Learning to read tarot can be a difficult challenge for anyone, but once you get the hang of it, you’ll find that it’s a worthwhile endeavor. With spiritual guidance and messages, tarot is a great way to incorporate more self awareness and spirituality into your life.

Tarot is made up of 78 cards which are separated into two different sections. One section is called the Major Arcana, which often represents life changing events and is made up of 22 cards. The remaining 56 cards fall into the Minor Arcana, which often portrays day to day activities and situations.

The Minor Arcana cards are divided into suits, a very important factor when reading tarot. Each suit represents a different thing and can help you in your journey to understanding the meanings of the cards. There are four suits: Swords, Pentacles (or Coins), Cups and Wands.

• Suit of Swords- Element of Air – Thoughts and communication
• Suits of Pentacles – Element of Earth – Wealth and Achievement
• Suit of Cups – Element of Water – Emotions and Intuition
• Suit of Wants – Elements of Fire – Passion and Drive

Swords

Swords represent the mind and thoughts. Any card which falls into the suit of swords is sure to talk about something regarding the mind, whether it be negative thoughts, new ideas, or wisdom. This suit also represents communication with others.

Pentacles (or Coins)

Pentacles, sometimes called coins depending on your deck, represent all things regarding the physical reality. Cards which fall into the suit of Pentacles talks about wealth, money, jobs, or family.

Cups

Cups represent emotions and intuition. Cards which appear in the suit of Cups talk about anything regarding feelings and relationships. Some cards may talk about a relationship between you and another person while others may show re-evaluating your own emotions and listening to your intuition.

Wands

Wands represent passion and drive for your desires. Cards which fall into this suit talk about strength, new passionate endeavors and fiery energy. They may also represent sudden inspirations and encouragement.

Each card has a different meaning, which means you’ll have to take some time to learn each one, as well as how they interact with one another in a spread. It may be a bit overwhelming at first, but by taking some time each day to learn, you’ll create a strong learning habit and a connection to your deck.

It can seem like learning an entire foreign language at first, but the more you practice and learn, the easier it’ll become.

Suit of Swords

Ace of Swords– Represents new thoughts and ideas. It could also suggest a new way of thinking, encouraging you to adopt a fresh view and perspective. If this card appears in a reading, it may be encouragement to follow any sudden thoughts or inspirations which may appear seemingly out of the blue.

Two of Swords- Represents a choice, having two paths to go down and not being quite sure which way to go. This card often encourages you to use your intuition to decide, rather than looking to the outside world for answers.

Three of Swords- Represents heartbreak and sorrow. This card may appear after a difficult situation or an ending of a relationship. This card also encourages you to cut out things which are no longer serving you so you may break free of sadness and depression.

Four of Swords- Represents a time of rest and relaxation. This card encourages you to take some time for yourself, usually in the form of meditation. If you’re having difficulty finding answers, this card suggests looking within yourself in order to find them.

Five of Swords- Represents a scattered and chaotic mind. This card often suggests conflict and disagreements. It also often appears as a warning, that whatever conflict you’re engaged in will not end well for either party. Even if you win this fight, you’ll still find yourself feeling defeated.

Six of Swords- Represents a transition in your life. This can sometimes be a change which you don’t necessarily want to make, but know that it’s ultimately for the best. This card also symbolizes the release of things which are no longer serving you.

Seven of Swords- Represents deception and betrayal, suggesting that there is something going on that you’re not aware of. Alternatively, this card may be a warning, reminding you that any misdeeds and deception you may be doing yourself will eventually come to light, and that it’s best to turn it around now before it’s too late.

Eight of Swords- Represents self-doubt and negative beliefs. This card is all about negative thoughts, trapping yourself within your own mind. This card often symbolizes self-imprisonment, reminding you that there is nothing holding you captive except yourself. This also suggests feeling like a victim and encourages you to release that victim mentality.

Nine of Swords- Represents depression, anxiety and negative thoughts. This card often symbolizes feelings of fear and worry and warns you to be careful of where you are placing your attention. The nine of swords often symbolizes nightmares and feeling trapped in a depressing situation. This card is also a reminder that it’s okay to reach out for help when you need it.

Ten of Swords- Represents a brutal ending. This card is quite dramatic and often symbolizes a violent end to a situation. When this card appears, you may feel beaten and defeated, but this card reminds you that the difficulty is over and that you have the strength to get up again.

Page of Swords- Represents new ideas and a thirst for knowledge. This card often symbolizes a new endeavor that you might have been thinking about for quite a while, and encourages you to go for it. It also suggests being able to communicate your thoughts with more ease, or the need to do so. When this card appears, it is often a sign of encouragement for any ideas and inspirations you may have, reminding you to allow your intuition to guide you.

