Tarot Card Meanings — All 78 Cards Explained
Tarot Card Meanings
This page covers all 78 Tarot cards — 22 Major Arcana and 56 Minor Arcana. For each card you will find keywords, upright and reversed meanings. Use this page as a reference when interpreting your spreads. For an in-depth look at reversals, visit the Reversed Tarot Cards page.
Major Arcana
The 22 Major Arcana cards trace the Fool's spiritual journey from innocence to wholeness. They represent life's key lessons and archetypal energies.
0. The Fool
Element: Air | Keywords: beginnings, freedom, spontaneity
The Fool represents the start of a new journey. This card speaks of boundless possibilities and the courage to step into the unknown.
Upright: new beginnings, adventure, self-belief. Reversed: recklessness, naivety, indecision.
I. The Magician
Element: Air | Keywords: willpower, manifestation, skill
The Magician channels the energy of the universe through focused intent. He reminds you that you already have everything you need to succeed.
Upright: resourcefulness, inspired action, power. Reversed: manipulation, untapped talents, trickery.
II. The High Priestess
Element: Water | Keywords: intuition, mystery, inner wisdom
The High Priestess guards the threshold between the conscious and the unconscious. She invites you to trust your inner voice and look beyond appearances.
Upright: intuition, sacred knowledge, the subconscious mind. Reversed: secrets withheld, withdrawal, silence.
III. The Empress
Element: Earth | Keywords: fertility, abundance, nurturing
The Empress embodies the creative force of nature and unconditional love. She signals a time of growth, comfort, and sensory pleasure.
Upright: abundance, beauty, nature, motherhood. Reversed: creative block, dependence, neglect.
IV. The Emperor
Element: Fire | Keywords: authority, structure, stability
The Emperor establishes order through reason and discipline. He represents leadership, firm boundaries, and the power of experience.
Upright: authority, discipline, control, fatherhood. Reversed: tyranny, rigidity, lack of discipline.
V. The Hierophant
Element: Earth | Keywords: tradition, spiritual guidance, conformity
The Hierophant bridges the divine and the earthly through established teachings. He points to mentorship, shared values, and time-tested wisdom.
Upright: tradition, education, spiritual counsel. Reversed: rebellion, unconventional paths, dogma.
VI. The Lovers
Element: Air | Keywords: love, harmony, choice
The Lovers signify a profound union or a pivotal choice guided by the heart. This card speaks of alignment between values, desires, and actions.
Upright: love, partnership, values alignment. Reversed: disharmony, imbalance, misalignment.
VII. The Chariot
Element: Water | Keywords: determination, victory, willpower
The Chariot charges forward through obstacles with unwavering focus. It celebrates the triumph that comes from mastering opposing forces.
Upright: willpower, triumph, self-discipline. Reversed: lack of direction, aggression, defeat.
VIII. Strength
Element: Fire | Keywords: courage, patience, inner strength
Strength is the quiet power that tames the wild through compassion rather than force. It reveals that true courage comes from gentleness and self-mastery.
Upright: inner strength, bravery, compassion. Reversed: self-doubt, weakness, insecurity.
IX. The Hermit
Element: Earth | Keywords: solitude, introspection, guidance
The Hermit withdraws from the noise of the world to find truth within. His lantern lights the path of self-discovery and contemplation.
Upright: soul-searching, introspection, inner guidance. Reversed: isolation, loneliness, withdrawal.
X. Wheel of Fortune
Element: Fire | Keywords: cycles, fate, turning point
The Wheel of Fortune reminds us that life moves in cycles of rise and fall. It heralds a turning point where destiny shifts the course of events.
Upright: good luck, karma, destiny, change. Reversed: bad luck, resistance to change, breaking cycles.
XI. Justice
Element: Air | Keywords: fairness, truth, law
Justice holds the scales of cause and effect in perfect balance. This card asks for honesty, accountability, and decisions rooted in truth.
Upright: fairness, truth, accountability. Reversed: dishonesty, unfairness, lack of accountability.
XII. The Hanged Man
Element: Water | Keywords: surrender, new perspective, pause
The Hanged Man hangs suspended between worlds, gaining wisdom through sacrifice. He teaches that letting go and seeing things differently can be the greatest act of power.
