Oracles
Tarot card meanings: the 78 arcana
A 78-card tarot deck combines 22 major arcana with 56 minor arcana. The minors have four suits, each with ten numbered cards and four court cards. Understanding that structure is more useful than memorizing isolated phrases.
Updated October 25, 2026
Context and method
Rider–Waite–Smith and Tarot de Marseille share structural features but differ in imagery and conventions. A scene illustrated in one deck does not automatically apply to another. Name the system when explaining a symbol.
How to study and use it
Use the index to identify each card’s name, group and study themes. Describe what you see in your own deck’s image, then compare that observation with the text and the card’s position in a spread.
Reference index
78
| # | Name | Study themes |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | The Fool | beginnings and curiosity |
| 1 | The Magician | resources and initiative |
| 2 | The High Priestess | listening and observation |
| 3 | The Empress | care and creation |
| 4 | The Emperor | structure and boundaries |
| 5 | The Hierophant | tradition and learning |
| 6 | The Lovers | choices and relationships |
| 7 | The Chariot | direction and discipline |
| 8 | Strength | courage and self-control |
| 9 | The Hermit | study and reflection |
| 10 | Wheel of Fortune | cycles and change |
| 11 | Justice | judgement and responsibility |
| 12 | The Hanged Man | pause and another perspective |
| 13 | Death | endings and transition |
| 14 | Temperance | balance and integration |
| 15 | The Devil | attachments and patterns |
| 16 | The Tower | disruption and reassessment |
| 17 | The Star | hope and orientation |
| 18 | The Moon | ambiguity and imagination |
| 19 | The Sun | clarity and vitality |
| 20 | Judgement | assessment and renewal |
| 21 | The World | completion and integration |
| 1 | Ace of Wands | beginning · initiative and creativity |
| 2 | Two of Wands | choice · initiative and creativity |
| 3 | Three of Wands | development · initiative and creativity |
| 4 | Four of Wands | structure · initiative and creativity |
| 5 | Five of Wands | tension · initiative and creativity |
| 6 | Six of Wands | adjustment · initiative and creativity |
| 7 | Seven of Wands | assessment · initiative and creativity |
| 8 | Eight of Wands | movement · initiative and creativity |
| 9 | Nine of Wands | maturity · initiative and creativity |
| 10 | Ten of Wands | completion · initiative and creativity |
| 11 | Page of Wands | learning · initiative and creativity |
| 12 | Knight of Wands | action · initiative and creativity |
| 13 | Queen of Wands | receptivity · initiative and creativity |
| 14 | King of Wands | responsibility · initiative and creativity |
| 1 | Ace of Cups | beginning · emotions and connections |
| 2 | Two of Cups | choice · emotions and connections |
| 3 | Three of Cups | development · emotions and connections |
| 4 | Four of Cups | structure · emotions and connections |
| 5 | Five of Cups | tension · emotions and connections |
| 6 | Six of Cups | adjustment · emotions and connections |
| 7 | Seven of Cups | assessment · emotions and connections |
| 8 | Eight of Cups | movement · emotions and connections |
| 9 | Nine of Cups | maturity · emotions and connections |
| 10 | Ten of Cups | completion · emotions and connections |
| 11 | Page of Cups | learning · emotions and connections |
| 12 | Knight of Cups | action · emotions and connections |
| 13 | Queen of Cups | receptivity · emotions and connections |
| 14 | King of Cups | responsibility · emotions and connections |
| 1 | Ace of Swords | beginning · thought and communication |
| 2 | Two of Swords | choice · thought and communication |
| 3 | Three of Swords | development · thought and communication |
| 4 | Four of Swords | structure · thought and communication |
| 5 | Five of Swords | tension · thought and communication |
| 6 | Six of Swords | adjustment · thought and communication |
| 7 | Seven of Swords | assessment · thought and communication |
| 8 | Eight of Swords | movement · thought and communication |
| 9 | Nine of Swords | maturity · thought and communication |
| 10 | Ten of Swords | completion · thought and communication |
| 11 | Page of Swords | learning · thought and communication |
| 12 | Knight of Swords | action · thought and communication |
| 13 | Queen of Swords | receptivity · thought and communication |
| 14 | King of Swords | responsibility · thought and communication |
| 1 | Ace of Pentacles | beginning · resources and everyday life |
| 2 | Two of Pentacles | choice · resources and everyday life |
| 3 | Three of Pentacles | development · resources and everyday life |
| 4 | Four of Pentacles | structure · resources and everyday life |
| 5 | Five of Pentacles | tension · resources and everyday life |
| 6 | Six of Pentacles | adjustment · resources and everyday life |
| 7 | Seven of Pentacles | assessment · resources and everyday life |
| 8 | Eight of Pentacles | movement · resources and everyday life |
| 9 | Nine of Pentacles | maturity · resources and everyday life |
| 10 | Ten of Pentacles | completion · resources and everyday life |
| 11 | Page of Pentacles | learning · resources and everyday life |
| 12 | Knight of Pentacles | action · resources and everyday life |
| 13 | Queen of Pentacles | receptivity · resources and everyday life |
| 14 | King of Pentacles | responsibility · resources and everyday life |
Important distinctions
The table offers concise study themes rather than universal meanings. A card’s interpretation changes with the question and context. Reversed cards also follow different conventions across reading traditions.
Sources and further reading
Related reading
Check the language, author and edition in the catalogue. Titles below retain their recorded spelling.
- Alquimia e Tarô — Sallie Nichols
- Aettir - As Três Divisões das Runas — D. Jason Cooper
- Espelhos Mágicos — Desconhecido
- Oráculo das Conchas — Vani Rezende
- O Tarô Do Antigo Egito — Doris Chase Doane
- O Verdadeiro Jogo de Búzios — Desconhecido