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Quick Reference Guide for Tarot Card Meanings


Obviously, if you really want to learn about the meanings of the tarot cards and use them well, you'll spend time studying them and understanding the nuances of each card's interpretation. If, on the other hand, you're looking for a cool party game and want to impress your friends, this "cheat sheet" should provide you enough of a clue about each card's meaning that you can fake your way through a reading. And who knows -- once you loosen up and relax, you may surprise yourself!

The Major Arcana

The Major Arcana consists of cards that have an individual name (such as "The Fool") as opposed to simply a suit designation (such as "3 of Cups"). Most tarot decks number the Major Arcana as well as name them, although some give only the name.

Card Card CardNumber Name Meaning------ ---------------- -------------0 Fool Faith1 Magician Action2 High Priestess Potential3 Empress Abundance4 Emperor Authority 5 Hierophant Conformity6 Lovers Relationship7 Chariot Will8 Strength Compassion9 Hermit Introspection10 Wheel of Fortune Destiny11 Justice Responsibility12 Hanged Man Release13 Death Transition14 Temperance Balance15 Devil Materialism16 Tower Downfall17 Star Hope18 Moon Illusion19 Sun Vitality20 Judgment Rebirth21 World Accomplishment

The Minor Arcana

The Minor Arcana consists of cards that have a rank (such as "3" or "Queen") and a suit (such as "Cups"). Depending on your deck, the suits will have different names, but they have the same meanings. The first suit may be called wands, rods, staves, or sticks. The second suit is pretty universally called swords. The suit of cups is occassionally called chalices. And the final suit may be called coins, disks, or pentacles.

Card Wands Swords Cups Coins----- ----------- ---------- ----------- -----------Ace Creative Mental Emotional Material... Force Force Force Force2 Personal Stalemate Connection Flexibility... Power 3 Exploration Betrayal Delight Planning4 Celebration Rest Self- Possessive-... absorption ness5 Struggle Dishonor Loss Suffering6 Triumph Depression Good Will Apprentice-... ship7 Defiance Deceit Fantasizing Assessment8 Quick Powerless- Turning Diligence... Action ness Away9 Defense Anguish Satisfac- Self-reliance... tion10 Burdens Defeat Joy AffluencePage Creative Thoughtful Emotional PracticalKnight Daring Dashing Sensitive ThoroughQueen Energetic Witty Loving ResourcefulKing Inspiring Just Diplomatic Supporting

Jennifer Dunne is the author of over a dozen novels and novellas of Hot, Heartwarming fiction, many featuring magic and psychic powers. A Tarot reader since her childhood, she is frequently asked to do readings at local gatherings and celebrity events such as the Romantic Times Booklovers Convention. Learn more about Jennifer at jenniferdunne.com.Learn more about tarot cards at Tarot Expressions.

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