Tarot Card Meanings

Upright and reversed meanings and keywords for all 78 cards, based on the Rider-Waite tradition.

Major Arcana Wands Cups Swords Pentacles
The Major Arcana deal with life's great turning points and universal themes, while the Minor Arcana cover the concrete events and emotions of everyday life. The four suits of the Minor Arcana represent Wands (fire · passion and action), Cups (water · emotions and relationships), Swords (air · thoughts and conflict), and Pentacles (earth · money and the material world). A reversed card is not a "bad card" — read it as upright energy that is blocked, turned inward, or being released. The principles of reading reversals are explained in our Tarot Reading Guide.

Major Arcana (22 cards)

From the Fool (0) to the World (21), these 22 cards paint the soul's journey in broad strokes. Click a card's name for its full profile — symbolism plus love and career readings.

🌈

UprightNew beginnings · Freedom · Adventure
A card of fresh starts and pure possibility. This is the perfect moment to take a first step without fear — an unexpected opportunity is on its way.

ReversedRecklessness · Drifting · No plan
A warning against recklessness or lack of preparation. Look at things once more, carefully, before you make an important decision.

👑

UprightStability · Leadership · Responsibility
It is time to take the lead from a place of stability. Principles and a sense of responsibility will hold you steady.

ReversedRigidity · Dogmatism · Authoritarianism
Stubbornness or a need to control may be creating problems. Right now, flexibility is your real strength.

🦋
XIII

UprightTransformation · Rebirth · Closure
An ending is a beginning. Let the old go so a new chapter can open. There is nothing to fear.

ReversedAttachment · Resistance to change · Delay
You are resisting change, holding on to something. Until you release it, you cannot move forward.

⛓️

UprightTemptation · Obsession · Bondage
A warning about sweet temptations or binding attachments. The chains are looser than they look — you can break free.

ReversedLiberation · Awakening · Recovery
A sign of liberation from what has bound you. You now have the strength to cut off bad habits and unhealthy ties.

🌩️
XVI

UprightUpheaval · Collapse · Awakening
Sudden change topples an old structure. It is shocking — but what was built on falsehood must fall before something real can stand.

ReversedAverted crisis · Fear · Delayed change
You narrowly escaped a crisis, or you are propping up something that needs to come down.

🌞
XIX

UprightSuccess · Joy · Vitality
The brightest card of blessing. Success, joy, and vitality overflow, and everything you touch shines.

ReversedDelayed success · Temporary slump
The sun is briefly behind a cloud. Good news may be slightly delayed, or your confidence momentarily dimmed.

🌍
XXI

UprightCompletion · Achievement · Integration
A card of completion and achievement. A long journey comes to a beautiful close, with rewards worth celebrating.

ReversedUnfinished business · Loose ends · Regret
You have stopped one step short of the finish. Complete the ending, and the next journey can begin.

Wands — the Suit of Fire

Passion, creativity, challenge, and drive. The suit you meet most often in questions about work, goals, and energy.

🔥
Ace of Wands
WANDS · ACE

UprightInspiration · Beginnings · Passion
A spark of creative inspiration catches fire. There is no better sign for starting a new project or passion.

ReversedDelays · Lost motivation · False starts
Motivation is low and the start keeps getting postponed. Look for something to rekindle the flame.

🔥
Two of Wands
WANDS · TWO

UprightPlanning · Choices · Vision
You stand looking out at the world, planning your next move. Draw the big picture and boldly expand your territory.

ReversedIndecision · Narrow view · Fear
You are putting off decisions, trapped in a narrow view. Don't let fear cost you possibilities.

🔥
Three of Wands
WANDS · THREE

UprightExpansion · Signs of success · Good news
The rewards of your effort are coming into view. News you have been waiting for, or a chance to expand, arrives.

ReversedDelays · Setbacks · Revised plans
Expected progress is delayed and plans may hit snags. Review your strategy.

🔥
Four of Wands
WANDS · FOUR

UprightCelebration · Stability · Harmony
A card of stability and celebration. The warmth of a safe home and joyful festivity is with you.

ReversedInstability · Postponed joy · Transition
The foundation is still shaky, or a celebration may be postponed. Strengthen the basics first.

