Meaning of Tarot Cards - Major Arcana 0 - 10

In the Meaning of Tarot Cards, I am going to start with the meanings of the first 11 Major Arcana Tarot Cards. There are 78 cards in the Rider-Waite Tarot deck which is the most common used by beginners.

The Foomeaning of tarot cardsl
The Spirit of the Aether

Card Number: 0
Key Number: 11
Rulership: Air

Meaning of tarot cards:
Upright - Represents beginnings, could be journeys which might entail physical or spiritual. Beginning of a new life-cycle. Happiness and optimism. The change of status quo or some existing states by unexpected happenings. Spontaneity, Innocence and naivety. Decisions of importance to be made. When The Fool appears it is a time for new beginnings. Any trials a long the way will make you more experience and wiser person.

Reversed/Upsidedown - Rash decisions, ill-advised risks, impulsive actions and choices. Foolishness, instability, gambling and the frittering away of creative energy. Not a good time for commitments, could be an indication of someone who starts many new things but never finishes. May also consistently seek changes in environment or jobs. It could indicate fool hardiness or perhaps it is the wrong question being asked for the wrong reasons.

meaning of tarot cardsThe Magician
The Magnus of Power

Card Number: 1
Key Number: 12
Rulership: Mercury

Meaning of tarot cards:
Upright - A willingness to take risks, creative action, self discipline and a mastery of the material world. Ability to recognize one's potential, communication and wit. The Magician is an excellent omen, it symbolizes new opportunities. You will have the willpower and initiative to succeed in whatever you do. You will be able to think on your feet and bluff through any difficulties.

Reversed/Upsidedown -
Hesitation, confusion, inability to make decisions. Unable to properly utilize time or talents. Lack of energy or inspiration. Poor self image, gives up easily, poor co-ordination and sometimes learning difficulties. Upsidedown this card can represent trickery or deception and is a warning to be care of who you trust.

meaning of tarot cardsThe High Priestess
The Priestess of the Silver Star

Card Number: 2
Key Number: 13
Rulership: The Moon

Meaning of tarot cards:
Upright - A secret knowledge, intuition, wisdom, feminine side of the male personality. Something is yet to be revealed but patience is needed. Mystery and duality. Influences hidden affect both home and work, intuitive insight might suggest new solutions. When the High Priestess appears it suggests you should trust your instincts, let your intuition guide you. She may represent a person that will provide wise advice and counsel. In a man's reading the High Priestess can represent the most important woman in his life.

Reversed/Upsidedown - Problems resulting from lack of foresight, lack of personal harmony. Intuitive and feminine side suppressed. Ignorance and repression of true feelings and facts. In women, an inability to come to terms with themselves and other women. Circumstances and things are not what they seem. Upsidedown the High Priestess can represent emotional insecurity and danger of being tempted to use emotional blackmail. A secret could be being kept from you. In a man's reading this could represent a woman being a bad influence on him.

meaning of tarot cardsThe Empress
The Daughter of the Mighty Ones

Card Number: 3
Key Number: 14
Rulership: Venus

Meaning of tarot cards:
Upright - Security and well-being. Creativeness in love, parenthood and financial affairs. Domestic stability, maternal care, reassurance, prosperity. Achievement of goals and growth, fertility and security. Depending on surrounding cards can sometimes mean marriage and pregnancy. When The Empress appears in a favorable position she is a very welcome card.

Reversed /Upsidedown - Possible financial difficulties, domestic problems, lack of affection and achievement. Possible problems with a relationship and creative blocks. Sterility, infertility or promiscuity and/or unwanted pregnancy. Poverty. The Empress can also signal that you or a woman in your life is being too protective and may even resort to emotional blackmail to get her way.

meaning of tarot cardsThe Emperor
Son of Morning: Chief Among the Mighty

Card Number: 4
Key Number: 15
Rulership: Aries

Meaning of tarot cards:
Upright - Forcefulness, competitiveness in execution and development. Worldly power, self control gained through experience. Able to shoulder responsibility. Ambitious, powerful individuals, possibility of long term achievement. When he appears in a reading he can suggest that a man of significance or authority as outlined above will stand by you and support you, in personal and business matters.

Reversed/Upsidedown - Dislike or loss of authority. Weakness, immaturity and indecisive. Manipulative of friends or colleagues. The Emperor can mean that either you or a man of influence in your life is bullying and being overbearing, an abuse of power.

meaning of tarot cardsThe Pope
The Magnus of the Eternal

Card Number: 5
Key Number: 16
Rulership: Taurus

Meaning of tarot cards:
Upright - Religious guidance, ritual and routine. Education in it's formal sense. A seeker of wisdom and knowledge. Teaching, good sound advice and constructive counsel. Morality, partnerships and marriage. The Hierophant may actually represent a teacher, advisor or priest but is most likely to symbolise moral lessons to be learned from events.