Upright: pause, surrender, seeing from a new angle. Reversed: stalling, resistance, indecision.
XIII. Death
Element: Water | Keywords: transformation, endings, renewal
Death marks the close of one chapter so that a new one may begin. It is not physical death but a profound transformation that clears the way for rebirth.
Upright: endings, transformation, transition. Reversed: resistance to change, fear of endings, stagnation.
XIV. Temperance
Element: Fire | Keywords: balance, moderation, patience
Temperance blends opposites into a harmonious whole with patient skill. This card calls for balance, calm adaptation, and the middle path.
Upright: balance, moderation, purpose, patience. Reversed: imbalance, excess, lack of long-term vision.
XV. The Devil
Element: Earth | Keywords: bondage, temptation, shadow self
The Devil exposes the chains we forge through attachment and illusion. He challenges you to confront addictions, fears, and the shadows you refuse to see.
Upright: bondage, addiction, materialism. Reversed: release, breaking free, reclaiming power.
XVI. The Tower
Element: Fire | Keywords: upheaval, sudden change, revelation
The Tower strikes without warning, shattering structures built on false foundations. Though painful, this destruction clears the ground for something more authentic.
Upright: sudden upheaval, chaos, revelation. Reversed: avoidance of disaster, fear of change, delaying the inevitable.
XVII. The Star
Element: Air | Keywords: hope, inspiration, serenity
The Star shines after the storm, pouring healing light onto wounded ground. She embodies hope, faith, and the quiet confidence that the universe provides.
Upright: hope, faith, renewal, inspiration. Reversed: despair, disconnection, lack of faith.
XVIII. The Moon
Element: Water | Keywords: illusion, fear, subconscious
The Moon casts a pale light over a landscape of dreams and shadows. It warns of illusions, hidden truths, and the need to navigate uncertainty with intuition.
Upright: illusion, fear, anxiety, the subconscious. Reversed: release of fear, clarity, truth revealed.
XIX. The Sun
Element: Fire | Keywords: joy, success, vitality
The Sun radiates warmth, clarity, and unbridled joy. It promises success, optimism, and the simple happiness of living fully in the light.
Upright: joy, success, vitality, confidence. Reversed: temporary sadness, lack of clarity, delayed success.
XX. Judgement
Element: Fire | Keywords: rebirth, calling, absolution
Judgement sounds the trumpet of awakening, calling you to rise and embrace your higher purpose. It is a time of reckoning, forgiveness, and spiritual renewal.
Upright: reflection, reckoning, awakening. Reversed: self-doubt, refusal of a calling, harsh self-judgement.
XXI. The World
Element: Earth | Keywords: completion, integration, accomplishment
The World celebrates the end of a great cycle and the fulfilment of a long journey. It signifies wholeness, achievement, and readiness for the next chapter.
Upright: completion, accomplishment, travel, harmony. Reversed: incompletion, shortcuts, lack of closure.
Minor Arcana — Wands (Fire)
Wands represent the element of Fire — creativity, passion, energy, and ambition.
Ace of Wands
Element: Fire | Keywords: inspiration, new venture, creative spark
The Ace of Wands is a burst of creative energy and the seed of a bold new idea. It signals the perfect moment to act on your passion.
Upright: inspiration, new opportunity, growth. Reversed: delays, lack of motivation, missed chance.
Two of Wands
Element: Fire | Keywords: planning, decisions, discovery
The Two of Wands stands at the threshold between comfort and the wider world. It asks you to plan your next move and dare to expand your horizons.
Upright: future planning, progress, decisions. Reversed: fear of the unknown, lack of planning, playing it safe.
Three of Wands
Element: Fire | Keywords: expansion, foresight, enterprise
The Three of Wands gazes out across new territories as early efforts begin to bear fruit. It speaks of expansion, overseas ventures, and long-term vision.
Upright: expansion, foresight, leadership. Reversed: obstacles, delays, frustration with progress.
Four of Wands
Element: Fire | Keywords: celebration, harmony, homecoming
The Four of Wands marks a joyful milestone — a wedding, a new home, or a shared triumph. It celebrates stability, community, and the rewards of hard work.
Upright: celebration, harmony, marriage, home. Reversed: lack of harmony, transition, personal celebration.
