Major arcana
0 The Fool Beginnings. A new adventure. Innocence. Naivete. Leap of faith. Foolish wisdom.
I The Magician Will. Ego. Mastery. Self-control. Power. Skill. Focus. Transformation. Magic.
II The High Priestess Intuition. Unconsciousness. Secret knowledge. Secrecy. Mystery. Virginity.
III The Empress Mother. Nature. Creativity. Growth. Abundance. Fertility. Nurturing.
IV The Emperor Father. Secular power. Structure. Law and order. Control. Rationality. Measurement. Discipline. Civilization.
V The Hierophant Spiritual power. Tradition. The Establishment. Orthodoxy. Ritual. The outer forms of organized religion. Divine law. Spiritual discipline. Mentor.
VI The Lovers Love. Relationship. Marriage. Sex. Union. Integrating dualities. Harmony. Healing. Choice.
VII The Chariot Victory. Self-control. Will. Travel. Control of opposing forces. Courage.
VIII Strength Inner strength. Control animal instincts. Courage. Personal power. Gentleness. Patience.
IX The Hermit Solitude. Withdrawal. Wisdom. Search for truth. Introspection. Guidance. Sanctuary.
X The Wheel of Fortune Luck. Fortune. Chance. Change. The cycle of life.
XI Justice Judgement. Justice. Karma. Personal responsibility. Legal matters.
XII The Hanged Man Sacrifice. Giving up control. Gaining wisdom. Enlightenment. Reversal. Change in perspective.
XIII Death An ending. Transition. Transformation. Regeneration. Rebirth.
XIV Temperance Moderation. Blending. Combination. Adjustment. Tempering.
XV The Devil Temptation. Sin. Sensuality. Materialism. Bondage. The Shadow. Guilt. Shame.
XVI The Tower Sudden destruction. Catastrophe. Release. An ‘act of God.’
XVII The Star Hope. Optimism. Inspiration. Faith. Serenity. Guidance.
XVIII The Moon Dreams. Imagination. Intuition. Illusion. Confusion. Fear. Secrecy. Deception.
XIX The Sun Light. Joy. Pleasure. Fulfilment. Vitality. Success. Enlightenment.
XX Judgement Judgement. Call to action. Resurrection. Rebirth.
XXI The World Conclusion. Completion. Fulfilment. Attainment. Success. Integration.
Minor arcana
Wands
Ace of Wands A new idea. The upsurge of creativity. New or renewed passion or opportunity. Virility. Fertility. New life. An exciting gift.
Two of Wands Dominion. Mastery. Courage. Resolution. Strength. Leadership. Control.
Three of Wands Expansion, fulfilment, completion. Trade and commerce. A successful enterprise. Cooperation. Vision.
Four of Wands Joy, celebration, completion, perfected work, rest after hard labour. Home. Reward.
Five of Wands Fights, struggles, irritations, contests, competition, obstacles and challenges.
Six of Wands Victory (after a hard struggle). Pyrrhic victory. Achievement. Success. Celebration. Honour.
Seven of Wands Courage under difficult circumstances, but victory uncertain. Challenge. Defence, defiance, fighting.
Eight of Wands Rapidly approaching a goal. Messages. Fast-moving events. Travel by air.
Nine of Wands Opposition. Defence. Resistance. Tenacity. Courage.
Ten of Wands Burdened. Oppression. Overwork. Responsibilities. Worry.
Page of Wands New information or lessons. Messages that need action. Exciting news. Negative traits: Lack of forethought. Overemotional. Hyperactive. Spoiled, overindulged. Unreliable.
Knight of Wands Charming. Driven. Energetic. Adventurous. Movement and action. Negative traits: Rebel without a cause. Thrill-seeker. Bully. Volatile.
Queen of Wands Charismatic, nurturing, warm, passionate, intuitive. Expressive, creative, protective, supportive, and understanding. Spiritual. The joy of living. Negative traits: Maneater. Frustrated. Domineering mother. Attention-seeking.
King of Wands Masterful. Charismatic and inspired leader. Entrepreneur. Goal-driven. Persuasive speaker. Negative traits: Arrogant. Misuse of power. Defensive.
Cups
Ace of Cups Abundance, nourishment. Fertility. Growth. Birth. Love. Pleasure. A gift of love or from the unconscious.
Two of Cups Commitment. Partnership. Contract. Relationship. Cooperation. Union.
Three of Cups Friendship. Community. Celebration. Abundance. Emotional fulfilment. Creativity. Synthesis.
Four of Cups Dissatisfaction. Boredom. Weariness. Withdrawal. Apathy. Depression.
Five of Cups Loss, but with something left over. Sorrow. Desolation. Regret. Disappointment.
Six of Cups The past. Pleasant memories. Nostalgia. Pleasure. Pure, innocent love.
