Tarot Cards

The upright and reverse meanings behind each traditional Tarot.

The Fool (0) - Upright

The subject of the reading is a dreamer, a mystic. He has the desire to accomplish a great goal. He must be careful to make the right choice. If he thinks that “when ignorance is bliss, ’tis folly to be wise,” then he is indeed the Fool. Naivety, ignorance, and carefree spontaneity that could have positive or negative outcomes.

The Fool (0) - Reverse

Folly, indiscretion, thoughtless action. The choice is likely to be faulty.

The Magician (1) - Upright

Will, mastery, organizational skills, creative talents. The ability to take the power from above and direct it through desire into manifestation.

The Magician (1) - Reverse

Indecision, weak will, ineptitude. The use of power for destructive ends.

The High Priestess (2) - Upright

Unrevealed future, hidden influences at work. Of special value for artists, poets, composers, mystics. When this card appears in a man’s reading, it represents the perfect woman all men dream of; in a woman’s reading, it may indicate that she can find such virtues in herself or in a friend.

The High Priestess (2) - Reverse

Conceit, sensual enjoyment. Accepting surface knowledge.

The Empress (3) - Upright

Material wealth, marriage, fertility for would-be parents, for farmers, or for people in the creative arts. If its position is not in the best placement in relation to other cards, it sometimes indicates luxury or dissipation.

The Empress (3) - Reverse

Infertility, loss of material possessions, inaction, frittering away of resources. Possibility of destruction by war and famine. Poverty may disrupt home. Psychological problems may cause instability.

The Emperor (4) - Upright

Leadership, mental activity, domination. War-making power, authority, paternity. The fruits of toil, the results of action. Controlled and directed sexual drive.

The Emperor (4) - Reverse

Loss of control. Serious injury in battle. Emotional immaturity and bondage to parents. Possibility of being defrauded of one’s inheritance.

The Hierophant (5) - Upright

Preference for the outer forms of religion, the ritual, the creed, the ceremony. The importance of social approval; the need to conform to society.

The Hierophant (5) - Reverse

Openness to new ideas, unconventionally. The card of the inventor as well as of the hippie. Take care that you do not become superstitious.

The Lovers (6) - Upright

Choice, temptation, attraction. The struggle between sacred and profane love. Harmony of the inner and outer aspects of life.

The Lovers (6) - Reverse

Quarrels, infidelity, danger of a broken marriage. Need to stabilize the emotions. Possibility of a wrong choice.

The Chariot (7) - Upright

Triumph, success, control over the forces of nature—thus triumph over ill health as well as money difficulties or enemies of any sort, including one’s own lower animal passions. This is a card of those who achieve greatness. It may also indicate travel in comfort. Mental and physical powers should lead to fulfillment.

The Chariot (7) - Reverse

Decadent desires, possibility of ill health, restlessness and desire for change, an unethical victory.

Strength (8) - Upright

Force of character, spiritual power overcoming material power, love triumphing over hate, the higher nature over carnal desires.

Strength (8) - Reverse

Domination of the material. Discord, lack of moral force, fear of the unknown in ourselves, abuse of power.

The Hermit (9) - Upright

Silent counsel, prudence, discretion. Receiving wisdom from above; instruction from an expert in your field. A meeting with one who will guide the seeker on the path to material or spiritual ends. Attainment of goals. A journey may be necessary in order to gain knowledge.

The Hermit (9) - Reverse

Refusal to listen to wisdom. Immaturity, foolish vices. Rejection of maturity; the tendency to be a perpetual Peter Pan.

The Wheel of Fortune (10) - Upright

Success, unexpected turn of luck, change of fortune for the better, new conditions. Creative evolution within the laws of chance.

The Wheel of Fortune (10) - Reverse

Failure of an enterprise, setbacks. New conditions require courage. You will reap as you have sown.

Justice (11) - Upright

Justice will be done. Balance is required. Lawsuits will be won. The balanced personality demands elimination of excess baggage, wrong ideas, useless forms of education. A mixture of the right ingredients is welcomed—as in science, chemistry, and cooking. May betoken the desire for education, with a well-balanced mind as its objective.

Justice (11) - Reverse

Injustice, inequality, legal complications. Advice to use mercy and understanding when judging others, and to avoid excessive tendency to severity.

The Hanged Man (12) - Upright

In spiritual matters, wisdom, prophetic power. A pause in one’s life, suspended decisions. Self-surrender leads to the transformation of the personality. Material temptation is conquered.

The Hanged Man (12) - Reverse

Arrogance, preoccupation with the ego, resistance to spiritual influences. Absorption in physical matters. Wasted effort. False prophecy.

Death (13) - Upright

Transformation, change, destruction followed by renewal. The change may be in consciousness. Birth of new ideas, new opportunities.

Death (13) - Reverse

Disaster, political upheaval, revolution, anarchy. Death of a political figure. Temporary stagnation. Tendency to inertia.

