This is a post for tarot newbies. You have a tarot deck in hand, and want to know what’s in this beautiful deck.
There are two, overarching groupings of cards. One is called the Major Arcana, and one is called the Minor Arcana.
The Major Arcana
The Major Arcana, the “Major Secrets” consist of trump cards (face cards). They are considered the most important cards in the deck. Numbered 0-21. they are called the “Fool’s Journey,” as the Fool represents the newborn spirit, a fresh soul whose world is an oyster to be explored.
By the time the Fool reaches the end of their journey, the have reached the World (card 21), and possess great wisdom. So, these cards represent one’s spiritual journey.
Elementally, the Major Arcana cards correspond to Spirit. Spirit is the energy of the soul, learning and evolving.
The Minor Arcana
The rest of the cards fall into four suits, which are called the Minor Arcana (the lesser secrets). These cards are considered “pips” or numbered cards.
This grouping of cards below shows each of the four suits within the Major Arcana (although the court cards are missing. There are four court cards in each suit called the Page, Knight, Queen and King. Although, if you are working with a deck other than the Rider Waite-Smith, the court cards may have different names).
The Minor Arcana suits, as the lesser secrets, reveal day-to-day events as the Spirit (the Major Arcana cards) evolves. The Minor Arcana suits and their elemental energies are as follows.
Wands / Fire
Wands are the element fire. Fire is symbolic of passion, creativity, and drive.
Cups / Water
Cups are the element water. Water is symbolic of emotion, relationships, feelings, spirituality, intuition, and healing.
Swords / Air
Swords are the element air. Air is symbolic of justice, truth, communication, wisdom, research, and at times, detachment and conflict.
Pentacles / Earth
Pentacles are the element earth. Earth is symbolic of money, resources, career, all things physical (the body, the earth), and stability.