🔥
Five of Wands
WANDS · FIVE

UprightCompetition · Friction · Stimulation
There is friction and competition, but it is the healthy kind that sharpens you. Compete fair and square.

ReversedWar of attrition · Avoidance · Inner tension
A draining quarrel is winding down — or you are avoiding conflict and letting it build up inside.

🔥
Six of Wands
WANDS · SIX

UprightVictory · Recognition · Confidence
A card of victory and recognition. Your efforts will be openly acknowledged in front of others.

ReversedArrogance · Lack of recognition · Disappointment
You may receive less recognition than you hoped, or pride may trip you up. Stay humble.

🔥
Seven of Wands
WANDS · SEVEN

UprightDefense · Conviction · Holding firm
It is time to defend your ground. Hold your position with conviction and you will keep the high ground.

ReversedPressure · Exhaustion · Urge to quit
Constant pressure is wearing you down and you want to give up. You don't have to fight every battle alone.

🔥
Eight of Wands
WANDS · EIGHT

UprightSwift progress · News · Momentum
Things move quickly and good news flies in. Ride the momentum and act fast.

ReversedDelays · Haste · Crossed signals
Things stall, or rushing makes you miss what matters. Adjust your speed.

🔥
Nine of Wands
WANDS · NINE

UprightPersistence · Final hurdle · Resilience
You stand before the final hurdle. The persistence that carried you this far is about to pay off. Hold on a little longer.

ReversedExhaustion · Hypervigilance · Fatigue
Body and mind are drained, leaving you defensive. Recharging comes first.

🔥
Ten of Wands
WANDS · TEN

UprightResponsibility · Burden · Final push
You are carrying a heavy load and it feels overwhelming. The goal is in sight — set priorities and put things down one by one.

ReversedOverload · Need to delegate · Letting go of burdens
It is time to stop shouldering everything alone. Share and delegate, and the way opens.

🔥
Page of Wands
WANDS · PAGE

UprightExciting news · Exploration · Curiosity
Exciting news or a fresh chance to learn arrives. Follow your curiosity.

ReversedFickleness · Immaturity · Fizzling out
A plan may still be half-baked, or fizzle out through fickleness. Add consistency.

🔥
Knight of Wands
WANDS · KNIGHT

UprightAdventure · Drive · Boldness
A time of bold, energetic challenge. A drive that isn't afraid of adventure creates opportunities.

ReversedHaste · Impulsiveness · Recklessness
Charging ahead too fast could ruin things. Check your direction before you move.

🔥
Queen of Wands
WANDS · QUEEN

UprightConfidence · Charm · Vitality
Your warm charisma and confidence shine. Your charm and energy draw people toward you.

ReversedLow confidence · Jealousy · Burnout
Confidence wavers, or envy and comparison cloud your heart. Remember your own light.

🔥
King of Wands
WANDS · KING

UprightLeadership · Vision · Decisiveness
The card of a visionary leader. Bold decisions move people and produce results.

ReversedDogmatism · Hasty decisions · Overbearing manner
One-sided decisions or hasty orders may spark pushback. Keep your ears open.

Cups — the Suit of Water

Emotions, love, relationships, and intuition. The suit that mirrors the currents of the heart.

🏆
Ace of Cups
CUPS · ACE

UprightNew emotions · Beginning of love · Inspiration
A card of new feelings welling up. Love, friendship, and creative inspiration overflow.

ReversedRepressed feelings · Emptiness · Loss
You are suppressing your feelings, or your heart feels empty. Look honestly at what you feel.

🏆
Two of Cups
CUPS · TWO

UprightConnection · Partnership · Mutual affection
A beautiful card of mutual understanding. A good partnership forms, in love or in work.

ReversedDiscord · Misunderstanding · Drifting apart
Hearts are drifting apart or misunderstandings are piling up. An honest conversation can bring the relationship back.

🏆
Three of Cups
CUPS · THREE

UprightFriendship · Celebration · Joyful gatherings
A card of celebration and joyful gatherings with friends. Shared joy is doubled joy.

ReversedExcess · Superficial ties · Triangles
Gatherings feel hollow, or too much fun leaves only fatigue. Focus on the relationships that truly matter.

🏆
Four of Cups
CUPS · FOUR

UprightBoredom · Apathy · Reappraisal
You feel bored with what you have. Don't miss the new cup being offered right in front of you.

ReversedAwakening · New opportunity · Recovery
You are waking from apathy and new opportunities are coming into view. The door of your heart opens again.

🏆
Five of Cups
CUPS · FIVE

UprightLoss · Regret · Sorrow
A card of grief and regret over what was lost. But behind you, cups still stand upright.

ReversedAcceptance · Recovery · Moving on
Recovery begins as you rise from sorrow. You start to see the value of what remains.

🏆
Six of Cups
CUPS · SIX

UprightMemories · Innocence · Reunion
A card of nostalgia and innocent memories. A happy reunion or a heartwarming gift may find you.

ReversedLiving in the past · Nostalgia · Lingering attachment
You are stuck in old memories and missing the present. Keep the good times, but look ahead.

🏆
Seven of Cups
CUPS · SEVEN

UprightIllusions · Options · Daydreams
Many options and sweet illusions unfold before you. Among the dazzling choices, you must find what is real.

ReversedClarity · Decision · Facing reality
The fog clears and your judgment sharpens. Now you can decide what you truly want.

🏆
Eight of Cups
CUPS · EIGHT

UprightDeparture · Search for meaning · Transition
A card of leaving the familiar to seek deeper meaning. A brave transition invites growth.

ReversedLingering · Wandering · Avoidance
You are wavering between leaving and staying. Listen to what your heart is telling you.

🏆
Nine of Cups
CUPS · NINE

UprightWishes fulfilled · Satisfaction · Abundance
The wish-fulfillment card of satisfaction. Enjoy fully the abundance you built yourself.

ReversedGreed · Appearances · Hollowness
You look fulfilled on the outside, but something inside feels hollow. Ask what you really want.

🏆
Ten of Cups
CUPS · TEN

UprightHappiness · Family harmony · Fulfillment
A card of emotional fulfillment and a happy home. Harmony with the people you love comes full circle.

ReversedDiscord · Broken ideals · Distance
Cracks appear in a close relationship, or the gap between ideal and reality disappoints. Build a bridge with conversation.

🏆
Page of Cups
CUPS · PAGE

UprightHeartfelt message · Inspiration · Pure heart
A heartfelt message or creative inspiration arrives. Listen to the signals your heart is sending.

ReversedEmotional immaturity · Escapism · Oversensitivity
Emotions may spill out immaturely, or you are escaping from reality. You need courage to face your feelings.

🏆
Knight of Cups
CUPS · KNIGHT

UprightRomantic offer · Invitation · Ideals
A romantic proposal or a moving invitation is on its way. Let yourself accept a little romance.

ReversedEmpty promises · Disappointment · Deception
Sweet words may lack substance. Learn to tell promises from reality.

🏆
Queen of Cups
CUPS · QUEEN

UprightEmpathy · Intuition · Warmth
A card of deep empathy and warm intuition. Your kindness becomes a great comfort to someone.

ReversedEmotional overwhelm · Dependence · Oversensitivity
You are swept up in emotion or leaning too heavily on others. Tend to your own heart first.

🏆
King of Cups
CUPS · KING

UprightEmotional balance · Acceptance · Maturity
A card of emotional maturity and wise composure. Generous acceptance builds trust.

ReversedColdness · Manipulation · Avoidance
You have grown cold and guarded — or beware of someone who plays on emotions.

Swords — the Suit of Air

Thoughts, judgment, conflict, and truth. The suit of the mind's problems and of communication.

⚔️
Ace of Swords
SWORDS · ACE

UprightClarity · Truth · Breakthrough
A card of piercing clarity that cuts through the fog. New ideas and breakthroughs flash like lightning.

ReversedConfusion · Misjudgment · Distorted information
Your thoughts are tangled and judgment is clouded. Be careful not to be swayed by bad information.

⚔️
Two of Swords
SWORDS · TWO

UprightStalemate · Difficult choice · Postponement
You stand blindfolded before a difficult choice. Postponing is also a choice — but someday the blindfold must come off.

ReversedMoment of decision · Revelations · Breakthrough
The stalemate breaks and the moment of decision approaches. Hidden information comes to light.

