Minor Arcana

The 56 Tarot cards of the Minor Arcana are comparable to those in a deck of standard playing cards. There are four suits – wands, cups, swords and coins / pentacles, and the cards range in value from an ace to a king in each suit. One difference is the court cards of the tarot consist of a page, as well as a knight, queen and king. Each card has its own individual meaning, but this can be changed when it is considered in combination with the other cards present in the reading.

For full information on the Minor Arcana cards check out this complete guide for beginners.

SuitLife ExperienceZodiac SignElementGender
WandsCareerLeo, Aries, SagittariusFireMasculine
CupsEmotionsPisces, Cancer, ScorpioWaterFeminine
SwordsIntellectual activityGemini, Libra, AquariusAirMasculine
CoinsMarital AspectsTaurus, Capricorn, VirgoEarthFeminine

Combinations of Minor Arcana Cards

CardMultipleMeaning
King4
3
2
Important Meetings
High status
Business Opportunities
Queen4
3
2
Arguments
Influential Women
Slander and Maliciousness
Knight4
3
2
Swiftness, a dominant clique
Unexpected meetings
Friends from the past
Page4
3
2
New plans or ideas
Groups of young people
Fun and Enjoyment
104
3
Responsibility and anxiety
Commercial transactions
94
3
Extra responsibilities
Correspondence
84
3
Lots of news simultaneously
Extensive traveling
74
3
Disappointments
Contacts and alliances
64
3
Pleasure and contentment
Achievements and success
54
3
Order and consistency
Disputes and quarrels
44
3
Peace and quiet
Much effort
34
3
Decision and resolution
Deceit
24
3
Conversations and conferences
Reorganization
14
3
2
Powerful forces at work
Success and wealth
New workplace or home

Polarity of Suits

Cups are opposed to Wands
Coins are opposed to Swords

When a card is enclosed by those of an opposing suit its effect is lessened, when it is surrounded by cards of the same suit, the effect is strengthened. When it is flanked by cards that are neither the same suit, nor an opposing suit its meaning is generally supported, but not as greatly as it would be should the cards have been of the same suit.

Pictures

Wands

Cups

Swords

Coins / Pentacles

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