Five of Wands
Element: Fire | Keywords: conflict, competition, tension
The Five of Wands depicts clashing energies and heated competition. It challenges you to channel disagreement into productive debate rather than destructive fighting.
Upright: conflict, rivalry, competition. Reversed: avoidance of conflict, resolution, inner tension.
Six of Wands
Element: Fire | Keywords: victory, recognition, confidence
The Six of Wands rides high on the wave of public acclaim and personal triumph. It signals that your efforts have been noticed and success is being celebrated.
Upright: success, public recognition, progress. Reversed: egotism, fall from grace, delayed recognition.
Seven of Wands
Element: Fire | Keywords: defence, perseverance, standing ground
The Seven of Wands stands firm against challengers from all directions. It demands courage, conviction, and the will to defend what you have earned.
Upright: perseverance, defensive stance, maintaining control. Reversed: giving up, overwhelm, yielding.
Eight of Wands
Element: Fire | Keywords: speed, momentum, swift action
The Eight of Wands flies through the air with unstoppable momentum. It brings rapid developments, quick communication, and the thrill of progress.
Upright: movement, speed, rapid progress. Reversed: delays, frustration, scattered energy.
Nine of Wands
Element: Fire | Keywords: resilience, persistence, last stand
The Nine of Wands stands battered but unbroken, guarding what remains. It speaks of resilience, grit, and the determination to see things through despite exhaustion.
Upright: resilience, courage, persistence. Reversed: exhaustion, giving up, paranoia.
Ten of Wands
Element: Fire | Keywords: burden, responsibility, hard work
The Ten of Wands carries a heavy load that bends the back but does not break the spirit. It warns of burnout and the need to delegate or release unnecessary burdens.
Upright: burden, extra responsibility, hard work. Reversed: inability to delegate, overstressed, collapse.
Page of Wands
Element: Fire | Keywords: exploration, excitement, free spirit
The Page of Wands is a young messenger brimming with enthusiasm and fresh ideas. This card heralds an exciting new project or an invitation to explore.
Upright: enthusiasm, exploration, discovery. Reversed: setbacks, lack of direction, procrastination.
Knight of Wands
Element: Fire | Keywords: action, adventure, impulsiveness
The Knight of Wands charges forward with fearless energy and a love of adventure. He embodies bold action, though he may leap before he looks.
Upright: energy, passion, adventure, impulsiveness. Reversed: haste, scattered energy, delays in travel.
Queen of Wands
Element: Fire | Keywords: confidence, warmth, determination
The Queen of Wands radiates magnetic confidence and warm-hearted leadership. She inspires others through her courage, optimism, and creative vision.
Upright: courage, confidence, independence. Reversed: selfishness, jealousy, insecurity.
King of Wands
Element: Fire | Keywords: leadership, vision, entrepreneur
The King of Wands is a visionary leader who turns ideas into empires with charisma and daring. He represents bold leadership, honour, and the drive to achieve greatness.
Upright: natural leader, vision, honour, entrepreneur. Reversed: impulsiveness, ruthlessness, high expectations.
Minor Arcana — Cups (Water)
Cups represent the element of Water — emotions, relationships, intuition, and the inner world.
Ace of Cups
Element: Water | Keywords: new love, compassion, emotional beginning
The Ace of Cups overflows with the promise of deep emotional fulfilment. It heralds new love, spiritual awakening, or a wave of creative inspiration.
Upright: new feelings, emotional awakening, creativity. Reversed: emotional loss, blocked feelings, emptiness.
Two of Cups
Element: Water | Keywords: partnership, mutual attraction, unity
The Two of Cups celebrates the magnetic pull between two souls drawn together in respect and love. It speaks of balanced partnerships and deep mutual understanding.
Upright: unified love, partnership, attraction. Reversed: imbalance, broken communication, separation.
Three of Cups
Element: Water | Keywords: celebration, friendship, community
The Three of Cups raises a toast to friendship, shared joy, and creative collaboration. It marks a time of reunion, festivity, and heartfelt connection.
Upright: celebration, friendship, creativity. Reversed: overindulgence, gossip, isolation.
Four of Cups
Element: Water | Keywords: apathy, contemplation, missed opportunity
The Four of Cups sits in discontent, blind to the gift being offered. It warns against taking blessings for granted and retreating into emotional numbness.
Upright: meditation, apathy, re-evaluation. Reversed: awareness, acceptance, seizing opportunity.
Five of Cups
Element: Water | Keywords: loss, grief, regret
The Five of Cups mourns what has been spilled while two full cups still stand behind. It teaches that grief is natural, but hope remains if you turn around.
Upright: loss, grief, disappointment. Reversed: acceptance, moving on, finding peace.
Six of Cups
Element: Water | Keywords: nostalgia, innocence, reunion
The Six of Cups drifts back to simpler times filled with warmth and generosity. It signals reunions with old friends, childhood memories, or acts of pure kindness.
Upright: nostalgia, happy memories, reunion. Reversed: living in the past, unrealistic expectations, naivety.
Seven of Cups
Element: Water | Keywords: illusion, fantasy, choices
The Seven of Cups presents a dazzling array of dreams, not all of which are real. It cautions against wishful thinking and urges you to ground your desires in reality.
Upright: fantasy, illusion, many choices. Reversed: clarity, focus, making a decision.
Eight of Cups
Element: Water | Keywords: departure, letting go, search for truth
The Eight of Cups walks away from what no longer satisfies in search of deeper meaning. It marks a courageous emotional departure and the quest for higher purpose.
Upright: walking away, disillusionment, seeking truth. Reversed: fear of change, stagnation, avoidance.
Nine of Cups
Element: Water | Keywords: contentment, satisfaction, wish fulfilment
The Nine of Cups sits among fulfilled wishes with a smile of deep contentment. Known as the wish card, it promises emotional satisfaction and personal joy.
Upright: contentment, satisfaction, gratitude. Reversed: greed, dissatisfaction, materialism.
Ten of Cups
Element: Water | Keywords: harmony, family, emotional fulfilment
The Ten of Cups paints a rainbow over a loving family united in happiness. It represents the pinnacle of emotional fulfilment — love, peace, and lasting harmony.
Upright: divine love, harmony, family happiness. Reversed: broken family, disharmony, misaligned values.
Page of Cups
Element: Water | Keywords: creativity, intuition, gentle message
The Page of Cups is a dreamy messenger offering a surprise gift from the heart. This card announces creative inspiration, a gentle invitation, or an intuitive flash.
Upright: creative opportunity, intuitive message, curiosity. Reversed: emotional immaturity, creative block, insecurity.
Knight of Cups
Element: Water | Keywords: romance, charm, imagination
The Knight of Cups rides in as a romantic idealist guided by the heart. He brings proposals, artistic inspiration, and the pursuit of beauty and love.
Upright: romance, charm, imagination, beauty. Reversed: moodiness, unrealistic expectations, jealousy.
Queen of Cups
Element: Water | Keywords: compassion, calm, emotional security
The Queen of Cups holds her chalice with serene grace, seeing into the depths of every heart. She embodies empathy, emotional intelligence, and healing presence.
Upright: compassion, calm, intuition, emotional security. Reversed: co-dependency, emotional instability, martyrdom.
King of Cups
Element: Water | Keywords: emotional balance, diplomacy, wisdom
The King of Cups rules his realm with a steady heart and quiet wisdom. He balances deep emotion with calm authority, offering counsel and compassion to all.
Upright: emotional balance, diplomacy, wisdom. Reversed: emotional manipulation, moodiness, coldness.
Minor Arcana — Swords (Air)
Swords represent the element of Air — intellect, communication, conflict, and truth.
Ace of Swords
Element: Air | Keywords: clarity, breakthrough, truth
The Ace of Swords cuts through confusion with a single stroke of clarity. It heralds a breakthrough idea, a moment of truth, or a victorious new perspective.
Upright: clarity, breakthrough, new idea. Reversed: confusion, misinformation, chaos.
Two of Swords
Element: Air | Keywords: indecision, stalemate, avoidance
The Two of Swords sits blindfolded between two equal choices, refusing to decide. It signals a stalemate that can only be broken by removing the blindfold and facing the truth.
Upright: indecision, stalemate, difficult choices. Reversed: information overload, lesser of two evils, clarity.
