cups etc etc all the way up to 10 of Cups. Following this comes
the Page of Cups, The Knight of Cups, The Queen of Cups and The King of Cups. The meaning of each
tarot card is very different.
The tarot card the ace of wands is representative of the start of new work, or creative flame. The 2
of wands stands for boldness and willpower. The 3 of wands represents cooperation of action in
balance, and of willpower, and the 4 of wands leans toward achievement of goals following a
struggling period. 5 of wands symbolizes opposition or even resistance, 6 of wands is all about
being triumphant or of a victory at the end of a struggle, and the 7 of wands represents great
courage or bravery during difficulties. The 8 of wands is a sign of rapid action and the 9 of wands
indicates strength. The 10 of wands suggests oppression.
Another name for the page of wands is the princess of wands, and it is representative of a person
who is extremely trustworthy, and who wishes joy for people around him/her. The knight of wands is
indicative of a very energetic person, and queen of wands shows someone very capable, fair and
generous. The king of wands signifies a man who is very kind and generous - a man who is very loving
towards his home and family. So the meaning of each tarot card within each suit varies greatly.
The Suit of Cups, The Suit of Coins, The Suit of Wands and The Suit of Swords all have an ace card,
cards numbered two to ten and cards of page, knight, queen and king. All these cards have different
meanings and connotations and one has to be an expert through practise to know the right meaning of
each tarot card.
