Tarot Cheat Sheet
Major Arcana
These are the archetypes of the deck that follow a hero's journey. They speak to overarching themes and
milestone moments in one's life.
0 The Fool: Carefree attitude, spontaneity, new beginnings, leaping before you look
I The Magician: Having everything you need (power, resources, etc.) to face a challenge
II The High Priestess: Tapping into your intuition/subconscious and uncovering mystery and wisdom
III The Empress: Embodying creativity, nature, fertility, nurturing energy
IV The Emperor: Discipline, structure, authority, and a solid foundation or plan
V The Hierophant: Learning and sharing wisdom, following traditions, joining groups or institutions
VI The Lovers: Partnerships, relationships, connection to self and others, success in choices
VII The Chariot: Taking the reigns and controlling your destiny, will power and victory
VIII Strength: Compassion, patience, assertiveness, knowing when to be gentle or forceful
IX The Hermit: Introspection, inner wisdom, enlightenment
X Wheel of Fortune: Luck, fate, abundance, cycles of life, karma
XI Justice: Consequence, cause and efect, fairness, "what you give is what you get"
XII The Hanged Man: Letting go, seeing things in a new perspective, refecting before making a decision
XIII Death: Change, transformation, something ending so that something new can begin
XIV Temperance: Balance, moderation, a joining of opposites, conscious and subconscious
XV The Devil: Feeling trapped or stuck, addiction, self-imprisonment--but having the power to break free
XVI The Tower: Upheaval, sudden change, chaos, starting over after setbacks and difculties
XVII The Star: Making a wish, dreams coming true, a sense of hope after waiting, believing in yourself
XVIII The Moon: Subconscious, dreams, fears, imagination, the shadow self, getting in touch with intuition
XIX The Sun: Happiness, joy, success, innocence, a positive sign
XX Judgement: The end of a phase/era in life, rebirth, evaluating the lessons learned
XXI The World: Completion, recognition of success and progress, accomplishment of goals
Minor Arcana
These cards represent day-to-day matters, following a similar progression to the Major Arcana, and are
divided into four suits.
Pentacles: Physical/material--family, household, career, fnances (sometimes called Disks or Coins)
Swords: Mental--intellect, logic, thought, communication, challenges, conficts
Cups: Emotional--intuition, relationships, love, emotions
Wands: Spiritual/energetic--creativity, life's purpose, inspiration, spiritual matters
Ace: New beginnings, opportunity 6: Victory, generosity, overcoming challenges
2: Balance, contemplation, patience 7: Evaluation, obstacles, facing adversity, advice
3: Relationships with others, taking action 8: Energy, moving forward or facing setbacks
4: Comfort, home, rest, attachment 9: Anxiety, perseverance, encouragement and warnings
5: Struggles, lack, loss, confict 10: Completion, achievements, overwhelm, end of a cycle
Court Cards
The Court Cards are also part of the Minor Arcana. They symbolize aspects of yourself or other people.
Page: New beginnings, enthusiasm, excitement about the possibilities, daydreaming
Knight: Planning, strategy, taking action, considering the details
Queen: Nurturing, giving you what you need to succeed, patience, guidance
King: Completion of goals, seeing the bigger picture, delegation, power
Reversals
Whether you read reversals or not is up to you. Some ways to interpret these cards: "opposite" meanings;
taking a step back to learn the lesson of the previous card; blocked energy; a warning or a fear of what
could be; excess, lack, or corruption of what the card represents upright.
Words & Wands jenmeli.com
