The Tarot card meanings provided on the site are in addition and complementary to those found in the Easy Tarot kit based on professional work using the Gilded Tarot. I'm often asked about reversed cards and this is completely a matter of personal choice, some readers use them and others prefer not.
Tarot Card Meanings and Combinations Full Index
Reading Tarot combinations forms part of the bigger picture in how we link the cards together to reveal the story in our reading. This can be directly, such as side by side or in a simple line that reads like a sentence, or repeated themes from similar cards appearing in a larger spread. You'll find a simple guide, showing how we gradually put all the pieces together, from the link below: -
How to Connect and Combine Tarot Cards and Make Your Readings Flow
In simple terms, a Tarot card combination is the collective meaning of cards that appear together in the reading. The easiest way to recognise combinations is through their association or relationship to one another, based on a shared meaning. Cards that have similar meaning strengthen and reinforce one another by their association, so I’ve also included an ‘Associations’ section to help you under the 'Tarot Card Combinations' area on the page for each card.
You'll find a full index for all the Tarot meanings further down this page, complete with examples and guidance for Tarot card combinations - just click on the title of your chosen card.
The Tarot combinations that I’ve included are examples that work for me but are not designed to be used as a set format or type of ‘cook-book’ formula. Tarot readings rely upon many different factors to be taken into consideration, including the interpretations you place upon the cards, your reading style, the type of spread used, context of the reading, and other cards present. There are many possibilities and thousands of computations, so it wouldn't be possible to list them all here, but I've provided some of the more popular ones that show up for me that I tend to look for in readings and hope you find them useful.
The Tarot card meanings provided on the site are in addition and complementary to those found in the Easy Tarot kit based on professional work using the Gilded Tarot.
I'm often asked about reversed cards and this is completely a matter of personal choice, some readers use them and others prefer not. I worked with reversals for fifteen years but then decided my readings were clearer without, so I've provided some brief meanings for card reversals that I used to use. Some readers see reversals as a block to the upright meaning rather than a different interpretation. As always, I encourage you to find what works best for you!
How to Connect and Combine Tarot Cards and Make Your Readings Flow
In simple terms, a Tarot card combination is the collective meaning of cards that appear together in the reading. The easiest way to recognise combinations is through their association or relationship to one another, based on a shared meaning. Cards that have similar meaning strengthen and reinforce one another by their association, so I’ve also included an ‘Associations’ section to help you under the 'Tarot Card Combinations' area on the page for each card.
You'll find a full index for all the Tarot meanings further down this page, complete with examples and guidance for Tarot card combinations - just click on the title of your chosen card.
The Tarot combinations that I’ve included are examples that work for me but are not designed to be used as a set format or type of ‘cook-book’ formula. Tarot readings rely upon many different factors to be taken into consideration, including the interpretations you place upon the cards, your reading style, the type of spread used, context of the reading, and other cards present. There are many possibilities and thousands of computations, so it wouldn't be possible to list them all here, but I've provided some of the more popular ones that show up for me that I tend to look for in readings and hope you find them useful.
The Tarot card meanings provided on the site are in addition and complementary to those found in the Easy Tarot kit based on professional work using the Gilded Tarot.
I'm often asked about reversed cards and this is completely a matter of personal choice, some readers use them and others prefer not. I worked with reversals for fifteen years but then decided my readings were clearer without, so I've provided some brief meanings for card reversals that I used to use. Some readers see reversals as a block to the upright meaning rather than a different interpretation. As always, I encourage you to find what works best for you!
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Major Arcana Index
The major arcana holds the wisdom for our spiritual journey and the key to our lessons as we travel through life, seeking to understand, learn, and gain knowledge from our experiences, in an attempt to achieve wholeness and harmony of our inner and outer realities.
All the cards in a spread are important and form part of the story to complete the picture, but if there's a large proportion of majors it usually points to a significant event.
All the cards in a spread are important and form part of the story to complete the picture, but if there's a large proportion of majors it usually points to a significant event.
- XXI The World
You can also view a slideshow of the cards with Major Arcana Tarot Keywords at a glance.
The quickest and easiest way to start learning the Tarot is to use keywords and phrases, which provide an essence of the core meaning, and can act as a memory jogger to help trigger the full interpretation in your mind. They can also be useful when dealing with larger spreads, such as the Life Spread and Anchor, to gain a quick overview as you lay out the cards.
