The cards
The 78 cards of the Rider–Waite–Smith deck, as Pamela Colman Smith drew them in 1909. Each one comes with A. E. Waite’s meanings from 1911 and its Golden Dawn correspondences.
Major Arcana
Twenty-two trumps, from the Fool setting out to the World made whole.
22 cards
- The Foolbeginnings, spontaneity, leap of faith
- The Magicianwillpower, skill, manifestation
- The High Priestessintuition, mystery, inner knowing
- The Empressabundance, fertility, nurturing
- The Emperorauthority, structure, stability
- The Hierophanttradition, spiritual guidance, institutions
- The Loverslove, union, harmony
- The Chariotdetermination, victory, willpower
- Strengthinner strength, courage, compassion
- The Hermitintrospection, solitude, inner guidance
- Wheel of Fortunecycles, change, destiny
- Justicefairness, truth, accountability
- The Hanged Mansurrender, pause, new perspective
- Deathendings, transformation, transition
- Temperancebalance, moderation, patience
- The Devilbondage, attachment, temptation
- The Towersudden upheaval, revelation, collapse
- The Starhope, renewal, healing
- The Moonillusion, intuition, uncertainty
- The Sunjoy, success, vitality
- Judgementawakening, renewal, reckoning
- The Worldcompletion, fulfillment, integration
Wands
The suit of Fire: will, energy and creative drive.
14 cards
- Ace of Wandsinspiration, new venture, creative spark
- Two of Wandsplanning, future vision, decisions
- Three of Wandsexpansion, foresight, enterprise
- Four of Wandscelebration, homecoming, harmony
- Five of Wandscompetition, conflict, rivalry
- Six of Wandsvictory, recognition, success
- Seven of Wandsperseverance, defense, standing firm
- Eight of Wandsspeed, swift action, momentum
- Nine of Wandsresilience, persistence, vigilance
- Ten of Wandsburden, overcommitment, responsibility
- Page of Wandsenthusiasm, exploration, curiosity
- Knight of Wandsaction, adventure, passion
- Queen of Wandsconfidence, warmth, charisma
- King of Wandsleadership, vision, entrepreneurship
Cups
The suit of Water: feeling, love and the life of the heart.
14 cards
- Ace of Cupsnew love, emotional renewal, compassion
- Two of Cupspartnership, mutual attraction, union
- Three of Cupscelebration, friendship, community
- Four of Cupsapathy, contemplation, discontent
- Five of Cupsloss, grief, regret
- Six of Cupsnostalgia, childhood memories, innocence
- Seven of Cupschoices, illusion, fantasy
- Eight of Cupswalking away, disillusionment, seeking deeper meaning
- Nine of Cupswish fulfillment, satisfaction, contentment
- Ten of Cupsfamily harmony, lasting happiness, emotional fulfillment
- Page of Cupsintuitive message, creative spark, curiosity
- Knight of Cupsromance, charm, invitation
- Queen of Cupscompassion, intuition, emotional depth
- King of Cupsemotional balance, diplomacy, compassionate leadership
Swords
The suit of Air: thought, truth and the conflicts of the mind.
14 cards
- Ace of Swordsclarity, breakthrough, truth
- Two of Swordsstalemate, difficult choice, truce
- Three of Swordsheartbreak, grief, sorrow
- Four of Swordsrest, recovery, retreat
- Five of Swordsconflict, hollow victory, defeat
- Six of Swordstransition, moving on, passage
- Seven of Swordsstrategy, stealth, deception
- Eight of Swordsrestriction, feeling trapped, self-limiting beliefs
- Nine of Swordsanxiety, despair, nightmares
- Ten of Swordspainful ending, rock bottom, defeat
- Page of Swordscuriosity, vigilance, new ideas
- Knight of Swordsaction, ambition, drive
- Queen of Swordsclarity, honesty, independence
- King of Swordsauthority, intellect, judgment
Pentacles
The suit of Earth: work, money, the body and the home.
14 cards
- Ace of Pentaclesnew opportunity, prosperity, manifestation
- Two of Pentaclesbalance, juggling priorities, adaptability
- Three of Pentaclesteamwork, collaboration, craftsmanship
- Four of Pentaclessecurity, conservation, control
- Five of Pentacleshardship, financial loss, scarcity
- Six of Pentaclesgenerosity, charity, giving and receiving
- Seven of Pentaclespatience, long-term view, assessment
- Eight of Pentaclesdiligence, craftsmanship, skill development
- Nine of Pentaclesself-sufficiency, independence, luxury
- Ten of Pentacleslegacy, inheritance, family wealth
- Page of Pentaclesstudy, ambition, diligence
- Knight of Pentaclesreliability, hard work, routine
- Queen of Pentaclesnurturing, practicality, abundance
- King of Pentaclesabundance, security, leadership
