Post by Rik Wallin on Apr 6, 2007 8:22:19 GMT -6
The Minor Arcana
The Minor Arcana make up the bulk of the Tarot cards. There are 56 Minor Arcana cards in total covering the elements of Fire, Water, Earth and Air.
The Minor Arcana are best studied after learning about the Major Arcana first. A working knowledge of the Major Arcana helps when learning the Minors or pips.
The Minor Arcanas divisions are similar to that of normal playing cards. There are 4 suits and then court cards. The suits of the Minor Arcana are Wands (Staves in some books), Cups, Swords and Pentacles (Coins). Each suit has it's own King, Queen, Knight and Page.
Their correspondence to the elements is as follows: Wands = Fire = Aries, Sag. Leo Pentacles = Earth = Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn Swords = Air = Gemini, Libra, Aquarius Cups = Water = Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces
Some decks use the Page and Princess instead of Knight. It is up to the reader to determine which meaning is appropriate to their deck as this site covers the court cards as mentioned above.
When reading the Minor Arcana it is important to remember that although the meanings are important here, it is unlikely that the Minor Arcana will show issues that will be as important as the Major Arcana. Thus, when seeing these cards in readings, it is important to look at the Major Arcana in the reading first, to get a better understanding of the issues in the person's life.
THE CUPS
Ace of Cups
Divinatory Meaning
To see this card represents new beginnings in love and emotions. It can symbolise the start of a new relationship or a new beginning within an existing one.
When asking the Tarot about work related matters, it can mean that the person will experience joy and pleasure in their working life and will derive much happiness from their job.
This is a good card to see as it always means that the person will have a new start in how they live emotionally.
2 of Cups
Divinatory Meaning
This is a positive card to see in a reading. It denotes a happy love relationship or compatibility with whatever task is queried in the reading.
This card corresponds with the major arcana card of the High Priestess. This along with the meaning of the cups can represent receiving intuitive knowledge regarding love and relationships.
3 of Cups
Divinatory Meaning
This card represents celebrations and happiness. It is the card of parties and of having a good time. To see this card when asking about love means that the person will have a happy fling and about work means that they will have fun and make a lot of friends at their workplace.
This card corresponds with the major arcana card of the Empress. This along with the meaning of the cups can represent that the person will experience a period of creativity regarding love. It can also mean celebrations over a pregnancy announcement or something similar.
4 of Cups
Divinatory Meaning
To see this card means that the person will have a period of waiting regarding the issue. This is an interpretation that I have derived from personal experience. This can relate to any issue questioned in the reading love relationship or not.
Traditionally, this card corresponds with the major arcana card of the Emperor. When combined with the meaning of the cups this means that the person will experience some kind of control and authority regarding love and emotions. It can also mean that the person will get in touch with their male side regarding these areas. However as the cups tend to be female in nature and the Emperor male, it can also represent some kind of struggle regarding these two sides in the person or with the issue.
5 of Cups
Divinatory Meaning
This card can often mean 'crying over spilt milk'. The person is not able to see that things are not as bad as they might seem at the time of the reading. It can also mean that things will not turn out as well as the person would have expected or hoped.
However, this card corresponds to the major arcana card of the Hierophant which can mean that the person is going to experience learning in love relationships or emotions through the school of life with a few hard knocks on the way.
6 of Cups
Divinatory Meaning
This is a nice card to see in a reading. It denotes that the person will experience a lot of love being given to them by the people around them. It is also a card that represents happiness and pleasure.
This card corresponds to the major arcana card of the lovers. This in combination with the cups means that the person will have compatibility with others and have a great time in love.
7 of Cups
Divinatory Meaning
This card can represent illusion and confusion regarding love. It can mean having to make a choice regarding love relationships of emotional situations where the person doesn't really know quite what is going on. It can mean that something is being hidden from the person however it more likely means that the person will have to see through the situation for themselves naturally.
This card corresponds to the major arcana card of the Chariot. When combined with the cups it means difficulty in getting on the right path emotionally.
8 of Cups
Divinatory Meaning
To see this card in a reading means that the person will be going through an emotionally tough time. They will have to keep their head high as they deal with some things that can be difficult.
This card corresponds with the major arcana card of Strength. This in combination with the meaning of the cups means that the person will have to have strength when dealing with issues of love or emotions.
9 of Cups
Divinatory Meaning
This is a lucky card to see in a reading. It is often referred to as the 'wish card' as it can mean that the person will get their wish regarding the issue that they have queried the Tarot over. This card usually means that the person will be able to get what they want from the situation and will experience happiness emotionally as a result.
This card corresponds to the major arcana card of the Hermit. In combination with the meaning of the cups it can mean that the person has reached a point of wisdom where they are able to experience love over a sustained period of time.
10 of Cups
Divinatory Meaning
This is another nice card to see in a reading. It denotes happiness, good times with family, celebration and feeling as though you have 'arrived' emotionally.
This card corresponds to the major arcana card of the wheel of fortune. This in combination with the meaning of the cups can represent the feeling that the person has 'got lucky' in issues to do with love and emotions.
Page of Cups
Divinatory Meaning
This card can either represent someone who is a Piscean, a young person (under 25) or child who is a water sign (Pisces, Cancer or Scorpio).
It can also represent that the person is at a very new beginning emotionally and that they are currently working to further themselves in this regard.
Knight of Cups
Divinatory Meaning
This card may represent a young man between the ages of 25 to around 35 who is a water sign (Cancer, Scorpio or Picses).
This card can also represent receiving messages regarding love and emotions. This can come in the form of a phone call, letter, e-mail or through someone else.
Queen of Cups
Divinatory Meaning
This card represents either a water sign woman (Cancer, Scorpio or Pisces) or a Scorpio person.
This card can also represent getting in touch with the female side regarding love and emotions. In a man's spread it can mean meeting a new emotional partner and in a woman's side it can mean being a strong emotional figure in a relationship.
King of Cups
Divinatory Meaning
This card can represent a man who is a water sign (Cancer, Scorpio or Pisces) or it can represent a person who is a Cancer.
This card can also mean that the person is getting in touch with the masculine side in a relationship. In a woman's spread it can represent a male partner in a romantic relationship and in a man's spread it can mean being emotionally strong within a relationship.
THE PENTACLES
Ace of Pentacles
Divinatory Meaning
This card represents new beginnings with money and finances. It can mean gaining an income in a new way, or getting a pay rise at work.
It is a positive card to see in a reading as it can denote new opportunities for money to be made coming to the person. It can also mean a new job or something that will bring in extra income such as a side venture or starting up a new business.
2 of Pentacles
Divinatory Meaning
This card can mean that the person is going to be careful with their finances and learn how to manage their accounts properly. It can indicate a need for a financial overhaul however it is more likely to mean that the person will be able to balance their books effectively.
This card corresponds to the major arcana card of the High Priestess. This in reference to the meaning of the pentacles can mean that the person is going to have a period of intuitive awareness regarding money.
3 of Pentacles
Divinatory Meaning
This card can denote being a skilled worker or having the ability to earn moeny through skills learnt. It indicates getting what the person deserves in a financial sense and also that they may receive some kind of extra money as a result of the work that they have put in.
This card corresponds to the major arcana card of the Empress. This along with the meaning of the pentacles can mean that the person will go through a period of creativity regarding money and will be able gain skills to help them acheive financial rewards.
4 of Pentacles
Divinatory Meaning
This is a lucky card to see in a reading. It is often referred to as the 'midas touch' card as it denotes financial success in whatever venture is queried. It can often mean that extra money is coming the persons way or that they will receive a pay rise at work.
The major arcana card that corresponds with this card is that of the Emperor. That along with the meaning of the pentacles denotes that the person will have a period of authority and control regarding money matters and that they will be on top of things in a financial sense.
5 of Pentacles
Divinatory Meaning
This card can often mean going through a tough time financially. It can denote some kind of monetary loss or that the person will have a period where they will have to 'tighten their belt'.
The major arcana card that this card corresponds to is that of the Hierophant. That card, in combination with the meaning of the pentacles can denote that the person is going to experience a period of tough learning in life in regards to money.
6 of Pentacles
Divinatory Meaning
This card means that the person will be able to balance their resources and use their money wisely. It can also mean giving money to charity or commiting time to a worthy cause.
The card that this corresponds to in the major arcana is that of the Lovers. This in combination with the meaning of the pentacles means that the person can expect a period of compatibility with how they earn their keep and that they will receive financial rewards for their work.
7 of Pentacles
Divinatory Meaning
This card can mean that the person is going to be working towards earning an income in the future or that they are on the track to future finances. This card can refer to study or the like where the person will benefit finacially from the work at a later date.
The major arcana card this corresponds to is the Chariot. In combination with the pentacles this can mean that the person is on the path to money and a stable financial future.
