Tarot Card Dictionary

If you're looking to learn about tarot card meanings, start with the basics: the Major Arcana cards represent life's big, spiritual lessons and the Minor Arcana reflect our day-to-day experiences. Each card has its own unique meaning, and when you understand those, you can better understand the messages they're trying to send. The Minor Arcana are further divided into four suits—Cups, Pentacles, Swords, and Wands—each with its own themes. But that's just the start, and there's so much more to discover about the individual cards and their deeper meanings, so keep reading to learn more about using the cards for yourself.

Explore our collection of tarot cards. Each card holds unique meanings when drawn upright or reversed. Click on a card to learn more about its interpretations.

The Fool

The Magician

The High Priestess

The Empress

The Emperor

The Hierophant

The Lovers

The Chariot

Strength

The Hermit

Wheel of Fortune

Justice

The Hanged Man

Death

Temperance

The Devil

The Tower

The Star

The Moon

The Sun

Judgement

The World

Now, okay, here is a comprehensive article covering the entire outline, drawing on information from the sources and our conversation history:

A Comprehensive Guide to Interpretation and Understanding

I. Introduction to Tafsir Tarot

Tafsir, in the context of tarot, refers to the **interpretation or explanation of tarot card meanings**. The tarot is a deck of 78 cards, each with its own unique imagery, symbolism, and story, used as a tool for guidance and self-reflection. This article aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of tarot interpretation, covering various aspects from basic concepts to practical applications and deeper esoteric meanings. Tarot has a dual nature, functioning both as a **cartomantic** game and a tool for **divination** and **fortune telling**. This article will delve into the many facets of the tarot, from its structure and history to its practical uses and spiritual significance.

II. Understanding the Tarot Deck

A standard tarot deck consists of 78 cards. These cards are divided into two main groups: the Major Arcana and the Minor Arcana.

Major Arcana: This group comprises 22 named cards, often numbered from 0 to 21 (or 1 to 21 with the Fool being unnumbered). These cards represent significant life lessons, karmic influences, and spiritual growth. They are considered to be the core and foundation of the deck, following a storyline that tells of the spiritual travels from the innocence of The Fool to the fulfillment of The World.

Minor Arcana: This group contains 56 unnamed cards, reflecting daily life experiences and practical matters. They are further divided into four suits, each with 10 numbered cards and four court cards.

The Four Suits of the Minor Arcana:

Wands (Rods, Staves): Associated with action, passion, inspiration, and willpower. They are related to the element of fire. Cups (Goblets, Vessels): Linked to emotions, relationships, intuition, and the unconscious. They are related to the element of water. Swords (Blades): Connected to intellect, logic, challenges, truth, and communication. They are associated with the element of air. Pentacles (Coins, Disks): Related to the material world, finances, health, stability, and nature. They are associated with the element of earth. The Court Cards: Each suit includes four court cards: Page, Knight, Queen, and King. These cards represent different personality types and approaches we may express.

III. The Major Arcana: A Journey of Spiritual Growth

The Major Arcana is a 22-card set considered the core and foundation for the deck. These cards follow a storyline known as "The Fool's Journey," which represents the spiritual evolution of humanity toward enlightenment and individuation. Each card in the Major Arcana teaches a specific lesson and concept to meditate on. Some readings can even be done using only the Major Arcana.

Key Major Arcana cards include:

