A standard tarot deck is made up of 78 cards in total, this is divided into two different sections called the Major Arcana and the Minor Arcana. When exploring the tarot suits meanings, it is first important to decipher the difference between these two sections of the deck.
The Major Arcana is made up of 22 cards, each card is typically depicted by a specific character or archetype. These cards are believed to be representative of the big picture in our journey throughout life, symbolizing different aspects of our life path and major events that may happen to us. A lot of Major Arcana cards in a reading usually indicates a big change or transformation in someone’s life, this could be positive or negative in nature.
The Minor Arcana cards are made up of 56 cards, split into four different suits, each made up of 14 cards. Depending on which type of tarot deck you look at, the Minor Arcana cards are not always represented by a person, figure or archetype, they may be simply represented by a number and a picture of that suit e.g. four of swords for example. The Minor Arcana cards represent everyday tasks and details in life rather than major events. This may lead the untrained eye to think that these cards are not very important in a reading but in fact they can be extremely significant.
What do The Tarot Suits Mean?
The tarot is made up of four suits which include: Pentacles, Swords, Cups and Wands. When examining the Minor Arcana meanings in more detail, it is important to look at the tarot suits and elements. Each tarot suit is associated with a different element and a zodiac sign. In fact, when the original Rider-Waite tarot deck was commissioned in 1909, Arthur Edward Waite gave specific instructions to the artist, Pamela Colman Smith, to include the symbolism of the different astrological signs in her illustrations. As such, we see many layers of symbolism in the illustrations of the original Rider-Waite tarot deck. Read more about the Origins of the Rider-Waite tarot deck here.
Tarot Suits Meanings and Elements
Cups: Element (Water) – Zodiac Signs: Pisces, Cancer, Scorpio
Pentacles: Element (Earth) – Zodiac Signs: Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn
Swords: Element (Air) – Zodiac Signs: Aquarius, Libra, Gemini
Wands: Element (Fire) – Zodiac Signs: Aries, Leo, Sagittarius
Tarot Suits Meanings: The Suit of Cups
The suit of Cups corresponds to the suit of hearts in a normal playing card deck. The suit of Cups represents the element of Water; Cups represent emotions, empathy, relationships, love, romance and friendship.
The element of Cups as a person can often be described as someone who is very emotional, empathetic, compassionate, intuitive and may put others before themselves. It can also represent someone who is introverted and self-reflective, spending a lot of time examining their feelings. Depending on your question, a lot of Cups in a reading can represent that you are dealing with a Water sign; Cancer, Pisces or Scorpio. In terms of timeframe, if you have a lot of Cups in a reading it can represent that things will happen in the space of months.
The negative side of those associated with the suit of Cups is that they can make decisions based on emotion and forget logical thinking. Cups also become unbalanced when they hold in emotions and have blocked emotional energy.
Tarot Suits Meanings: The Suit of Pentacles
The suit of Pentacles corresponds to the suit of diamonds in a normal playing card deck. The suit of Pentacles represents the element of Earth; Pentacles represent money, wealth, material possessions, resources, land, education and the home.
The element of Pentacles as a person can often be described as someone who is wealthy or has a lot of money, material possessions, social standing in the community, education or resources at their disposal like wealthy connections. They may have a good job or a lot of money from generational wealth. This person is very grounded and down to earth.
If you have a lot of Pentacles in your reading, it may indicate that things are going to happen at a slow pace in the space of years. Depending on your question, a lot of Pentacles in a reading can represent that you are dealing with an Earth sign; Taurus, Virgo or Capricorn.
The negative side of those associated with the suit of pentacles is they may be overly focused on money or material possessions. It can also represent someone who is greedy or lazy.
Tarot Suits Meanings: The Suit of Swords
The suit of Swords corresponds to the suit of spades in a normal playing card deck. The suit of Swords represents the element of Air; the Swords represent the mind, thoughts, logic, communication and intellect. The Swords are often devoid of emotion and represent decisions, thoughts or words made with the rational part of the mind.
The element of Air as a person can often be described as someone who is very intelligent and intellectual. They may be very decisive and rational in their decision making, never letting emotions overwhelm their logic. It can represent someone who is quite blunt in their communication and gets right to the heart of the matter, whether they are giving positive or negative messages.
If you have a lot of Swords in your reading, it may indicate that things are going to happen at a medium pace in the space of weeks. Depending on your question, a lot of Swords in a reading can represent that you are dealing with an Air sign; Aquarius, Leo or Sagittarius.
The negative side of those associated with the suit of Swords or Air element is that they may struggle to take into account the emotions of others and can be seen as manipulative, cunning or argumentative. Swords can have a narcissistic type of energy when unbalanced.
Tarot Suits Meanings: The Suit of Wands
The suit of Wands corresponds to the suit of clubs in a normal playing card deck. The suit of Wands represents the element of Fire; just as fire burns brightly and quickly, the suit of Wands symbolises passion, fast-paced movement, motivation, charging ahead, creativity, confidence, and high energy.
The element of Fire as a person can often be described as someone who is the typical entrepreneur or business person with a large amount of self-motivation or someone who is very driven in whatever they choose to do in life, whether it be work, athletics, businesses or hobbies. This is a person that always has that get-up and go! In many ways the element of Fire can represent someone with a lot of lifeforce energy.
In terms of time, Wands represent something happening very fast in a space of days, if you have a lot of Wands in your reading it may indicate that things are going to happen very fast. Depending on your question, a lot of Wands in a reading may also indicate that you are dealing with a Fire sign; Aries, Leo or Sagittarius.
The negative side of those associated with the suit of Wands or Fire element is that they can move too quickly without thinking things through and also be hot tempered. Fire has many dynamic and positive qualities but if you stand too close you can also get burned! Therefore Wands or Fire energy must be channeled in the right way and with caution for it to be productive.
I hope you enjoyed this overview on the tarot and the Minor Arcana, learning more about each suit can really help you in your journey to becoming a tarot reader or achieving more accurate readings for yourself. For free monthly tarot readings, please check out the Persephone Shop YouTube channel.