8 of Pentacles
Divinatory Meaning
This card can mean that the person is going to be working hard at making money. It can mean that they are going to be an job for a long period of time or that they will have to work hard for the money that they make.
The major arcana card this relates to is that of strength. In combination with the meaning of the pentacles it can mean that the person will have to use all their faculties to gain an income.
9 of Pentacles
Divinatory Meaning
This is a good card to see in a reading. It can mean that the person is going to be paid well for the work that they do however more likely, it means that the person has found a great way to earn money for a sustained period of time.
The card that this corresponds to in the major arcana is that of the Hermit. In combination with this card it means that the person will have attained wisdom regared money and will know how to keep it and earn more.
10 of Pentacles
Divinatory Meaning
This is a very lucky card to see in a reading. It can mean that the person is going to get paid very well for the work that they do or that they could even win some money. It is a card of financial freedom and can denote riches.
The major arcana of this card is the wheel of fortune. With the pentacles it can mean that the person is going through a lucky spell on the financial front and can expect rewards.
Page of Pentacles
Divinatory Meaning
This card can mean a young person or child under the age of 25 who is an earth sign (Taurus, Virgo or Capricorn) or it can mean a person who is a Capricorn.
This card can also mean that the person is working on something that will bring financial rewards in the future and although they cannot see the money at the time of the reading, that money will be coming in due time.
Knight of Pentacles
Divinatory Meaning
This card can represent a person between the ages of 25 and 35 who is an earth sign (Taurus, Virgo or Capricorn).
This card can also denote that the person will receive messages regarding money shortly. Those messages can come in the form of a letter, phone call or other means where the person will find out what is going on in a situation to do with money.
Queen of Pentacles
Divinatory Meaning
This card either represents an earth sign woman (Taurus, Virgo or Capricorn) or a Virgo specifically.
This card can also mean that the person will have a female around them who will help them financially or who will be wealthy. In a womans spread it can also mean that she will be able to support herself and perhaps others.
King of Pentacles
Divinatory Meaning
This card either represents an earth sign man (Taurus, Virgo or Capricorn) or specifically a Taurus person.
This card can also mean a man in the persons life that will be financially well off and aiding them or someone who is rich. In a mans spread it can mean that he will be able to support himself and perhaps others.
The Minor Arcana make up the bulk of the Tarot cards. There are 56 Minor Arcana cards in total covering the elements of Fire, Water, Earth and Air.
The Minor Arcana are best studied after learning about the Major Arcana first. A working knowledge of the Major Arcana helps when learning the Minors or pips.
The Minor Arcanas divisions are similar to that of normal playing cards. There are 4 suits and then court cards. The suits of the Minor Arcana are Wands (Staves in some books), Cups, Swords and Pentacles (Coins). Each suit has it's own King, Queen, Knight and Page.
Their correspondence to the elements is as follows: Wands = Fire = Aries, Sag. Leo Pentacles = Earth = Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn Swords = Air = Gemini, Libra, Aquarius Cups = Water = Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces
Some decks use the Page and Princess instead of Knight. It is up to the reader to determine which meaning is appropriate to their deck as this site covers the court cards as mentioned above.
When reading the Minor Arcana it is important to remember that although the meanings are important here, it is unlikely that the Minor Arcana will show issues that will be as important as the Major Arcana. Thus, when seeing these cards in readings, it is important to look at the Major Arcana in the reading first, to get a better understanding of the issues in the person's life.
THE CUPS
Ace of Cups
Divinatory Meaning
To see this card represents new beginnings in love and emotions. It can symbolise the start of a new relationship or a new beginning within an existing one.
When asking the Tarot about work related matters, it can mean that the person will experience joy and pleasure in their working life and will derive much happiness from their job.
This is a good card to see as it always means that the person will have a new start in how they live emotionally.
2 of Cups
Divinatory Meaning
This is a positive card to see in a reading. It denotes a happy love relationship or compatibility with whatever task is queried in the reading.
This card corresponds with the major arcana card of the High Priestess. This along with the meaning of the cups can represent receiving intuitive knowledge regarding love and relationships.
3 of Cups
Divinatory Meaning
This card represents celebrations and happiness. It is the card of parties and of having a good time. To see this card when asking about love means that the person will have a happy fling and about work means that they will have fun and make a lot of friends at their workplace.
This card corresponds with the major arcana card of the Empress. This along with the meaning of the cups can represent that the person will experience a period of creativity regarding love. It can also mean celebrations over a pregnancy announcement or something similar.
