Minor Arcana
Quick Tarot Card Meanings (I still suggest you find a good book on the subject and write out your own translation.) I am putting up very basic meanings, with a good book you can find all the little extra details of the cards.
There are four suits to the Minor Arcana: Cups, Wands, Swords, & Coins. I have seen the suits called by many different names: Cups (Chalices, Bowls, Hearts, etc...), Wands (Staves, Sticks, Clubs, etc...), Swords (Knives, Daggers, Spades, etc...), and Coins (Pentacles, Disks, Circles, Diamonds, ect...). Also the court cards of the suits are sometimes called by different names: Page (Knave, Squire, Princess, etc...), Knight (Youth, Prince, etc...), Queen (Lady, Priestess, Mother, etc...), King (Lord, Priest, Father, etc...).
There are four suits to the Minor Arcana: Cups, Wands, Swords, & Coins. I have seen the suits called by many different names: Cups (Chalices, Bowls, Hearts, etc...), Wands (Staves, Sticks, Clubs, etc...), Swords (Knives, Daggers, Spades, etc...), and Coins (Pentacles, Disks, Circles, Diamonds, ect...). Also the court cards of the suits are sometimes called by different names: Page (Knave, Squire, Princess, etc...), Knight (Youth, Prince, etc...), Queen (Lady, Priestess, Mother, etc...), King (Lord, Priest, Father, etc...).
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| Two of Cups |
Ace - Outpouring of raw emotion. Open to love. Reverse - Not seeing something that is in front of you.
Two - Beginning of a relationship or reconciliation of already existing relationship. Reverse - Missed opportunities. Or struggle where there should be cooperation.
Three - A celebration. Emotional fulfillment. Reverse - Celebration spoiled by poor tempers or lack of personal control.
Four - A time of dissatisfaction or boredom. Feeling cheated or let down. Reverse - Feeling emotionally empty. Unable to dream.
Five - Regret of past actions, time of remorse or sadness. Reverse - You are overlooking what you have.
Three - A celebration. Emotional fulfillment. Reverse - Celebration spoiled by poor tempers or lack of personal control.
Four - A time of dissatisfaction or boredom. Feeling cheated or let down. Reverse - Feeling emotionally empty. Unable to dream.
Five - Regret of past actions, time of remorse or sadness. Reverse - You are overlooking what you have.
* Image from Hanson-Roberts Tarot, by Mary Hanson-Roberts
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| Five of Cups |
Six - A time of serenity, new excitement to an old relationship. Reverse - Remembering hard times, focused on bad situations of the past.
Seven - Multiple options, a time to choose based on realistic terms. Reverse - Falling into bad habits, feeling trapped or unable to change.
Eight - A time to let go, something will be given up. Reverse - You are giving up on your dreams for something that seems easier or more acceptable.
Nine - A time of satisfaction, the fulfillment of a cherished wish. Reverse - A separation or splitting up of a relationship or friendship.
Ten - Ongoing contentment. Reverse - Unforeseen trouble with loved ones.
Seven - Multiple options, a time to choose based on realistic terms. Reverse - Falling into bad habits, feeling trapped or unable to change.
Eight - A time to let go, something will be given up. Reverse - You are giving up on your dreams for something that seems easier or more acceptable.
Nine - A time of satisfaction, the fulfillment of a cherished wish. Reverse - A separation or splitting up of a relationship or friendship.
Ten - Ongoing contentment. Reverse - Unforeseen trouble with loved ones.
* Image from Infinite Visions Tarot, by Gloria Jean
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| Page of Cups |
Page - A renewal of emotions, recuperation, and new beginnings to old situations. Reverse - Someone is bringing down your mood. Or receiving bad news of family or friends.
Knight - Intense or romantic side of emotions, sudden changes. Reverse - Dealing with a depressed or inconsistent person. Or technical things going wrong.
Queen - Contradictions in feelings lead to new discoveries about oneself. Reverse - Dealing with a manipulative person.
King - Giving help while staying aloof, kindness to others without trust for them. Reverse - Dealing with a prejudiced person, extremes of love and hate.
Knight - Intense or romantic side of emotions, sudden changes. Reverse - Dealing with a depressed or inconsistent person. Or technical things going wrong.
Queen - Contradictions in feelings lead to new discoveries about oneself. Reverse - Dealing with a manipulative person.
King - Giving help while staying aloof, kindness to others without trust for them. Reverse - Dealing with a prejudiced person, extremes of love and hate.
* Image from Robin Wood Tarot, by Robin Wood
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| Ace of Wands |
Ace - Up-rush of creative energy, restlessness due to the lack of a specific goal. Reverse - Frustration due to a lack of creative energy or ideas.
Two - Formulation of a new goal or project, a time to begin a task. Reverse - Inability to make a decision, not seeing the difference between two options.
Three - Building on foundations and optimism for the future of a project. Reverse - Delays or loss of opportunities.
Four - Early reward or efforts made, a sense of celebration. Reverse - Things are not steady, not ready for the next level.
Five - Battling material reality to continue a project or goal. Reverse - Feeling defeated, giving up before you have tired.
Three - Building on foundations and optimism for the future of a project. Reverse - Delays or loss of opportunities.
Four - Early reward or efforts made, a sense of celebration. Reverse - Things are not steady, not ready for the next level.
Five - Battling material reality to continue a project or goal. Reverse - Feeling defeated, giving up before you have tired.
* Image from Fantastical Creatures Tarot, by DJ Conway & Lisa Hunt
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| Ten of Wands |
Six - Recognition from others, feeling of acknowledgment. Reverse - Delayed success or appreciation being withheld.
Seven - Competition, a time to step up your efforts to remain in the running. Reverse - Folding under pressure.
Eight - Action after a delay or struggle, renewed energy, or travel. Reverse - Lack of energy.
Nine - A period of exhaustion, requires the will to give one final effort. Reverse - Wasting your energy.
Ten - A time to scale down, or give others some of the responsibilities you are struggling with. Reverse - Shirking responsibilities, procrastinating.
Seven - Competition, a time to step up your efforts to remain in the running. Reverse - Folding under pressure.
Eight - Action after a delay or struggle, renewed energy, or travel. Reverse - Lack of energy.
Nine - A period of exhaustion, requires the will to give one final effort. Reverse - Wasting your energy.
Ten - A time to scale down, or give others some of the responsibilities you are struggling with. Reverse - Shirking responsibilities, procrastinating.
* Image from Elemental Tarot, by Marco Turini
Page - A stirring of creative potential or ideas, realization of possibilities. Reverse - Set backs. Or being bullied or overshadowed. Knight - A strong desire to expand or change, seeking new experiences or situations. Reverse - Dealing with an underhanded person. Or difficulty in travel.
Queen - A time to develop warmth, consistency, loyalty, and creative problem solving. Reverse - Dealing with a dominating or pushy person.
King - A time to initiate ideas and share them with others, developing leadership skills. Reverse - Dealing with a violent or self-absorbed person.
* Image from Paulina Tarot, by Paulina Cassidy
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| Two of Swords |
Ace - A new way of thinking develops out of conflict. Reverse - Feeling blocked, or uninspired by situations around you.
Two - Refusal to face a difficult situation, requires creative thinking to overcome obstacles and find a compromise. Reverse - Unable to find compromise.
Three - Strife or conflict mixed with faith that problems will not last forever. Reverse - Extended strife or conflict, not learning from mistakes or the behavior of others.
Four - A time to rest and gather strength for future efforts. Reverse - Unable to rest.
Five - A time to recognize your limits and swallow your pride. Reverse - An on going argument, or an unsatisfactory win.
Two - Refusal to face a difficult situation, requires creative thinking to overcome obstacles and find a compromise. Reverse - Unable to find compromise.
Three - Strife or conflict mixed with faith that problems will not last forever. Reverse - Extended strife or conflict, not learning from mistakes or the behavior of others.
Four - A time to rest and gather strength for future efforts. Reverse - Unable to rest.
Five - A time to recognize your limits and swallow your pride. Reverse - An on going argument, or an unsatisfactory win.
* Image from Spiral Deck, by Khara Scott-Bey
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| Seven of Swords |
Six - A time of clarity and insight that eases difficulties. Improved mood and self esteem. Reverse - A loss of tools or necessities.
Seven - A time when diplomacy should be used instead of force. Reverse - Starting from scratch. Straight forward is the way to go, avoid underhanded means to achieve your goal.
Eight - A difficult decision to be made, reluctance to act due to fear of consequences. Reverse - Worrying about the opinions of others.
Nine - Anxiety about the future, a time to evaluate past decisions and come to terms with them. Reverse - Ignoring your problems, or giving in to distractions.
Ten - Final ending to a difficult situation, for better or worse the conflict is put to an end. Reverse - Extended suffering or bitterness about the outcome of a situation.
Seven - A time when diplomacy should be used instead of force. Reverse - Starting from scratch. Straight forward is the way to go, avoid underhanded means to achieve your goal.
Eight - A difficult decision to be made, reluctance to act due to fear of consequences. Reverse - Worrying about the opinions of others.
Nine - Anxiety about the future, a time to evaluate past decisions and come to terms with them. Reverse - Ignoring your problems, or giving in to distractions.
Ten - Final ending to a difficult situation, for better or worse the conflict is put to an end. Reverse - Extended suffering or bitterness about the outcome of a situation.
