The Major Arcana

Upright: New beginnings, new adventures, new opportunities,

unlimited possibilities, pleasure, passion, thoughtlessness,
rashness.
The Fool
Reverse: A bad decision, indecision, apathy, hesitation, a faulty
choice

Upright: Originality, creativity, skill, will-power, self confidence,

The Magician dexterity, sleight of hand
Reverse: Weakness in will, insecurity, delay, no imagination

Upright: Wisdom, knowledge, learning, intuition, purity, virtue, a

The High lack of patience, a teacher.
Priestess Reverse: Ignorance, lack of understanding, selfishness,
shallowness

Upright: Action, development, accomplishment,

mother/sister/wife, evolution
The Empress
Reverse: Vacillation, inaction, lack on concentration, indecision,
anxiety, infidelity, cheating

Upright: Accomplishment, confidence, wealth, stability,

leadership, father/brother/husband, achievement, a capable
The Emperor person.
Reverse: Immaturity, indecision, feebleness, petty emotions,
lack of strength

Upright: A need to conform, social approval, bonded to the

conventions of society. Reverse: Unconventionality,
unorthodoxy, an inventor
OR
The Hierophant
Upright: Mercy, kindness, forgiveness, compassion, conformity,
a sense of historical importance, inspiration.
Reverse: Foolish generosity, errors are repeated, impotence,
vulnerability, frailty, unorthodoxy.

Upright: Love, harmony, trust, honor, the beginning of a

romance, optimism, a meaningful relationship/affair.
The Lovers
Reverse: Unreliability, separation, frustration in love, fickleness,
untrustworthy

Upright: Perseverance, a journey, a rushed decision, adversity,

turmoil, vengeance.
The Chariot
Reverse: Unsuccessful, defeat, failure, last minute loss,
vanquishment

Upright: Strength, courage, conviction, energy, determination,

action, heroism, virility.
Strength
Reverse: Weakness, pettiness, sickness, tyranny, lack of faith,
abuse of power
 Upright: Counsel, inner strength, prudence, caution, vigilance,
patience, withdrawal, annulment, a loner.
The Hermit
Reverse: Imprudence, hastiness, rashness, foolish acts,
immaturity.

Upright: Destiny, fortune, a special gain, an unusual loss, end of

The Wheel of a problem, unexpected events, advancement, progress.
Fortune Reverse: Failure, bad luck, interruption, outside influences, bad
fate, unexpected events.

Upright: Harmony, balance, equality, righteousness, virtue,

Justice honor, advice, a considerate person.
Reverse: Bias, false accusations, intolerance, unfairness, abuse

Upright: Suspension, change, reversal, boredom, abandonment,

sacrifice, readjustment, improvement, rebirth .
The Hanged Man
Reverse: Unwillingness to make an effort, false prophecy,
useless sacrifice.

Upright: Transformation, making way for the new, unexpected

change, loss, failure, illness or death, bad luck.
Death
Reverse: Stagnation, immobility, slow changes, a narrow escape,
cheating death

Upright: Moderation, temperance, patience, harmony, fusion,

good influence, confidence.
Temperance
Reverse: Discord, conflict, disunion, hostility, frustration,
impatience

Upright: Ravage, weird or strange experience, downfall,

unexpected failure, controversy, violence, disaster, an ill-
The Devil tempered person.
Reverse: Divorce, release, handicaps are overcome,
enlightenment

Upright: A sudden change, abandonment of past, ending a

friendship, unexpected events, disruption, bankruptcy, downfall,
The Tower loss of money or security.
Reverse: Following old ways, a rut, entrapment, caught in a bad
situation, imprisonment

Upright: Hope, faith, inspiration, optimism, insight, spiritual love,

pleasure, balance.
The Star
Reverse: Unfulfilled hopes, disappointment, dreams are crushed,
bad luck, imbalance

Upright: Deception, trickery, disillusionment, error, danger,

The Moon disgrace, double-dealing.
Reverse: Deception is discovered before damage can be done,
trifling mistakes, taking advantage of someone
 Upright: Satisfaction, accomplishment, success, love, joy,
engagement or a happy marriage.
The Sun
Reverse: Unhappiness, loneliness, canceled plans, broken
engagement or marriage, a clouded future, a lack of friends