Knight of Swords- Represents fast paced movement. When this card appears, it is often a sign that it’s time to move swiftly and diligently. This card suggests that you already have all the wisdom you need to move forward and to continue on with clear communication in order to express your ideas. It also symbolizes ambition and being able to quickly think on your feet when you are faced with any obstacles which may come your way.

Queen of Swords- Represents clarity, independence and clear communication. When this card appears, it is often a sign that you are able to see things with clear and unbiased judgment. This card may also be a sign to lead with your head rather than your heart at the current moment.

King of Swords- Represents wisdom and the ability to see past lies and illusions. This card is often a sign that you are in a space of authority and encourages you to lead with wisdom and truth. This card can also carry a message to not be swayed by outside opinions and to follow what you think is right.

Suit of Pentacles (or Coins)

Ace of Pentacles- Represents a new opportunity for financial or career growth. If this card appears in a reading, it could be a sign to watch out for any sudden opportunities which may appear in your life. The Ace of Pentacles is often a sign that your manifestations are beginning to appear, and that you may be gifted with sudden opportunities for abundance.

Two of Pentacles- Represents work and home balance. This card often appears when you are out of balance, and reminds you of the importance of having both a healthy work and home life. This card can also symbolize having many priorities and can often come as a warning to be careful while juggling them. One small mess up can cause them to all come crumbling down.

Three of Pentacles– Represents working together with others to achieve your goals. This card is all about teamwork and learning from one another. If you find yourself struggling to get things done on your own, this card may be urging you to reach out for help to complete things in a more efficient way.

Four of Pentacles- Represents security and money. This card often encourages you to review your relationship with money, whether you view it in a positive or negative light, and urges you to find a healthy balance with it. This card may also suggest that you are focusing too much on money and material wealth, and urges you to look elsewhere to find joy.

Five of Pentacles– Represents a loss of material wealth, poverty, or feelings of being outcasted or alone. This card can often suggest that you are on the verge of losing some wealth, or can represent your worries of losing money or fear of poverty. This card can also appear when you feel alone and outcasted from others, not knowing where to turn to. Though this can often be a card of difficulties and challenges, it also encourages you to keep looking up because brighter times are ahead.

Six of Pentacles– Represents receiving and sharing abundance. This card is a joyous card which often represents sudden wealth and luck coming your way. It suggests someone sharing their wealth with you, or encourages you to share your wealth with others.

Seven of Pentacles– Represents patience, investment and perseverance. When this card appears, it often urges you to be patient and covey the message that all your hard work will soon grow to fruition. This card can also be a card of motivation, encouraging you to keep going even when times are tough. This card is a great sign that the universe is aware of your hard work and is working to bring it to fruition.

Eight of Pentacles– Represents learning and nurturing a skill. This card is all about working hard to get better at your craft. Now is the time to focus on sharpening your skills in order to grow. At this stage, this card represents a person who is still a student but with hard work and dedication, will eventually become the master.

Nine of Pentacles– Represents abundance and financial independence. This is a card of freedom, having everything you need in order to live a happy, comfortable life. After all your hard work, this card is a sign to now enjoy the fruits of your labor. This card may also encourage you to spend time on self-care, splurge and pamper yourself. You’ve earned it.

Ten of Pentacles– Represents financial security, family and wealth. This card can also suggest retirement and being able to kick back and relax after all your hard work. When this card appears in a reading, it may represent the completion of a difficult journey, and encourages you to now spend time with the people you love, as well as enjoying the wealth and beauty in your life.

Page of Pentacles– Represents manifestation, abundance and mastering a skill. When this card appears, it is often a sign that you have the power to manifest what you desire. The page of pentacles is a materialistic man who is very skilled in the art of attracting what he wants. If this card appears, it may encourage you to be like the page and focus on what you desire.

This card may also be a sign of developing your skills. Although the page of pentacles isn’t a master just yet, he is working hard towards his journey of becoming one. This may be a sign of encouragement to go back to school or work diligently on your skill or craft.

Knight of Pentacles– Represents hard work, diligence and planning. The Knight of Pentacles is the slowest of the knights, but he moves with precision and perfection. He takes time to first map out the best route to his destination before beginning his journey. This may be frustrating to people who are very impulsive and passion driven, but taking some time to plan and map out your path will help you in the long run. This card may also suggest establishing a routine in order to help you to be more focused and efficient.