The quickest and easiest way to start learning the Tarot is to use keywords and phrases, which provide an essence of the core meaning, and can act as a memory jogger to help trigger the full interpretation in your mind. They can also be useful when dealing with larger spreads, such as the Life Spread and Anchor, to gain a quick overview as you lay out the cards.
Minor Arcana Index
The minor arcana consists of four suits and deals with the many details and nuances of everyday life.
Suit of Wands
Wands represent the element of fire and indicate action and enterprise, often connected with work and business. Fire is an active, male energy, usually surrounded by excitement and swift movement.
If you find there's a large proportion of Wand cards in the spread it tends to indicate there will be lots of activity and plenty going on, it may also point to work matters.
The court cards of this suit may represent someone with a zodiac sign from the fire element of Aries, Leo, or Sagittarius, or may suggest similar qualities to those signs.
Suit of Wands
Wands represent the element of fire and indicate action and enterprise, often connected with work and business. Fire is an active, male energy, usually surrounded by excitement and swift movement.
If you find there's a large proportion of Wand cards in the spread it tends to indicate there will be lots of activity and plenty going on, it may also point to work matters.
The court cards of this suit may represent someone with a zodiac sign from the fire element of Aries, Leo, or Sagittarius, or may suggest similar qualities to those signs.
Slideshow for the Suit of Wands Tarot Keywords at a glance.
Suit of Cups
Cups represent the element of water, symbolizing our emotions and often connected to love and relationships. Water is a female, passive energy.
If there's a large proportion of Cup cards in the spread then it tends to suggest emotional matters are in the frame.
With the court cards many of the attributes of the zodiac signs connected to the water element are often evident in the characteristics (Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces).
Cups represent the element of water, symbolizing our emotions and often connected to love and relationships. Water is a female, passive energy.
If there's a large proportion of Cup cards in the spread then it tends to suggest emotional matters are in the frame.
With the court cards many of the attributes of the zodiac signs connected to the water element are often evident in the characteristics (Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces).
Slideshow for the Suit of Cups Tarot Keywords at a glance.
Suit of Swords
Swords represent the air element, symbolizing the intellect, analytical and logical thought, discrimination may be needed to cut through confusion and achieve clarity. Struggle and conflict are often indicated as we battle with the mind. Air is a male energy.
When there are a large number of Swords in the spread it can suggest challenges. This is a suit that many people can feel concerned about but there is a balance of helpful cards within Swords too!
The court cards often display characteristics associated with the astrological signs connected to the element of air, (Gemini, Libra, Aquarius).
Swords represent the air element, symbolizing the intellect, analytical and logical thought, discrimination may be needed to cut through confusion and achieve clarity. Struggle and conflict are often indicated as we battle with the mind. Air is a male energy.
When there are a large number of Swords in the spread it can suggest challenges. This is a suit that many people can feel concerned about but there is a balance of helpful cards within Swords too!
The court cards often display characteristics associated with the astrological signs connected to the element of air, (Gemini, Libra, Aquarius).
Slideshow for the Minor Arcana Suit of Swords Tarot Keywords suit of Swords Tarot Keywords at a glance.
Suit of Pentacles
Pentacles represent the element of earth, symbolizing our physical world and the material aspects. Earth is a female energy with a stabilizing and grounding influence.
When you have a number Pentacle cards in a spread it often highlights financial matters, but may also show that a steady and methodical approach is required.
With the court cards the characteristics, or personality traits, often associated with the astrological signs connected to earth may be more dominant (Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn).
Pentacles represent the element of earth, symbolizing our physical world and the material aspects. Earth is a female energy with a stabilizing and grounding influence.
When you have a number Pentacle cards in a spread it often highlights financial matters, but may also show that a steady and methodical approach is required.
With the court cards the characteristics, or personality traits, often associated with the astrological signs connected to earth may be more dominant (Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn).
Slideshow for the Suit of PentaclesMinor Arcana Suit of Pentacles Tarot Keywords Tarot Keywords at a glance
In a general context, the Nine of Cups Tarot card is a positive card which indicates your wishes will be coming true or your dreams will become a reality. If you have experienced hardship, sorrow or pain recently, this card tells you that the bad times are behind you now and a time of happiness, joyfulness and fulfilment is coming. With this Minor Arcana card appearing in your Tarot spread you will be able to accomplish anything you put your mind to as it represents triumph, success and achievement. Your efforts will not go unnoticed either as it also signifies recognition, acclaim and even fame. The Nine of Cups also represents having high self-esteem and self-confidence. It is a card of celebrations and parties..
