Tarot Card Meanings: The 22 Major Arcana (Upright and Reversed)
Updated November 2, 2026
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What you'll need
- Beginner tarot deck
Learning the cards - Tarot journal
Logging readings
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Our meanings follow common traditional readings, written in our own words. Tarot is for reflection and entertainment, not a prediction or professional advice.
All 22 cards
| # | Card | Upright | Reversed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | The Fool | New beginnings, spontaneity, a leap of faith | Recklessness, hesitation, holding back |
| 1 | The Magician | Skill, willpower, making things happen | Manipulation, untapped talent, poor planning |
| 2 | The High Priestess | Intuition, inner knowledge, mystery | Secrets, ignoring intuition, withdrawal |
| 3 | The Empress | Nurturing, abundance, creativity | Dependence, creative block, neglecting self-care |
| 4 | The Emperor | Structure, authority, stability | Rigidity, control, lack of discipline |
| 5 | The Hierophant | Tradition, teaching, shared beliefs | Rebellion, unconventional paths, questioning rules |
| 6 | The Lovers | Love, harmony, meaningful choices | Imbalance, misalignment, a difficult choice |
| 7 | The Chariot | Determination, momentum, victory through focus | Lack of direction, scattered energy |
| 8 | Strength | Courage, patience, gentle inner strength | Self-doubt, low energy, insecurity |
| 9 | The Hermit | Reflection, solitude, inner guidance | Isolation, loneliness, withdrawal |
| 10 | Wheel of Fortune | Cycles, change, turning points | Resistance to change, setbacks |
| 11 | Justice | Fairness, truth, cause and effect | Unfairness, avoiding accountability |
| 12 | The Hanged Man | Pause, surrender, a new perspective | Stalling, indecision, resistance |
| 13 | Death | Endings, transformation, transition (rarely literal) | Resisting change, stagnation |
| 14 | Temperance | Balance, moderation, patience | Excess, imbalance, impatience |
| 15 | The Devil | Attachment, habits, temptation | Release, breaking free, reclaiming power |
| 16 | The Tower | Sudden upheaval, revelation | Avoiding disaster, fear of change |
| 17 | The Star | Hope, renewal, calm | Discouragement, lost faith |
| 18 | The Moon | Uncertainty, dreams, the subconscious | Clarity returning, released fears |
| 19 | The Sun | Joy, success, vitality | Temporary gloom, delayed success |
| 20 | Judgement | Awakening, reflection, a calling | Self-doubt, ignoring a calling |
| 21 | The World | Completion, wholeness, achievement | Unfinished business, seeking closure |
Minor Arcana
We are adding the 56 Minor Arcana cards (Wands, Cups, Swords and Pentacles) next.
Frequently asked questions
How many tarot cards are there?
A standard deck has 78: 22 Major Arcana and 56 Minor Arcana.
Can tarot predict the future?
There is no scientific evidence that it can. Many people use it as a reflection tool.
Sources
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