Quick Reference Guide for Tarot Card Meanings
Quick Reference Guide for Tarot Card Meanings
Obviously, if you really want to learn about the meanings of the tarot cards and use them well, you'll spend time studying them and understanding the nuances of each card's interpretation. If, on the other hand, you're looking for a cool party game and want to impress your friends, this "cheat sheet" should provide you enough of a clue about each card's meaning that you can fake your way through a reading. And who knows -- once you loosen up and relax, you may surprise yourself!The Major ArcanaThe Major Arcana consists of cards that have an individual name (such as "The Fool") as opposed to simply a suit designation (such as "3 of Cups"). Most tarot decks number the Major Arcana as well as name them, although some give only the name.
Card Card Card
Number Name Meaning
------ ---------------- -------------
0 Fool Faith
1 Magician Action
2 High Priestess Potential
3 Empress Abundance
4 Emperor Authority
5 Hierophant Conformity
6 Lovers Relationship
7 Chariot Will
8 Strength Compassion
9 Hermit Introspection
10 Wheel of Fortune Destiny
11 Justice Responsibility
12 Hanged Man Release
13 Death Transition
14 Temperance Balance
15 Devil Materialism
16 Tower Downfall
17 Star Hope
18 Moon Illusion
19 Sun Vitality
20 Judgment Rebirth
21 World AccomplishmentThe Minor ArcanaThe Minor Arcana consists of cards that have a rank (such as "3" or "Queen") and a suit (such as "Cups"). Depending on your deck, the suits will have different names, but they have the same meanings. The first suit may be called wands, rods, staves, or sticks. The second suit is pretty universally called swords. The suit of cups is occassionally called chalices. And the final suit may be called coins, disks, or pentacles.
Card Wands Swords Cups Coins
----- ----------- ---------- ----------- -----------
Ace Creative Mental Emotional Material
... Force Force Force Force
2 Personal Stalemate Connection Flexibility
... Power
3 Exploration Betrayal Delight Planning
4 Celebration Rest Self- Possessive-
... absorption ness
5 Struggle Dishonor Loss Suffering
6 Triumph Depression Good Will Apprentice-
... ship
7 Defiance Deceit Fantasizing Assessment
8 Quick Powerless- Turning Diligence
... Action ness Away
9 Defense Anguish Satisfac- Self-reliance
... tion
10 Burdens Defeat Joy Affluence
Page Creative Thoughtful Emotional Practical
Knight Daring Dashing Sensitive Thorough
Queen Energetic Witty Loving Resourceful
King Inspiring Just Diplomatic Supporting
Jennifer Dunne is the author of over a dozen novels and novellas of Hot, Heartwarming fiction, many featuring magic and psychic powers. A Tarot reader since her childhood, she is frequently asked to do readings at local gatherings and celebrity events such as the Romantic Times Booklovers Convention. Learn more about Jennifer at jenniferdunne.com.
Learn more about tarot cards at Tarot Expressions.
Baby Name Meanings
Baby Name Meanings
Speaking as a Michael (a Hebrew name, meaning "Who is like God"), I'm really proud of my name. And I think that I ? mostly - live up to the title! Of course, my mother would probably disagree; I think the phrase "little devil" would probably pass her lips if she was describing me during many stages of my childhood.But then, my mother has her own issues; apparently her name (Kathleen) is a Celtic name meaning "Little Darling". Hmmm, that isn't the way I used to think about her during those regular occasions when she was punishing me for my "not like God" behaviour?!And that's the fun of baby name meanings ? parents make naming decisions based on many, many different reasons, including family traditions, religion, culture, uniqueness and "it just sounds really nice." But ? in the Western world ? we rarely do any real research into the history or real meaning of names. So when the poor/lucky child finally finds out the meaning of his/her "really nice sounding" name, the results can be interesting, ironic, unfortunate or just sometimes hilarious.You can have a lot of fun thinking up family/friends names, finding out the meanings and trying to make a connection between the two. For example, my eldest brother Clive is apparently "a cliff dweller", which is coincidental, since he lives at the top of a very long steep hill! Or why not play the game with celebrities ? consider the following:Badu (as in r n'b singer Erykah Badu): African name meaning "Tenth born child"Winona (as in actress Winona Ryder): Sioux name meaning "Firstborn daughter"Aaliyah (the late r n'b singer): Arabic name meaning "High, exalted"Hilary (as in actresses Duff/Swank): Latin name meaning "Cheerful"Some cultures have very interesting traditions when it comes to baby name meanings. For example, Hindu names usually have connections with very positive things such as truth, beauty, happiness, blessings, etc, or one of the Hindu gods. In the Sikh culture, girls traditionally have the middle or surname "Kaur", meaning "Princess", whilst the boys have the middle or surname "Singh", meaning "Lion".An African friend of mine once mentioned that many Africans are given a second name corresponding to the day of the week on which they were born. I think is a really nice tradition, but in my case, my middle name would be "Sondo" (born on Sunday)!! Hmmmm?Whatever type of name you have chosen, or are thinking about for your "bundle of joy", its worth doing a little research into the meaning. And it's never been easier, with the wealth of Internet resources and books available, including my own site at www.all-about-baby-names.com, which is jam-packed with resources, tips and information on baby names, baby name meanings and baby products.Your search may yield some surprises; for example, the lovely-sounding name "Malory" is French and means "Bad luck". You could get round this by spelling it "Mallory", but this means "Without good fortune" in Old German!Alternatively, you may end up a little confused by different meanings of the same name; for example "Leah" is a beautiful girl's name, but what does it mean? Well?? In Hebrew it means "Cow" or "Weary one" ? uugghhh!? In Greek it means "Glad tidings"? In Assyrian, it means "Mistress, ruler"And a final warning: if you are planning to go for a funky, unusual-sounding name, be sure to avoid "Bacia," ? its Ugandan meaning is "Family deaths ruined the home!"For more information and advice, check out the baby name meaning resources at www.all-about-baby-names.com.Enjoy your search and happy baby naming!Michael Barrows is a web publisher specialising in niche marketing. Check out the wealth of baby resources and pick up his FREE ebook "Baby Tips for New Parents" at his website; http://www.all-about-baby-names.com