Upright: Awakening, renewal, a well lived life, better health, a

quickened mind.
Judgment Reverse: Fear of death, failure, possible loss, ill health

or Upright: Atonement, judgment, the need to forgive,

rejuvenation, rebirth, improvement, development, promotion,
Rejuvenation efforts are rewarded.
Reverse: Delay, disappointment, indecision, procrastination,
theft, worry

Upright: Completion, perfection, recognition, honors, the end

The World result, success, fulfillment, triumph, eternal life.
Reverse: Imperfection, lack of vision, disappointment.

The Minor Arcana

Usually predict energy, growth, enterprise, animation, and
Wands glory.

Upright: A creative beginning, a new business venture, a

profitable journey, an inheritance, a new career, a birth in the
Ace of wands family.
Reversed: Selfishness may spoil the venture, setbacks for a
new enterprise, a journey may be put off, a lack of
determination.

Upright: A kind and generous person, an interest in science,

patience, creative ability, courage, good things to come.
Two of Wands
Reversed: Caution is advised against impatience, a possible
domination by others

Upright: A cooperation in business affairs, trade and commerce,

success brought by a good partnership, practical help may come
Three of Wands from a successful person.
Reversed: A tendency to scatter energies, mistakes are made
through carelessness, disappointment, caution against pride and
arrogance
Four of Wands
Upright: The beauty of the harvest home, perfected work,
prosperity, peace, celebration after labor, end of romance in
marriage, happy holidays to come.
 Reversed: Learning to appreciate the little things in life, beauty
of nature, peace, harmony.

Upright: Competition, possibility of a lawsuit or quarrel,

Five of Wands
obstacles, courage.
Reversed: Harmony, new opportunities, generosity.

Upright: Good news, victory, success after labor, helpful

Six of Wands friends, leadership during journey.
Reversed: Rewards are delayed, postponed trip, bad news, an
insolent winner, pride in riches/success.

Upright: The ability to "hold one's own" against adversaries,

stiff competition in business, a fight won, a fight one may have
Seven of Wands
to face soon, victory, energy, courage.
Reversed: The threat will pass by, don't let others take
advantage, caution against indecision, patience.

Upright: A Goal is approaching, new ideas, a journey by air,

Eight of Wands love will find its mark, love of open air, gardens, meadows.
Reversed: Jealousy, violence, quarrels, domestic disputes,
a force of courage or boldness is applied to suddenly.

Upright: Preparedness, eventual victory, good health, strength

Nine of Wands in reserve, tendency to obstinacy.
Reversed: Unpreparedness, refusal to fight, weakness in
character, ill health, bending over adversity
Upright: An oppressive load, pain, all plans or projects ruined,
complete failure.
Ten of Wands
Reversed: Strength, energy, a desire to ruin the happiness of
others, a clever person.

Upright: Brilliance, courage, beauty, sudden anger or love,

Page of Wands great enthusiasm, a messenger.
Reversed: Superficial, theatrical, unstable, a broken heart, bad
news to come.

Upright: An impetuous nature, generous friend, a lover, haste,

Knight of Wands a journey, the coming or going of a matter is of much concern.
Reversed: Discord, work interrupted, jealousy, narrow-
mindedness, suspicion, the journey is delayed.

Upright: A woman, fondness of nature or of the home,

Queen of Wands attraction, command, someone who is well liked or honorable.
Reversed: Strict, domineering, a jealous and revengeful nature,
deceit, infidelity.
Upright: A gentlemen, father, passionate, generous, noble, a
good leader.
King of Wands
Reversed: Severe, unyielding, strict, intolerance, prejudice,
quarrels
 Usually predict love, happiness, fertility, and beauty.
Cups
Upright: The beginning of love, joy, beauty, or good health.
Ace of Cups
Reverse: Hesitancy to accept the things that come from the
heart, love under a selfish grasp, egotism

Upright: A new romance, a well balanced friendship is

Two of Cups beginning, harmony, cooperation.
Reverse: A loss of balance in a relationship, a violent passion,
love turning bad, a misunderstanding

Upright: A good fortune in love, a happy conclusion, unknown

talents are discovered, a sensitive and sympathetic person,
Three of Cups
hospitality.
Reverse: Pain, gossip, unknown talents remain hidden,
overindulgence.