Seven of Cups Dreams. Illusions. Imagination. Options.
Eight of Cups Abandoned success. Moving on. Turning your back on something. Searching for something more.
Nine of Cups Contentment. A wish comes true. Self-satisfaction. Success. Emotional fulfilment. Achievement.
Ten of Cups Happy family. Feeling blessed. Feeling safe and secure. Shared well-being.
Page of Cups Messages from the unconscious. Romantic. Dreamy. Imaginative. Artistic. Negative traits: Oversensitive. Dishonest. Deceitful lover. Naïve. Clingy. Depressed.
Knight of Cups Romantic quest. Courtship. Honour. An offer of love. Idealistic. Sensitive. Follow your heart. Negative traits: Goalless. Overemotional. Resists love.
Queen of Cups Love. Relationship. Intuition. Beauty. Lovingkindness. Emotional. Negative traits: Cannot be trusted. Manipulative. Emotionally volatile. Drama queen. Wishy-washy. Maudlin.
King of Cups Emotional control. Calming. Social responsibility. Empathy. Diplomacy. Wise advice. Philosophical. Negative traits: Emotionally controlling. Dishonourable. Ineffectual leader. A wimp.
Swords
Ace of Swords Potential for victory, strength in adversity. Virility. Strength. Authority. Discrimination. A gift of power or clear communication.
Two of Swords Difficult decisions. Indecision. Stalemate. Truce.
Three of Swords Heartbreak. Sorrow. Head over heart.
Four of Swords Rest from strife. Retreat. Meditation. Recuperation.
Five of Swords Defeat. Desperation. Gloating. Dishonour. Humiliation.
Six of Swords Passage to safety. Success after hardship. A difficult cycle has come to an end. Journey by water.
Seven of Swords Deceit, treachery. Cunning. Theft. Run away, sneak off. Partial success.
Eight of Swords Bondage. Restraint. Feeling powerless. Victim. Immobilized by fear.
Nine of Swords Despair. Nightmares. Deep sorrow. Mental pain. Worry. Insomnia.
Ten of Swords Ruin. Defeat. Stabbed in the back. Failure. Overkill. End of a cycle.
Page of Swords Vigilance. Mental agility. An important lesson. Unexpected or upsetting news. Discretion. Observation. Negative traits: A spy. Gossip. Paranoid. Mentally handicapped. Illogical.
Knight of Swords Chivalry. War. Quest. Exploration. Swept up. Cutting through confusion. Quick thinking. Negative traits: Restless. Impatient. Wants his own way. Militaristic. Trouble with the law.
Queen of Swords Sorrow. Intelligence. Discrimination. Keen insight. Sharp wit. Independence. Negative traits: Manipulative. Cruel. Sarcastic. Passive aggressive. Intolerant.
King of Swords Intellect. Leadership. Judgement. Justice. Maintaining law and order. Debate. Eloquent speaker. Negative traits: Unemotional or suppressed emotions. Inhumane. Cowardly. Unscrupulous. Absent-minded professor. Legal decisions overruled. Dictator.
Pentacles
Ace of Pentacles Potential for abundance, wealth, success, growth. A gift of time, resources, or health.
Two of Pentacles Harmony in the midst of change. Balance. Juggling.
Three of Pentacles Skilled work. Teamwork. Mastering a craft. Reward and recognition for skilled work.
Four of Pentacles Miserliness. Control. Materialism. Security. Stagnation. Unable or unwilling to share.
Five of Pentacles Poverty. Loss. Ill-health. Homelessness. Spiritual poverty.
Six of Pentacles Material success. Giving. Generosity. Charity. Inequality.
Seven of Pentacles Rest from labour. Evaluating your work. Patience. Unfulfilled potential. Failure.
Eight of Pentacles Hard work. Apprenticeship. Paying attention to details. Prudence. Craftmanship.
Nine of Pentacles Success from hard work. Luxury. Material comfort. Self-reliance.
Ten of Pentacles Wealth. Inheritance. Genealogy. Family matters. Traditions. Celebration.
Page of Pentacles Good news. Birth. Student. The apprentice. Negative traits: Loss of focus. Not studious. Learning difficulties. Greed.
Knight of Pentacles Slow and steady progress. Placid. Stubborn. Thorough. Cautious. Patient. Protection (physically, materially, health-wise). Negative traits: Possessiveness. Boredom. Stuck in the mud. Slow.
Queen of Pentacles Earth Mother. Abundance. Nature. Nurturing. Practical help. Sensuality. Hospitality. Domestic and craft skills. Negative traits: Interfering. Gossip. Controlling mother. The ‘stepmother’.
King of Pentacles Material security. Business leader. Influence and status. Safety. Good advice. Negative traits: Tyrant. Misusing influence. Corrupt. Perverse. Materialistic.
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