Queen of Pentacles– Represents a nurturing mother who provides for her family both emotionally and financially. She is a hard-working parent who knows when to work and when to rest. All the money and wealth she has, she created with her own two hands and often pampers herself and those around her with her hard-earned abundance. When this card appears, it often encourages you to learn from the Queen of pentacles and nurture yourself and others.

King of Pentacles– Represents wealth, abundance, security and leadership. The king of pentacles is a strong leader who brings abundance to both himself and those around him. If this card appears in a reading, it may be a sign that you are a good manager of money and are confident in your abilities to provide for yourself and others. This card may also suggest a business owner or the inspiration to begin a business. If you feel encouraged to begin a business, this card wants you to know that you have everything you need to succeed.

Suit of Cups

Ace of Cups- Represents a new relationship, or a change of feelings and emotions. This card may also suggest a new creative project or idea. When this card appears, it is often a sign that you are at a very emotional stage in your life, where divine love and compassion is flowing through you. The Ace of Cups also encourages you to use these emotions in your creative endeavors.

Two of Cups- Represents a connection with another person. This connection may be romantic, platonic or a business partnership. Either way, this card encourages you to nurture this relationship so that both parties may help and aid one another. In some circumstances, this card may also suggest a proposal or wedding.

Three of Cups- Represents companionship and celebration. When this card appears in a reading, it’s time to grab some of your closest friends and celebrate. This card often appears after something has been complete and it’s time to rest and have some fun. This may also suggest collaborating with others to gain mutual benefits.

Four of Cups- Represents contemplation and meditation. This card may appear as a sign that it’s time to reevaluate and take a step back. When this card shows up, take it as a sign to sit back and meditate for a bit, finding new ways to go about your current dilemma or situation. It might also suggest sudden epiphanies.

Five of Cups- Represents disappointment and hurt. It usually appears after a difficult situation has come to an end that might have left you feeling defeated and wounded. It may also suggest regret, failure or negative thoughts and emotions. When this card appears, it encourages you to look on the brighter side of life, reminding you that no matter how bad things may seem, there’s always something better to come.

Six of Cups- Represents childhood memories, joy, innocence and nostalgia. When this card appears, it might be a reminder that it’s time to see life from a more innocent perspective. It’s easy to get pulled into the difficulties and responsibilities of life, so this card appears when you need some more joy and celebration. When we are children, life is often easy and fun, and this card reminds you that it’s important to incorporate these energies back into your life.

Seven of Cups- Represents manifestations, illusions and opportunities. When this card appears, it might be a sign that you’re being pulled in too many directions, entertaining too many situations and dabbling in too many things at once. It may also be a sign that things may not be as they seem, and encourages you to see things with a clearer perspective.

Eight of Cups- Represents abandonment and disappointment. It often shows up when you’ve been working hard on a project that just doesn’t seem to be going anywhere or a situation that is no longer serving you. It may be difficult to leave it behind, especially if you’ve put a lot of time and effort into it, but the eight of cups is a sign that there is nothing more for you in your current situation, and that it’s time to move on. It also suggests a brighter future if you’re willing to leave the old behind.

Nine of Cups- Represents manifestations fulfilled and the completion of hard work. This card often appears as a sign that you have completed a difficult challenge and it is now time to relish in your victory. It is often a sign of having manifested a multitude of desires and encourages you to continue on attracting what you want.

Ten of Cups- Represents harmony and being in alignment with the universe. When this card appears, it’s time to celebrate! It suggests that positive uplifting relationships and situations are now flowing into your life with ease. Now is the time to sit back, relax and have some fun.

Page of Cups- Represents creative opportunities and emotional situations. When this card appears, be sure to be on the lookout for any opportunities for expression and creativity. This card encouraged you to express yourself through creative endeavors. It also suggests that an emotional connection may grow stronger and more loving. This is also a card of intuition and encourages you to quiet down and listen to any sudden bursts of inspiration which might come up.

Knight of Cups- Represents creativity, love and imagination. When this card appears in a reading, it may be a sign to freely express yourself without boundaries, creating whatever you desire. This card is also one of romance and love. It may be a sign of a newly budding relationship which might grow into something more.

Queen of Cups- Represents intuitive hits, emotional situations and leading with your heart. When this card appears in a reading, it may be a sign to get more in tune with your emotions, following your heart rather than your head. Being connected to your emotions may also allow you to have a stronger connection with your intuition which can lead you towards greater situations and opportunities.

King of Cups- Represents being emotionally balanced and connected to your emotions, without having them cloud your judgment. This card often symbolizes compassion and a gentle, nurturing person. Although the king of cups rules from his emotions, he keeps them balanced and aligned which allows him to rule with a firm and steady hand.

