In a tarot deck, there are 78 cards divided into two sections. The Major Arcana consists of 22 cards which generally relate to major life events or significant themes in a person's life. The Minor Arcana consists of 56 cards divided into four suits which generally relate to the day-to-day events, emotions, conflicts, careers, money and everything else in between. Each card has multiple meanings. Some have positive connotations, others have negative connotations.

Choose a Tarot card group to learn more about it:

Major Arcana

The 22 cards in this group represent the major chapters of a human life. Think of them as snapshots of deep personal change, spiritual lessons and the kind of moments that shape who we become. They can cover topics such as beginnings, love, loss, transformation, power and wisdom. When one of these cards appears in a reading, it generally indicates that something bigger is going on than just a temporary mood or day-to-day issue.

Suit of Swords

The Suit of Swords belongs to the Minor Arcana and the 14 cards in this suit represent the mind. These cards have thoughts, words, conflict, decisions and truth as some of their key themes. Swords can be double-edged, which is why this suit can represent mental conflict, harsh words and painful truths. However, not the entire suit is negative. There are cards in this suit that represent new beginnings, new ideas and the empowerment that can come from embracing the truth. It shows us how powerful our thoughts can be, positive or negative.

Suit of Wands

Also part of the Minor Arcana, the 14 cards in the Suit of Wands are a fire energy suit. They represent passion, inspiration, drive, creativity and the spark we need to pursue our desires. When wands appear in your spread, the subject matter will usually be related to motivation, ambition or inspired action. This suit also represents the challenges involved in pursuing your dreams. Burnout, rivalry, scepticism and setbacks are associated with the Wands as well. This is the suit of action takers and dreamers and it represents both the excitement of launching an enterprise and the graft involved in making it a success.

Suit of Cups

The Suit of Cups in the Minor Arcana (14 cards) is associated with emotion, love, friendship, family, intuition and feelings. Water is the element of the Cups cards. Emotions are like water in that they can be calm, stormy, healing or overwhelming. The Cups cards often relate to the connection between two people, usually romantic connections. The Cups cards can depict happy, joyful relationships and deep emotional bonds. They can also depict lost love, heartbreak, grief and the process of healing after loss. This is the softest, sweetest part of the deck.

Suit of Pentacles

In the final group of the Minor Arcana, the 14 cards of the Suit of Pentacles deal with the physical world. Money, work, home, health and all the things we can physically touch and construct are represented by the Pentacles. These are grounded, practical cards connected to the earth element. They signify putting work in over time, building, saving and growing. They can represent wealth and security or represent concerns about money and stress related to work and material possessions.