⚔️
Three of Swords
SWORDS · THREE

UprightHeartbreak · Separation · Painful truth
A card of heartbreak that pierces the chest. It hurts — but pain seen clearly is the beginning of healing.

ReversedHealing begins · Forgiveness · Recovery
The wound is starting to heal. Forgiveness and reconciliation slowly fill the air.

⚔️
Four of Swords
SWORDS · FOUR

UprightRest · Recharging · Stillness
It is time to lay down your sword and rest. Quiet stillness prepares you for the next battle.

ReversedBurnout · Delayed recovery · Restlessness
You need rest but cannot take it. Stop before burnout arrives.

⚔️
Five of Swords
SWORDS · FIVE

UprightHollow conflict · Pyrrhic victory
A card of hollow conflict where even winning leaves nothing. Ask yourself if this fight is truly necessary.

ReversedReconciliation · Releasing grudges · Closure
Old conflicts get resolved and reconciliation begins. Put down the grudge and your heart grows lighter.

⚔️
Six of Swords
SWORDS · SIX

UprightTransition · Passage · Journey to recovery
A card of passage from rough waters to calmer shores. You leave a hard season behind and recovery begins.

ReversedHeld back by the past · Delayed departure
The past is holding you back from leaving. Put down the unresolved baggage first.

⚔️
Seven of Swords
SWORDS · SEVEN

UprightStrategy · Cunning · Stealth
A time that calls for strategy and wit. But methods that aren't honest will eventually cost you.

ReversedExposure · Conscience · Course correction
What was hidden comes to light, or the voice of conscience grows louder. It is not too late to set things right.

⚔️
Eight of Swords
SWORDS · EIGHT

UprightFeeling trapped · Self-restriction · Helplessness
You are trapped in restraints of your own making. The blindfold and the ropes come off more easily than you think.

ReversedLiberation · New perspective · Freedom
You break free and your vision opens up. You are released from the prison of your own thoughts.

⚔️
Nine of Swords
SWORDS · NINE

UprightAnxiety · Worry · Sleeplessness
The card of sleepless nights filled with worry. Most fears look far bigger than they really are.

ReversedRecovery · Relief · A ray of hope
You are slowly emerging from nightmarish worries. Ask for help, and the darkness lifts faster.

⚔️
Ten of Swords
SWORDS · TEN

UprightPainful ending · Rock bottom · Closure
A card of passing through the lowest point. When there is nowhere left to fall, the only way is up.

ReversedRecovery · Rising again · Break of dawn
The worst is over. The energy of recovery gathers as you rise from the wound.

⚔️
Page of Swords
SWORDS · PAGE

UprightCuriosity · Observation · New information
A card of bright curiosity and sharp observation. Gather new ideas and information diligently.

ReversedGossip · Careless words · Rumors
Half-formed words or rumors can breed misunderstanding. Speak less and verify the facts.

⚔️
Knight of Swords
SWORDS · KNIGHT

UprightSwift action · Conviction · Head-on charge
A card of charging ahead with conviction. If your cause is clear, there is no reason to hesitate.

ReversedRecklessness · Aggression · Haste
A headlong rush may hurt those around you. Direction matters more than speed.

⚔️
Queen of Swords
SWORDS · QUEEN

UprightClear thinking · Independence · Insight
A card of clear-eyed insight untouched by emotion. Experience-honed perception makes the right call.

ReversedCynicism · Cold words · Isolation
Sharpness has turned into coldness. Even the right words gain power only when spoken with warmth.

⚔️
King of Swords
SWORDS · KING

UprightSound judgment · Authority · Principle
A card of cool judgment and fair authority. Principled decisions earn respect.

ReversedDogmatism · Coercion · Inflexibility
Logic can harden into dogma, and authority into coercion. Keep listening to other voices.

Pentacles — the Suit of Earth

Money, work, health, and practical foundations. The suit of stability and achievement in the material world.

🪙
Ace of Pentacles
PENTACLES · ACE

UprightNew opportunity · Material beginnings · A seed
The seed of a new opportunity and material beginning lands in your hand. Grow it with a realistic plan.

ReversedMissed chances · Financial worry · Procrastination
You missed a good chance, or finances feel unstable. Strengthen the basics and the next opportunity will come.

