The Tarot is a deck of 78 cards used by a psychic reader to discover issues and answers, as well as to predict the future in terms of probabilities. The origin of tarot (or tarok) cards is unknown but it is speculated that they were introduced into Europe by Crusaders or by gypsies. We do know that they were used in Italy in the early 1300s.
The deck consists of the Minor Arcana (56 suit cards) and the Major Arcana, or trumps (22 pictorial symbol cards). The Minor Arcana is very much like playing cards as we know them with suits of Wands (Clubs), Cups (Hearts), Swords (Spades), and Pentacles (Diamonds). Each suit also contains the familiar court cards (kings, queens, knights, and pages). The Major Arcana consists of highly symbolic picture cards with their complex meanings.
The earliest tarot decks were always hand-made, and some were even designed by notable artists. One of the more famous decks was designed by Albrecht Dürer. In psychic readings, either the full pack or the Major Arcana alone is used. The actual cards drawn for each reading are important, as is the relative position of the cards and the relationship of one card to another. A number of different configurations are used, including the three-card spread for brief readings, the traditional Celtic Cross, English layout, and the astrological spread, just to name a few.
The Tarot cards are read by an intuitive (psychic) person who is able to interpret the ancient symbols and also use a special sensitivity to tap into energies that surround the person and the issue presented. These energies, like radio or television signals are ever-present and always accessible under the right circumstances.
I have always had an interest in the tarot, and the deck that I am the most familiar with is the Sharman-Caselli deck. Its a very good deck for beginners too. But I really like the artwork. I'm going to list all 78 cards in the tarot deck and include their meaning both, upright and reversed. The reversed is noted as "R" by the way.
MAJOR ARCANA- A whole range of human life and experience is represented by the Major Arcana. It is symbolic of physical, intellectual, emotional and spiritual aspects of humankind. The cards are thought to illustrate the strengths, hopes and fears, weaknesses, the most godly and darkest parts of an individual.
0- Fool- beginning,
spontaneity,
faith,
apparent, folly
R- poor direction, impulsiveness, lawlessness
1- magician- action,
conscious, awareness
concentration,
power
R- action for a wrong purpose, trickery, lack of self confidence
2- High Priestess- non-action,
unconscious, intuition, awareness,
potential,
mystery
R- unsure of own intuition, not following your instincts, hidden obstacles or opponents
3- Empress- motherhood, fertility,
abundance,
senses,
nature
R- infertility, miscarriage, unwanted pregnancy, domestic upheaval, supressed artistic talent
4- Emperor- fatherhood,
structure,
authority,
regulation
R- lack of authority and regulation
5- Hierophant- education,
belief systems,
conformity,
group identification
R- recieving poor counselling, poor teaching, poor advice, confusion, disorderly conduct
6- Lovers- relationship,
sexuality,
personal beliefs,
values, choices
R- poor values, emotional loss, seperation, failed love affair
7- Chariot- victory,
will,
self-assertion,
hard control
R- defeat, lack of will power, not assertive
8 (sometimes 11)- Strength- strength,
patience,
compassion,
soft control
R- weakness, cowardice, impatience
9- Hermit- introspection,
searching,
guidance,
solitude
R- fear, suspiciousness, arrogance
10- Fortune- destiny,
turning point,
movement,
personal vision
R- bad direction, delay direction
11 (sometimes 8)- Justice- justice,
responsibility,
decision,
cause and effect, karma
R- injustice
12- The Hanged Man- letting go,
reversal,
suspension,
sacrifice
R- selfishness, the use of emotional blackmail by playing the martyr
13- Death- ending,
transition,
elimination,
inexorable forces
R- delay in transition
14- Temperance- temperance,
balance,
health,
combination, moderation
R- over indulgence, lack of foresight, impatience, conflict and quarrels causing domestic strife
15- The Devil- bondage,
materialism,
ignorance, too much commitment,
hopelessness
R- overcoming fears, becoming free
16- The Tower-sudden change,
release,
downfall,
revelation
R- same but not as intense
17- The Star- hope,
inspiration,
generosity,
serenity
R- perils of self-doubt and negativity that may lead to lost oportunities
18- The Moon- fear,
illusion,
imagination,
bewilderment
R- lack of progress because of deep rooted fears and anxieties, tells of failure of nerve, it also warns of lies and deceit - perhaps this is the cause of your worries
19- The Sun- enlightenment,
greatness,
vitality,
assurance,self-confidence
R- delays to your plans or achievements and does warn against arrogance and misjudgement caused by an inflated ego
20- Judgement- judgment,
rebirth,
inner calling,
absolution
R- obstinacy and a refusal to move with change when change is essential, which only causes delays, fear, illness, self doubt and guilt over past mistakes
21- The World- integration,
accomplishment,
involvement,
fulfillment
R- delays, but will be accomplished once all is complete
MINOR ARCANA
WANDS- Also known as Staves, Staffs or Clubs in the modern deck of cards, these cards indicate practical strength, productivity, confidence, physical power and self-reliance. Wands corresponds to the astrological Fire signs of Aries, Leo and Sagittarius.
