How many cards are in a tarot deck?

Seventy-eight: 22 Major Arcana cards and 56 Minor Arcana cards split across Wands, Cups, Swords and Pentacles.

What is the difference between Major and Minor Arcana?

Major Arcana cards mark big life themes and turning points. Minor Arcana cards describe everyday life — work, feelings, thoughts and money.

Tarot card meanings

All seventy-eight cards, written for beginners: what each card means upright, what shifts when it comes out reversed, and the symbolism worth noticing in the picture.

Major Arcana

The Foolbeginnings · trust · leap of faith The Magicianwill · resources · manifestation The High Priestessintuition · mystery · inner knowing The Empressnurture · abundance · creativity The Emperorstructure · authority · boundaries The Hierophanttradition · teaching · belonging The Loverschoice · union · values The Chariotdrive · control · momentum Strengthcourage · patience · gentleness The Hermitsolitude · reflection · guidance Wheel of Fortunecycles · luck · turning point Justicetruth · fairness · consequence The Hanged Manpause · surrender · new perspective Deathending · transformation · release Temperancebalance · blending · moderation The Devilattachment · shadow · temptation The Towerupheaval · revelation · collapse The Starhope · healing · renewal The Moonillusion · dreams · uncertainty The Sunjoy · clarity · success Judgementreckoning · awakening · calling The Worldcompletion · wholeness · arrival

Suit of Wands

Ace of Wandsspark · inspiration · beginning Two of Wandsplanning · vision · choice Three of Wandsexpansion · waiting · foresight Four of Wandscelebration · home · stability Five of Wandsconflict · competition · friction Six of Wandsvictory · recognition · confidence Seven of Wandsdefence · conviction · standing firm Eight of Wandsspeed · news · momentum Nine of Wandsresilience · wariness · nearly there Ten of Wandsburden · overload · responsibility Page of Wandscuriosity · enthusiasm · news Knight of Wandsadventure · boldness · haste Queen of Wandswarmth · confidence · magnetism King of Wandsleadership · vision · authority

Suit of Cups

Ace of Cupsnew feeling · love · openness Two of Cupspartnership · attraction · mutuality Three of Cupsfriendship · community · joy Four of Cupsapathy · reassessment · boredom Five of Cupsgrief · regret · loss Six of Cupsnostalgia · innocence · the past Seven of Cupsoptions · fantasy · illusion Eight of Cupswalking away · search · departure Nine of Cupscontentment · wish · satisfaction Ten of Cupsharmony · belonging · family Page of Cupstenderness · invitation · imagination Knight of Cupsromance · offer · idealism Queen of Cupsempathy · care · intuition King of Cupscomposure · emotional mastery · counsel

Suit of Swords

Ace of Swordsclarity · truth · breakthrough Two of Swordsstalemate · avoidance · indecision Three of Swordsheartbreak · hurt · honesty Four of Swordsrest · recovery · pause Five of Swordshollow win · conflict · cost Six of Swordstransition · moving on · calmer water Seven of Swordsstrategy · stealth · deception Eight of Swordsrestriction · fear · stuck Nine of Swordsanxiety · sleeplessness · dread Ten of Swordsending · rock bottom · release Page of Swordscuriosity · watchfulness · questions Knight of Swordsspeed · argument · conviction Queen of Swordsdiscernment · honesty · boundaries King of Swordslogic · authority · judgement

Suit of Pentacles

Ace of Pentaclesopportunity · seed · resources Two of Pentaclesjuggling · balance · flexibility Three of Pentaclescollaboration · skill · craft Four of Pentaclesholding on · security · control Five of Pentacleshardship · exclusion · worry Six of Pentaclesgenerosity · exchange · support Seven of Pentaclespatience · assessment · growth Eight of Pentaclespractice · mastery · diligence Nine of Pentaclesindependence · comfort · self-worth Ten of Pentacleslegacy · security · family Page of Pentaclesstudy · beginnings · focus Knight of Pentaclessteadiness · routine · reliability Queen of Pentaclesnurture · practicality · resourcefulness King of Pentaclesabundance · mastery · provision

Put the meanings to work

Today’s card→Learning laboratory→Tarot course→Book a reading

Common questions

How many cards are in a tarot deck?: Seventy-eight: 22 Major Arcana cards and 56 Minor Arcana cards split across Wands, Cups, Swords and Pentacles.
What is the difference between Major and Minor Arcana?: Major Arcana cards mark big life themes and turning points. Minor Arcana cards describe everyday life — work, feelings, thoughts and money.