A beginners guide to minor arcana tarot card meanings

It is my experience that a lot of books on tarot cards tend to focus on the positive meanings of each minor arcarna tarot card which isn’t always helpful and can make a reading more difficult, as such I have added some of the older and less pleasant meanings. You should always read a card in the context of the cards around it and its position in the spread and if further information is required, a three-card clarity spread can be used.

Cups (also chalices, goblets, or vessels)

The suit of cups is related to matters of the heart and spirit and may give more granular details about the querent’s love, success, and happiness. In playing cards they are the heart suit.

Pentacles (also coins, discs, rings, or deniers)

Pentacles relate to tangible material possessions, money, trade, commercial ventures, and the like. It is worth noting that pentacles can also relate directly to health. In playing cards they are the diamond suit. 

Wands (also staves, batons, or clubs)

Wands relate in a general way to personality traits and how they affect plans. They are also related to creation and labour. They are the suit of clubs in conventional playing cards.

Swords (also blades)

Swords indicate the darker side of human nature whether it’s the darker passions or loss, sorrow, and grief. They also relate to logic, intellect, and power. In playing cards these are the suit of spades.

Kings

All of the face cards can be taken as representing a person directly related to the querent’s life, but they may also be representative of characteristics of the querent themselves. 

The Kings of cups and pentacles usually relate to fair-haired men while the Kings of wands and swords relate to dark-haired men. They all denote success, either they are successful men in the life of the querent or they are symbolic of success related to the querent.

The King of cups represents maturity, diplomacy, balance, and logic. As a person, it may represent an officer of the law or someone in a related field. 

The King of pentacles represents success, wealth, wisdom, and financial advice. As a person, the king of pentacles isn’t necessarily a friend to the querent and may be rather cunning. 

The King of wands represents long-term success, leadership, and maturity. As a person, he is a warm and friendly family man. 

The King of swords represents superior knowledge and experience, intellect, authority, and logic. As a person, this is a very powerful man.

Queens

All of the face cards can be taken as representing a person directly related to the querent’s life, but they may also be representative of characteristics of the querent themselves.

The Queens of cups and pentacles generally relate to fair-haired women while the Queens of wands and swords are dark-haired. In general, the Queens relate to security and stability. 

The Queen of cups represents a caring and compassionate nature, someone with honest intentions. As a person, she is a fair-haired friendly woman.

The Queen of pentacles represents a nurturing nature, helping others to grow, she can also represent an urge to make money. As a person, she is a retired, wealthy woman,

The Queen of wands represents emotional balance and the ability to make judgements without bias. As a person, she is dark-haired and probably married with children. 

The Queen of swords represents confidence, focus and charisma, they are inspirational. As a person, this is a dark-haired woman with negative intentions towards the querent. 

Knights

All the face cards can be taken as representing a person directly related to the querent’s life, but they may also be representative of characteristics of the querent themselves.

The Knights of cups and pentacles generally relate to fair-haired men while the Knights of wands and swords are dark-haired. In general, Knights indicate the querent’s approach to life. 

A Knight of cups indicates someone who follows their heart and is emotionally intelligent. As a person, it indicates a friendly man and potential love interest. 

The Knight of pentacles indicates someone who works hard and shows commitment and consistency. It can also indicate a poorly judged fling or relationship or a new man entering the querent’s life.

The Knight of wands indicates someone adventurous and enthusiastic. As a person, this is a helpful, kind man who is good with money.

The Knight of swords indicates someone decisive, quick thinking and impulsive. As a person, he is a treacherous dark-haired man who should not be trusted. 

Pages (or knaves)

Pages are generally associated with the qualities of youth, unlike the other face cards they don’t all have a personification in the querents life. 

The Page of cups represents curiosity, creativity, and an open mind. They represent youth and potentially a birth.

The Page of pentacles indicates motivation, inspiration, and energy, they predict good news.

The Page of wands represents untapped potential and may indicate the querent is being held back by anxiety about their lack of experience. They can also indicate a message.

The Page of swords indicates energy and new ideas or new approaches. They can also indicate a love rival.

Tens

As far as I know, there isn’t a common theme among the 10s although they generally come with a sense of immediacy.

10 of cups indicates a happy relationship and that the querent is well respected by their peers.

10 of pentacles indicates success and financial security, it can also indicate a financial gain.

10 of wands indicates the querent is overworked and overburdened but it can also point to an overseas journey. 

10 of swords indicates a betrayal or financial loss, it can also indicate depression but warns the querent not to wallow in self-pity.

Nines

With the exception of the 9 of swords, the 9s indicate success. 

9 of cups indicates satisfaction, appreciation of accomplishments, success, and recognition.

9 of pentacles indicates independence and a healthy income from hard work.

9 of wands shows strength, resilience, hope, honesty, good judgement, and success. 

9 of swords indicates anxiety and fear and urges the querent to seek help. It can also indicate that their kindness will be taken advantage of and to be on their guard. 

Eights

On the whole the 8s indicate change or the need for it. 

8 of cups indicates walking away from a situation and the need to cut one’s losses while promising a positive new relationship or situation.

8 of pentacles indicates that the self-imposed isolation for hard work or study will pay off with tranquillity and prosperity.

8 of wands indicates positive growth after a struggle, it may also predict a marriage.

8 of swords indicates a feeling of being trapped in a cage of one’s own making perhaps with feelings of jealousy or due to an illness, it is never too late to ask for help.

Sevens

Like the 10s there isn’t a common theme in the 7s but there is a sense of immediacy, that these things are currently happening or are very recent or soon.

7 of cups indicates the querent is caught up in wishful thinking and focused on short-term fixes. It can also indicate an unexpected stroke of luck.

7 of pentacles advises the querent to sow the seeds for their future safe in the knowledge it will pay off.

7 of wands indicates a struggle to maintain the status quo, usually this is a work related issue. 

7 of swords indicates betrayal and deceit, possibly a legal loss. 

Sixes

The sixes all relate to the recent past.

6 of cups indicates a nostalgia and longing for the past or a past significant event.

6 of pentacles show the querent can be generous because of the security they have gained but warn of a potential financial dispute.

6 of wands can indicate the failure of a project followed by success and public recognition.

6 of swords tells the querent it is time to let go of the past and move on. There may be a new arrival in their life. 

Fives

The fives as a group all indicate disagreement, disappointment and strife but, except for swords, lead to a positive outcome. 

5 of cups indicate disappointment and regret, it is time to move on. The future may hold marriage or financial gain.

5 of pentacles indicates financial hardship and isolation followed by a windfall or compensation.

5 of wands warns of conflict and advises the querent to listen more if they want to triumph. 

5 of swords indicates conflicts and disagreements, any wins are hollow and you will not win in the end.

Fours

The fours are all about taking time out.

4 of cups warn that external influences may be negative, and that apathy needs to be dealt with. It is a time for soul-searching and reflection.

4 of pentacles indicates hoarding of wealth, resources or material things, social obligations feel burdensome, and it is time to slow down.

4 of wands it is time to spend time with friends, celebrate each other’s achievements and relax.

4 of swords it is time to spend some time alone and reflect on things. If you have an interest in the occult or holistic/alternative things, now is the time to explore.

Threes

As a group the threes relate to those we are closest to either at home or at work.

3 of cups indicates it’s time to get together with friends and share your success.

3 of pentacles indicates a new team project which will produce quick wins.

3 of wands indicates that a plan previously formed is now taking place, this will lead to wealth and recognition for those involved.

3 of swords indicates heartbreak and grief, it can imply a divorce or loss. 

Twos

The twos are all about the first steps.

2 of cups indicates love and partnership based on mutual respect and reciprocated feelings.

2 of pentacles indicates a good work-life balance and the need to maintain good time management. There may be some financial imbalance consequently.

2 of wands indicates that the querent is planning for the future and taking the first steps. There will be teething problems, but they can be overcome.

2 of swords indicates a dispute that doesn’t have an easy solution but there may be a peace offering coming. It can also indicate a difficult decision.

Aces

The aces are all about fresh starts and new beginnings.

Ace of cups indicates good news, celebration, a fresh start and a new relationship.

Ace of pentacles indicates a new venture that will bring health or wealth.

Ace of wands indicates new beginnings and urges the querent to trust their instincts.

Ace of swords indicates a breakthrough or new approach. It is a good time to start something new but beware that this new thing may bring a new enemy.