Ace- creative force,
enthusiasm,
confidence,
courage
R- uncertainty, fear
Two- personal power,
boldness,
originality
R- unsure of goal, lost power
Three- exploration,
foresight,
leadership
R- delays, arrogance, disagreement
Four- celebration,
freedom,
excitement
R- disappointment, restriction
Five- disagreement,
competition,
hassles
R- compromise, came to understanding
Six- triumph,
acclaim,
pride
R- delayed rewards, bad news, fear of rival's victory
Seven- aggression,
defiance,
conviction
R- indecision or shyness, gave up in opposition
Eight- quick action,
conclusion,
news
R- no action, delays
Nine- defensiveness,
perseverance,
stamina
R- gave up, unable to persevere, lack of initiative
Ten- overextending,
burdens,
struggle, time to delegate
R- talent, skills, abilities used in the wrong way
Page- message for you to be creative,
be enthusiastic,
be courageous,
be confident
R- fear, not enthusiastic, lack of confidence
Knight- a young man who is charming,
self-confident,
daring,
adventurous,
passionate
R- lack of confidence, not adventurous, unfeeling
Queen- a woman who is attractive,
wholehearted,
energetic,
cheerful,
self-assured
R- a woman who is too serious and unsure of herself, lack of energy
King- a man who is creative,
inspiring,
forceful,
charismatic,
bold
R- a man who is not charismatic, strict, prejudice
CUPS- Also knowns as Chalices and Hearts in the modern deck, these are cards of emotion and reflection and indicate spiritual authority, contemplation and inner feelings. Cups corresponds to the astrological Water signs of Pisces, Cancer and Scorpio
Ace- emotional force,
intuition,
intimacy,
love
R- lack of emotion, unable to be intimate
Two- connection,
truce,
attraction
R- unattraction, lost chemistry
Three- exuberance,
friendship,
community, celebration
R- delays, celebration put on hold
Four- self-absorption,
apathy,
going within
R- able to break out of self-absorption
Five- loss,
bereavement,
regret
R- moving on
Six- good will,
innocence,
childhood
R- undesireable moment from the past, or hanging on to the past too much
Seven- wishful thinking,
options,
dissipation
R- decision has been made, found reality
Eight- deeper meaning,
moving on,
weariness
R- unable to move on
Nine- wish fulfillment,
satisfaction,
sensual pleasure
R- delays in wish
Ten- joy,
peace,
family
R- A family quarrel, loss of a friendship, children may turn against their parents, waste
Page- message for you to be emotional,
be intuitive,
be intimate,
be loving
R- selfishness, little desire to create, a poor imagination
Knight- a young man who is romantic,
imaginative,
sensitive,
refined,
introspective
R- trickery, fraud, sensuality, idleness, an untruthful person
Queen- a woman who is loving,
tenderhearted,
intuitive,
psychic,
spiritual
R- an over-active imagination, perverse, pleasure and happiness may turn bitter
King- a man who is wise,
calm,
diplomatic,
caring,
tolerant
R- a powerful man but a double-dealer, crafty, violent, scandal
SWORDS- Also known as Spades in a modern deck, the Swords indicate temporal authority, leadership, wisdom, ideas, creativity and decisiveness. This suit corresponds to the astrological Air signs of Aquarius, Gemini and Libra
Ace- mental force,
truth,
justice,
fortitude
R- caution when trying to use power to gain an ending, obstacles, tyranny
Two- blocked emotions,
avoidance,
stalemate, battle between 2 feelings or logic and fear
R- release, beware when dealing with the unscrupulous
Three- heartbreak,
loneliness,
betrayal
R- disorder, confusion, loss, sorrow due to loss
