moon and stars with liz

Sometimes, you may approach the tarot deck with good intentions but feel overwhelmed by its complexity. Avoid this mindset. Reading tarot is so rewarding. If tarot is not for you, try some oracle cards. Embarking on this voyage of discovery into card reading can help you create a new chapter in your life.

The Minor Arcana

The Minor Arcana can always look challenging to understand when you first begin to read. No so, these cards relate to the day-to-day parts of our lives and enhance any full Tarot reading as they show the influences that we interact with. They show the trials and tribulations that are being or about to be experienced.
Within the reading, these influences are temporary and can be changed depending on your actions.
The cards of the Minor Arcana are comparable to playing cards
There are four suits in the Minor Arcana: Cups, Pentacles, Swords and Wands. Each contains 14 cards, including an Ace and 4 Court Cards. There are 56 different cards within the Minor Arcana.
Images vary between the different decks, and it is essential that you choose a deck you feel drawn to and will easily be able to relate to when starting on your reading journey. Nothing worse than being given a deck of Tarot cards and you dislike the imagery so much that you cannot read them!
Some very simple explanations to get you started:

The Suit of Pentacles

This suit represents your finances, work, and material possessions. This card will appear in a reading about a job or financial situation. It is sometimes referred to as the suit of coins, representing life’s material aspects.
In playing cards, this relates to the suit of Diamonds
With the elements, Pentacles belong to the Earth signs of Taurus, Virgo and Capricorn. This is feminine energy that is grounded, stable, and supportive.
In general terms, the interpretation of pentacles is usually about money or property, ambition/success within a working environment. Some negative aspects can be indicated as overly materialistic, even greedy or having lean financial times. The way to bring the negativity back into balance is to ground oneself and evaluate what is essential.
Pentacles are about the body or earth elements, such as mountains, rocks, soil, and things connected to our beautiful planet.
The basic meaning behind the cards is ‘proof of doing’, harvesting the results of hard work and using talents.

The Suit of Cups

The suit of Cups represents feelings, emotions, and creativity. It relates to the emotional state of the querent, not just about the relationships, but their hopes and dreams.
The elements related to cups are water, fluidity of feelings and emotions, and feminine energy. The Astrological signs are Cancer, Scorpio, and Pisces. They also have a religious connection.
The suit of hearts in playing cards relates to the tarot suit of hearts
In general terms, when cups appear, it is the emotional impacts around your querent, anything that affects them deeply, such as relationships or arguments that have hurt them deeply. When you read these, always be tactful and relate messages sensitively.

Suit of Swords

The Suit of Swords deals with the mental level of consciousness and symbolises the balance between intellect and power. Thoughts, words, and actions are keywords. These cards will appear in readings about communicating your ideas, making decisions, and asserting your power.
The element related to swords is Air, a masculine energy; the astrological signs are Aquarius, Libra, and Gemini—the Goddess Kali. People drawn to this can be confrontational and have rigid thought patterns.
Swords relate to spades.
It pulls together messages of ‘battle’, the double-edged nature of situations (double-edged sword). Some of the messages may appear negative, but they are warnings that, through times of anguish, there is hope and that they take a balanced approach rather than overreacting.
Swords are about the mind—things that need to be sorted out and things that need to be thought through logically. Not to let your heart rule your head.

Suit of Wands

The Suit of Wands represents energy, passion, and new ideas. It is about life’s purpose, new ideas, and pushing oneself to achieve goals.
The element associated with Wands is fire, a masculine energy of passion and enthusiasm. Astrological signs associated are Leo, Sagittarius, and Aries.
In playing cards, the Suit of Wands relates to clubs.
When a reading is predominantly Wands, it means seeking solutions to issues, often in their early stages of development. You may want to understand more about what motivates you.
It can mean taking positive steps to complete projects or goals. Sometimes it is the greater meaning in life, and often, it is necessary to look at the motivations behind things and issues. A negative outcome may indicate a deficiency in practicality or impulsive behaviour. Therefore, it is advisable to exercise caution as you move forward, ensuring that other aspects of your life are not compromised.
Wands are about will, drives and deeds. ‘Where there is a will, there is a way. ’ Striving to achieve. Also, a good suit for intentions and spells.

Court Cards

These cards typically offer a variety of meanings, so they need to be read in context.
They can be people, energy, or events.

Pages tend to mean messages containing news: freshness and inspiration. Young person. Curious and eager to learn.
The Element associated with them is Earth. Makes something tangible.

Knights – a call to action. Boldness Bravery. Filled with passion
Air element sometimes Fire. Magnifying, expanding, Meaning and consequence.
Queen will most likely represent a person or compelling feminine energy. Impulsive, initiator and investigator. Inspires others. Water element
King will always represent a person or an enormously powerful male energy, especially if you get two in a spread. Level-headed and intellectual in communication. Fire Element Thorough, intensive, and consolidating.

Numerology – Minor Arcana

1 – Something new, Pure Energy, Beginnings, Inspiration, creating (Beginnings, Inspiration, Momentum)
2 – Pairs – The complexity of union. Harmony, merging. Balance is so challenging to move forward (Duality, Choices, Balance)
3 – Group Dynamics – Different outcomes can occur. Holy Trinity, Sacred three or completion of a phase. (Groups, Growth, Completion, Sharing)
4 – Foundation created, ready to grow and evolve. Sometimes, disappointment is not progress as quickly as it should. Move forward (Manifesting, Foundations, Endurance)
5 – Change – Fluctuation, conflict. Look within yourself for more (conflict, movement, fluctuation
6 – Movement away from conflict to a solution. Reconciliation or letting go. Light after the dark (harmony, adjustment, alignment)
7 – Step back and introspect. Assess and evaluate the path. It can be a lonely pursuit. (Revelation, Investigation, Introspection)
8 – Completion of a second phase. An achievement or growth in an unexpected way
9 – Nearing completion, entering plateau. A pause before the final part of the cycle. (Transitions, attainment, nearing completion)
, 1+0 – Full Circle, completion, move forward, new beginnings