The Tarot card meanings relate to where they fall in the deck. Therefore, it helps to know a bit about The traditional structure of the Rider Waite Tarot. It has 78 cards that break things down into 5 Suits:
Click any Suit above to read more about it. This is just a tarot quick reference sheet.
You can go to the individual pages of each suit to get more context.
Major Arcana
“My Experiences”
The Major Arcana tell us about big-picture archetypal experiences we all pass through in life. In a Tarot cheat sheet, these often reflect the early childhood struggles that set you up for a fall later in life.
| Card | Upright | Reversed |
|---|---|---|
| Fool | Fresh Start, New Adventure | Poor Planning, Poor Choices, |
| The Magician | Power, Action, Balance | Insecurity, Disorder, Ignorance |
| The High Priestess | Perception, Time, Hidden Truth | Impatience, Stagnationn |
| The Empress | Birth, Abundance of Harvest, Creation | Neglect, Counterproductive |
| The Emperor | Power, Fairness, Authority | Cold, Inflexible, Lack of Control |
| The Hierophant | Ceremony, Tradition, Guidance | Hypocrisy, Disillionsioned, Disgrace |
| The Lovers | Love, Blessing, Harmony, Unification | Loss, Shame, Illusion, Hedonism |
| The Chariot | Travel, Victory, Motivation, Speed | Denial, Unstable, Unrealistic |
| Strength | Preparation, self-control, battle of will | Addiction, Abuse of Power, Struggle |
| The Hermit | Enlightenment, Contemplation, Investigation by authorities | Cerebral, Paranoid, Withdrawn |
| Wheel of Fortune | Luck, Cycles, Destiny | Look before you Leap, Prepare |
| Justice | Legalities, Judgement, Truth | Misinformation, Assumption |
| The Hanged Man | Inaction, new perspective | Exoneration, Determination |
| Death | Impermanence, Inevitability | Back to Basics, Rigid, Resistant |
| Temperance | Healing, Harmony, Creative Expression | Waste, Excess, Selfish, Inconsiderate |
| The Devil | Addiction, Abuse, Control | Realization, Relief |
| The Tower | Shock, Upheaval, Weather event | Bailing out, Overreacting |
| The Star | Inspiration, Renewal, Creativity | Exhaustion, Wastefulness |
| The Moon | Lunacy, Intuition, Right timing | Over Emotional, Cognitive Dissonance |
| The Sun | Freedom, celebration, Vitality | Carelessness, Foolhardy, Time Waste |
| Judgment | Relief, answered prayers | Rejection, Cultish behavior, |
| The World | Next level, achievement | Hindsight, more to learn |
You can click any of the names to get a more in-depth analysis of the tarot card meanings in a different context.
Click any of the cards below to find out more about the descriptions and interpretations of that card.
The Suit of Cups
“I Feel It”
The Suit of Cups is all about Emotions, and the choices we make because of them.
Suit of Cups Tarot Card Meanings
| Card | Upright | Reversed |
|---|---|---|
| Ace | Fresh Start, Abundance, Spirituality | Endings, Resources Drying Up, Missed Opportunity |
| Two | Strength Through Partnership, Understanding, commitments | Poor Choices, Bad Company, Forced Separation |
| Three | Female Power, Joy, Community Support | Overindulgence, Following the Crowd, Irrational |
| Four | Hesitation, Insecurity, Doubt | Inexperience, Rejection, Depression |
| Five | Grief, Self-Recrimination, Set Backs | Resourcefulness, Self Reliance, Creative Problem Solving |
| Six | Nostalgia, Wistfulness, Idealizing the Past | Stinginess, Bitterness, Dark View of the World |
| Seven | Illusion, Delusion, Mental instability | Insecure, Indecisive, Don’t know which way to go |
| Eight | Transition, Walking Away, Travel, Seeking New Opportunities | Rejection, Confusion, and Running Away Will Only Make it Worse |
| Nine | Wishes Granted; You Feel Healthy, Wealthy, and Wise | Hoarding Resources, Unappreciative, Selfishness |
| Ten | Abundance, Flourishing, Happy Family | Separation from Family, Exhaustion, Disconnected |
| Page | Confident, Insightful, Spiritual, Sensual | Ostracized, Disconnected, Disappointed |
| Knight | Idealism, Chivalry, Bringing the World Into Order | Bull in a China Closet, Overly Rigid and Forceful |
| Queen | Intuition, Deep Meditation, Balanced Feminine Leadership | Self-Sabotage, Substance Abuse, Deep Unhappiness |
| King | Balanced Male Energy, Perceptive, Self-Assured | Power-hungry, Controlling, Cruel |
Tip: Mind Your P’s and Q’s
The Suit of Cups is the first of the minor arcana, it is about the Fool’s Journey to learn to master his own emotions and not let them leak out all over the countryside. Throughout the journey of the Cups, he will experience pleasure and pain grief and loss, and the sublime ecstasy that exists in the higher spiritual realms when that pain is transcended. Each individual tarot deck has a way of expressing this but the emotions they evoke are universal.
Looking for a specific card in the Suit of Cups?
The Suit of Swords
“I Think It”
The Suit of Swords is all about Quick Thoughts and thoughtless deeds.
