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GUIDE TO TAROT CARD MEANINGS
The Tarot deck consists of 78 illustrated cards. The deck is commonly split into 2, the Major Arcana, which consists of 22 cards, & the Minor Arcana, which consists of the remaining 56 cards. The word 'Arcana', actually means 'mysteries'! The Major Arcana is also commonly referred to as the ' Trump cards', & contain mysterious imagery of pagan origins. The Minor Arcana's 56 cards are split into 4 'suits', Wands, Cups & Pentacles ( also known as coins! ), & each suit has 10 numbered cards & 4 Court cards. Before you begin a reading, ensure that the Tarot cards that you intend to use are ones that you're totally comfortable with. Never use someone else's Tarot cards, as these cards will have that persons psychic energy already impressed upon them, & therefore, you will not be able to get an accurate reading! So, buy your own! Keep your cards in either the original box, or wrapped in a piece of silk & placed in a safe place, where no-one can touch them & inadvertantly impress their energies upon them! What follows is a brief guide to the meanings of the Cards in the Tarot deck. If you already have different meanings dedicated to the cards, then this is fine, go with what you feel, as this page is intended as a guide to the most popular meanings only!
THE MAJOR ARCANA
THE FOOL
Upright - New beginnings, unlimited possibilities, new adventures, new opportunities, thoughtlessness, rashness
Reverse - A bad decision, indecision, apathy, hesitation, childishness, a warning to be more responsible
THE MAGICIAN
Upright - Originality, creativity, skill, self confidence, charm, the ability to lead
Reverse - Weak willed, insecurity, delay, lacking in imagination, lack of experience
THE HIGH PRIESTESS
Upright - Wisdom, knowledge, learning, intuition, purity, virtue
Reverse - Ignorance, selfishness, shallowness, suppression of feelings
THE EMPRESS
Upright - Action, development, accomplishment, mother; wife or sister, evolution, fertility
Reverse - Vacillation, inaction, lack on concentration, indecision, anxiety, infidelity, difficulties relating to childbirth
THE EMPEROR
Upright - Accomplishment, position/figure of authority, wealth, stability, leadership, father; husband or brother, achievement
Reverse - Immaturity, indecision, feebleness, lack of strength, domineering husband, hostile attitude to authority
THE HIEROPHANT
Upright - Guidance sought, conformity, social approval,
Reverse - Unconventionality, unorthodoxy, foolish generosity, impotence, vulnerbility, bad advice
THE LOVERS
Upright - Love, harmony, trust, honor, beginning of a romance, optimism, a meaningful affair, commitment
Reverse - Unreliability, separation, fickleness, untrustworthy, warning against making a wrong decision
THE CHARIOT
Upright - Perseverance, a journey, adversity, turmoil, obstacles can be overcome
Reverse - Unsuccessful, defeat, failure, vanquishment
STRENGTH
Upright - Strength, courage, action, energy, determination, a calm & rational approach is urged
Reverse - Weakness, pettiness, sickness, lack of faith, lack of self-belief, powerlessness, despair
THE HERMIT
Upright - A need to withdraw & contemplate life, prudence, caution, patience
Reverse - Imprudence, lonliness, self-pity, urge to look forward & seek solutions to problems
THE WHEEL OF FORTUNE
Upright - Destiny, fortune, a special gain, good luck, end of a problem, unexpected events, progress
Reverse - Failure, bad luck, damage due to leaving things to chance, unexpected events
JUSTICE
Upright - Harmony, legal matter, balance, honor, advice, a considerate person
Reverse - Bias, false accusations, injustice, intolerance, unfairness, a new approach needed in a deadlocked situation
THE HANGED MAN
Upright - Reversal, boredom, abandonment, self-sacrifice, readjustment, improvement, rebirth
Reverse: Unwillingness to make an effort, false prophecy, useless sacrifice, lack of purpose, misguided persuit
DEATH
Upright - Transformation, making way for the new, radical & unexpected change, loss, failure, illness,
a new beginning
Reverse - Stagnation, slow changes, a fear of changing, a narrow escape
TEMPERANCE
Upright - Moderation, temperance, patience, harmony, balance & caution may be required in a situation
Reverse - Discord, conflict, imbalance, uncertainty, self-doubt, mood swings, clumsiness, frustration, impatience
THE DEVIL
Upright - Ravage, unexpected failure, controversy, an ill-tempered person, stuck in an uncomfortable situation
Reverse - Divorce, release, handicaps are overcome
THE TOWER
Upright - Sudden change, abandonment of past, ending a friendship, unexpected events, disruption, bankruptcy, downfall, insecurity, blow to the ego, physical injury
Reverse - Caught in a bad situation that is self-inflicted, imprisonment
THE STAR
Upright - Hope, Peace, feeling of well-being, faith, inspiration, optimism, pleasure, return to physical &