Three of Swords
Element: Air | Keywords: heartbreak, sorrow, grief
The Three of Swords pierces the heart with painful truths that cannot be ignored. It represents heartbreak, loss, or the sting of a necessary but hurtful revelation.
Upright: heartbreak, emotional pain, sorrow. Reversed: recovery, forgiveness, releasing pain.
Four of Swords
Element: Air | Keywords: rest, recovery, contemplation
The Four of Swords lies in quiet repose, gathering strength for the battles ahead. It prescribes rest, meditation, and the healing power of stillness.
Upright: rest, recovery, contemplation. Reversed: restlessness, burnout, lack of rest.
Five of Swords
Element: Air | Keywords: conflict, defeat, hollow victory
The Five of Swords claims a win that leaves everyone worse off. It warns that winning at all costs can destroy relationships and erode self-respect.
Upright: conflict, tension, loss, defeat. Reversed: reconciliation, making amends, moving on.
Six of Swords
Element: Air | Keywords: transition, moving on, healing
The Six of Swords ferries you from troubled waters toward a calmer shore. It signals a necessary transition — leaving behind what hurts to find peace ahead.
Upright: transition, moving forward, healing. Reversed: resistance to change, unfinished business, emotional baggage.
Seven of Swords
Element: Air | Keywords: deception, strategy, stealth
The Seven of Swords slips away under cover of darkness, choosing cunning over confrontation. It warns of deception, shortcuts, or the temptation to act dishonestly.
Upright: deception, trickery, strategy. Reversed: confession, conscience, coming clean.
Eight of Swords
Element: Air | Keywords: restriction, helplessness, self-imposed limitation
The Eight of Swords stands bound and blindfolded, trapped by her own beliefs. It reveals that the prison is mental — freedom comes from changing your perspective.
Upright: restriction, confusion, powerlessness. Reversed: self-acceptance, new perspective, freedom.
Nine of Swords
Element: Air | Keywords: anxiety, nightmares, despair
The Nine of Swords wakes in the dark, tormented by worry and dread. It speaks of anxiety, sleepless nights, and the need to confront the fears that haunt you.
Upright: anxiety, worry, fear, depression. Reversed: hope, reaching out, overcoming anxiety.
Ten of Swords
Element: Air | Keywords: rock bottom, painful ending, betrayal
The Ten of Swords lies face down, pierced by every blade at once. It marks rock bottom — but also the certainty that the worst is over and dawn is breaking.
Upright: painful ending, deep wounds, betrayal. Reversed: recovery, regeneration, resisting an inevitable end.
Page of Swords
Element: Air | Keywords: curiosity, restlessness, new ideas
The Page of Swords is a sharp-eyed messenger eager to uncover every truth. This card heralds new ideas, stimulating conversations, or a thirst for knowledge.
Upright: curiosity, new ideas, thirst for knowledge. Reversed: deception, manipulation, all talk.
Knight of Swords
Element: Air | Keywords: ambition, action, drive
The Knight of Swords charges headlong into battle with intellectual ferocity. He represents swift, decisive action — though haste may outrun wisdom.
Upright: ambition, action, drive, determination. Reversed: recklessness, impatience, no direction.
Queen of Swords
Element: Air | Keywords: clarity, independence, perceptiveness
The Queen of Swords sees through pretence with razor-sharp discernment. She values truth above comfort and communicates with honesty and precision.
Upright: independence, clear boundaries, direct communication. Reversed: cold-hearted, cruel, bitterness.
King of Swords
Element: Air | Keywords: authority, intellect, truth
The King of Swords rules with logic, ethical clarity, and intellectual authority. He makes fair decisions based on facts and holds himself to the highest standard of truth.
Upright: mental clarity, intellectual power, authority. Reversed: manipulation, tyranny, misuse of power.
Minor Arcana — Pentacles (Earth)
Pentacles represent the element of Earth — material wealth, career, health, and the physical world.
Ace of Pentacles
Element: Earth | Keywords: new opportunity, prosperity, manifestation
The Ace of Pentacles offers a golden coin from the heavens — a tangible new beginning. It signals a promising opportunity in finance, career, or health.
Upright: new financial opportunity, prosperity, manifestation. Reversed: lost opportunity, lack of planning, scarcity.