Suit of Swords Tarot Card Meanings
| Card | Upright | Reversed |
|---|---|---|
| Ace | Initiative, Clarity, Focus | Boredom, Insecure, Shy |
| Two | Denial, Impasse, Decisions | Confusion, Information Overload, Action |
| Three | Heartbreak, Betrayal, Cardiovascular Issues | Following Your Passion, Faith, Strength from Suffering |
| Four | Rest, Peace, Isolation, Meditation | Refusal, Anxiety, Exhaustion |
| Five | Bullying, Ego, Entitled | Moral Rebellion, Conflict Resolution, Grudges |
| Six | Travel, Intent, Seeking Calmer Waters | Procrastination, Passive Aggressive, Wrong Place/Wrong Time |
| Seven | Thief, Spy, Turncoat | Loyalty, Brotherhood, Tribe |
| Eight | A Prison of Your Own Making, Jail, Self-Pity | Integrity, Standing For What You Believe In |
| Nine | Obsessing, sleepless nights, regret | Spirituality, Revelation, Learning from the Past |
| Ten | Health issues, Exhaustion, Surrender | Hope, Acceptance Renewal |
| Page | Clear Communication, Curiosity, Thoughtfulness | Irritable, Inexperienced, Unwanted |
| Knight | Quick Wit, Overbearing, Crusader, Tunnel Vision | Unreliable, Aggressive, Perverse, Abrupt |
| Queen | Honesty, Assurance, Refined, Discerning | Ice Queen, Distant, Cruel |
| King | Strength, Determination, Professionalism | Psychopathy, Abuse of Power, Poor leader |
Tip: A Modern Perspective
Swords are a suit of quick wit and quick actions. They usually represent winter time in your tarot spreads about timing and in modern interpretation can relate to quick communications and Social Media.
In your tarot cheat sheet are the quick references but always notice the colors of the cards and the background of the Swords because those are clues about timing.
When you begin to read tarot intuitively, you learn to take in the whole picture of the card and not just the standard one-word definitions. It is handy to have them close at hand for a memory boost though.
Learn more about specific tarot cards in the Suit of Swords tarot quick reference guide below…
The Suit of Pentacles
“I Make It”
The Suit of Pentacles is all about Responsibility and our sense of resilience.
Suit of Pentacles Tarot Card Meanings
| Card | Upright | Reversed |
|---|---|---|
| Ace | Promise of Prosperity, Hope | Bitter, Unlucky, Jealous |
| Two | Flimflam, Slick salesmanship | Irresponsible, Drama filled, Immature |
| Three | Getting noticed, Moving up in the organization, Raw talent | Working harder, not smarter, getting blocked by jealous coworkers |
| Four | Nervous about the future, Nouveaux Riche, Gaudy | Not Accepted, Closed off from the Good Ole Boy Club |
| Five | Illness, Poverty, In need of charity | Transition, Finding spirituality in time of crisis |
| Six | Empathy, Charity, Fairness | Condescending, Judgmental, Miserly |
| Seven | Setting up systems, Waiting for your reward | Impatience, Stubbornness, Inflexible |
| Eight | Creativity, Passion Project, Efficiency | Obsessed, Reclusive, Nutty professor |
| Nine | Indulgence, Travel, Luxury | Hedonism, Materialism, Overindulgence |
| Ten | Wisdom, Satisfaction, Family Legacy | Gambling, Judgement, Loss of Happy Home |
| Page | Service, Idealism, Travel | Emotionally Tone Deaf, Self-involved |
| Knight | Thoughtful, Preparedness, Stoic | Apathy, Unobservant, Not Protective Enough |
| Queen | Nurturing energy, Sensitive, Self Reliant | Martyrdom, Guilt, Relying on Others Too Much |
| King | Charisma, Strength, Strategy | Belligerence, Overbearing, Windbag |
Tip: Wealth and Pentacles
Pentacles show up in a reading when Money is on your mind and your mind is on your Money. It talks about all aspects of Wealth Creation and what we choose to do with it once we have it.
Learn more about specific tarot cards in the Suit of Pentacles below…
The Suit of Wands
“I Will It”
The Suit of Wands is all about global plans and Interconnections.
Suit of Wands Tarot Card Meanings
| Card | Upright | Reversed |
|---|---|---|
| Ace | Action, Inspiration | Stuck, Lackluster |
| Two | Travel, Dreaming | Undetermined, Erratic |
| Three | Strategy, Belief | Dejected, self-pity |
| Four | Celebrations, Enthusiasm | Extravagance, Ego |
| Five | Power Struggle, Resistance | Manipulation, negotiating |
| Six | Victory, Integrity | Misdirection, Rebellion |
| Seven | Defense, Protection, Challenge | Cowardice, Victimization, Giving In |
| Eight | Messages, Aim | Discord, Frustration |
| Nine | Determined, Resolute | Mental Decline, failure |
| Ten | Homecoming, end of a task | Hoarding, selfish |
| Page | Artistic, Travel | Lazy, Fickle, Snobby |
| Knight | Passion, Manifestation | Anger, Overzealous |
| Queen | Intuition, Truth | Domineering, cold |
| King | Preparedness, Protection | Intolerant, Impatient |
Tip: Manifestation
Just like the root of a tree, the wand cards indicate interactions both below the surface of consciousness and above. They speak of a strength of will that can manifest long-term plans and a mind that is always ready for the next opportunity.
The Suit of Wands in Tarot relates to the Suit of Clubs in a playing card deck. That means you can use a regular playing deck in a pinch. For example, the Two of Clubs would have the same meaning as the Two of Wands if you only had a regular deck to translate your tarot reading.
Learn more about specific tarot cards in the Suit of Wands below…
If this chart was just a taste of what you wanted to know about the Tarot, good for you. Please feel free to explore our site for more insight or try this article by Cosmo about some great books you can dive into on the subject of Tarot Cards.
Check out our other articles to become a Tarot pro: