The minor arcana are the 56 suited cards in a standard Tarot deck on which regular playing cards were based. Though often not considered as visually evocative as the major arcana, or the “trump” cards, the cards of the minor arcana have their importance in a reading. They deal with the more mundane concerns that plague us, covering all aspects of our daily lives.
The minor arcana are divided up into four suits: swords, wands, cups and pentacles. Each suit has 14 cards. There are the Aces, the “pip” cards (2's through 10's), and the “court” cards, consisting of the Pages, Knights, Queens and Kings.
The key to interpreting the minor arcana is to remember that each suit rules a particular area of life. Aces are the representations of each suit’s theme. Within each suit, the pip cards represent a different aspect of that suit’s theme. The court cards can indicate either a particular stage in the seeker’s life, or a person who will soon become prominent in that person’s life. Pages are youths, stumbling onto that area in life and finding their way, sometimes bringing a message. Knights are more mature, on a quest involved within that area or lending aid. Queens, mature women, are the embodiments of that aspect, and offer comfort and insight. Kings have mastered those qualities associated with a suit, and present opportunities. Thus, you can see the cards progress from the ideals to the culmination of the area that a suit rules.
Remember that none of the cards are “bad” or “good.” Much will depend on their place in the reading and what they represent. A proficient reader will take time with each individual card, meditating on it so that they can understand and interpret it correctly. However, the following list of common associations can be used as a jumping-off point for further study:
SWORDS: Rule over authority, intellect, reason, logic, judgment, strength, strife, and ego.
Ace of Swords: Victory, justice, power, a champion of truth.
Two of Swords: Choice, balance, suppressed emotions, fear of acting.
Three of Swords: Heartache, grief, having suffered a great pain through an emotional blow.
Four of Swords: Rest, meditation, healing, a time of quiet contemplation.
Five of Swords: Trickery, manipulation, selfishness, looking out for one’s self-interest.
Six of Swords: Travel, recovery, depression, seeking a deeper understanding or meaning.
Seven of Swords: Theft, betrayal, lying, avoidance of responsibilities.
Eight of Swords: Fear, paralysis, powerlessness, a feeling of being oppressed.
Nine of Swords: Guilt, worry, doubt, feeling completely overwhelmed.
Ten of Swords: Defeat, failure, self-pity, having reached rock-bottom.
Page of Swords: Honesty, fortitude, vigilance; a young person may deliver a message that should be heeded.
Knight of Swords: Bravery, knowledgeable, triumphant; may indicate a person coming to the rescue in the face of danger.
Queen of Swords: Perception, confidence, astute; a strong woman may demand logic or honesty.
King of Swords: Intelligent, analytical, strong-willed; a confident man who will prompt you into taking action.
WANDS: Rule over energy, creativity, passion, courage, adventure, growth, and virility.
Ace of Wands: Creative forces, artistic abilities, enthusiasm, excitement.
Two of Wands: Originality, planning, boldness, facing what is to come.
Three of Wands: Leadership, risk-taking, vision, success in business endeavors.
Four of Wands: Romance, freedom, celebration, may indicate a wedding.
Five of Wands: Strife, conflict, disagreement, dealing with fierce opposition.
Six of Wands: Triumph, home coming, good news, looking down upon others as inferior.
Seven of Wands: Success, solutions, defiance, standing up for your principles.
Eight of Wands: Swift action, freedom, haste, soaring towards goals.
Nine of Wands: Perseverance, new challenges, readiness, taken a tumble but not ready to give up.
Ten of Wands: Burdens, martyrdom, struggle, taking too much on yourself.
Page of Wands: Energetic, enthusiastic, courageousness; A young person who will renew your excitement for life may be coming.
Knight of Wands: A journey, charming, daring; An adventurous spirit may spur you to challenge yourself.
Queen of Wands: Passionate, attractive, sexy; a woman with an extremely magnanimous nature may be coming.
King of Wands: Noble, handsome, charismatic; you may meet or know a man who will inspire you.
CUPS: Rule over emotions, spirituality, secrets, intuition, love, the unconscious, and nurturing.
Ace of Cups: Abundance, love, feelings, psychic awareness.
Two of Cups: Sharing, partnership, connection, making peace with a foe or an estranged friend.
Three of Cups: Friendship, joy, fun, being part of a community.
Four of cups: Disinterest, discontent, withdrawal, being ungrateful for what you are given.
Five of Cups: Disillusionment, sorrow, regret, focusing too much on what has been lost.
Six of Cups: Innocence, nostalgia, memories, feeling like a child again.
Seven of Cups: Dreaming, wishful thinking, indecisiveness, keeping your head in the clouds too much.
Eight of Cups: Moving on, abandonment, letting go, turning your back on the material in favor of the spiritual.
Nine of Cups: Satisfaction, pleasure, well-being, a sense of emotional security.
Ten of Cups: Family, home, happiness, finding contentment in family life.
Page of Cups: Temperamental, sentimental, intuitive; a young person who evokes strong emotions may be coming.
Knight of Cups: Romantic, imaginative, chivalrous; you may meet a person who will remind you not to take for granted those who you care about.
Queen of Cups: Nurturing, psychic, gentle; you may find yourself with a mother-figure will be caring, selfless and understanding.
King of Cups: Considerate, mysterious, deep; a man, perhaps a healer, may provide you with something you need.
PENTACLES: Rule materialism, money, goods, work, practicality, nature, fertility, and prosperity.
Ace of Pentacles: Riches, trust, common sense, attainment.
Two of Pentacles: Balance, control, multitasking, ability to juggle many balls in the air.
Three of Pentacles: Cooperation, planning, negotiation, success through combined efforts.
Four of Pentacles: Miserly, possessiveness, mistrust, spiritually or emotionally imbalanced.
Five of Pentacles: Poverty, rejection, illness, coming upon hard times.
Six of Pentacles: Sharing, repaying, financial aid, acquisition of that which is needed.
Seven of Pentacles: Reward, gratification, results, seeing the fruits of your labor.
Eight of Pentacles: Learning, diligence, perfection, becoming proficient at a new craft or skill.
Nine of Pentacles: Wealth, refinement, harmony with nature, living in material comfort.
Ten of Pentacles: Affluence, high class, conservativeness, having an abundance of riches.
Page of Pentacles: Fortunate, trustworthy, potential; a young person with news of prosperity may be coming.
Knight of Pentacles: Responsible, reliable, hard-working; a person may be coming who will help you out of stagnation.
Queen of Pentacles: Giving, thoughtful, down-to-earth; a woman who is wise and practical will offer good financial advice.
King of Pentacles: Pragmatic, enterprising, accomplished; A helpful man will present you with excellent opportunities.