In a love Tarot reading, if you are in a relationship, the Nine of Cups is a good omen indicating that the relationship is in a good place. You should be feeling happy and fulfilled with your partner when this card appears. It is also an indicator of good sex, sensuality and pleasure so you can expect plenty of romance. If you have been hoping for a bigger commitment in the relationship it is a good card to get as it can represent engagement, marriage or pregnancy. If you are single, the Nine of Cups indicates that you are in very healthy state mentally and emotionally. You have learned from your past experiences and gained a level of emotional maturity and self-esteem that will benefit you greatly in your future relationships.
When you are ready to get involved with someone, the positive energy and confidence that is emanating from you should help to ensure that you attract the right type of person to you. Now is a great time to get out there and meet new people!. Things should be going great with the Nine of Cups in your career Tarot reading! It is a card of success, achievement and acclaim so whatever projects you are involved in should not only be going well but your success will get you noticed! You can do anything you set your mind to so if you have been dreaming of a promotion or starting your own business, this card is a great omen for success. In a financial context, the Nine of Cups indicates abundance and prosperity so things should be going well in terms of money and investments. It is also a card of recognition and reward so you may find that you receive some sort of monetary reward or bonus for your hard work..
In a general context, the Nine of Cups reversed is not a great omen as it can represent shattered dreams or wishes turning into nightmares. You may have gotten what you wanted but now find that it’s not how you hoped it would be. Alternately, you may have gotten what you wanted and subsequently lost it and are now feeling the devastation that can bring. The Nine of Cups reversed can represent unhappiness, misery and lack of fulfilment. It can also indicate negativity or pessimism.
You may feel let down or disappointed when this Minor Arcana card appears reversed in your Tarot spread. You may also be struggling to achieve your goals, lacking in accomplishments or feel that you are not gaining the rewards or recognition you want. The Nine of Cups reversed can also be an indicator that you are lacking self-confidence or have low self-esteem.
This card in a reversed position can also indicate problems such as eating disorders or addictions being caused as a result of low self-esteem and unhappiness. On the other hand, it can signify arrogance or conceitedness and a lack of emotional maturity.. In a love Tarot reading, if you are in a relationship, the Nine of Cups reversed is not a good omen as it can indicate that the relationship is not in a good place and that one or both of you is feeling let down or disappointed with it.
To the outside world, it may look like everything is fine but on the inside there may be unhappiness and lack of fulfilment. For example, you may have settled for someone who looks great on paper but you don’t truly love and are now regretting it. However, while it can point to deep seated issues, the Nine of Cups reversed can simply represent the feeling of stagnation within a relationship that sometimes comes after the initial excitement has worn off or the honeymoon period has ended. If you are single, the Nine of Cups reversed can be a sign that you are not in the right emotional/ mental state or lack the maturity to make a relationship work at the moment.
If you find you have been attracting the wrong type of person, you need to work on building your self-esteem and confidence and finding your own inner contentment before you bring anyone else into the equation. Nobody else, no matter how amazing they are, can make you happy if you have not found contentment within yourself.
It can also indicate emotionally unhealthy sexual behaviour or sex without love. Alternately, the Nine of Cups can indicate that you have gone to the other extreme and that your arrogance or conceitedness could be putting off potential partners.. In a career context, the Nine of Cups reversed can indicate that your dream job or business may have turned into something of a nightmare.
Maybe you have started your own business or landed the promotion you wanted but now find that it is not as fulfilling as you thought it would be or the workload is making you miserable. It may also indicate that you are struggling to find a career you like and feeling somewhat like a failure or an underachiever. The Nine of Cups in a reversed position can also represent being overlooked for a promotion or position. It can signify that you are working as hard as you can but feel like you are not achieving what you wanted or your hard work is not being recognised. In a financial context, the Nine of Cups reversed can be a bad omen as you may find that promising investments or financial opportunities turn out to be disappointments..
In a health context, the Nine of Cups reversed can be an indicator of eating disorders such as anorexia or bulimia, over eating or excessive indulgence and addictions. If you are suffering from any of these you may need professional medical assistance and or counselling to help you to get to the root causes of these issues and to overcome them. It’s not a great health card to get as it can indicate disappointment. At the same time, it can simply indicate that you will be feeling pessimistic or letting negativity make you feel worse so try to remain positive if you are having health issues..