Tarot (Upright Meanings)

All 78 tarot cards (Rider Waite-Smith deck) and their meanings

0. The Fool

New beginnings, taking a risk, leap of faith, blind/wild trust

I. The Magician

Skill, manifestation, personal power, intentional action

II. The High Priestess

Intuition, inner wisdom, subconscious knowledge, mystery

III. The Empress

Nurturing, fertility, abundance, creative growth

IV. The Emperor

Authority, structure, stability, leadership

V. The Hierophant

Tradition, institutions, shared beliefs, conventional wisdom

VI. The Lovers

Relationships, values alignment, meaningful choice, connection

VII. The Chariot

Determination, willpower, forward momentum, victory

VIII. Strength

Inner strength, compassion, patience, emotional mastery

XI. The Hermit

Introspection, solitude, inner guidance, self-reflection

X. Wheel of Fortune

Cycles, fate, change, turning points

XI. Justice

Fairness, truth, accountability, cause and effect

XII. The Hanged Man

Surrender, new perspective, pause, reframing

XIII. Death

Transformation, endings, rebirth, profound change

XIV. Temperance

Balance, moderation, integration, harmony

XV. The Devil

Temptation, attachment, desire, material fixation, playfulness

XVI. The Tower

Sudden upheaval, revelation, collapse of false structures

XVII. The Star

Hope, renewal, healing, faith in the future

XVIII. The Moon

Illusion, fear, subconscious patterns, emotional uncertainty

XIX. The Sun

Joy, vitality, success, clarity and warmth

XX. Judgement

Awakening, reckoning, renewal, self-evaluation

XXI. The World

Completion, integration, fulfilment, wholeness

Ace of Pentacles

New opportunity, material beginnings, tangible potential, financial seed

II of Pentacles

Balancing priorities, managing resources, adaptability, juggling demands

III of Pentacles

Collaboration, teamwork, skill recognition, shared goals

IV of Pentacles

Saving money, conservation, security, scarcity mindset, possessiveness, fear of loss

V of Pentacles

Material hardship, exclusion, financial insecurity, lack of support

VI of Pentacles

Generosity, giving and receiving, financial balance, assistance

VII of Pentacles

Patience, long-term investment, assessment of progress, waiting for results

VIII of Pentacles

Skill development, education, focused effort, craftsmanship, diligence

IX of Pentacles

Self-sufficiency, independence, material comfort, earned success

X of Pentacles

Long-term stability, legacy, family wealth, lasting security

Page of Pentacles

Learning opportunity, practical curiosity, new skills, grounded beginnings

Knight of Pentacles

Consistency, reliability, steady progress, disciplined effort

Queen of Pentacles

Nurturing practicality, resourcefulness, material care, grounded support

King of Pentacles

Material mastery, financial security, leadership through stability, abundance

Ace of Wands

New inspiration, creative spark, enthusiasm, potential for action

II of Wands

Future planning, personal vision, expansion beyond comfort, discovery

III of Wands

Expansion, progress, looking ahead, momentum building

IV of Wands

Stability, celebration, homecoming, secure foundations, weddings

V of Wands

Competition, conflict, clashing egos, struggle for position

VI of Wands

Public recognition, victory, success, acknowledgement

VII of Wands

Defensiveness, standing one’s ground, maintaining position, challenge

VIII of Wands

Swift action, rapid progress, movement, momentum, travel

IX of Wands

Resilience, persistence, guarding boundaries, last stand

X of Wands

Burden, overcommitment, stress, excessive responsibility, completion

Page of Wands

Curiosity, exploration, creative enthusiasm, new ideas

Knight of Wands

Passion, impulsive action, adventure, restless energy

Queen of Wands

Confidence, charisma, creative leadership, self-assurance

King of Wands

Visionary leadership, inspiration, ambition, confident direction

Ace of Cups

Emotional/creative beginnings, new feelings, love opening, intuitive flow

II of Cups

Mutual connection, partnership, emotional alignment, reciprocity

III of Cups

Celebration, friendship, shared joy, community, partying

IV of Cups

Apathy, emotional withdrawal, missed opportunity, dissatisfaction

V of Cups

Grief, loss, mourning, disappointment, focusing on what is gone

VI of Cups

Nostalgia, memories, innocence, past connections

VII of Cups

Illusion, confusion, too many choices, indecision, fantasy

VIII of Cups

Walking away, emotional detachment, seeking deeper meaning

IX of Cups

Contentment, emotional satisfaction, wishes fulfilled

X of Cups

Emotional fulfilment, harmony, shared happiness, connection

Page of Cups

Emotional curiosity, intuitive messages, creative sensitivity

Knight of Cups

Romantic idealism, emotional pursuit, imagination, charm

Queen of Cups

Emotional intelligence, compassion, intuition, empathy

King of Cups

Emotional balance, calm leadership, compassion with control

Ace of Swords

Mental clarity, truth revealed, decisive insight, new understanding

II of Swords

Indecision, stalemate, avoidance, impasse

III of Swords

Heartbreak, emotional pain, grief, betrayal

IV of Swords

Rest, recovery, mental withdrawal, healing

V of Swords

Conflict, hollow victory, self-interest, tension

VI of Swords

Transition, moving on, mental passage, releasing baggage

VII of Swords

Deception, secrecy, strategic avoidance, dishonesty

VIII of Swords

Mental restriction, self-imposed limits, feeling trapped, overthinking

IX of Swords

Anxiety, worry, guilt, mental distress, nightmares

X of Swords

Painful ending, betrayal, collapse, finality

Page of Swords

Curiosity, mental alertness, learning, communication

Knight of Swords

Direct action, intellectual drive, assertiveness, haste

Queen of Swords

Clarity, honesty, discernment, intellectual independence

King of Swords

Authority through intellect, ethical leadership, mental mastery