Tarot Post Series
Tarot reading can seem overwhelming at first, with 78 cards full of rich symbolism, archetypes, and layers of meaning. That’s why having a cheat sheet is so helpful when you’re learning!
In this post, you’ll find a complete beginner-friendly Tarot cheat sheet — including the Major Arcana, Minor Arcana suits, and court cards — to help you quickly understand the energy each card carries.
Bookmark this page or print it out to have by your side whenever you do a reading!
🌀 Major Arcana: Big Life Lessons and Spiritual Themes
The Major Arcana cards (22 in total) deal with big-picture life themes, major events, and karmic lessons.
| Card | Meaning |
|---|---|
| The Fool | New beginnings, innocence, adventure |
| The Magician | Manifestation, power, resourcefulness |
| The High Priestess | Intuition, mystery, hidden knowledge |
| The Empress | Nurturing, abundance, fertility |
| The Emperor | Authority, structure, leadership |
| The Hierophant | Tradition, spiritual guidance |
| The Lovers | Relationships, choices, union |
| The Chariot | Willpower, triumph over obstacles |
| Strength | Inner strength, patience, compassion |
| The Hermit | Inner wisdom, solitude, reflection |
| Wheel of Fortune | Change, destiny, cycles turning |
| Justice | Truth, fairness, cause and effect |
| The Hanged Man | Surrender, new perspective, letting go |
| Death | Transformation, endings, rebirth |
| Temperance | Balance, healing, moderation |
| The Devil | Temptation, shadow self, materialism |
| The Tower | Sudden change, upheaval, awakening |
| The Star | Hope, renewal, faith |
| The Moon | Illusion, intuition, subconscious fears |
| The Sun | Joy, success, celebration |
| Judgement | Awakening, forgiveness, self-reflection |
| The World | Completion, achievement, wholeness |
Tip:
When a Major Arcana card appears, it’s a sign the situation involves deep spiritual growth or life-defining moments.
🏹 Minor Arcana: Daily Life Themes
The Minor Arcana reflects everyday situations, emotions, and choices. It’s divided into four suits, each representing a different area of life.
Cups (Water Element) — Emotions, Relationships, Intuition
| Card | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Ace of Cups | New emotional beginning, love, inspiration |
| Two of Cups | Partnership, harmony, connection |
| Three of Cups | Celebration, friendship, community |
| Four of Cups | Apathy, reevaluation, missed opportunities |
| Five of Cups | Loss, grief, disappointment |
| Six of Cups | Nostalgia, childhood memories, kindness |
| Seven of Cups | Choices, illusions, wishful thinking |
| Eight of Cups | Walking away, seeking deeper meaning |
| Nine of Cups | Emotional fulfillment, wishes coming true |
| Ten of Cups | Happiness, family harmony, bliss |
Pentacles (Earth Element) — Career, Finances, Material World
| Card | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Ace of Pentacles | New financial or career opportunity |
| Two of Pentacles | Balance, juggling priorities |
| Three of Pentacles | Collaboration, teamwork, skill-building |
| Four of Pentacles | Holding on too tightly, financial security |
| Five of Pentacles | Financial hardship, feeling left out |
| Six of Pentacles | Giving and receiving help, generosity |
| Seven of Pentacles | Patience, long-term investment |
| Eight of Pentacles | Skill development, hard work |
| Nine of Pentacles | Independence, self-sufficiency |
| Ten of Pentacles | Wealth, family legacy, long-term success |
Swords (Air Element) — Thoughts, Challenges, Decisions
| Card | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Ace of Swords | Mental clarity, truth, new ideas |
| Two of Swords | Indecision, difficult choices |
| Three of Swords | Heartbreak, sorrow, emotional pain |
| Four of Swords | Rest, recovery, meditation |
| Five of Swords | Conflict, tension, winning at a cost |
| Six of Swords | Transition, moving on, healing journey |
| Seven of Swords | Deception, strategy, secrets |
| Eight of Swords | Feeling trapped, limited thinking |
| Nine of Swords | Anxiety, nightmares, mental anguish |
| Ten of Swords | Painful endings, betrayal, rock bottom |
Wands (Fire Element) — Creativity, Action, Passion
| Card | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Ace of Wands | New inspiration, creative energy |
| Two of Wands | Planning, future vision |
| Three of Wands | Progress, expansion, growth |
| Four of Wands | Celebration, stability, happy events |
| Five of Wands | Competition, tension, disagreements |
| Six of Wands | Victory, public recognition, success |
| Seven of Wands | Defending your position, courage |
| Eight of Wands | Swift action, momentum, communication |
| Nine of Wands | Resilience, persistence, final push |
| Ten of Wands | Burden, overwhelm, responsibility |
👑 The Court Cards: People and Personalities
The Court Cards (Pages, Knights, Queens, Kings) often represent people in your life or different aspects of yourself.
| Title | General Meaning |
|---|---|
| Page | New beginnings, curiosity, learning |
| Knight | Action, pursuit, movement |
| Queen | Nurturing mastery, emotional intelligence |
| King | Leadership, authority, full mastery |
Each Court Card takes on a slightly different flavor based on the suit it belongs to:
Cups Court Cards — Emotional, intuitive, nurturing
Pentacles Court Cards — Practical, reliable, grounded
Swords Court Cards — Intellectual, analytical, decisive
Wands Court Cards — Energetic, adventurous, visionary
Example:
Page of Cups: A messenger of new emotional beginnings (like a romantic offer or a creative idea).
Knight of Swords: Quick action, impulsiveness, speaking your truth boldly.
🧿 Quick Reference: Tarot by Numbers
Understanding the numerology of Tarot can help speed up your interpretations!
| Number | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Ace (1) | New beginnings, pure potential |
| Two | Balance, partnership, duality |
| Three | Growth, collaboration, creation |
| Four | Stability, foundation, rest |
| Five | Conflict, change, instability |
| Six | Harmony, healing, support |
| Seven | Assessment, challenges, reflection |
| Eight | Action, power, movement |
| Nine | Fruition, nearing completion, fulfillment |
| Ten | Endings, transitions, new cycles |
🌙 Bonus: How to Use This Cheat Sheet in a Reading
When you’re doing a reading, use this sheet to:
Scan the card’s suit and number (or Major Arcana title).
Connect the keywords to the situation you’re asking about.
Let your intuition fill in the gaps.
Remember:
A “bad” card isn’t always negative — it might be urging you to grow.
A “good” card might be a reminder to stay alert and open.
Over time, these meanings will become second nature!
Final Thoughts
Tarot is a journey of personal discovery — the cards are here to support your growth, not to scare or control you.
Having a handy cheat sheet gives you confidence, but the true magic happens when you start trusting your own intuitive interpretations.
Whether you’re doing a quick 3-card spread in the morning or a deep Celtic Cross reading, this Tarot cheat sheet can be your secret weapon for reading with clarity and heart. 💖
✨ May your readings always be insightful, healing, and full of magic! ✨
