How Tarot Cards Work

The Tarot Deck
The tarot deck most commonly used in the U.S. is the Rider-Waite tarot deck.
Photo courtesy Consumer Products


The Tarot deck is made up of the minor arcana and the major arcana. Like regular playing cards, the minor arcana of the Tarot deck includes four suits. Rather than spades, hearts, diamonds and clubs, however, the suits are wands, swords, cups, and circles or pentacles

Cards of the minor arcana: aces of wands, swords, cups, and circles and pentacles
Photo courtesy Angel Paths

Each suit has meaning regarding a specific approach to life. The cards within these suits are numbered one through 10 and also include the court cards — the king, queen, knight and page. The minor arcana cards represent the more minor, practical daily ups and downs in life.

The major arcana are not associated with the suits. They include the picture cards that represent principles, concepts and ideals. They are numbered one through 21, with the 22nd card (the "Fool") marked as zero. The major arcana cards represent strong, long-term energy or big events in some area of life.

Cards of the major arcana: Temperance, Death, the Fool and the Hanged Man
Photo courtesy Angel Paths

Seeing a major arcana card about a particular subject in one reading and then getting a minor arcana card about the same subject in the next reading would mean that this subject is becoming less important in your life. To check out various explanations of specific card meanings, see: