Tarot Meanings - Tumblr Posts

Tarot Minor Arcana Cheat Sheet

there are 56 cards in the minor arcana, and many tarot beginners think they have to memorize them all individually, which sounds very difficult and mystifying. you don’t! you only need these 18 concepts to get the gist of any one card in the minor arcana: 4 suits, 10 numbers, 4 court cards. in fact, understanding the symbolic underpinnings of the minor arcana will make your readings stronger and more confident 💛

Suits

💧Cups - associated with the element of water, cups represent the sphere of emotion. often when cups cards show up, they hold information on our relationships and our emotional endeavors. they help us parse out our feelings and how we express them

🌲Pentacles - associated with the element of earth, pentacles represent material and corporeal concerns. pentacles card often hold information on our wealth and finances, as well our concrete achievements in career and power. these cards are about resources and how we use them

💨Swords - associated with the element of air, swords represent logic, reasoning and rhetoric. when swords cards appear, they are often about our attitudes and beliefs, knowledge and how we apply it. they call us to focus on our arguments, rationalizations and communications

🔥Wands - associated with the element of fire, wands represent our actions and passions. when wands cards appear, your motivations, impulses and efforts are in question. these cards have to do with our spirituality, ego, individuality, whatever makes us tick. 

Numbers

these cards represent situations or environments on your path. often these cards show you circumstances that are beyond your control, but they usually present you with a choice to make on your journey

1 (Ace) - the start of the journey. these cards are usually about opportunity or potential. you may be beginning from nothing, but from where you stand, the sky is the limit

2 - the first steps along the path, where you face your first decisions. these cards often represent a choice of where to allocate efforts or resources, an uncertainty of results, a crossroads and need for balance

3 - the work is underway. 3′s are about group dynamics, either juggling many people or many circumstances. when these cards show up, there are a lot of variables which can come together constructively, or destructively divide

4 - a point of stability. the building efforts of 1, 2 and 3 manifest in 4. it’s not the top of the hill, but it represents an endeavor that is nurtured and builds a strong foundation. perhaps a plateau has been reached

5 - a jarring shift. no journey is complete without trials. in 5′s we feel the winds of change. these cards often represent a loss and herald, at the very least, a change in circumstances

6 - retreat, licking your wounds. having experienced the shift in circumstances from 5, we must now make internal adjustments in order to move forward. these cards call you to re-evaluate before you can grow

7 - reflection, gathering resources for another push. we have learned from the path thus far. in 7′s we distance ourselves from the situation and recharge. we are building the knowledge and faith to push into the unknown

8 - a strong step forward. with everything we have learned, the actions taken under 8′s are bound to bear fruit. these cards represent conclusive actions taken with the goal in mind

9 - attainment, reaping rewards. 9′s are true manifestation. whatever has been sown in the journey behind us will now be reaped. we must accept the benefits or the consequences of our choices thus far

10 - the renewal of the cycle, moving on. nothing in the tarot truly ends, only comes full circle. every ending is the beginning of something new. 10′s bear the weight of the distance traveled and the trials yet to come. 

Court Cards

these cards represent people more easily than they do situations. most actions a person can take fall nicely into one of these categories

👶🏾Page - optimistic, naive, unfocused energy of the suit. the page is  unconcerned with or unaware of the trials of their chosen path. they approach the suit with a fresh and inspired energy. they dream of an idealized form of the suit, without care for challenges they might face. they’ll cross that bridge when they get there!

🏹Knight - applied, targeted use of the suit. the knight forges ahead using the suit as a tool. they don’t think through the consequences of their actions, merely how they can act or react using the suit’s energy. the knight’s actions are unbalanced, and outcomes can be hard to predict. single-minded focus on the suit may yield benefits or consequences.

👸🏾Queen - nurturing, growth-oriented proficiency in the suit. the queen leads by example, embodying the energy of the suit to nurture others and help them to grow. they are full of wisdom and experience in their suit, and readily use these gifts to help others. they bring guidance to people on all steps of their journey, with a gentle touch and a self-sufficient grace.

