Rider-Waite Tarot

78 cards with detailed symbolic imagery. Painted in 1909 by artist Pamela Colman Smith. Each card is a separate scene with its own symbolism. The most studied deck in the world - the standard from which all others are measured.

Start reading 78 cards

Major Arcana

The Fool

beginning, spontaneity, adventure, trust

Upright: Arcana of the inner child, freedom, spontaneity and stepping into the unknown. It breaks overly rigid plans, brings lightness, a new starting point and living experience through surprises. Manifests as chaos, improvisation, an unexpected chance, a chance encounter or a bold step without guarantees. Here it is important to accept life as a game and go through the lesson without prejudice.

The Magician

will, resources, mastery, manifestation

Upright: Arcana of willpower, mastery and the ability to bring intent into form. This is quiet self-confidence born from the balance of conscious and unconscious aspirations. In events gives a phase of success, clarity of intention, strong influence on others and the ability to manage the course of a situation. A good time for starting, concentrating and realising ideas.

The High Priestess

intuition, mystery, subconscious, waiting

Upright: Arcana of irrational knowledge, intuition and hidden inner forces. She reveals what cannot be caught by logic: dreams, signs, subtle connections, a clear inner sense of truth. In events gives a period of waiting, reception of external impulse, intuitive reading of the situation, prophetic dreams, healing and quiet inner work.

The Empress

fertility, creativity, nature, abundance

Upright: Arcana of living nature, creative potential, fertility and security. It unites opposites and gives birth to the new, creating the foundation for further development. In events manifests as a creative upsurge, ripening of ideas, appearance of new circumstances, strong inner tension that pours into creativity, work or deep experience of life.

The Emperor

structure, authority, stability, control

Upright: Arcana of order, structure, responsibility and bringing intent into reality. This is the master of form, limits, law and stability that organises the space of life. In events gives bringing of order, a pragmatic view, repair, clearing, gathering of strength and realisation of long-held plans. A good time for decisions, discipline and managing processes.

The Hierophant

tradition, mentor, institutions, values

Upright: Arcana of spiritual meaning, faith, inner law and the search for truth. It lifts above the everyday and helps to see the deep value of what is happening. In events manifests as an important conversation, book or teacher that changes the course of development. Gives new meaning, moral support, comfort and awareness of one's own role.

The Lovers

choice, union, values, relationships

Upright: Arcana of choice, love and the joining of opposites. It reminds that it is impossible to have everything at once: for the real to be born, something must be consciously chosen and something let go. In events manifests as an important choice, falling in love, a new stage in a relationship, a fateful meeting or an action one enters with the heart.

The Chariot

will, victory, movement, control

Upright: Arcana of breakthrough, forward movement and victory through control of contradictory forces. Gives courage, initiative, mastery in managing energy and progress in the matter. In events manifests as quick advance, a journey, a new start, entrepreneurship, uniting of opposites and restoration of what had nearly fallen apart.

Justice

justice, balance, law, consequences

Upright: Arcana of balance, fair judgement, law and responsibility for consequences. It demands objectivity, a sense of proportion and the ability to choose without self-deception. In events gives restoration of justice, balancing of forces, fair compromise, lawful resolution or a warning about the need to act cleanly and by the rules.

The Hermit

solitude, wisdom, seeking, reflection

Upright: Arcana of wise solitude, focus on the essential and inner light. It draws away from outer bustle so that a person can hear themselves and find the right direction. In events manifests as a pause, meditation, reappraisal of values, modesty of requests, rejection of the superfluous and a period without bright external events but with deep inner work.

Wheel of Fortune

change, luck, cycles, turning point

Upright: Arcana of fate, cycles and sharp turns that are not subject to direct control. It places before a person not the question of power over an event, but of how to respond to it. In events this is the phrase "fate had it this way": a delay, sudden chance, break in the script, change of stage. The best strategy is to accept the turn and flexibly choose the next step.

Strength

inner strength, patience, gentleness, courage

Upright: Arcana of taming the inner beast, courage and conscious mastery of instincts. It does not suppress the natural element but accepts it and transforms it into a source of mature strength. In events gives a test of character, the need for endurance, managing passions, great burdens, restoration of strength and growth through self-discipline.

The Hanged Man

pause, new perspective, sacrifice, waiting

Upright: Arcana of pause, sacrifice, shift of perspective and an inevitable stop before a new cycle. It forces abandonment of old plans in order to see hidden meaning and pass through an important lesson. In events manifests as a delay, deadlock, forced rest, postponement of matters, illness or a situation where forward movement is impossible until the inner stance changes.

Death

transformation, ending, letting go

Upright: Arcana of ending, letting go and making room for the new. It carries not so much an end as catastrophe but a deep transformation through the inevitable farewell to the old. In events manifests as completion of a stage, a break, a farewell, abandonment of habits, closing of a process or inner ripening toward radical change.

Temperance

balance, patience, moderation, wholeness

Upright: Arcana of measure, inner harmony and a gentle flow of energy between the conscious and the unconscious. Gives peace with oneself, patience, the ability to blend opposites without rupture. In events manifests as a calm harmonious period, love, diplomacy, care for health, easy fulfilment of even increased demands and natural restoration of balance.

The Devil

dependency, materialism, shadow, attachment

Upright: Arcana of temptation, material attachments, passion and the dark force of desire. It shows where a person is bound by dependency, power, physicality or inner disorder. In events manifests as dependent relationships, sexual obsession, greed for money and power, gambling, strong magnetism or action contrary to one's own convictions.

The Tower

upheaval, destruction, sudden change, revelation

Upright: Arcana of the destruction of frozen forms, breakthrough and painful liberation from false constructions. What first looks like catastrophe later turns out to be a cleansing and a new start. In events manifests as a sharp break in plans, a rupture, shock, accident, exposure or illumination that topples the old order and opens the way to another stage of life.

The Star

hope, renewal, inspiration, guiding star

Upright: Arcana of hope, faith in the future and a sense of higher order. It opens a good perspective, supports the dream and gives the feeling that a person is moving under a lucky star. In events manifests as a period of great hopes, optimism, beginnings important for the future, new acquaintances and a sense of subtle patronage.

The Moon

illusion, fears, subconscious, uncertainty

Upright: Arcana of the depths of emotion, fantasy, dreams and subconscious fears. It leads into the world of images and subtle feelings, but simultaneously raises anxieties, phobias and illusions. In events manifests as creative flight, intuitive searching, romantic states, as well as nightmares, melancholy, doubts, anxiety and psychological immersion in the depths of the unconscious.

The Sun

joy, success, clarity, energy, childlike spirit

Upright: Arcana of vital force, warmth, joy and open self-expression. It carries light, youthfulness of spirit, will to live and natural faith in the future. In events manifests as activity, success, warmth of heart, optimism, a sense of youth, clarity and the right to rejoice in one's own life without guilt.

Judgement

awakening, evaluation, calling, responsibility

Upright: Arcana of rebirth, liberation and awakening of what was considered lost. It means emerging from the captivity of the old state and returning to life of strength, hope or talent. In events manifests as the end of a dark period, sudden liberation, return of forgotten abilities, revival of relationships, healing and new flourishing after a crisis.

The World

completion, wholeness, achievement, new cycle

Upright: Arcana of completing the path, wholeness, maturity and return to a rediscovered paradise. It unites opposites, gives a sense of one's place in the world and the realisation of potential. In events manifests as happy completion, recognition, a move, a sense of fullness, harmony of spirit and body.

Wands

Ace of Wands

beginning, creativity, passion

Arcana of primal fire, creative impulse and the power of beginning. Means a new start, strong desire, inspiration, energy of creation, bold initiative.

Two of Wands

planning, choice, ambition

Arcana of choosing direction, self-assertion and looking beyond the usual. Shows planning, expanding sphere of influence, courage to step into the unknown.

Three of Wands

progress, expansion, horizons

Arcana of perspective, expansion and first visible results. Means good prospects, development of a matter, successful plans for the future, entrepreneurship.

Four of Wands

celebration, stability, community

Arcana of celebration, support and peaceful space after work. Shows happy completion of a stage, harmony, celebration, safety, joy from achievements.

Five of Wands

conflict, competition, chaos

Arcana of friction, rivalry and clash of forces. Means competition, disputes, clash of ambitions and the need to learn to manage conflict energy.

Six of Wands

victory, recognition, leadership

Arcana of victory, recognition and triumph after effort. Shows victory, good news, public recognition, growing confidence and support from surroundings.

Seven of Wands

defense, standing firm, position

Arcana of struggle, defending one's position and boldly standing up to pressure. Means the need to defend limits, withstand competition, fight for achievements and win through tension and strength of character.

Eight of Wands

speed, progress, impulse

Arcana of speed, flight and rapid progress. Shows quick development of affairs, news, a journey, movement after a pause and active progress toward a result.

