Tarot Suit Correspondences
What are Tarot Suit Correspondences
Tarot suit correspondences are symbolic associations that link each of the four suits in the Minor Arcana to specific elements, directions, seasons, emotions, and areas of life. These correspondences help deepen interpretation beyond the surface meaning of the cards — giving you a richer, more intuitive framework when reading tarot.
“Understanding tarot suit correspondences is essential for reading beyond basic card meanings. Each suit carries elemental, directional, and symbolic layers that shape how you interpret the Minor Arcana.”
Here’s a breakdown of the classic correspondences for each suit:
Wands – The Suit of Fire
- Element: Fire
- Direction: South
- Season: Summer
- Astrological Signs: Aries, Leo, Sagittarius
- Keywords: Action, energy, creativity, ambition, inspiration
- Life Area: Career, passion projects, motivation, spiritual drive
- Body/Chakra: Solar plexus (willpower), sometimes sacral (creative force)
Wands are about movement, growth, and initiative. They represent the spark that sets things in motion — our ideas, goals, and the drive to bring them to life.
Cups – The Suit of Water
- Element: Water
- Direction: West
- Season: Autumn
- Astrological Signs: Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces
- Keywords: Emotions, intuition, relationships, healing, imagination
- Life Area: Love, family, friendship, inner world
- Body/Chakra: Heart (emotional center), sacral (emotional flow)
Cups explore the emotional and spiritual side of life. They’re about how we connect, love, feel, and nurture both ourselves and others.
Swords – The Suit of Air
- Element: Air
- Direction: East
- Season: Spring
- Astrological Signs: Gemini, Libra, Aquarius
- Keywords: Thought, communication, truth, logic, conflict
- Life Area: Mindset, decisions, communication, justice
- Body/Chakra: Throat (communication), crown (thought, clarity)
Swords represent the intellect and the power of the mind. They deal with beliefs, ideas, clarity, decisions — and the conflicts or breakthroughs that come from them.
Pentacles (or Coins) – The Suit of Earth
- Element: Earth
- Direction: North
- Season: Winter
- Astrological Signs: Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn
- Keywords: Stability, work, money, health, manifestation
- Life Area: Career, finances, home, physical well-being
- Body/Chakra: Root (security, stability), sometimes heart (material comfort)
Pentacles are about the tangible world: your career, resources, physical health, and long-term stability. They show how your energy manifests in real, practical results.
Why These Correspondences Matter
Learning suit correspondences helps you:
- Interpret cards intuitively: A card’s suit immediately signals the realm of life it touches.
- See elemental patterns: Multiple suits of the same element show where your energy is concentrated.
- Read spreads more holistically: You’ll see the balance (or imbalance) between mind, body, heart, and spirit.
At a Glance Chart
Tarot Suit Correspondences Quick Reference
| Suit | Element | Direction | Season | Astrological Signs | Life Area | Keywords |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wands | Fire | South | Summer | Aries, Leo, Sagittarius | Career, passion, growth | Action, creativity, ambition |
| Cups | Water | West | Autumn | Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces | Emotions, relationships, inner life | Intuition, love, healing |
| Swords | Air | East | Spring | Gemini, Libra, Aquarius | Mindset, decisions, communication | Truth, clarity, conflict |
| Pentacles | Earth | North | Winter | Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn | Work, finances, physical reality | Stability, manifestation, security |
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