Upright: Reevaluation, a dissatisfaction with success, kindness

Four of Cups may come from others.
Reverse: New relationships possible, new goals, new ambitions,
action

Upright: Sorrow, loss of a loved one, a broken marriage,

Five of Cups disillusionment, vain regret.
Reversed: Return of hope, new relationships are beginning,
return of a loved one, courage is summoned from within

Upright: A gift from a childhood acquaintance, happiness and

pleasure brought from the past, good memories, a new
Six of Cups
friendship, a gift from an admirer, new opportunities.
Reverse: Living in the past, outworn friendships,
disappointment.

Upright: A long-worked imagination, unable to choose one's

Seven of Cups direction in life, illusory success.
Reverse: A good use of determination, will-power, a definite
path will be chosen

Upright: An abandonment of one's current path in life,

disappointment in love, misery and repining without cause,
Eight of Cups
desire to leave on'e success for something higher.
Reverse: Search for pleasure, seeking joy or success, a new
love interest

Upright: An assured future, physical well-being, a wish may

Nine of Cups come true.
Reverse: A lack in money, overindulgence, illness, a wish may
not come true
Ten of Cups
 Upright: A happy family life, true friendships, lasting happiness
Reverse: A family quarrel, loss of a friendship, children may
turn against their parents, waste.

Upright: Gentleness, sweetness, kindness, an interest in poetry

Page of Cups
or art, news.
Reverse: Selfishness, little desire to create, a poor imagination

Upright: Intelligence, romantic dreamer, the coming or going of

Knight of Cups an emotional matter.
Reverse: Trickery, fraud, sensuality, idleness, an untruthful
person

Upright: Imagination out-ways one's common sense, a good

wife or loving mother, happiness, gentle, a good natured person.
Queen of Cups
Reverse: An over-active imagination, perverse, pleasure
and happiness may turn bitter

Upright: A business man, a man of law, kindness, a considerate

person, a willingness to take on responsibility, and enjoyment of
King of Cups
the arts or sciences.
Reverse: A powerful man but a double-dealer, crafty, violent,
scandal.
Usually predict aggression, force, ambition, courage, strife,
Swords misfortune

Upright: Beginning of a victory, ability to love and hate with

Ace of Swords ardor, a valiant leader may be born.
Reverse: Caution when trying to use power to gain an ending,
obstacles, tyranny

Upright: Well balanced emotions are needed, indecision, trouble

Two of Swords
ahead, in need of direction.
Reverse: Release, beware when dealing with the unscrupulous

Upright: Affections may experience "stormy weather", lovers

Three of Swords
separated, possible civil war.
Reverse: Disorder, confusion, loss, sorrow due to loss

Upright: Rest after strife, retreat, temporary exile, a change

Four of Swords
back to the "active life"
Reverse: Renewed activity, social unrest, labor strikes
Upright: Failure, defeat, cowardliness, cruelty, an empty
victory.
Five of Swords
Reverse: A lesser chance of loss or defeat, an empty victory,
unfairness in dealings
Six of Swords
Upright: A journey, passage away from sorrow, harmony will
prevail.
 Reverse: Journey will be postponed, no way out of present
obstacles or difficulties

Upright: An unwise attempt, unreliability, betrayal, insolence,

Seven of Swords spying, possible failure.
Reverse: Excessive help is given, good advice, counsel, stolen
items are returned

Upright: Restricted action, indecision, censure, temporary

Eight of Swords
illness, weakness, a prisoner.
Reverse: Relaxation, new beginnings possible, freedom

Upright: Suffering, doubt, desolation, illness, injury, death of a

loved one, suspicion, cruelty, misery, loss, dishonesty,
Nine of Swords
pitilessness, slander.
Reverse: Healing over time, unselfishness, patience, good news
of a loved one

Upright: Sudden misfortune, ruin of plans, defeat, failure, pain

Ten of Swords and tears.
Reverse: Evil forces are overthrown, courage, some success,
better health

Upright: Dexterity, grace, diplomacy, understanding, an

Page of Swords upsetting message.
Reverse: A cunning person, an imposture, ill health,
unexpected events.