4 of Cups
Divinatory Meaning
To see this card means that the person will have a period of waiting regarding the issue. This is an interpretation that I have derived from personal experience. This can relate to any issue questioned in the reading love relationship or not.
Traditionally, this card corresponds with the major arcana card of the Emperor. When combined with the meaning of the cups this means that the person will experience some kind of control and authority regarding love and emotions. It can also mean that the person will get in touch with their male side regarding these areas. However as the cups tend to be female in nature and the Emperor male, it can also represent some kind of struggle regarding these two sides in the person or with the issue.
5 of Cups
Divinatory Meaning
This card can often mean 'crying over spilt milk'. The person is not able to see that things are not as bad as they might seem at the time of the reading. It can also mean that things will not turn out as well as the person would have expected or hoped.
However, this card corresponds to the major arcana card of the Hierophant which can mean that the person is going to experience learning in love relationships or emotions through the school of life with a few hard knocks on the way.
6 of Cups
Divinatory Meaning
This is a nice card to see in a reading. It denotes that the person will experience a lot of love being given to them by the people around them. It is also a card that represents happiness and pleasure.
This card corresponds to the major arcana card of the lovers. This in combination with the cups means that the person will have compatibility with others and have a great time in love.
7 of Cups
Divinatory Meaning
This card can represent illusion and confusion regarding love. It can mean having to make a choice regarding love relationships of emotional situations where the person doesn't really know quite what is going on. It can mean that something is being hidden from the person however it more likely means that the person will have to see through the situation for themselves naturally.
This card corresponds to the major arcana card of the Chariot. When combined with the cups it means difficulty in getting on the right path emotionally.
8 of Cups
Divinatory Meaning
To see this card in a reading means that the person will be going through an emotionally tough time. They will have to keep their head high as they deal with some things that can be difficult.
This card corresponds with the major arcana card of Strength. This in combination with the meaning of the cups means that the person will have to have strength when dealing with issues of love or emotions.
9 of Cups
Divinatory Meaning
This is a lucky card to see in a reading. It is often referred to as the 'wish card' as it can mean that the person will get their wish regarding the issue that they have queried the Tarot over. This card usually means that the person will be able to get what they want from the situation and will experience happiness emotionally as a result.
This card corresponds to the major arcana card of the Hermit. In combination with the meaning of the cups it can mean that the person has reached a point of wisdom where they are able to experience love over a sustained period of time.
10 of Cups
Divinatory Meaning
This is another nice card to see in a reading. It denotes happiness, good times with family, celebration and feeling as though you have 'arrived' emotionally.
This card corresponds to the major arcana card of the wheel of fortune. This in combination with the meaning of the cups can represent the feeling that the person has 'got lucky' in issues to do with love and emotions.
Page of Cups
Divinatory Meaning
This card can either represent someone who is a Piscean, a young person (under 25) or child who is a water sign (Pisces, Cancer or Scorpio).
It can also represent that the person is at a very new beginning emotionally and that they are currently working to further themselves in this regard.
Knight of Cups
Divinatory Meaning
This card may represent a young man between the ages of 25 to around 35 who is a water sign (Cancer, Scorpio or Picses).
This card can also represent receiving messages regarding love and emotions. This can come in the form of a phone call, letter, e-mail or through someone else.
Queen of Cups
Divinatory Meaning
This card represents either a water sign woman (Cancer, Scorpio or Pisces) or a Scorpio person.
This card can also represent getting in touch with the female side regarding love and emotions. In a man's spread it can mean meeting a new emotional partner and in a woman's side it can mean being a strong emotional figure in a relationship.
King of Cups
Divinatory Meaning
This card can represent a man who is a water sign (Cancer, Scorpio or Pisces) or it can represent a person who is a Cancer.
This card can also mean that the person is getting in touch with the masculine side in a relationship. In a woman's spread it can represent a male partner in a romantic relationship and in a man's spread it can mean being emotionally strong within a relationship.
THE PENTACLES
Ace of Pentacles
Divinatory Meaning
This card represents new beginnings with money and finances. It can mean gaining an income in a new way, or getting a pay rise at work.
It is a positive card to see in a reading as it can denote new opportunities for money to be made coming to the person. It can also mean a new job or something that will bring in extra income such as a side venture or starting up a new business.