spiritual health, new beginnings, fresh experiences
Reverse - Unfulfilled hopes, disappointment, bad luck, doubt about the future
THE MOON
Upright - Confusion, deception, trickery, disillusionment, lack of direction, unconcious fears
Reverse - Deception is discovered, lies & insecurity around the questioner
THE SUN
Upright - Satisfaction, optimism, success, love, joy, engagement, a happy marriage, birth of a child
Reverse - Unhappiness, loneliness, divorce, broken engagement, difficulties in pregnancy
JUDGEMEMT
Upright - Atonement, rewards, promotiom, the need to forgive, rejuvenation, favourable legal outcomes, rebirth, improvement
Reverse - Delay, disappointment, indecision, loss in a legal matter
THE WORLD
Upright - Completion, perfection, success, fulfillment, triumph, travel, emigration, new life, new adventures, new home
Reverse - lack of vision, disappointment, inability to accept change, stuck in a rut
THE MINOR ARCANA
WANDS
ACE OF WANDS
Upright- Birth of an idea, a new business venture, a profitable journey, a birth in the family
Reversed - Obstacles for a new enterprise, a journey may be put off, a lack of determination in a new venture
TWO OF WANDS
Upright - Partnership or joint agreement, a proud man, patience, a good property deal to come
Reversed - Caution is advised in a partnership, delay in property deals, unexpected news, proud man
will cause trouble
THREE OF WANDS
Upright - A new deal, new job, new beginning, travel in connection with work, important letter or phone call
with good news, marriages & partnerships will go well
Reversed - Wait & try again another time, mistakes are made through carelessness, not a good time for
business matters
FOUR OF WANDS
Upright - Security, putting down roots, prosperity, purchace of house or premises, a house-warming, a good holiday
Reversed - Suimilar to above, but may be surrounded by problems & delays.
FIVE OF WANDS
Upright - Struggle in negotiations, obstacles, delayed travel plans
Reversed - There may be legal problems ahead
SIX OF WANDS
Upright - Great news, victory, success in legal matters, successful negotiations
Reversed - Rewards are delayed, postponed trip, bad news in legal matters
SEVEN OF WANDS
Upright - Problems can be over-come, stiff competition in business, constant battle, determination can win the fight,
a health problem, opposition by those around you
Reversed - Patience for now, too much opposition, an embarrassing situation in near future, do not take chances
at this time
EIGHT OF WANDS
Upright - A Goal is approaching, new ideas, a journey, friendship & love is to be found, new people, new places,
mind-broadening experiences
Reversed - Jealousy, domestic disputes, do not travel far from home, spite, industrial disputes may affect questioner
NINE OF WANDS
Upright - Hang on to what you've got,prudence is called for, eventual victory
Reversed - Loss of position, loss of status, ill health
TEN OF WANDS
Upright - An oppressive load, burdens, more responsibility to come
Reversed - Burdens can & will be put down
PAGE OF WANDS
Upright - An intelligent & restless youngster, surprising news, visitors from afar, letter from or news of old friends
Reversed - Problems for this youngster, delay or problems in contracts or travel, delay in negotiations
KNIGHT OF WANDS
Upright - Business or news to do with travel, chatty & pleasant young man, generous friend, a lover, changes are
coming requiring communications, possible move of house
Reversed - A brown-haired young man may be insincere or let the questioner down, a journey is delayed, promise
is broken, set-back in property matters
QUEEN OF WANDS
Upright - A charming & clever woman, fondness of nature or of the home, good business woman, honourable woman
Reversed - Either this woman is well-meaning but incapable, or she is un-reliable & untrustworthy
KING OF WANDS
Upright - A fair skinned, light haired, slightly built man, friendly & fond of the questioner. He may be helpful in work, good atselling & communicating
Reversed - This man may be unreliable, untrustworthy, a liar, he's good fun, but don't get too involved with him
CUPS
ACE OF CUPS
Upright - The beginning of love, a gift, new friendships, good social life, a birth
Reversed - Affection rather than love may be on its way, someone who loved the questioner may be losing interest
TWO OF CUPS
Upright - A partnership inlove or business, a well balanced friendship is beginning, an engagement,
commitment, making up after a quarrel
Reversed - A partning that may be temporary & due to unforseen circumstances, complete split in a relationship
THREE OF CUPS
Upright - Celebrations, possibly a wedding, birth of a child, house-warming
Reversed - Contradicting card! It can indicate fun & sex, but also may indicate a divorce ot that an expected or
hoped-for marriage wil not take place!
