Major Arcana

The cards of the major arcana deal with important life events or shifts - they represent our journey through life, from innocence to the final awakening of divine fulfillment, detailing the trials and lessons to be learned along the way.

The major arcana will show overall concepts, large forces and major events, but typically not the minute details of those events in the way the minor arcana cards do. They represent big archetypal themes and karmic influences through the soul’s journey.

0. The Fool

Upright

innocence | risk | beginnings | spontaneity | free spirit

Reversed

foolishness | indiscretion | recklessness | holding back

I. The Magician

Upright

action | manifestation | power | resourcefulness

Reversed

destruction | untapped potential | manipulation | poor planning

II. The High Priestess

Upright

intuition | mystery | sacred knowledge | unconscious awareness

Reversed

secrets | disconnected from intuition | deceit

III. The Empress

Upright

abundance | generosity | creativity | nurturing | fertility

Reversed

creative block | barren

IV. The Emperor

Upright

control | security | order | authority | structure

Reversed

passivity | lack of discipline | excessive control | inflexibility

V. The Hierophant

Upright

tradition | conventionalism | conformity | religious beliefs

Reversed

non-conformity | unorthodox | challenging status-quo | personal beliefs

VI. The Lovers

Upright

partnership | passion | choice | aligned values | love

Reversed

discord | temptation | imbalance | misaligned values

VII. The Chariot

Upright

determination | control | success | willpower | self-assertion

Reversed

turbulence | opposition | lack of direction | self-discipline

VIII. Strength

Upright

strength | courage | compassion | persuasion

Reversed

self-doubt | too much force | weakness

IX. The Hermit

Upright

introspection | soul-searching | inner guidance

Reversed

isolation | loneliness | withdrawal

X. Wheel of Fortune

Upright

karma | good luck | life cycles | turning point

Reversed

bad luck | resisting change | end of a cycle

XI. Justice

Upright

justice | fairness | truth | law

Reversed

unfairness | dishonesty | unaccountable

XII. The Hanged Man

Upright

perspective | surrender | pause

Reversed

resistance | stalling | delays

XIII. Death

Upright

transition | change | endings | transformation

Reversed

refusal to let go | fear of change | personal transformation

XIV. Temperance

Upright

balance | moderation | purpose | patience

Reversed

imbalance | extremes | realignment

XV. The Devil

Upright

oppression | addiction | restriction | submission

Reversed

detachment | liberation | releasing limiting beliefs

XVI. The Tower

Upright

sudden change | chaos | upheaval

Reversed

fear of change | averting disaster

XVII. The Star

Upright

hope | renewal | faith | purpose | spirituality

Reversed

lack of faith | despair | disconnection

XVIII. The Moon

Upright

intuition | uncertainty | illusion | subconscious

Reversed

releasing fear | clarity | inner confusion

XIX. The Sun

Upright

positivity | success | fun | warmth

Reversed

inner child | overly optimistic | gloomy

XX. Judgement

Upright

judgement | rebirth | inner calling | atonement

Reversed

self-doubt | ignoring the call

XXI. The World

Upright

completion | integration | accomplishment

Reversed

seeking closure | delays | short-cuts

Cups

The suit of cups is ruled by the element of water.

Water relates to our emotional and social lives. It answers questions about love and relationships, happiness and discontent, and all human sentiments. It is a receptive energy and speaks to how we how we relate ourselves to others.

Water is the element associated with the suit of cups (as well as the High Priestess, the Chariot, the Hanged man, Death, the Moon and Judgement).

When you draw the suit of cups in reading you’re looking into the interior life, emotions, romance, spirituality, intuition, and the psychic domains. They represent all the things that happen deep within us.

Ace of Cups

Upright

love | new relationships | creativity

Reversed

self-love | creative block | repressing emotions

Two of Cups

Upright

partnership | alignment | mutual attraction

Reversed

self-love | separation | rejection | distrust

Three of Cups

Upright

celebration | friendship | community

Reversed

solitude | loneliness | withdrawal

Four of Cups

Upright

boredom | discontentment | meditation | apathy

Reversed

retreat | withdrawal | introspection

Five of Cups

Upright

disappointment | regret | sadness | pessimism

Reversed

self-forgiveness | moving on

Six of Cups

Upright

childhood memories | nostalgia | innocence | joy

Reversed

living in the past | lost inner child | forgiveness

Seven of Cups

Upright

choices | wishful thinking | opportunities

Reversed

alignment | personal values | overwhelmed by options

Eight of Cups

Upright

disappointment | abandonment | moving on

Reversed

indecision | trying again | drifting

Nine of Cups

Upright

satisfaction | contentment | wish come true

Reversed

dissatisfaction | materialism | over indulgence

Ten of Cups

Upright

harmony | alignment | happy relationships | love

Reversed

disconnection | difficult relationships

Page of Cups

Upright

creative opportunities | curiosity | intuition | good news

Reversed

creative blocks | emotional immaturity | sad news

Knight of Cups

Upright

creativity | imagination | romance | charm

Reversed

unrealistic | moody | jealous

Queen of Cups

Upright

compassionate | intuitive | sensitive | spiritual

Reversed

self-love | self-care | emotionally guarded | ungrounded | moody

King of Cups

Upright

thoughtful | connected | charismatic | compassionate

Reversed

inner feelings | immature | shallow | moody

Pentacles

The suit of Pentacles is ruled by the element of earth.