🤴🏾King - authoritative, even-handed mastery of the suit. the king dominates the suit. they hold all the wisdom and experience of the queen, and use it to impose order on the world. the king has the power to provide for others, to guide them through instruction. they know what is best for you and have the resources and authority to make it so.

it is also very important to always reference the deck’s guidebook, which should ideally give you information on why the illustrations were chosen and what they mean to the author

TAROT CHEAT SHEET #1

MAJOR ARCANA

0. THE FOOL | blank slate, beginning, innocence ®* | reckless, negligence, unaware of consequences 1. THE MAGICIAN | willpower, manifestation of desires ® | trickery, illusions, lies, out of touch w/ truth 2. THE HIGH PRIESTESS | intuition, inner voice ® | repressed/unheard inner voice 3. THE EMPRESS | mother figure, nurture, earth/nature ® | smothering, dependence, needing to let go 4. THE EMPEROR | authority, structure, control, father figure ® | tyranny, too much control 5. THE HIEROPHANT | tradition, conformity, morality ® | rebellion, subversiveness, divergence 6. THE LOVERS | union, duality, choice, harmony ® | disharmony, loss of balance 7. THE CHARIOT | self-control & willpower leading to victory ® | loss of control, lack of direction 8. STRENGTH | bravery, inner understanding that radiates power ® | self-doubt, insecurity, weakness 9. THE HERMIT | solitude, contemplation, seeking inner truth ® | loneliness, isolation, disconnect w/ fellow humans 10. WHEEL OF FORTUNE | change, cycles, inevitability ® | bad luck, helplessness, series of bad events 11. JUSTICE | cause & effect, karmic retribution ® | unpunished misbehavior, unfair, turning a blind eye 12. THE HANGED MAN | willing sacrifice, release of control ® | stalling, needless sacrifice, waiting to no avail 13. DEATH | end, cyclical closure, metamorphosis ® | fear of change, stagnation, limbo, holding on 14. TEMPERANCE | moderation, balance, middle path ® | extremes, excess, lack of balance 15. THE DEVIL | materialism, destructive patterns, excess ® | freedom, release, restoring control 16. THE TOWER | sudden disaster, upheaval, collapse ® | delaying inevitable disaster, avoiding suffering that could lead to growth 17. THE STAR | hope, faith, guidance ® | faithlessness, lack of guidance, negative thoughts 18. THE MOON | unconscious, intuition, illusions, dreams ® | confusion, misinterpretation 19. THE SUN | success, clarity, positivity, conscious ® | negativity, depression, sadness, pessimism 20. JUDGEMENT | reckoning, honest evaluation of oneself ® | lack of self-awareness, self-loathing 21. THE WORLD | completion, wholeness, fulfillment ® | incompletion, no closure, nearing end of journey but something is missing

*® = reverse card meaning*® = reverse card meaning

Tarot Cheat Sheet #1 - Major Arcana

Tarot Cheat Sheet #2 - Wands

Tarot Cheat Sheet #3 - Cups

Tarot Cheat Sheet #4 - Swords

Tarot Cheat Sheet #5 - Pentacles

Elemental dignities in tarot

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//don’t claim it as your own and/or repost it on other platforms// Same suit

Wands/Wands(fire/fire)

Swords/Swords(air/air)

Cups/Cups(water/water)

Pentacles/Pentacles(earth/earth)

♠ when the suits/elements are the same - “very strong for either good or evil, according to their nature” ♠ such pairs tend to highlight, accentuate, emphasize, and give prominence to the cards represented - their energies are synthesized or synchronized ♠ they may be united in action, however, they don't challenge us ♠ there is little external interference, but also little compromise or ability to adjust

Same polarity

Wands/Swords(fire/air)

Cups/Pentacles(water/earth)

♣ when the suits/elements are both masculine(yang or positive) or feminine(yin or negative) - “moderately strong” because they are “friendly to each other” ♣ such pairs are complementary and compatible - they easily coexist, tending toward compromise, balance, and moderation ♣ they encourage us to seek information and knowledge through communication with, or observation of, the other ♣ success comes through balancing the polarized urges and by integrating their commonalities

Complements

Sword/Cups(air/water)

Wands/Pentacles(fire/earth)

Ψ when they suits and elements complement each other - “somewhat friendly” Ψ these cards are not totally comfortable with each other - they tend toward excessiveness or inhibition, disorganization or friction Ψ both need to control creative power through discrimination( wands+pentacles - give us intensely, sensory desire; swords+cups - can be emotionally willful) Ψ each tends to receive, stabilize, internalize, secure, or attract the other Ψ they may also act as corrective and therapeutic forces on each other

Contraries

Wands/Cups(fire/water)

Swords/Pentacles(air/earth)

♦ when the cards are of “contrary elements” - they tend to “weaken each other greatly for good or evil, and neutralize their force” ♦ these cards are incompatible and antagonistic, representing conflicts of interests that can lead to blocks, or suppression ad inhibition of energies ♦ these cards neutralize each other, allowing a third element to operate more independently ♦ at their worst - the elements work at cross-purposes, producing fear or frustration and a sense of crisis; they expose root vulnerabilities and weak points in the other(revealing insecurities, and uncertainty) ♦ each must learn self-reliance and how to maintain internal as well as external boundaries(conscious adjustments and modifications are necessary) ♦ we must be willing to let go of untenable situations since holding on can block the energy that is needed for moving on elsewhere

Tarot tips and tricks - Best love indicators

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//don’t claim it as your own and/or repost it on other platforms//

THE LOVERS: “I CHOOSE YOU.”

One common misconception about the Lovers, however, is that it signals a new love interest. In fact, it’s more common that the appearance of this tarot card signals a current friendship or romance moving to a deeper level.

Your intentions and desires are aligned, and so you can move closer to each other.

There is a relationship in your life that could soon become more intimate.

The card is a sign that you can make your feelings and intentions clear with confidence that they will be reciprocated.

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THE SUN: “THERE’S SOMETHING TO CELEBRATE!”

In the Major Arcana, the Sun follows the Star and the Moon, two cards that bring hope alongside difficult lessons.

The Sun always brings positive energy. It is the most powerfully affirming card in the tarot deck.

A celebratory event is on the horizon. This could be anything that heightens joy in your love life.

If you and your partner are trying for a child, this might mean confirmation of pregnancy. Are you searching for a house? You’ll close the deal. If you and your love interest have been kept apart, this card is a sign that obstacles like distance will soon disappear.

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TWO OF CUPS: “I LOVE THE WAY WE COMMUNICATE.”

The Two of Cups is a mini Lovers card. If the Lovers indicates a new level for your relationship, the Two of Cups is a small moment of triumph in communication.

You and a love interest or partner may have a conversation or even an argument during which you learn something new about each other.

As a result of your vulnerability and openness, your love will feel newly invigorated.

✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧

ACE OF WANDS: “I CRAVE YOU.”

The Ace is an invocation of new energy. It’s a sexy, lusty card, and you can be sure to feel that sensual energy in your love life.

A new person or event may reconnect you to your sexual being.

It’s an invitation to be playful and experimental with your sexuality, and you can do this in any way that’s authentic to you.

✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧

FOUR OF WANDS: “I’M IN LOVE, AND I WANT EVERYONE TO KNOW IT!”

This card often involves a celebration. In the case of the Four of Wands, the cause for celebration is a romantic union.

You are on the brink of an engagement or deeper romantic commitment. Send the announcement or change your relationship status online.

If you are single and not necessarily seeking a long-term partner, this card can mean you are taking steps to enjoy that life. Go ahead and download the dating app!

✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧

QUEEN OF PENTACLES: “I WILL RECEIVE WHAT MY HEART DESIRES.”

This card assures you that you have developed a strong sense of self, you are open to supportive love.

Someone in your life is supporting your personal growth. Whatever you want in a relationship, you can ask for it now.

Perhaps you are ready for motherhood, or you’d like to make a career transition after having a baby. Your love can support your needs now.

How to REALLY Learn Tarot in One Day

Reading tarot like a master requires a natural talent for divination. Barring that, years of constant practice will suffice.

But anyone can learn the basics. And it should not take longer than a day to cover. Start in the morning, and by evening, you will be a tarot reader.

This post is Day 1 of the Divination class that I teach. By 8:30 PM, my teenage initiates were already correctly predicting each other’s crushes and the winners of tennis matches.

THE DAY BEFORE

Get a deck and a resource.

Acquire a Rider-Waite deck or a clone of it. You may opt for something else, but be forewarned that you could lose out on a multitude of symbolism. The Rider-Waite may not be the prettiest, but there is nothing more complete.

Find a reliable resource. The Ultimate Guide to Tarot by Liz Dean is a perfect book for beginners. So is Labyrinthos’ website, if you prefer something free of charge.