Upright: A headlong rush into life, a strong man, bravery, a

skillful and clever person, an unexpected coming or going of a
Knight of Swords
matter.
Reverse: Tyranny, a troublemaker, a crafty and secretive
person.

Upright: A quick and confident decision, a widow, one who can

Queen of Swords bear their sorrow.
Reverse: Cruelty due to keen observations, a sly and deceitful
person, narrowmindedness, a gossip

Upright: A judge, a powerful commander, a firm friendship

King of Swords holder but often overcautious, a wise counselor.
Reverse: Evil intentions, an obstinate person, decisions or
judgments may seem unfair

Usually predict money, industry, and material gain

Pentacles
Upright: A new business venture, the beginning of prosperity,
Ace of Pentacles beginning of happiness or pleasure.
Reverse: Possible greed or misery, money may not be
everything
 Upright: The ability to handle multiple situations, harmony is
maintained during change, new projects may be difficult, expect
Two of Pentacles
a helpful message
Reverse: Difficulty with handling problems, expect a
discouraging message

Upright: Reward for skills or abilities, approval, success through

Three of effort.
Pentacles Reverse: Quality in workmanship is neglected, good work is
expended due to a preoccupation with money, common place
ideals or ambitions

Upright: Love of power or money, a lack of give-and-take,

Four of Pentacles miserly or ungenerous nature.
Reverse: Some earthly possessions may be lost, obstacles or
delays in business affairs, a spendthrift.

Upright: Loneliness, destitution, loss of possessions, poor

Five of Pentacles
health, despair due to spiritual impoverishment.
Reverse: New employment, revived courage, a new interest

Upright: Sharing of prosperity, one will soon receive what is

Six of Pentacles rightfully theirs, charity, gifts, philanthropy, three-fold.
Reverse: Bribes, unfairness, prosperity is threatened, jealousy,
miserliness

Upright: Effort and hard work will cause growth, a pause during
Seven of
development, reevaluations.
Pentacles
Reverse: Little progress, impatience, anxiety, investments may
be unprofitable

Upright: Learning a trade or profession, employment is coming

Eight of Pentacles soon, skill, handiwork, small money gain.
Reverse: Skills are not being used properly, a dislike of hard
work, ambition is void

Upright: Well-being, things in life are enjoyed alone, solitude, a

Nine of Pentacles
green thumb.
Reverse: Loss is possible, danger from thieves, caution

Ten of Pentacles Upright: Stable family, gain in wealth, property is acquired.

Reverse: Family misfortune, caution, mind is dull, slothfulness

Upright: Scholar, generosity, kindness, a careful person,

Page of Pentacles learning new ideas/opinions.
Reverse: Wastefulness, luxury, rebellious, opposing
ideas/opinions, bad news
Knight of
Pentacles Upright: Trustworthy, a heavy and dull outlook, patience,
accepting of responsibilities, an animal lover, a nature lover, the
 coming/going of a matter.
Reverse: Irresponsible, impatience, timidness, carelessness,
a standstill in affairs

Upright: Intelligence, thoughtfulness, a creative person, talents

Queen of
are used well, melancholy.
Pentacles
Reverse: Too much dependence, neglected duties, mistrust,
suspicion, not a very creative person

Upright: A chief of industry or a banker, a reliable person, a

King of Pentacles
married man, solid, steadiness. Reverse: Materialistic, slow to
anger, 'head is on the ground", bribes

Tarot Layouts or Spreads

Tarot readings involve "layouts" or "spreads," namely the placement of Tarot cards on a
table in a pattern. In most readings, the position of each card within the layout's pattern
has meaning.

The most common layout is the Celtic Cross (covered below), a 10-card spread. In
addition to structured layouts like the Celtic Cross, layouts can also be invented by a
reader. If a reader concentrates on the layout used while shuffling the deck and selecting
cards, the layout should work whether it comes from tradition or invention. However,
some claim that the number of people using and meditating on common layouts like the
Celtic Cross give those particular layouts more power than layouts used less often.