* Image from Fey Tarot, by Mara Aghem & M. Minetti
Page - Developing independent thought, child like curiosity. Beware of gossip and gossiping. Reverse - Someone is spreading spiteful gossip or rude behavior. Or incorrect information.
Queen - Dealing with faith and ideals, beware of holding others and yourself to unrealistic standards. Reverse - Dealing with a distant or harsh person.
Knight - A time to learn to adapt to change, a breaking up of the normal routine. Reverse - Dealing with a boastful or cowardly person. Or having difficulty in travel.
King - Embracing the intellectual and strategic side of oneself. Reverse - Dealing with an inflexible person, someone resistant to new ideas.
Queen - Dealing with faith and ideals, beware of holding others and yourself to unrealistic standards. Reverse - Dealing with a distant or harsh person.
Knight - A time to learn to adapt to change, a breaking up of the normal routine. Reverse - Dealing with a boastful or cowardly person. Or having difficulty in travel.
King - Embracing the intellectual and strategic side of oneself. Reverse - Dealing with an inflexible person, someone resistant to new ideas.
* Image from Venice Tarot, by Giordano Berti & Ambika Wauters & Davide Tonato
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| Three of Coins |
Ace - New resources become available from various sources. Reverse - Feeling let down, or a feeling of disappointment. Possibilities do not feel solid.
Two - A time to put resources to work to achieve future rewards. Reverse - A loss of coordination. Disorganization.
Three - Early success in money matters, raised hope for a current project. Reverse - It is not the time to begin. Or you are letting yourself slip or become lazy.
Four - Warning against holding too tightly to material things. Reverse - Pressing your luck, or wasting your funds and energy.
Five - A time of financial hardship, it is important not to lose faith in yourself. Continue to plan for the future. Reverse - You are on your own, or feel that you are.
Two - A time to put resources to work to achieve future rewards. Reverse - A loss of coordination. Disorganization.
Three - Early success in money matters, raised hope for a current project. Reverse - It is not the time to begin. Or you are letting yourself slip or become lazy.
Four - Warning against holding too tightly to material things. Reverse - Pressing your luck, or wasting your funds and energy.
Five - A time of financial hardship, it is important not to lose faith in yourself. Continue to plan for the future. Reverse - You are on your own, or feel that you are.
* Image from Spirit of Flowers Tarot, by Antonella Castelli & Laura Tuan
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| Eight of Coins |
Six - Giving or receiving of generosity, a time of sharing. Reverse - Inability to share, or unable to help or be helped.
Seven - Difficult decisions to be made, care must be taken when choosing if you will continue or start over. Reverse - Impatience. Rushing into things before the time is right.
Eight - Learning and developing a new skill, excitement in a new field of work or study. Reverse - Feeling unappreciated. Or feeling stuck in your current position.
Nine - Renewed or improvement of self esteem based on personal realization of ones talents and abilities. Reverse - Insecurity. Instability.
Ten - A period of contentment and security, a sense of something permanent. Reverse - Petty arguing over money.
Seven - Difficult decisions to be made, care must be taken when choosing if you will continue or start over. Reverse - Impatience. Rushing into things before the time is right.
Eight - Learning and developing a new skill, excitement in a new field of work or study. Reverse - Feeling unappreciated. Or feeling stuck in your current position.
Nine - Renewed or improvement of self esteem based on personal realization of ones talents and abilities. Reverse - Insecurity. Instability.
Ten - A period of contentment and security, a sense of something permanent. Reverse - Petty arguing over money.
* Image from Mystic Faerie Tarot, by Barbara Moore & Linda Ravenscroft
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| Knight of Coins |
Page - A time of developing the means, skills, or money to be put to use later. Reverse - Dealing with a selfish person. Or receiving bad work news.
Knight - Learning to be gentle, reliable, and deal with the basics of life. Learning to humble yourself. Reverse - Dealing with a stuck up or judgmental person. Or difficulties with being properly prepared.
Queen - Learning the importance of physical pleasures and material enjoyment. A time to preserve and enjoy resources. Reverse - Dealing with an unsympathetic person.
King - Working to see a dream become reality, a desire to manifest your creative ideas. Taking up the challenge to create or earn. Reveres - Dealing with a timid person who is unable to accept change or risk.
Knight - Learning to be gentle, reliable, and deal with the basics of life. Learning to humble yourself. Reverse - Dealing with a stuck up or judgmental person. Or difficulties with being properly prepared.
Queen - Learning the importance of physical pleasures and material enjoyment. A time to preserve and enjoy resources. Reverse - Dealing with an unsympathetic person.
King - Working to see a dream become reality, a desire to manifest your creative ideas. Taking up the challenge to create or earn. Reveres - Dealing with a timid person who is unable to accept change or risk.
* Image from Universal Fantasy Tarot, by Paolo Martinello