The Fool: Represents innocence, new beginnings, and a free spirit.
The Magician: Symbolizes willpower, desire, creation, and manifestation.
The High Priestess: Embodies intuition, the unconscious, and inner voice.
The Empress: Represents motherhood, fertility, and nature.
The Emperor: Symbolizes authority, structure, and control.
The Hierophant (The Pope): Represents tradition, conformity, morality, and ethics. The Hierophant can also be seen as a teacher who holds the key to understanding the mysteries of life. When reversed, the Hierophant can represent rebellion, subversiveness and a challenge to tradition.
The Lovers: Symbolizes partnerships, duality, and union.
The Chariot: Represents direction, control, and willpower.
Strength: Signifies inner strength, bravery, compassion, and focus.
The Hermit: Embodies contemplation, the search for truth, and inner guidance.
The Wheel of Fortune: Signifies change, cycles, and inevitable fate.
Justice: Represents cause and effect, clarity, and truth.
The Hanged Man: Symbolizes sacrifice, release, and martyrdom.
Death: Represents the end of a cycle, change, and transformation.
Temperance: Signifies the middle path, patience, and finding meaning.
The Devil: Represents addiction, materialism, and playfulness.
The Tower: Symbolizes sudden upheaval, broken pride, and disaster.
The Star: Represents hope, faith, and rejuvenation.
The Moon: Embodies the unconscious, illusions, and intuition.
The Sun: Represents joy, success, celebration, and positivity.
Judgement: Symbolizes reflection, reckoning, and awakening.
The World: Represents fulfillment, harmony, and completion.

IV. The Minor Arcana: Daily Life and Practical Matters

The Minor Arcana cards reflect the trials and tribulations of daily life. They represent the more practical aspects of life and can refer to current issues that have a temporary or minor influence. Each of the four suits within the Minor Arcana has its own unique symbolism and themes:
Wands: This suit is associated with **energy, drive, willpower, and creativity**. It represents passion, inspiration, and action.
The Ace of Wands signifies creation, willpower, inspiration, and desire.
The Two of Wands represents planning, making decisions, and leaving home.
The Three of Wands indicates looking ahead, expansion, and rapid growth.
Other cards in this suit include the Four of Wands (community, home, celebration), Five of Wands (competition, rivalry, conflict), Six of Wands (victory, success, public reward), Seven of Wands (perseverance, defensive), Eight of Wands (rapid action, movement), Nine of Wands (resilience, grit) and Ten of Wands (accomplishment, responsibility, burden).
Cups:This suit is associated with **emotions, feelings, intuition, and relationships**. It delves into the unconscious and inner world.
The Ace of Cups represents new feelings, spirituality, and intuition.
The Two of Cups signifies unity, partnership, and connection.
The Three of Cups represents friendship, community, and happiness.
Other cards in this suit include the Four of Cups (apathy, contemplation), Five of Cups (loss, grief, self-pity), Six of Cups (familiarity, happy memories), Seven of Cups (searching for purpose, choices), Eight of Cups (walking away, disillusionment), Nine of Cups (satisfaction, emotional stability), and Ten of Cups (inner happiness, fulfillment).
Swords: This suit is associated with **logic, ideas, intellect, and communication**. It represents intelligence, ambition, conflict, and truth.
The Ace of Swords symbolizes breakthrough, clarity, and a sharp mind.
The Two of Swords represents difficult choices, indecision, and stalemate.
The Three of Swords indicates heartbreak, suffering, and grief.
Other cards in this suit include the Four of Swords (rest, restoration), Five of Swords (unbridled ambition), Six of Swords (transition, leaving behind), Seven of Swords (deception, trickery), Eight of Swords (imprisonment, entrapment), Nine of Swords (anxiety, hopelessness), and Ten of Swords (failure, collapse).
Pentacles: This suit is associated with the **material world, stability, finances, and nature**. It represents security, health, and prosperity.
The Ace of Pentacles signifies opportunity, prosperity, and a new venture.
The Two of Pentacles represents balancing decisions, priorities, and adapting to change.
The Three of Pentacles indicates teamwork, collaboration, and building.
Other cards in this suit include the Four of Pentacles (conservation, frugality), Five of Pentacles (need, poverty), Six of Pentacles (charity, generosity), Seven of Pentacles (hard work, perseverance), Eight of Pentacles (apprenticeship, passion), Nine of Pentacles (fruits of labor, rewards), and Ten of Pentacles (legacy, culmination).

V. Interpreting Tarot Cards: Reading and Spreads

Interpreting tarot cards involves both an understanding of card meanings and the use of intuition. There are no definitive "right" or "wrong" meanings, and personal connections are as important as traditional interpretations.