Earth relates to our physical and material realm. It represents the resources we need to build our lives and pursue our goals and ambitions. It is often associated with money. It is a receptive energy and speaks to how we manifest in the world.

Earth is the element associated with the suit of Pentacles (as well as the Magician, the Empress, the Hierophant, the Hermit, the Devil and the World).

Think about the qualities of earth. It is solid and stable, long-lasting and secure. In the cycle of manifestation, earth is the end result. When you draw the suit of pentacles in a reading you’re dealing with material things, money, financial stability, and physical issues of the body. Pentacles symbolize the tangible, practical world that we live in.

Ace of Pentacles

Upright

new financial opportunity | manifestation | abundance

Reversed

lack of planning | lost opportunities

Two of Pentacles

Upright

prioritization | adaptability | juggling responsibilities

Reversed

over-commitment | disorganization

Three of Pentacles

Upright

collaboration | team work | learning

Reversed

working alone | disharmony

Four of Pentacles

Upright

security | conservatism | scarcity | control

Reversed

over-spending | greed

Five of Pentacles

Upright

loss | poverty | worry | isolation

Reversed

recovery from loss

Six of Pentacles

Upright

giving | receiving | generosity | charity

Reversed

unpaid debts | one-sided generosity

Seven of Pentacles

Upright

investment | patience | long-term view

Reversed

limited success | lack of long-term vision

Eight of Pentacles

Upright

skill development | apprenticeship | repetitive tasks

Reversed

lack of skill | misdirected activity | stagnation

Nine of Pentacles

Upright

abundance | self-sufficiency | financial independence

Reversed

hustle | over-investment | doubting self-worth

Ten of Pentacles

Upright

wealth | financial security | long-term success | legacy

Reversed

financial loss

Page of Pentacles

Upright

new financial opportunities | manifestation | skill development

Reversed

halted progress | procrastination | lack of focus

Knight of Pentacles

Upright

hard work | conservatism | routine

Reversed

laziness | boredom | stubborn | perfectionist

Queen of Pentacles

Upright

nurturing | practical | productive | financial provider

Reversed

self-care | work-home conflicts | financial dependence

King of Pentacles

Upright

wisdom | financial success | accomplishment

Reversed

stubborn | overly focused on wealth | financially incapable

Swords

The suit of swords is ruled by the element of air.

Air relates to intellect and ambition. It answers questions about philosophical and psychological matters and the consequences of our thoughts and ideas. It is often associated with communication as well. It is an active energy and speaks to how we command and execute.

Air is the element associated with the suit of swords (as well as the Fool, the Lovers, Justice and the Star).

Think about the qualities of air. It can be light and gentle like a breeze or powerful and destructive like a tornado. It can propel sailing ships, keep planes aloft, and carry sound from one place to another. When you draw the suit of swords in reading you’re dealing with thoughts and communication which can take any of the same tones as air itself - they can be quiet and contemplative or harsh and cutting.

Ace of Swords

Upright

Reversed

lack of ideas | miscommunication | wrong decisions | rethinking

Two of Swords

Upright

stalemate | difficult choice | impasse | avoidance | closed off

Reversed

settlement | decision | arbitration | regret

Three of Swords

Upright

Reversed

need for reconciliation | emotional healing after heartache

Four of Swords

Upright

recovery | reward | preparation | passivity | contemplation

Reversed

lack of recognition | exhaustion | burnout | rest period is over

Five of Swords

Upright

upheaval | conflict | win at any cost | disagreement | bullying

Reversed

contrition | penance | reconciliation | past resentment

Six of Swords

Upright

transition | change | escape | releasing baggage | better times ahead

Reversed

resistance to change | unfinished business

Seven of Swords

Upright

Reversed

reparation | unfounded accusations | paranoia

Eight of Swords

Upright

restriction | isolation | disempowerment | helplessness | victim mentality

Reversed

releasing negative thoughts | clarity | freedom

Nine of Swords

Upright

nightmares | fear | anxiety | worry | isolation

Reversed

despair | secrets | guilt | releasing worry

Ten of Swords

Upright

endings | wounds | loss | betrayal | crisis

Reversed

recovery | resisting an inevitable end

Page of Swords

Upright

ambitious | enthusiastic | communication | intellegance

Reversed

halted progress | procrastination | lack of focus

Knight of Swords

Upright

ambitious | quick to take action | driven to success | fast-thinker

Reversed

unfocused | restless | impulsive

Queen of Swords

Upright

independent | clear boundaries | unbiased judgement | direct communication

Reversed

overly-emotional | bitchy | cold-hearted | influenced easily

King of Swords

Upright

authority | truth | mental clarity | intellectual power

Reversed

inner truth | misuses of power | manipulation

Wands

The suit of Wands is ruled by the element of fire.

Fire relates to our inspiration and ingenuity. It answers questions about creativity, action, passion and will and often speaks to our work and careers. It is an active energy and speaks to our personal development and growth.

Fire is the element associated with the suit of Wands (as well as the Emperor, Strength, Wheel of Fortune, Temperance, the Tower and the Sun).

When you draw the suit of Wands in reading you’re looking into the the fire within: the world of action and imagination.