Suit of Wands

Ace of Wands- Represents new and sudden inspirations. It also symbolizes opportunities for growth. When this card appears in a reading, it may be a sign of encouragement to pursue any sudden inspirations you may have.

Two of Wands- Represents future planning, discovery and decisions. This card often appears when you need to make a decision and encourages you to fully review all paths. This card can also appear when you need to step off a path you’ve been on for a long time and take the time to discover new avenues.

Three of Wands- Represents progress and movement. This card often suggests that your hard work has been acknowledge and that results are coming your way. It can sometimes be a reminder to be patient and wait for your harvest, trusting that the universe is moving things in divine alignment with your desires. This card can also represent planning for the future, visualizing and manifesting what it is you want as well as making a practical plan to get to your goals.

Four of Wands- Represents happiness and celebration. When the four of wands appears in a reading, it’s a good indication that it’s time to celebrate! Harmony and joy fill your life now and it’s time to enjoy all the fruits of your labor. Sit back, relax and have some fun, you deserve it.

Five of Wands- Represents chaos and miscalculation. When this card appears, it may be an indicator that you’ve traveled down the wrong path or miscalculated something which has led to undesirable results. This card may also indicate a passionate argument which left all parties involved feeling frustrated and defeated. This may also be a sign of unhealthy competition and tension.

Six of Wands- Represents recognition and having done a good job. When this card appears, it’s time to give yourself a pat on the back. You’ve done something great and people are now recognizing your hard work. You’ve reached a point of success and have most likely hit a big milestone in your journey. There’s more to come, but for now, enjoy your achievements. 

Seven of Wands- Represents challenges and competition. This card can appear when there is a need to protect yourself and those you care for. This card can also be a sign of encouragement to stay motivated and strong in whatever it is you are pursuing.

Eight of Wands- Represents fast-paced action and sudden results and achievements. This card can appear when there is a need for movement. Things might be going very slow, so when this card appears it’s a heads up that things will be picking up speed. This card often relates to your dreams and passions and encourages you to pursue them, no matter where they might take you.

Nine of Wands- Represents perseverance and determination. This card often appears when you feel tired and defeated and urges you to keep going. It is a card of persistence and is often considered to be a test of faith. You might not see it, but the finish line is just around the corner, so keep going! You’re almost there.

Ten of Wands- Represents the completion of a difficult journey. It was challenging and tiresome, but you’ve made it to the end, now it’s time to let go of the difficulty. This card often appears when you’re having a hard time letting go, or when you’re taking on too much. It’s time for something to end, and if you’re still holding on, this card is likely to appear as a sign to release some of your burdens and ask for help.

Page of Wands- Represents inspiration, passion and unlimited potential. When this card appears, take it as a sign of encouragement from the universe. The universe believes in you and has your back no matter what you’re being called to pursue. This is the time to go towards any uprising challenges with determination, passion and excitement.

Knight of Wands- Represents energy and inspired action. This card encourages you to pursue what you feel called to do. The Knight of Wands can also be a sign that it might be time to go out of your comfort zone and to be a bit impulsive and adventurous. This card can often symbolize new adventures on the horizon.

Queen of Wands- Represents having everything you need in order to get where you want to go. The Queen of wands is powerful and independent, confident in her abilities to achieve her desires. This may be a sign to be more courageous and go after what you want with ambition and determination.

King of Wands- Represents honor and leadership. When this card appears in a reading, it may be a sign to look at the bigger picture. The King of Wands isn’t too focused on dreaming or creating with his own two hands. Instead, he employs others to help him to create his kingdom while he instructs and leads them. He oversees all his workers and guides them with a gentle but firm hand. If this card appears in your reading, it might be a sign to learn from the King of Wands and follow his lead.

Conclusion

Learning to read tarot can be a challenging yet rewarding journey for anyone. With 78 cards, each having multiple meanings, it’s easy to get overwhelmed and discouraged; however, learning tarot is a worthwhile endeavor and definitely worth the time and effort. Rather than overwhelming yourself by trying to learn every single meaning of every single card, try learning the general meanings of the cards and eventually expand your knowledge as you continue down your tarot learning path.

As you practice, you’ll begin to see how the cards connect to each other to create a bigger picture. You will also begin to awaken your intuition, especially if you start meditating as well.

Try not to get discouraged. If you feel yourself beginning to get frustrated and overwhelmed, allow yourself to take a break and come back to it later. Even pulling just a single card each day, looking up its meanings and trying to understand how it connects to your current situation can help you to get into the habit of learning.