🪙
Two of Pentacles
PENTACLES · TWO

UprightBalance · Flexibility · Multitasking
A card of gracefully juggling many things at once. Your sense of balance keeps everything flowing.

ReversedOverload · Financial imbalance · Disarray
You are taking on more than you can handle. Set priorities and deal with one thing at a time.

🪙
Three of Pentacles
PENTACLES · THREE

UprightCollaboration · Recognized skill · Teamwork
A card of collaboration where skill is recognized and everyone grows. Different talents combine into fine work.

ReversedDiscord · Sloppy work · Lack of recognition
Teamwork is out of sync, or quality is slipping. Close the communication gaps.

🪙
Four of Pentacles
PENTACLES · FOUR

UprightStability · Possession · Thrift
A card of holding and saving with steady care. But if you only clutch, there is no room for anything new to enter.

ReversedClinging · Stinginess · Overcontrol
Reflect on clinging or stinginess — or your spending may be slipping out of control.

🪙
Five of Pentacles
PENTACLES · FIVE

UprightHardship · Feeling excluded · Lean times
A card of hardship and feeling left out in the cold. Yet the light of help is closer than you think.

ReversedRecovery · Helping hands · Hope
The hard times are ending and a helping hand reaches you. The door to recovery is opening.

🪙
Six of Pentacles
PENTACLES · SIX

UprightGenerosity · Sharing · Circulation
A card of giving and receiving in healthy circulation. Generosity returns as good relationships and opportunities.

ReversedUnfairness · Strings attached · Debt
Beware of unfair deals or favors that become burdensome debts. Make the terms clear.

🪙
Seven of Pentacles
PENTACLES · SEVEN

UprightPatience · Long-term investment · Assessment
A card of patience, waiting for what you planted to grow. Take the long view and wait for the harvest.

ReversedImpatience · Feeling of futility · Rethinking direction
You feel restless that results don't match the effort. Review your methods — but it is too early to quit.

🪙
Eight of Pentacles
PENTACLES · EIGHT

UprightMastery · Diligence · Craftsmanship
The craftsman's card of quietly honing your skill. Diligent repetition makes you irreplaceable.

ReversedGoing through the motions · Cut corners · Lost purpose
Work has become mechanical routine and your heart has left it. Remember why you started.

🪙
Nine of Pentacles
PENTACLES · NINE

UprightAbundance · Independence · Ease
A card of gracefully enjoying the abundance you built yourself. Independence and ease make you shine.

ReversedOverspending · Vanity · Lonely success
Watch out for showy spending or the emptiness behind achievement. True abundance comes from within.

🪙
Ten of Pentacles
PENTACLES · TEN

UprightProsperity · Legacy · Solid foundations
A card of lasting stability and prosperity. A solid legacy builds up for family and community.

ReversedDisputes over assets · Instability · Short-term thinking
Conflicts over money or family matters may shake the foundation. Put long-term stability first.

🪙
Page of Pentacles
PENTACLES · PAGE

UprightLearning · Practical goals · Diligent starts
A card of new learning and practical goals. Build your skills steadily, starting small.

ReversedDistraction · Procrastination · Low motivation
Focus is scattering and plans keep slipping. Break the goal into small pieces and you can move again.

🪙
Knight of Pentacles
PENTACLES · KNIGHT

UprightDiligence · Steadiness · Reliability
A card of diligence — slow but certain progress. Steadiness is the most powerful talent of all.

ReversedStagnation · Boredom · Inflexibility
Chasing only safety has left you stalled, or the daily routine feels dull. Try one small change.

🪙
Queen of Pentacles
PENTACLES · QUEEN

UprightPracticality · Nurturing · Groundedness
A card of practical sense combined with warm care. You manage things sensibly while giving generously.

ReversedImbalance · Self-neglect · Overwork
The balance between work and life has collapsed. Don't forget yourself while caring for everyone else.

🪙
King of Pentacles
PENTACLES · KING

UprightWealth · Success · Security
A card at the summit of material success and solid security. A trustworthy achievement is complete.

ReversedMaterialism · Stubbornness · Showing off
Obsession with wealth or rigidity may harm your relationships. People come before riches.

Once you know the meanings, draw your own cards at Starlight Tarot — one-card, three-card, and Celtic Cross spreads, all free.