What Do The Tarot Cards Mean?
There is a rich and beautiful history behind the meanings of the individual cards in a tarot deck. The Major Arcana is the story of an individual’s spiritual awakening. The Minor Arcana offers insight into the day-to-day events we all face on life’s journey. All of the cards “mean” many things based on history, the illustrations, and the reader’s own intuition. When reading introspectively, I focus on distilling each card down to the central emotion it invokes, often by creating vivid scenarios. For example, “relief” is a common emotion we’ve all experienced, but it’s much more visceral to think of “the feeling you get when you turn around and don’t see you child standing next to you anymore, only to discover them hiding nearby.” And while still “relief,” it’s a very different thing to think of “when you race through the airport to catch a connecting flight and get to the gate right before the door is set to close.” Each person would benefit from coming up with their own shorthand to explain and remember the meanings of the cards, but I am happy to share my own here as a general guide.
The Major Arcana

The Fool
First time behind the wheel, alone, after getting your driver's license. Excited and a little reckless.

The Magician
Whipping up a delicious meal from odds and ends in the fridge after a long day. Use what you got!

High Priestess
When you absolutely KNOW someone is hiding something from you. Sit back and trust yourself.

Empress
Look good, get a raise at work, and flowers at home. Everything she looks at, turns to gold.

The Lovers
Marrying young and dying minutes apart in old age, holding hands. "I choose you. Today and every day."

The Hermit
Sifting through old family photos to choose pictures for a memorial service. Deep, solo soul searching.

The Hanged Man
Getting locked out of the house and catching an awesome sunset. A new perspective.

The Devil
Texting an ex at 2 a.m. when you know it's a bad idea. Temptation; co-dependence.

Moon
Hearing rustling coming from the bushes next to you at night. Mystery; premonitions.

The World
The exact moment an Olympic gold medalist crosses the finish line. Completion; accomplishment.

Emperor
Commanding an entire meeting, without ever raising your voice. The Top Dog of the deck.

The Chariot
In position at the starting line, ready for the green light. You've trained hard and are ready to win.

Wheel of Fortune
The game show contestant watching the wheel spin. Fortune or disaster? It's out of your hands!

Death
Caterpillar to butterfly. No going back to the old, but the new is beautiful! Transformation.

Tower
Walking in on your best friends making fun of you behind your back. Shattered illusions.

Sun
Running through the sprinklers on a hot day with an ice cream cone. No worries; pure joy.

The Hierophant
Rolls up his sleeves and walks you through something tough, step-by-step. Wise teacher.

Strength
Correcting a cashier who forgot to charge you for something. Mastery over lower instincts.

Justice
The teacher who gives you an F for turning in your paper 1 minute late. Rules are rules.

Temperance
A sweet, creamy frozen drink with a salted rim and an umbrella. Perfect balance.

Star
Walking out of the spa after a massage, facial, mani and pedi. Rejuvenation.

Judgement
Realizing you were absolutely 100% wrong about something and apologizing. Redemption.
The Minor Arcana

Ace of Pentacles
An investor gives you a blank check for your business idea. Time to make it happen!

King of Pentacles
You've built an empire from the ground up and enjoy the finer things in life. Wealth; leadership.

Queen of Pentacles
She's got snacks, a first aid kit, the coziest blankets and solid advice. Nurturing.

Knight of Pentacles
The friend who will help you move and set up your retirement account. Hard-working; reliable.

Page of Pentacles
Eager to learn and overdressed for the first day of work. All he needs now is experience.
- 2 of Pentacles - Answering emails, keeping an eye out for a delivery, and making dinner all at once. The Ultimate Juggler.
- 3 of Pentacles - A fine dining restaurant kitchen brigade. Working together harmoniously.
- 4 of Pentacles - You wont spend cash, take a vacation day or engage in casual chit chat. A tight grip.
- 5 of Pentacles - Watching your friends go on an expensive trip you can't afford. Left out in the cold.
- 6 of Pentacles - Pouring over financial records, business plans and reviews before donating. Charity you must earn.
- 7 of Pentacles - When you're half way through making a multi-tier cake from scratch. Is this worth the effort?
- 8 of Pentacles - Redoing your lipliner over and over until it's just so. Practice makes perfect.
- 9 of Pentacles - Your driver delivers you to Bergdorf for some afternoon shopping and lunch with friends. Lady of Leisure.
- 10 of Pentacles - Sitting on a wraparound porch with your spouse watching your children and grandchild frolic. Generational abundance.