Upright and Reversed Meanings: Each card has both upright and reversed meanings. Reversed cards can often represent the opposite of the upright meaning or a blockage of its energy. For example, an upright Ace of Wands may represent creation and inspiration, while a reversed Ace of Wands could signify a lack of energy or passion.
Tarot Spreads: Tarot spreads are specific patterns for laying out cards to answer questions. Different spreads can be used for different types of inquiries.
Interpreting Multiple Cards: It’s important to interpret multiple cards together to understand how they influence each other. For example, a reading about love might involve multiple cards from the suit of cups as well as cards that might indicate challenge like those of the swords.
Asking Effective Questions: Asking clear, specific questions will lead to more insightful answers.
Past, Present and Future: Tarot can provide guidance on understanding the influences of the past on the present and how this may shape the future.

VI. The History and Evolution of Tarot

Initially, tarot cards were used for playing games. It wasn't until later that they became associated with the occult and esotericism. Key figures influenced this shift:

Antoine Court de Gébelin: This Swiss clergyman and Freemason assigned Egyptian, kabbalistic, and divine significance to the tarot. He suggested the tarot had an ancient Egyptian origin.
Etteilla: Created a method of divination using the tarot, assigning divinatory meanings to each card.
Éliphas Lévi: Revitalized the occult tarot by associating it with the mystical Kabbalah. These figures helped develop the tarot as a tool for fortune telling and cartomancy, moving beyond its original function as a card game. Over time, the interpretation of the tarot has evolved into a tool for personal growth, psychological understanding, and **spiritual development**.

VII. Tarot and Mysticism

By the 19th century, the tarot was being claimed as a "Bible of Bibles," or an esoteric repository of all significant truths of creation. It became associated with **Hermetic wisdom**, Christian gnosis, and divine inspiration.
Kabbalah: The tarot was linked to the mystical Kabbalah, adding another layer of esoteric interpretation.
Initiatory Tool: The Major Arcana were seen as an initiatory sequence to establish a path of spiritual ascension and evolution.
Spiritual Ascension: The tarot is used to explore mysteries, achieve spiritual ascension, and access the subconscious mind.
Psychological Significance: The tarot has been used in Jungian psychology to represent archetypes and the process of individuation. Some even view the tarot as a way to mediate between humanity and a godhead.

VIII. Practical Applications of Tarot

Tarot can be used for guidance in various areas of life. It is important to consult the cards in a way that makes sense to the querent.
Love and Relationships: Tarot can help in understanding emotions and relationship dynamics, providing insights into love, partnership, and connection.
Career and Work: The cards can provide guidance on career paths, challenges, and opportunities, and are related to the suit of pentacles.
Finance: Tarot can provide clarity on your financial situation and money management, also related to the suit of pentacles.
Health: The cards can help explore the connection between mind, body, and spirit, offering insights into physical and emotional well-being, which is also related to the suit of pentacles. The tarot can also reveal potential positive changes and future pathways. For example, the youtube channel Thara Reads You titles a video as "Positive Changes Collective Tarot Reading".

IX. Conclusion

Tafsir Tarot involves the interpretation of tarot cards for self-understanding, guidance, and spiritual growth. Effective tarot reading requires an understanding of card meanings, the use of intuition, and practice with different spreads. By exploring the various resources and traditions of the tarot, one can deepen their practice and gain valuable insights into their life. The tarot is a complex and layered system of knowledge that allows users to reflect on their past, understand their present, and prepare for their future.

X. Additional Resources (Optional)

Many resources can enhance your understanding of the tarot:
Websites: Websites such as Tarot.com and Labyrinthos provide valuable information about card meanings. Biddy Tarot also offers courses, training, and free resources.
Books: *The Pictorial Key to the Tarot* by Arthur Edward Waite, and *Jung and Tarot: An Archetypal Journey* by Sallie Nichols are examples of books about tarot.
Courses: Biddy Tarot and Labyrinthos both offer tarot courses.
Apps: Apps such as the Labyrinthos app can provide learning tools.
Communities: Online tarot communities provide places to share ideas and learn from other tarot enthusiasts. Key figures in the development of tarot include Antoine Court de Gébelin, Etteilla, Éliphas Lévi, and Sallie Nichols.