There are many recommendations from various sources on how to perform good layouts.
Some claim that readings should always be done on a wooden table because wood
reflects vibrational energy well. A quiet room is preferred to a noisy locale, meditation is
recommended prior to each reading, cards should be kept in a bag or wooden box with
citrine and other crystals to keep their energy clean, and so on. While each reader should
try techniques and evaluate how well they work, Tarot can be read almost anywhere, with
remarkably good results. In my experience, the most important skill for a good reading is
the concentration of the reader.

The "reader" is the person performing the reading, while the "seeker" or "querent" is the
person receiving the reading. A "reading" is both the layout of cards and interpretation of
their meanings with any insight or intuition added as an additional layer to those
meanings. As the deck is shuffled, a good reader will concentrate on the question the
querent has posed. For privacy, if a querent doesn't want to verbalize the question, the
reader can simply concentrate on answering the querent's question while the querent
concentrates on the question. Sometimes the cards don't answer the question posed, but
rather show something the querent needs to know, perhaps what the "spirit guides" feel ist
best. For general readings (readings without a question in particular), the reader simply
concentrates on the best reading for the seeker, what the querent needs to know at the
time of the reading.
Shuffling Method
The most important thing to remember while shuffling is to concentrate only on the
seeker's question, or on giving the seeker a reading that he or she needs & wants.

Different sources recommend different methods, for example some advise letting the
seeker shuffle the deck, or to turn some cards upside down while shuffling. I never have
the seeker do the actual shuffling, although I've found that the seeker always does a good
job of choosing the correct pile in a cut deck. I also don't deliberately turn cards upside
down while shuffling, as the cards offer enough meanings to get their message across
without it.

Personally, I've found that the following method for shuffling works very well:

1.) Concentrating only on the seeker and his/her question, shuffle the deck while trying to
follow your intuition on how to shuffle. For example, if you feel you should only drop a
few cards on one side of the deck, then put the remainder on the other side before
continuing the shuffle, do that. If you feel that a few cards should be pulled out and re-
positioned, follow that intuition. Shuffling correctly using intuition is one of the most
important techniques of giving a good reading. In fact, if the reader concentrates and uses
intuition well during the shuffle, usually the standard card meanings combined with their
positions will work well without much added intuition or psychic insight during the cards'
interpretations.

2.) Decide whether the seeker should cut the cards, or if you want to cut the cards. If you
allow the seeker to cut the cards, explain that he or she should cut the deck into 3 piles,
breaking the deck where it "feels right" for them. I usually avoid the term "intuition"
when giving instructions to seekers, as some seekers might not understand the term, or
may have come to the reading in an emotional state where using intuition seems like an
intimidating responsibility. The term "feels right" makes the task seem easy, as it should
be.

3.) If you decide to cut the deck as a reader, cut it into three piles, again dividing it in
places that seem like the right spots to break the deck for this particular seeker. I usually
prefer to break the deck myself, but rely on my intuition to make that decision.

4.) Ask the seeker to choose which of the 3 piles feels right to him or her, to start the
reading. You as the reader can also choose which pile, if desired. Trust your intuition on
what to do for the best result. If you allow the seeker to choose, but have a strong feeling
that the seeker chose the wrong pile, set the pile you would have picked aside. Later, if
the reader doesn't seem satisfied with the reading, take the pile you would have chosen
and say "maybe this pile would have been better", and do the layout again using the pile
you wanted. After you've done a number of readings for different seekers, you'll develop
a preference for who cuts and who chooses during your readings.

5.) Starting from the top of the chosen pile, lay the cards out in order of the layout used
(see below for some basic Layouts). Some readers prefer to lay the cards out face-down,
then turn them over one at a time during the reading. I prefer to deal them face-up
always. When finished with the layout, set the pile of remaining cards to the side of the
layout.

6.) You're ready to start the reading!

The Celtic Cross Layout

Some claim the Celtic Cross is the most powerful spread used in Tarot, because it's the
one used most often, and its frequent use generates some sort of collective energy around
it. Some readers don't vary from the Celtic Cross, thinking that other spreads won't
produce a reading quite as accurate. My experience is that many other layouts work well,
each serving its own purpose.