Temperance (14) - Upright

Adaptation, tempering, coordination, self-control, modification. Working in harmony with others, good management. What we have imagined will come to pass. Successful combinations will be achieved.

Temperance (14) - Reverse

Competing interests, unfortunate combinations. Quarreling, corruption, separation. Possibility of shipwreck or some other disaster.

The Devil (15) - Upright

Black magic, discontent, depression. Illness. Wrong use of force. Bondage to the material; sensation divorced from understanding.

The Devil (15) - Reverse

The beginning of spiritual understanding. Removing the chains of bondage to the material. Timidity, failure to make decisions. The overcoming of pride and self-interest.

The Tower (16) - Upright

Change, conflict, catastrophe. Overthrow of existing ways of life, old notions upset. Disruption will bring enlightenment in its wake. Selfish ambition is about to come to naught. Bankruptcy.

The Tower (16) - Reverse

The gain of freedom of body or mind at great cost. False accusations, false imprisonment, oppression.

The Star (17) - Upright

Insight, inspiration, hope. Unselfish aid. Good health. The gifts of the Spirit. Great love will be given and received.

The Star (17) - Reverse

Pessimism, doubt, stubbornness, lack of perception. Chance of physical or mental illness.

The Moon (18) - Upright

Intuition, imagination, deception. Unfoldment of latent psychic powers. Unforeseen perils, secret foes. Bad luck for one you love.

The Moon (18) - Reverse

Imagination will be harnessed by practical considerations. Storms will be weathered, peace gained at a cost. No risk should be taken.

The Sun (19) - Upright

Material happiness, success, attainment. A good marriage. Happy reunions. Achievements in the arts, science, and agriculture. Studies completed; liberation. Pleasure in the simple life.

The Sun (19) - Reverse

Future plans clouded, trouble in marriage, a broken engagement, possible loss of a job or home.

Judgement (20) - Upright

A life well lived, a work well done. Awakening, renewal. Legal judgments in one’s favor. A change of personal consciousness, which is now on the verge of blending with the universal.

Judgement (20) - Reverse

Weakness, disillusion. Fear of death; failure to find happiness. Separation, divorce. Possible loss of worldly goods.

The World (21) - Upright

Completion, reward, success, triumph in all undertakings. Travel, change of residence, arrival at a state of Cosmic Consciousness. The path of liberation.

The World (21) - Reverse

Success yet to be won; fear of change or travel, too great an attachment to one’s place of residence or job. Lack of vision.

Ace of Wands - Upright

Beginning of an enterprise, invention, or the beginning of a family. Perhaps the beginning of a journey, an adventure, an escapade.

Ace of Wands - Reverse

Canceling of new enterprise, journey deferred, clouded joy, false starts.

Two of Wands - Upright

Boldness, courage in embarking on an enterprise. The employment of scientific methods. Influence over another. Kindness and generosity—yet a proud and unforgiving nature.

Two of Wands - Reverse

Restlessness, obstinacy, fear, physical suffering. The good beginning has turned against the Querent.

Three of Wands - Upright

Realization of hope, established strength, nobility, wealth, power. Caution against pride and arrogance. Partnership. Help will be offered by a successful merchant.

Three of Wands - Reverse

Beware of help offered. Wealth may slip away. There may be treachery and disappointment.

Four of Wands - Upright

Perfected work; rest after labor. Peace, prosperity, harmony. Romance, a coming marriage.

Four of Wands - Reverse

Though the meaning remains the same, there will not be quite the same fullness of peace, prosperity, and success.

Five of Wands - Upright

Violent strife, rashness, competition. In the battle of life, boldness changes things for the better. Obstacles. Lawsuit.

Five of Wands - Reverse

Generosity. New business opportunities. Victory after surmounting obstacles.

Six of Wands - Upright

Good news. Victory after strife. Pleasure gained through labor. Success through industry. Advancement in the arts and sciences. Friends are helpful.

Six of Wands - Reverse

Rewards are delayed. Insolence of the victorious. Watch for successful enemy.

Seven of Wands - Upright

Victory through courage. Success against opposition. The Querent has the position of advantage. Competition in business or trade. Certain success.

Seven of Wands - Reverse

Ignorance, pretense. The Querent is threatened. Caution against indecision.

Eight of Wands - Upright

Great haste, great hope, too rapid advancement. That which is on the move. Hasty communication. Messages, letters of love. Approach to a goal. Journey by air.

Eight of Wands - Reverse

Delay, stagnation in business or affairs of the heart. Arrows of jealousy.

Nine of Wands - Upright

The pause in a struggle. Preparedness, strength in reserve. Eventual victory but steady force must be applied. Obstinacy, strength, power, health.

Nine of Wands - Reverse

Weakness, ill health, adversity, displeasure, obstacles to be overcome.

Ten of Wands - Upright

Ten of Wands - Reverse