Tarot can feel mystical and mysterious, especially if you’re new to it—but learning the meanings of tarot cards doesn’t have to be overwhelming. With a little guidance and intuition, anyone can start interpreting cards and unlocking powerful insight.

Whether you’re just picking up your first deck or want to understand the basics, this beginner-friendly guide will walk you through the structure of the deck and offer simple meanings for each card group.

 The Structure of a Tarot Deck

A standard tarot deck contains 78 cards, divided into:

• 22 Major Arcana cards – Life-changing themes and spiritual lessons.

• 56 Minor Arcana cards – Everyday events, emotions, and challenges, divided into four suits:

  • Cups – emotions, relationships 

  • Wands – action, energy, creativity 

  • Swords – thoughts, truth, conflict 

  • Pentacles – work, money, health, stability 

 Major Arcana (0–21): Life’s Big Lessons

These cards represent turning points, soul growth, and deep transformation. Some simple interpretations include:

• The Fool (0): New beginnings, taking a leap of faith

• The Magician (I): Manifestation, personal power

• The High Priestess (II): Intuition, hidden knowledge

• The Empress (III): Fertility, nurturing, creativity

• The Emperor (IV): Authority, structure, leadership

• The Lovers (VI): Relationships, values, choices

• Death (XIII): Endings, transformation, rebirth

• The Star (XVII): Hope, healing, spiritual clarity

• The World (XXI): Completion, success, wholeness

Tip: Major Arcana cards often signal themes that define a chapter in your life.

 Minor Arcana: Your Daily Life

Each suit has 14 cards (Ace through 10 + Page, Knight, Queen, and King). Here’s a breakdown of their general themes:

 Cups: Emotions, Love, and Intuition (Water Element)

• Ace of Cups: New love, emotional beginnings

• 3 of Cups: Celebration, friendship

• 5 of Cups: Grief, disappointment

• 10 of Cups: Happiness, emotional fulfillment

 Wands: Passion, Action, and Purpose (Fire Element)

• Ace of Wands: New inspiration, creativity

• 3 of Wands: Expansion, progress

• 7 of Wands: Defensiveness, holding your ground

• 10 of Wands: Burden, overwhelm

 Swords: Thought, Clarity, and Conflict (Air Element)

• Ace of Swords: Breakthrough, truth revealed

• 3 of Swords: Heartbreak, sadness

• 7 of Swords: Deception, hidden agendas

• 10 of Swords: Endings, betrayal, rock bottom

 Pentacles: Career, Health, and Stability (Earth Element)

• Ace of Pentacles: Financial opportunity, new venture

• 4 of Pentacles: Holding on, fear of loss

• 9 of Pentacles: Independence, luxury

• 10 of Pentacles: Wealth, legacy, family success

 Court Cards: People, Personality, and Growth

Each suit has four Court Cards:

• Page: The student or beginner (new ideas or messages)

• Knight: Action, pursuit, movement

• Queen: Inner mastery, emotional intelligence

• King: Authority, leadership, maturity in that area

Example: The Queen of Swords may represent someone who is wise, direct, and emotionally intelligent—or an invitation for you to embody that energy.

 Trusting Your Intuition

While guidebooks are helpful, don’t be afraid to:

• Notice how the card makes you feel

• Pay attention to the imagery—what stands out?

• Relate the card to your current question or life situation

Tarot is just as much about your intuition as it is about memorizing meanings.

 Quick Tips for Learning Card Meanings

• Pull one card a day and reflect on it

• Journal your interpretations over time

• Group cards by suit or number to find patterns

• Practice simple 1–3 card spreads with real-life questions

Learning tarot card meanings is like learning a language—the more you practice, the more fluent you become. Start simple, stay curious, and trust that you already hold the answers within.

“Tarot doesn’t tell you what to do. It shows you what’s already happening beneath the surface.”