Learning tarot card meanings is the foundation of becoming a confident reader. Whether you're brand new to tarot or need a quick refresher, this beginner-friendly guide covers all 78 cards with easy explanations to help you start reading right away with this quick tarot meanings guide.
Understanding the Tarot Deck Structure
A standard tarot deck includes 78 cards, divided into:
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22 Major Arcana cards – Represent major life lessons and spiritual growth.
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56 Minor Arcana cards – Deal with day-to-day experiences and decisions.
The Minor Arcana is further divided into four suits:
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Cups – Emotions, relationships, intuition
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Pentacles – Money, work, physical world
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Swords – Thoughts, conflict, truth
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Wands – Passion, creativity, energy
Each suit has 10 numbered cards (Ace through 10) and 4 court cards (Page, Knight, Queen, King).
Quick Meanings: Major Arcana (0–21)
| Card | Meaning |
|---|---|
| The Fool (0) | New beginnings, leap of faith |
| The Magician (1) | Manifestation, power, skill |
| The High Priestess (2) | Intuition, secrets, inner wisdom |
| The Empress (3) | Nurturing, abundance, fertility |
| The Emperor (4) | Stability, authority, structure |
| The Hierophant (5) | Tradition, spiritual guidance |
| The Lovers (6) | Choices, love, alignment |
| The Chariot (7) | Willpower, direction, success |
| Strength (8) | Courage, patience, inner power |
| The Hermit (9) | Solitude, self-reflection, truth |
| Wheel of Fortune (10) | Change, cycles, destiny |
| Justice (11) | Truth, fairness, balance |
| The Hanged Man (12) | Letting go, new perspective |
| Death (13) | Transformation, endings, renewal |
| Temperance (14) | Harmony, moderation, balance |
| The Devil (15) | Addiction, temptation, control |
| The Tower (16) | Sudden change, revelation |
| The Star (17) | Hope, inspiration, healing |
| The Moon (18) | Illusion, intuition, confusion |
| The Sun (19) | Joy, success, vitality |
| Judgment (20) | Awakening, decision, forgiveness |
| The World (21) | Completion, achievement, unity |
Minor Arcana Card Meaning Examples
Cups (Emotions & Relationships)
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Ace of Cups – New love, emotional awakening
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Three of Cups – Celebration, friendship
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Ten of Cups – Emotional fulfillment, family harmony
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Queen of Cups – Compassion, empathy, intuition
Pentacles (Money & Career)
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Ace of Pentacles – Financial opportunity
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Five of Pentacles – Hardship, financial struggle
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Ten of Pentacles – Legacy, long-term success
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King of Pentacles – Wealth, leadership, stability
Swords (Thoughts & Conflict)
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Ace of Swords – Mental clarity, truth
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Three of Swords – Heartbreak, grief
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Nine of Swords – Anxiety, sleepless nights
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Knight of Swords – Fast action, ambition
Wands (Passion & Creativity)
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Ace of Wands – Spark of inspiration
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Four of Wands – Celebration, home
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Eight of Wands – Fast movement, communication
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King of Wands – Leadership, vision, charisma
How to Remember Tarot Card Meanings
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Learn by suit: Think of each suit like a theme (emotions, money, mind, passion).
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Use flashcards or journaling to track your impressions.
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Practice daily pulls: Ask, "What do I need to know today?" and reflect on the meaning.
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Trust your intuition: Personal symbolism is just as important as textbook meanings.
Final Thoughts
You don’t need to memorize all 78 cards overnight. Start small, practice regularly, and let your relationship with the cards grow over time. Tarot is both an art and a science—it’s okay to let your own interpretations guide you. If you would like to take a tarot course for beginners click here: Tarot Masterguide Tarot Course