Ace of Wands
When you get a great idea all of a sudden and know exactly how to make it work. Lightbulb moment.

King of Wands
Rockstar holding a crowd mesmerized for hours with just his voice. Magnetic achiever.

Queen of Wands
A real life Auntie Mame - warm, magnetic, confident.

Knight of Wands
The friend who's half-way packed before you finish describing your dream trip. High energy, no plan.

Page of Wands
Coming up with your first business idea. Could make you rich or you could abandon it in a week, but you're full of excitement.
- 2 of Wands - Browsing travel magazines for vacation ideas. Wanderlust.
- 3 of Wands - Booking flights and hotels for a trip with no return date. Travel; planning; adventure.
- 4 of Wands - A surprise engagement at a restaurant on Valentine's Day. Aligned celebration.
- 5 of Wands - When playfully ribbing a friend and you accidentally say something hurtful. Innocent conflict turns to real dispute.
- 6 of Wands - Hitting a home run in your little league game and being hoisted up on your team's shoulders. Public victory.
- 7 of Wands - Planting your feet firmly and refusing to hold the rails on a crowded NYC subway train. Standing firm despite exhaustion.
- 8 of Wands - Sending a cheeky text and you immediately see the other person is typing a response. Fast movement; incoming messages.
- 9 of Wands - The battered and bruised boxer who refuses to go down in the ring. Wounded warrior.
- 10 of Wands - Insisting on carrying all the groceries bags into the house in one trip. Heavy burden.

Ace of Swords
When you think of the perfect comeback during an argument. Sharp clarity.

King of Swords
A fair judge who only considers the evidence in making his decision. Analytical; direct.

Queen of Swords
The friend who loves you, but will cut off your head if you get bitten by a zombie. Clear boundaries.

Knight of Swords
The person who has a counterpoint for everything you say. Overzealous.

Page of Swords
The nosy neighbor who watches, listens and takes notes on everything. The Spy.
- 2 of Swords - Staring at a menu, two dishes sound equally good and the waiter is hovering. Time to decide.
- 3 of Swords - Coming home to an empty house and a Dear John letter. Heartbreak.
- 4 of Swords - Turning in your paper after pulling an all-nighter and immediately going to sleep. Rest.
- 5 of Swords - Winning an argument with a friend who then blocks you and never speaks to you again. Hollow victory.
- 6 of Swords - Getting on a bus and leaving your toxic hometown. Moving on to calmer shores.
- 7 of Swords - The co-worker who takes credit for your idea in a meeting. Sneaky betrayal; strategy.
- 8 of Swords - The movie character that runs around in circles during an emergency. Trapped in your own mind.
- 9 of Swords - Replaying an embarrassing incident over and over in your head. Never-ending anxiety.
- 10 of Swords - When a fellow protester puts down his sign and crosses over to the other camp. Painful endings.

Ace of Cups
Exchanging I-love-you's for the first time. New feelings; love.

King of Cups
A farmer going on with his chores despite tornadoes whirling around him. Unshakeable.

Queen of Cups
The therapist that knows when you need a hug, need advice or need to vent. Emotionally intuitive.

Knight of Cups
The barefoot guy at the party, quoting poetry and strumming a guitar. Romantic; flighty.

Page of Cups
The little girl who draws hearts all over her math homework. A sensitive, creative soul.
- 2 of Cups - A first date where everything just clicks. Young love.
- 3 of Cups - Brunch with girlfriends, laughing, eating from each other's plates, and lots of hugs. Celebration with your tribe.
- 4 of Cups - Sulking over getting a silver car instead of the black one you wanted for your birthday. Apathetic; jaded.
- 5 of Cups - All the king's horses and men trying to put Humpty Dumpty back together. Persistent regret.
- 6 of Cups - Going through a box of old baby clothes and toys in the attic. Nostalgia.
- 7 of Cups - When you have 700 tabs open on your computer. Confusion; option paralysis.
- 8 of Cups - Accepting your job is never going to get better and quietly turning in your resignation letter. Walking away.
- 9 of Cups - That moment after Thanksgiving dinner when your belly and your heart are bursting. Satisfaction; wish come true.
- 10 of Cups - A family camping trip where everyone pitches in to setup, catch food, and tell fireside stories. Harmony; total love and support.