Nine of Wands

resilience, endurance, protection

Arcana of last reserve of strength, endurance and inner defence. Means a tense but strong position: boundary protection, mobilisation, holding position, resilience in conflict.

Ten of Wands

burden, responsibility, overload

Arcana of overload, burden and excessive responsibility taken on. Shows a period of great load, when a person carries too much, finishes a hard stage or cannot distribute duties in time.

Page of Wands

enthusiasm, ideas, beginner

Arcana of chance, the first fiery impulse and an excited start. Brings news, curiosity, bold interest in something new. Shows a good opportunity, invitation, news, birth of an idea or inner call to start a new project with enthusiasm.

Knight of Wands

passion, action, adventure

Arcana of impulse, travel and search for distant horizons. Energy of departure, expansion, passion for novelty. Points to quick changes, a journey, a new stage, a bold dash or a matter entered on a wave of inspiration and risk.

Queen of Wands

charisma, confidence, leadership

Arcana of love of life, self-confidence and warm strength. The mistress of life who acts openly, boldly and naturally. Means mature feminine strength, benevolent influence, ability to hold space, self-belief and charisma that attracts people.

King of Wands

leadership, vision, maturity

Arcana of fire, openness to life and mature active strength. A person or state where enthusiasm, courage, inner freedom and the ability to inspire others combine. Shows a strong impulse to act, entrepreneurship, leadership in a matter, confidence in the future and readiness to risk for a great goal.

Cups

Ace of Cups

love, feelings, beginning

Arcana of the source of feeling, joy and gracious emotional flow. Means love, joy, spiritual abundance, new emotional cycle, openness of heart.

Two of Cups

partnership, mutuality, unity

Arcana of mutuality, heartfelt union and equal emotional exchange. Shows love, friendship, reconciliation, mutual attraction, partnership.

Three of Cups

friendship, celebration, community

Arcana of friendly joy, celebration and generous emotional exchange. Means celebration, pleasant meeting, friendship, support, sincere joy from life together.

Four of Cups

apathy, contemplation, dissatisfaction

Arcana of satiation, pause and inner withdrawal. Shows boredom, fatigue from the familiar, reluctance to accept a chance, emotional detachment.

Five of Cups

loss, grief, acceptance

Arcana of loss, regret and emotional living through grief. Means disappointment, sadness, loss, tendency to look only at what has been spilled.

Six of Cups

nostalgia, past, childhood

Arcana of childhood, nostalgia and pure heartfelt exchange. Shows pleasant memories, old friends, return of something good from the past, sincere gift.

Seven of Cups

illusions, choice, fantasy

Arcana of fantasies, temptations and many attractive images. Means dreams, multiple options, emotional temptations, illusory choice.

Eight of Cups

departure, seeking, release

Arcana of voluntary departure from what no longer fills the heart. Shows separation, inner fatigue from old emotional circle, departure, search for something more genuine.

Nine of Cups

contentment, wishes, abundance

Arcana of emotional satisfaction, pleasure and fulfilment of desires. Means fulfilment of wishes, joy, hospitality, pleasant period, inner contentment.

Ten of Cups

harmony, happiness, family

Arcana of fullness of feelings, family harmony and emotional happiness. Shows family well-being, heartfelt closeness, happy atmosphere, harmonious completion of emotional cycle.

Page of Cups

sensitivity, creativity, news

Arcana of fresh feeling, fantasy and gentle opening of the heart. Means good news, invitation, birth of affection or creative dream.

Knight of Cups

romance, idealism, feelings

Arcana of romantic movement, heartfelt invitation and following feeling. Shows pleasant news, a date, invitation, loving impulse, aesthetic inspiration.

Queen of Cups

empathy, intuition, wisdom

Arcana of deep receptivity, tenderness and intuitive soulfulness. Means love, gentleness, soul warmth, inspiration, subtle intuition.

King of Cups

maturity, balance, wisdom

Arcana of mature feelings, emotional balance and gentle strength of heart. Shows empathy, diplomacy, creative and spiritual maturity, ability to support others.

Swords

Ace of Swords

clarity, truth, breakthrough

Arcana of clarity, truth and sharp mental breakthrough. Means important decision, mental breakthrough, victory of clarity, power of the word.

Two of Swords

indecision, choice, stalemate

Arcana of blocked choice and fragile balance. Shows uncertainty, difficulty of choice, frozen state, emotional numbness.

Three of Swords

grief, separation, pain

Arcana of painful truth and a broken heart. Shows a wound that no longer allows living in illusion. Means sadness, disappointment, rupture, emotional blow.