THE DAY ITSELF

9–10 AM

Pick one keyword for each card.

With a belly full of breakfast, quickly skim through your resource and pick just one keyword per card. For example, “destruction” for The Tower, “happiness” for The Sun, and “wealth” for the Ten of Pentacles. Note it all down on paper or on your phone.

10–11 AM

Associate the word with the image.

Look at your keyword side by side the card. Make an undeniable connection. 

Why is The Tower “destruction”? Because the tower on the card has been “destroyed”.

Why is The Sun “happiness”? Because the child on the card looks “happy”.

Why is the Ten of Pentacles “wealth”? Because the family on the card looks “wealthy”.

Memorization becomes much easier when based on visual correlation.

11 AM–12 PM

Quiz yourself.

Hide your notes from view. Keeping in mind the word-image associations you made, go through each card, reciting its keyword. Put in one pile all the cards you remembered the keyword for, and in another, the ones that escaped your memory.

Then look at your notes side-by-side the second pile to remind yourself of what you missed. Go through the whole pile again, repeating the process until you can recite the keywords for all 78 cards without making a mistake. One card, one word. Should be as simple as pre-school.

12–1 PM

Take a break.

Have a meal. Nap a little. Stretch a bit. Give your mind space to absorb everything you just memorized.

1–2 PM

Quiz yourself again.

You are guaranteed to forget some of your keywords. That is fine. It is why you are doing this again, to strengthen your memory. Be patient with yourself, and keep going through the whole deck until you are no longer making any mistakes.

2–3:30 PM

Pick a key phrase for each reversed card.

Quickly skim through your resource again. Now that you know the upright meanings, reversals should be fairly easy, because they can only be one of three: the opposite of the upright card; the upright card watered down; the upright card made worse.

To illustrate:

If The Devil upright is “addiction”, reversed it is “overcoming addiction” — the opposite.

If the Nine of Cups is “fulfillment”, reversed, it is “fulfillment delayed” — watered down.

If the Seven of Swords upright is “manipulation”, reversed it is “betrayal” — made worse.

Note it all down next to your upright keywords.

3:30–5 PM

Quiz yourself on both upright and reversed meanings.

Hide your notes from view. Keeping in mind the upright-reversed meaning associations you made, go through each card one by one, reciting its upright meaning followed by its reversed meaning.

Like before, put in one pile the cards you had no problem with, and in another, the cards that escaped your memory. Look at your notes for those you missed. Go through the whole pile again, repeating the process until you can recite the upright keywords and the reversed key phrases for all 78 cards, without making a mistake.

5–6 PM

Take another break.

Have another meal. Nap some more. Stretch again. Let your mind and body breathe.

6–7:15 PM

Quiz yourself again on both upright and reversed meanings.

Go through each card one by one, reciting its upright meaning followed by its reversed meaning.

Like before, put in one pile the cards you had no problem with, and in another, the cards that escaped your memory. Look at your notes side by side the cards you missed. And go through the full deck again until you are no longer missing a beat.

7:15–8 PM

Read.

For the last time today, bring out your resource, and from it, choose any spread you like. But if you really want to do it right, the Celtic Cross spread is recommended. Do not worry about being overwhelmed. You can leave the book or the website open on the page where the spread is.

Ask tarot your question. Without looking at your notes, interpret its answer to the best of your ability using the keywords and key phrases you just memorized.

Congratulations. You are now a tarot reader.

But if you wish to keep learning, then keep reading.

THE DAYS AFTER

Day 1 – Day 4

For the next four days, quiz yourself again on both upright and reversed meanings, to really cement them in your mind. Then perform the same spread you did the first time, but ask a different question each time. Interpret the cards to the best of your knowledge. This should only take an hour at the most.

Day 5

By now, everything you learned has been drilled into memory. Feel free to expand your knowledge. Read your book cover to cover. Fully explore your chosen website.

Most of the new meanings you will learn will be related to the ones you committed to heart, so do not worry about being confused. For example, if your keyword for The Empress is “abundance”, you will find that its other meanings are “harvest”, “creativity” and “fertility”. “Harvest” is financial abundance; “creativity”, an abundance of skill; “fertility”, an abundance of growth. They vary slightly, but they are all the same, essentially.

All the best in your tarot journey.