2 of Pentacles
Divinatory Meaning
This card can mean that the person is going to be careful with their finances and learn how to manage their accounts properly. It can indicate a need for a financial overhaul however it is more likely to mean that the person will be able to balance their books effectively.
This card corresponds to the major arcana card of the High Priestess. This in reference to the meaning of the pentacles can mean that the person is going to have a period of intuitive awareness regarding money.
3 of Pentacles
Divinatory Meaning
This card can denote being a skilled worker or having the ability to earn moeny through skills learnt. It indicates getting what the person deserves in a financial sense and also that they may receive some kind of extra money as a result of the work that they have put in.
This card corresponds to the major arcana card of the Empress. This along with the meaning of the pentacles can mean that the person will go through a period of creativity regarding money and will be able gain skills to help them acheive financial rewards.
4 of Pentacles
Divinatory Meaning
This is a lucky card to see in a reading. It is often referred to as the 'midas touch' card as it denotes financial success in whatever venture is queried. It can often mean that extra money is coming the persons way or that they will receive a pay rise at work.
The major arcana card that corresponds with this card is that of the Emperor. That along with the meaning of the pentacles denotes that the person will have a period of authority and control regarding money matters and that they will be on top of things in a financial sense.
5 of Pentacles
Divinatory Meaning
This card can often mean going through a tough time financially. It can denote some kind of monetary loss or that the person will have a period where they will have to 'tighten their belt'.
The major arcana card that this card corresponds to is that of the Hierophant. That card, in combination with the meaning of the pentacles can denote that the person is going to experience a period of tough learning in life in regards to money.
6 of Pentacles
Divinatory Meaning
This card means that the person will be able to balance their resources and use their money wisely. It can also mean giving money to charity or commiting time to a worthy cause.
The card that this corresponds to in the major arcana is that of the Lovers. This in combination with the meaning of the pentacles means that the person can expect a period of compatibility with how they earn their keep and that they will receive financial rewards for their work.
7 of Pentacles
Divinatory Meaning
This card can mean that the person is going to be working towards earning an income in the future or that they are on the track to future finances. This card can refer to study or the like where the person will benefit finacially from the work at a later date.
The major arcana card this corresponds to is the Chariot. In combination with the pentacles this can mean that the person is on the path to money and a stable financial future.
8 of Pentacles
Divinatory Meaning
This card can mean that the person is going to be working hard at making money. It can mean that they are going to be an job for a long period of time or that they will have to work hard for the money that they make.
The major arcana card this relates to is that of strength. In combination with the meaning of the pentacles it can mean that the person will have to use all their faculties to gain an income.
9 of Pentacles
Divinatory Meaning
This is a good card to see in a reading. It can mean that the person is going to be paid well for the work that they do however more likely, it means that the person has found a great way to earn money for a sustained period of time.
The card that this corresponds to in the major arcana is that of the Hermit. In combination with this card it means that the person will have attained wisdom regared money and will know how to keep it and earn more.
10 of Pentacles
Divinatory Meaning
This is a very lucky card to see in a reading. It can mean that the person is going to get paid very well for the work that they do or that they could even win some money. It is a card of financial freedom and can denote riches.
The major arcana of this card is the wheel of fortune. With the pentacles it can mean that the person is going through a lucky spell on the financial front and can expect rewards.
Page of Pentacles
Divinatory Meaning
This card can mean a young person or child under the age of 25 who is an earth sign (Taurus, Virgo or Capricorn) or it can mean a person who is a Capricorn.
This card can also mean that the person is working on something that will bring financial rewards in the future and although they cannot see the money at the time of the reading, that money will be coming in due time.
Knight of Pentacles
Divinatory Meaning
This card can represent a person between the ages of 25 and 35 who is an earth sign (Taurus, Virgo or Capricorn).
This card can also denote that the person will receive messages regarding money shortly. Those messages can come in the form of a letter, phone call or other means where the person will find out what is going on in a situation to do with money.
Queen of Pentacles
Divinatory Meaning
This card either represents an earth sign woman (Taurus, Virgo or Capricorn) or a Virgo specifically.
This card can also mean that the person will have a female around them who will help them financially or who will be wealthy. In a womans spread it can also mean that she will be able to support herself and perhaps others.
King of Pentacles
Divinatory Meaning
This card either represents an earth sign man (Taurus, Virgo or Capricorn) or specifically a Taurus person.
This card can also mean a man in the persons life that will be financially well off and aiding them or someone who is rich. In a mans spread it can mean that he will be able to support himself and perhaps others.