The Minor Arcana

The Tarot is made up of two sections, the Major Arcana, sometimes called the Trumps or the Triumphs, and the Minor Arcana, or the Suit Cards. The suit cards are further divided into the pip cards, numbered from 1 to 10, and the court cards, consisting of page, knight, queen and king, or in a few decks, princess, prince, queen and king. Each of the suits is represented by one of the four elements, and many Tarot analysts have assigned other associations to each suit as well.  Some of these associations contradict each other because they come from many different traditions. I'm presenting the associations as they make sense to me, with more detail given on each suit's individual page.

In these pages, the Minor Arcana pictured come from the Smith tarot, based on the original drawings by Pamela Colman Smith, that became the Rider-Waite Tarot deck. Smith's deck was the first to put pictures to the pip cards, and her depictions of each card have become inseparable from its interpreted meaning.

The Tarot Wands

The Wands or Staves

 The Wands represent the element of Fire. They are characterized by energy and initiative, and are often associated with the start of a project. It is the suit of creativity, inspiration and realization, of bringing something to fruition.

Wands is a masculine suit. It is associated with the Fire signs of the Zodiac: Aries, Leo and Sagittarius. Their season is spring, and their compass point is south. They also correspond to the suit of clubs in traditional playing cards.

When many Wands appear in a reading, it suggests a great deal of energy and enthusiasm. Like fire, that energy can be useful, or it can be a destructive force.

The Tarot Cups

The Cups or Cauldrons

 The Cups represent the element of Water. They are characterized by emotion and introspection, and are often associated with expressions of emotion. It is the suit of intuition, relationships and love.

Cups is a feminine suit, and is associated with Cancer, Scorpio and Pisces, the Water signs of the Zodiac. Their season is summer, and their direction is west. They also correspond to the suit of hearts in traditional playing cards.

When many Cups appear in a reading, it suggests that there are strong emotions involved in the situation. It can mean that you are being guided by your intuition or that your heart is ruling your head.

The Tarot Swords

The Swords

The Swords represent the element of Air. They symbolize the intellect and communication, and are often associated with violence and action. It is the suit of the warrior, the law and conflict.

Swords is a masculine suit, and is associated with Gemini, Libra and Aquarius, the air signs of the Zodiac. Their season is winter, and their direction is north. They correspond to the suit of spades in traditional playing cards.

When many swords appear in a reading, matters of communication are emphasized. There is a potential for conflict, but there is also potential for great reward.

The Tarot Pentacles

The Pentacles

The Pentacles represent the element of Earth. They symbolize fertility, practicality and family, and are often associated with building a heritage. It is the suit of growth, money and material success.

Pentacles is a feminine suit, and is associated with Taurus, Virgo and Capricorn, the earth signs of the Zodiac. Their season is autumn, and their direction is east. They correspond to the suit of diamonds in traditional playing cards.

When many pentacles appear in a reading, it suggests that money and/or status is at play. There is a potential for great strides in your career, as well as for a financial loss or setback.