Four- rest,
contemplation,
quiet preparation
R- renewed activity, social unrest, labor strikes
Five- self-interest,
Discord,
open dishonor
R- a lesser chance of loss or defeat, an empty victory, unfairness in dealings
Six- the blues,
recovery,
travel
R- journey will be postponed, no way out of present obstacles or difficulties
Seven- running away
lone-wolf style,
hidden dishonor
R- excessive help is given, good advice, counsel, stolen items are returned, an apology is on the way
Eight- restriction,
confusion,
powerlessness
R- relaxation, new beginnings possible, freedom
Nine- worry,
guilt,
anguish
R- healing over time, unselfishness, patience, good news of a loved one
Ten- bottoming out,
victim mentality,
martyrdom, its over
R- evil forces are overthrown, courage, some success, better health
Page- message for you to use your mind,
be truthful even if it hurts,
be just,
have fortitude
R- a cunning person, an imposture, ill health, unexpected events
Knight- a young man who is direct,
authoritative,
incisive,
knowledgeable,
logical
R- tyranny, a troublemaker, a crafty and secretive person
Queen- a woman who is honest,
astute,
forthright,
witty,
experienced, sometimes a widow or a divorced woman
R- cruelty due to keen observations, a sly and deceitful person, narrowmindedness, a gossip
King- intellectual,
analytical,
articulate,
just,
ethical
R- evil intentions, an obstinate person, decisions or judgments may seem unfair
PENTACLES- Also known as Disks, Coins and Diamonds in the modern deck of cards, Pentacles represent business, money, material possession, practical skills and tangible accomplishment. This suit corresponds to the astrological Earth signs of Capricorn, Taurus, and Virgo.
Ace- material force,
prosperity,
practicality,
trust
R- possible greed or misery, money may not be everything
Two- juggling,
flexibility,
fun
R- difficulty with handling problems, expect a discouraging message
Three- teamwork,
planning,
competence
R- quality in workmanship is neglected, good work is expended due to a preoccupation with money, common place ideals or ambitions
Four- possessiveness,
control,
blocked change
R- some earthly possessions may be lost, obstacles or delays in business affairs, a spendthrift.
Five- hard times,
ill health,
rejection
R- new employment, revived courage, a new interest
Six- having
resources,
knowledge,
power,
or a gift
R- bribes, unfairness, prosperity is threatened, jealousy, miserliness
Seven- assessment,
reward,
direction change
R- little progress, impatience, anxiety, investments may be unprofitable
Eight- diligence,
knowledge,
detail
R- skills are not being used properly, a dislike of hard work, ambition is void
Nine- discipline,
self-reliance,
refinement
R- loss is possible, danger from thieves, caution
Ten- affluence,
permanence,
convention
R- family misfortune, caution, mind is dull, slothfulness
Page- a message for you to have an effect,
be practical,
be prosperous,
be trusting/trustworthy
R- wastefulness, luxury, rebellious, opposing ideas/opinions, bad news
Knight- a young man who is unwavering,
cautious,
thorough,
realistic,
hardworking
R- irresponsible, impatience, timidness, carelessness, a standstill in affairs
Queen- a woman who is nurturing,
bighearted,
down-to-Earth,
resourceful,
trustworthy
R- too much dependence, neglected duties, mistrust, suspicion, not a very creative person
King- a man who is enterprising,
adept,
reliable,
supporting,
steady
R- materialistic, slow to anger, 'head is on the ground", bribes