The Celtic Cross has a few different variations, most

centered around how the cards are dealt around the first
card. All variations work well, as long as the reader
remembers which varation was used and what the card
positions mean. In the diagram to the right, the card over
the central cross is the third card, and so on. The second
card is also laid over the top of the first card, instead of
the middle or bottom. The Celtic Cross is best suited for
answering questions, as the final card, #10, is the
outcome. However it can also be used for general
readings, showing the general direction of the seeker's
life, or trusting the divination to find an important issue that the seeker will understand.

Like the Celtic Cross' card order, card position meanings also vary. For the variation
shown here, card meanings are often as follows:

1.) The first card laid on the table represents the seeker, the starting point, or the
immediate circumstances of the seeker. Sometimes this card is deliberately pulled from
the deck by the reader or seeker, called the Significator card. The reader may chat with
the seeker about a few of his or her personal traits, then choose a card which seems the
closest to the seeker's personality. Or the reader could pull out a few cards which may
represent the seeker, such as the four queens for a woman or the four knights for a
younger man, and ask the seeker to choose the first card. (The cards could be face up or
face down during this process.)

Personally, I prefer to let the cards do the talking, and just deal the first card after the
seeker has selected which pile from the cut deck he or she wants. I find that allowing the
divination to speak for itself will bring up points that help the reader understand the issue
at hand. The first card may only deal with part of his or her personality, or perhaps signify
a different person entirely -- someone important in the seeker's life, or someone they're
acquainted with recently.
2.) The second card is laid over the first card because it represents the immediate
influences over the seeker (or whatever the first card represents). It could also mean
obstacles the seeker must overcome.

3.) This card is placed above the central cross in the reading, because it represents that
which the seeker is reaching for. It could represent the goals of the seeker, or what is best
for the seeker.

4.) This card is placed below the central cross because it represents the roots or
foundation of the seeker. It could be the influence of past events on the present, or
something the seeker already has available to use.

5.) This is placed to the left of the central cross because it is behind the seeker. It
represents the past and its effects on the current situation or question. NOTE: Some
sources recommend that if the main face on the first card is looking to the left or right,
the fifth card should be placed on the side that the face is looking away from. This is to
represent something behind the seeker. Other sources simply place the 5th card on the
left, using a left-to-right motion to indicate direction as seen in Western languages.

6.) What lies ahead of the seeker, or something in the future. Again, some sources say that
if the first card's face is looking in a certain direction, the 6th card should be on the side
that the face is pointed toward. This is to indicate something that the seeker is moving
toward.

7.) This represents the seeker's inner attitude and disposition, and perhaps his or her
relation to the issue at hand.

8.) This could represent the seeker's influence on others and position in life; it could also
be immediate influences over the seeker, such as people, events, surroundings, and the
general environment of the seeker.

9.) This could represent the hopes and fears of the seeker, or outside influences and the
seeker's outer image.

10.) This is the outcome card.

The European Layout

My personal preference is to begin
readings with a European spread. It's a
good introduction to the seeker. As shown
here, 9 cards are laid in a row, in groups of
three. The first group (cards 1-3) represent
the seeker's past, the 2nd group the
present, and the 3rd group the future. Supposedly, the entire timeline goes from the most
distant past to the most distant future, so card 1 would be the oldest experience in the
seeker's life, card 9 the most distant future.
However, as with most divinations, the cards will tell their own story. I've found that
sometimes cards are grouped to complement each other, for example one seeker's past
grouping contained a card showing a hard life (verified by the reader) grouped with the
apprenticeship card, probably to indicate that past hard times were part of his education
and conditioning, or perhaps that his training was able to save him from that hard life.

I've found that seekers always understand the message as the card meanings and positions
are explained. They'll recognize significant information as it is presented, and divination
will find its own techniques to get the message across.

Other Layouts
There are many, many other Tarot layouts; entire books have been written on the subject.
The above layouts are just a starting point. Many different layouts can be selected and
tried by the reader over time, and layouts with the best results can be incorporated into
regular readings.