What is the minor arcana? These four suits – wands, cups, swords, and pentacles – represent the day-to-day. They are about practical and sometimes mundane matters. In a reading, they give insight into what is going on with daily life, experiences, and challenges. They offer practical guidance, whereas the major arcana gives the big picture – themes and lessons to be learned. When looking at the minor arcana in a reading, be sure to look at the individual card – its suit, number, position, and the cards around it.

Meanings

Wands: Elementally, wands represent fire, which is linked to inspiration, creativity, and action. It is about power and ambition, and the passion and drive to achieve goals. Wands are also about personal growth. Wands can also represent career, aspirations, projects, and energy.

Pentacles: These are the earth element. This is linked to material possessions, physical health, wealth, and practical matters. Pentacles represent finances, career, stability, and all tangible aspects of life.

Swords: Represent the air element. This represents thoughts, intellectual pursuits, communication, and challenges. Swords are about matters of the mind, decision-making, and handling conflicts. It also governs written words and other methods of communication.

Cups: The Cups represent the water element, which is related to emotions, intuition, relationships, and connections with others. While often associated with intimate relationships, it can also be about other relationships – friends, family, coworkers, etc. Cups govern all things emotional, intuitive, and spiritual.

Other things to consider…

Numbers: The minor arcana range from ace (one) to ten, and each number has a specific meaning. Aces are associated with new beginnings and potential for growth. Two symbolizes duality, choices, and balance; often associated with cooperation or the need for cooperation. Three is about growth and manifestation; it is a period of development. Four is stability and organization; it is a solid place for more growth. Five symbolizes change; it portends a period of adjustment and potential conflict or challenges. Six relates to material, real-world needs, balance, and foundation; it can be about finding common ground. Seven signifies inner exploration and introspection, self-reflection, and insight. Eight represents power, strength, and powerful dynamics; it is about progress and success. Nine signifies fulfillment and spiritual wisdom; the cycle is coming to a close, and successfully at that. Ten is completion and abundance; it is successful completion of goals, growth, and cycles.

Court Cards: These are the Page, Knight, Queen, and King. They can represent people in your life or aspects of yourself that you need to focus upon. The Page represents youth, curiosity, and naivety; they are often a messenger bringing new ideas, or sometimes announcing a challenge; they encourage learning, curiosity, exploration, and being open to new ideas and experiences. The Knight is all about action; they represent adventure, pursuit of goals, drive, and determination; this can be a call to action, indicate the need to take a journey, or to have courage in the face of challenges. The Queen symbolizes nurturing, intuition, wisdom, and the feminine; they encourage empathy, compassion, emotional intelligence, and diplomacy. The King symbolizes leadership, authority, and mastery; they encourage one to take charge, act decisively, and to use your power wisely.

Remember…

Tarot readings are very personal and subjective. What is true for one person may not hold true for another. It is important to understand the various card meanings, and the combinations of meanings that evolve. Looking at the spread as a whole, as well as the individual cards will give the greatest insight into what the cards are saying. And remember, the cards are there to help you better understand and to be used for general guidance, not to make decisions for you. Trust your intuition when reading; if necessary, ask more questions and pull more cards. Adding another divination method, such as scrying, while doing a reading can help clear up any confusion. And practice! Reading often will keep your intuition strong, so when you really need that guidance, it’s not elusive.