FOUR OF CUPS
Upright - Dissatisfaction, advantages under questioners nose that he cannot see, questioner not knowing what
he/she wants
Reversed - New relationships, new experiences, new friends
FIVE OF CUPS
Upright - Loss & sadness, dissatisfaction, a broken marriage, disillusionment
Reversed - return of a loved one or an old friend, sadness passing, good times in future
SIX OF CUPS
Upright - Happiness and pleasure brought from the past, good memories, family gathering, look to the past to build a future
Reversed - Living in the past, a family get-together will be a disaster
SEVEN OF CUPS
Upright - Confusion, do not make far-reaching decisions, if money is an obstacle to a relationship - then this
will be sorted out
Reversed - Indecision & confusion will sort itself out
EIGHT OF CUPS
Upright - A miserable situation involves the questioner- be patient & couageous & things will work out, a
blonde woman will change the questioners life in some way
Reversed - An end to a bad situation, fun & joy ahead
NINE OF CUPS
Upright - An assured future, a wish may come true, questioner will be pleases with themselves, marriage to a mature person
Reversed - Satisfaction to come, but with some irritation!, problems sorted out soon
TEN OF CUPS
Upright - A happy family life, true friendships, lasting happiness
Reversed - A family quarrel, loss of a friendship, partial success
PAGE OF CUPS
Upright - A loving & gentle youngster, possibly blonde. Study ahead, passing of exams, warning not to rush boldly
into things
Reversed - May indicate trouble for the youngster above! studying has to be done, an exam has to be passed, a
chore rather than pleasure
KNIGHT OF CUPS
Upright - Kindly & good natured youngish man, possibly fair haired. Possibly the questioners husband or lover is going
away, possibly on a journey. may indicate changes to love or romance are on the way
Reversed - Love may be fading, an unfaithful lover
QUEEN OF CUPS
Upright - A good wife or loving mother, gentle, a good natured person, but may be possesive & materalistic,
fond of the home,a bit spoiled & selfish
Reversed - The woman above may be disappointed in love soon, she may be insincer, jealous, greedy & materalistic, past hurtmay be holding her back
KING OF CUPS
Upright - A warm-hearted man who's successful in love, kindness, a considerate person but who's not always reliable
Reversed - He's well-meaning & quite caring, but unreliable. can indicate to the questioner that he's losing interest
in the relationship, jealousy, possesiveness, he may end up a loser in love
SWORDS
ACE OF SWORDS
Upright - May indicate an operation, injection or cut to the body, something will enter the questioners life with a bang, justice being served
Reversed - Caution when trying to use power to gain an ending, warning not to go over the top about a situation, a disastarous business deal
TWO OF SWORDS
Upright - Stagnation in a situation, delays, an agreement or settlement
Reversed - Things are beginning to move again, release from a difficult situation
THREE OF SWORDS
Upright - End of a relationship, a sad event, loss & heartache, possibly an illness or operation ahead
Reversed - End of heartache, learning to cope with the loss, questioner may attend a funeral soon, minor surgery
FOUR OF SWORDS
Upright - Recovery from illness, need to take a break from stressful situations
Reversed - Treatment is needed for an illness, recovery from financial loss
FIVE OF SWORDS
Upright - Quarrels & possible violence, ruined plans, a loved one leaving ( possibly overseas ), jealous &
spiteful people
Reversed - Similar to upright, but problem may pass soon, questioner may attend a funeral shortly
SIX OF SWORDS
Upright - A journey over water, gradual release from unhappiness or poverty, possible over-seas visitor
Reversed - Journey will be postponed, no way out of present obstacles or difficulties, financial losses
due to carelessness
SEVEN OF SWORDS
Upright - Can indicate a robbery, sort out a difficult situation once & for all, cut your losses, desire to escape from problems
Reversed - Advice ( possibly legal ) coming soon, beware of thieves
EIGHT OF SWORDS
Upright - Restricted action, indecision, censure, temporary illness, wait & see before acting
Reversed - Restrictions will life, may indicate accidents, disappointments or death in the questioners enviroment
NINE OF SWORDS
Upright - Suffering, illness, injury, misery, loss, dishonesty, miscarriage, nagging worry
Reversed - Healing over time, good news of a loved one, worry will end
TEN OF SWORDS
Upright - Sudden misfortune, a stab in the back, ruin of plans, defeat, failure, divorce, work problems, a forced
change
Reversed - A person may try to slander the questioner, some success, better health
PAGE OF SWORDS