Reversed/Upsidedown - Dubious or misleading advice, slander, poor counsel and propaganda. Beware of first impressions. Bad time for signing agreements, distortion of truth. Misleading advertisements. Rejection of family values and unconventionality. The Hierophant can symbolize feeling stifled by others wanting you to conform to their expectations. However there is an upside to this negative aspect that can mean making your own rules.

meaning of tarot cardsThe Lovers
The Children of the Voice; The Oracle of the Mighty Gods

Card Number: 6
Key Number: 17
Rulership: Gemini

Meaning of tarot cards:
Upright -
Choices to be made using intuition and not intellect. Some difficult decisions to be made, may not be about love. Consideration about commitments. Maybe a struggle between two paths. The Lovers symbolizes a choice between your heart's desire and duty. Taking a risk could lead to greater happiness and emotional fulfillment. Stay dutiful and life will stay the same. This card means your heart rules your head and a dramatic change of attitude will lead to happier times.

Reversed/Upsidedown - Disharmony, deception, contradiction, duality and internal conflict. Romantic disturbances and infidelity. A warning not to make important decisions at this time. The Lovers can represent an unhappy relationship or love affair yet you are unsure what decision to make. It can also represent intense temptation and warns of being unfaithful to your own morals.

meaning of tarot cardsThe Chariot
The Child of the Powers of the Waters; The Lord of the Triumph of Light

Card Number: 7
Key Number: 18
Rulership: Cancer

Meaning of tarot cards:
Upright -
Overcoming life's obstacles, triumph over adversity, decisiveness and ambition in achieving goals. Well deserved victory. Worldly success after a period of struggle. Effort, self control, perseverance. Advises sustained efforts if in a current struggle as you will win in the end. This card also heralds unexpected good news and represents self reliance and belief in your abilities. Change and travel are also indicated by the chariot as well as representing a vehicle - could mean you'll get that car you've been wanting if in a favorable position.

Reversed/Upsidedown - Envy, avarice and a disregard for others. Chaos in one's personal life and loss of control possibly due to personal flaws. Destruction, imbalance. A warning against overwhelming ambition and high expectations. Continuation of outdated traditions and ideas. The Chariot can mean that you or someone around you is being a bully, selfish and arrogant. It could also represent frustrations and delays or travel plans that don't go well.


meaning of tarot cardsStrength
The Daughter of the Flaming Sword

Card Number: 8
Key Number: 19
Rulership: Leo

Meaning of tarot cards:
Upright - The virtue of Fortitude. Self control. Courage. Power of love. Control of passion against baser instincts. Generosity. Determination. Power and Strength under control. Optimism. Energy. Generosity, reconciliation and resolve. If ill health is a problem this card indicates rapid recovery, if considering giving up unhealthy habits such as drinking or smoking this card indicates it's a good time to start. The Strength card signifies triumph over most things; challenges in your career or relationship, even defending yourself against jealousy, ignorance and oppression.

Reversed/Upsidedown - Wrongly used power. Lack of willpower. Defeat. Feeling inadequate. Surrender to bad impulses. Pessimism. Concession. Tyranny. Unable to act. This card represents giving up, perhaps being beaten by unfair means. It also warns of missed opportunities and not to give up when you could be close to the finish line.

The Hermit
The Prophet of the Eternal; the Magnus of the voice of Power

Card Number: 9
Key Number: 20
Rulership: Virgo

Meaning of tarot cards:
Upright - Inner calm. Caution. Discretion. Counsel sought and taken. Need for prudence. Needing to reach one's inner resources. A wise guide or spiritual mentor. A time to stand back and reflect. When The Hermit appears in a reading he symbolizes a need for careful deliberation and possibly a desire for quiet, peace and solitude. He recommends taking advice from someone you trust before making any hasty decisions. Concerning health, The Hermit indicates a time of rest and convalescence.

Reversed/Upsidedown - Isolation from others. Refusal of assistance or counsel. Resistance towards help. Groundless suspicions about others motives. Impudent decisions or actions. The continuation of unproductive lifestyles and bad habits. Foolish obstinacy. Reliance on own resources that are inadequate. Impatience leading to bad decisions and loneliness.

Whemeaning of tarot cardsel of Fortune
The Lord of the Forces of Life

Card Number: 10
Key Number: 21
Rulership: Jupiter

Meaning of tarot cards:
Upright - Luck. Effortless success. Coincidences. Good fortune that is unexpected. Beginning of a new cycle. Positive upheaval. Change. A card of good fortune. When The Wheel of Fortune appears it heralds a new cycle in life, fortune and good luck. It is fate rather than your own doing. This card heralds the end to current problems and rewards for past efforts.

Reversed/Upsidedown - Unexpected bad luck. Interruptions. Resistance to change. Warning against gambling. Delays. Difficulties. The Wheel of Fortune is obviously turning in the opposite direction and heralds a time of misfortune and unpleasant surprises, however this is temporary - as the wheel turns downwards, in time it will turn up.

That's it for the first 11 Major Arcana cards. In meaning of tarot cards next I will post the remaining arcana cards.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

The Five of Cups
Possible domestic problems, financial difficulties, lack of affection and achievement. Creative blocks and possible problems with a relationship. Infertility, sterility or promiscuity and/or unwanted pregnancy. Poverty.

can someone please tell me what it means i dont understand it

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