Two of Pentacles
Element: Earth | Keywords: balance, adaptability, juggling priorities
The Two of Pentacles dances between competing demands with nimble grace. It speaks of multitasking, financial juggling, and the art of staying flexible.
Upright: balance, adaptability, time management. Reversed: overwhelm, disorganisation, financial disarray.
Three of Pentacles
Element: Earth | Keywords: teamwork, craftsmanship, collaboration
The Three of Pentacles brings skilled hands together to build something greater than any could alone. It celebrates teamwork, mastery, and the value of shared effort.
Upright: teamwork, collaboration, skilled work. Reversed: lack of teamwork, disorganisation, poor quality.
Four of Pentacles
Element: Earth | Keywords: security, control, possessiveness
The Four of Pentacles clings tightly to what has been earned, guarding every coin. It warns that the desire for security can become a prison of possessiveness.
Upright: security, saving, conservatism. Reversed: greed, materialism, excessive control.
Five of Pentacles
Element: Earth | Keywords: hardship, loss, isolation
The Five of Pentacles trudges through the cold, feeling abandoned and destitute. It speaks of financial hardship, health struggles, or the spiritual poverty of loneliness.
Upright: financial loss, poverty, hardship. Reversed: recovery, improvement, turning a corner.
Six of Pentacles
Element: Earth | Keywords: generosity, charity, sharing wealth
The Six of Pentacles distributes resources with an even hand, balancing giving and receiving. It asks you to share your abundance or to graciously accept help when needed.
Upright: generosity, charity, sharing. Reversed: debt, selfishness, strings attached.
Seven of Pentacles
Element: Earth | Keywords: patience, long-term investment, assessment
The Seven of Pentacles pauses to assess the harvest growing slowly in the field. It speaks of patience, long-term planning, and the frustration of waiting for results.
Upright: long-term view, patience, investment. Reversed: impatience, lack of reward, poor planning.
Eight of Pentacles
Element: Earth | Keywords: diligence, craftsmanship, mastery
The Eight of Pentacles hammers away at the workbench with focused dedication. It celebrates hard work, skill development, and the satisfaction of perfecting a craft.
Upright: diligence, skill development, mastery. Reversed: perfectionism, lack of motivation, sloppy work.
Nine of Pentacles
Element: Earth | Keywords: luxury, self-sufficiency, financial independence
The Nine of Pentacles strolls through a bountiful garden earned through personal effort. It represents financial independence, refined taste, and well-deserved comfort.
Upright: abundance, luxury, self-sufficiency. Reversed: overinvestment, superficiality, financial setbacks.
Ten of Pentacles
Element: Earth | Keywords: legacy, wealth, family prosperity
The Ten of Pentacles depicts generational wealth and the security of a prosperous family. It speaks of inheritance, lasting achievement, and the comfort of deep roots.
Upright: wealth, inheritance, family, establishment. Reversed: financial failure, loss of legacy, family disputes.
Page of Pentacles
Element: Earth | Keywords: ambition, studiousness, new venture
The Page of Pentacles gazes at a golden coin with the focus of a devoted student. This card announces a new educational pursuit, career opportunity, or financial goal.
Upright: ambition, desire to learn, new opportunity. Reversed: lack of progress, procrastination, missed lessons.
Knight of Pentacles
Element: Earth | Keywords: reliability, hard work, routine
The Knight of Pentacles advances with steady, methodical determination. He embodies reliability, patience, and the unglamorous persistence that gets the job done.
Upright: efficiency, routine, conservatism, hard work. Reversed: laziness, boredom, feeling stuck.
Queen of Pentacles
Element: Earth | Keywords: nurturing, abundance, practical care
The Queen of Pentacles tends her lush garden with grounded warmth and practical wisdom. She embodies financial security, nurturing care, and a talent for creating comfort.
Upright: nurturing, practical, financial security. Reversed: self-centredness, jealousy, smothering.
King of Pentacles
Element: Earth | Keywords: wealth, business acumen, stability
The King of Pentacles sits upon a throne of abundance, the master of the material world. He represents financial success, dependable leadership, and the wisdom to build lasting prosperity.
Upright: financial success, reliability, prosperity. Reversed: greed, materialism, financial losses.