Four of Swords

rest, recovery, pause

Arcana of pause, silence and recovery after tension. Shows the need for rest, solitude, healing, quiet.

Five of Swords

conflict, defeat, consequences

Arcana of humiliating victory and harsh conflict. Means a quarrel, defeat, humiliation, toxic victory after which there are no real winners.

Six of Swords

transition, relief, movement

Arcana of transition, sailing away from difficulties and mental or life passage to a calmer shore. Shows a journey, retreat from crisis, gradual relief, change of environment.

Seven of Swords

cunning, strategy, deception

Arcana of cunning strategy, indirect path and mental manoeuvre. Means a plan requiring caution, tactical retreat, but also deception or double-dealing.

Eight of Swords

restriction, trap, fears

Arcana of inner prison, limitations and fear of freedom. Shows a situation of being bound, dependency, disbelief in one's own strength.

Nine of Swords

anxiety, fears, stress

Arcana of fear, nighttime thoughts and mental self-torment. Means anxiety, insomnia, guilt, oppressive thoughts, exaggeration of danger.

Ten of Swords

ending, defeat, new beginning

Arcana of painful ending, collapse of old form and the point below which one cannot fall further. Shows painful finale, defeat, rupture, destruction of illusions.

Page of Swords

curiosity, information, sharpness

Arcana of vigilance, critical observation and tense attention. Means wariness, analysis, information checking, an attempt to understand the situation.

Knight of Swords

speed, decisiveness, aggression

Arcana of attack, fast movement and sharp intervention. Shows rapid development, conflict, active advance, bold but risky decision.

Queen of Swords

independence, clarity, truth

Arcana of independence, perceptiveness and clear limits. Means independence, precise vision, honesty, ability to separate the essential from the superfluous.

King of Swords

authority, reason, justice

Arcana of cold clarity, disciplined mind and the power of logic. Shows rational decision, authority of reason, analytics, fair though strict judgement.

Pentacles

Ace of Pentacles

material beginning, money, opportunity

Arcana of real chance, material seed and concrete resource. Means a lucky opportunity, good start in finances, work or health, potential for stable growth.

Two of Pentacles

balance, adaptation, flexibility

Arcana of flexibility, balancing and play with changing material circumstances. Means adaptation, combining matters, financial or time juggling, mobility.

Three of Pentacles

mastery, teamwork, quality

Arcana of joint quality work, craft and recognised mastery. Shows teamwork, professional realisation, well-done work.

Four of Pentacles

stability, control, security

Arcana of retention, preservation and control over resources. Means fixing what has been achieved, protecting property, caution in finances.

Five of Pentacles

hardship, lack, help

Arcana of need, loss of support and sense of material or bodily deficit. Shows hardship, loss, lack of money, fear of shortage.

Six of Pentacles

generosity, balance, abundance

Arcana of exchange, help and fair distribution of resources. Means a gift, support, mutually beneficial exchange, social assistance.

Seven of Pentacles

assessment, investment, patience

Arcana of patient waiting for harvest and assessment of invested forces. Means a pause for assessment, waiting for fruits of labour, slow development and a lesson of patience.

Eight of Pentacles

mastery, practice, diligence

Arcana of craft, mastery and patient polishing of skill. Shows learning through practice, honing mastery, diligent work, attention to form.

Nine of Pentacles

abundance, independence, achievement

Arcana of deserved comfort, self-sufficiency and ability to enjoy the fruits of one's work. Means success, profit, good taste of life, reward for work, personal freedom.

Ten of Pentacles

legacy, stability, family

Arcana of abundance, ancestral support and a materially complete system. Shows stability of home, family well-being, inheritance, long-term material result.

Page of Pentacles

learning, practice, diligence

Arcana of useful opportunity, learning and first practical step. Means a good opportunity in study, work or finances, careful mastery of a craft.

Knight of Pentacles

methodical, perseverance, responsibility

Arcana of methodical work, patient progress and dedication to the task. Shows diligent effort, responsible approach, slow but steady advancement, loyalty to duty and practical reliability.

Queen of Pentacles

abundance, care, comfort

Arcana of warm abundance, practical care and the ability to create comfort. Means home warmth, mature feminine strength, abundance, the ability to care for others and practical wisdom.

King of Pentacles

success, stability, wisdom

Arcana of mature material strength, business wisdom and generous stability. Shows financial success, practical leadership, business acumen, the generosity of a winner and the responsibility of an owner.

Rider-Waite Tarot - General questions, relationships, self-analysis

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