Upright - A sporty or active dark-haired child, grace, good news about business, keep eyes open as opportunity or scandal may be on its way, a contract that needs to be signed
Reversed - The young person may have problems coming up, disappointments in business, disappointments with contracts signed, an unpleasant person may be spying on the questioner in the hope of causing trouble, problems & arguments soon to be settled
KNIGHT OF SWORDS
Upright - A brave, strong & intelligent man may soon help the questioner, possibly swift changes & decisions to
be made soon
Reversed - Tyranny, a troublemaker, a crafty and secretive person, agressive & destructive young man, swift action
to be taken, arguments coming soon, medical or surgical treatment coming up
QUEEN OF SWORDS
Upright - A sharp, clever woman, maybe too cool & sharp to make a good love companion! Helpful woman. possibly a widow
Reversed - The woman is sharp tongued & spiteful, in opposition to the questioner. cold hearted woman, a strong & difficult influence on the questioners life, possibly lonliness
KING OF SWORDS
Upright - A judge, a powerful commander, a firm friendship holder but often overcautious, a wise counselor,
the right man for job, professional man, may soon have an influence on the questioners life
Reversed - An obstinate person, decisions or judgments may seem unfair, He wants to stir up trouble, angry man, possible violence from this man, cruel intentions
PENTACLES
ACE OF PENTACLES
Upright - Money coming, possibly a win, stability, security
Reversed - Same as upright, only less
TWO OF PENTACLES
Upright - Seperation, possibly the break-up of a home, lack of ability to meet financial demands, lack of money to go round
Reversed - Difficulty with handling problems, but problems may soon end
THREE OF PENTACLES
Upright - Reward for skills or abilities, success through effort, buying a home or improving a property
Reversed - Same as above, but surrounded by problems, the questioner may have took on more than he can handle
FOUR OF PENTACLES
Upright - The questioner puts too much emphasis on money, financial security is on its way
Reversed - Some possessions may be lost, obstacles or delays in business affairs, money may be short, delays in payment due, exam failures
FIVE OF PENTACLES
Upright - Loneliness, destitution, loss of possessions, poor health, financial loss is most likely
Reversed - The loss & lonliness will end shortly
SIX OF PENTACLES
Upright - Sharing of prosperity, one will soon receive what is rightfully theirs - but possibly as a result of
inheritance, divorce or redundancy, finances may need to be sorted out
Reversed - Unfairness, but above problems may be passing shortly
SEVEN OF PENTACLES
Upright - Slow growth due to effort & hard work, a pause during development
Reversed - Little progress, impatience, anxiety, it's not worth the battle
EIGHT OF PENTACLES
Upright - Learning a trade or profession, employment ior promotion is coming soon, skill, small money gain
Reversed - Skills are not being used properly, a dislike of hard work, problem at work, an end of a job
NINE OF PENTACLES
Upright - Money & success are coming, good time to buy for the home, domestic matters are well starred,
achievement, security, perhaps solitude to savour the possessions you have
Reversed - Loss is possible, danger from thieves, caution, the questioner may have to sell belongings
TEN OF PENTACLES
Upright - Stable family, gain in wealth, property is acquired, pleasure from personal achievement, success
Reversed - Interference, hindrence, small successes, small amount of money on it's way
PAGE OF PENTACLES
Upright - Can indicate a steady, business-like youngster, who has very dark hair. news about money matter, business
trip, news of promotion, a young person may have good news
Reversed - The young person may have some problems soon, shortage of money, poor business news,
poor money news
KNIGHT OF PENTACLES
Upright - A young man coming with news about business &/or money, possible travel & business, practicality, dependability
Reversed - Irresponsible, carelessness, money or business problems, can be a warning not to travel on business
QUEEN OF PENTACLES
Upright - Intelligence, thoughtfulness, a creative person, good love companion - but only if the partner is offering financialstability!, melancholy but generous
Reversed - Too much dependence, insecurity, tough & materalistic woman - who will win in battle against the
questioner especially if thers money involved
KING OF PENTACLES
Upright - A dark haired, reliable man, a married man, solid, steadiness, kindly but over-cautious with money, security
Reversed - Materialistic, a hard headed business type man, who is not on the side of the questioner! mean, untrustworthy, unfair, greed
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