Understanding the Order of Tarot Cards: A Beginner’s Guide


Introduction to Tarot Card Reading

Tarot cards are a form of divination, believed to have originated from 15th century Europe and often used today to foretell the future. Tarot is a powerful tool for spiritual guidance and can help with the navigation of complex thoughts, emotions and events. It is believed to tap into the divine consciousness and provide insight on a person’s life journey and their spiritual evolution. The cards are a set of 78 cards, broken into two categories – the Major Arcana and Minor Arcana.

Major Arcana Cards

The Major Arcana cards are considered to be more meaningful due to their symbolism and spiritual symbols, making them powerful in giving insights into one’s life. They represent the spiritual paths in life, and are composed of 22 trumps. The first card in the Major Arcana is ‘The Fool’, which symbolizes beginning anew and the infinite potential of journey. The final card is ‘The World’ or ‘The Universe’ which indicates one’s completed spiritual journey, and rewards for a successful transformation.

Minor Arcana Cards

The Minor Arcana cards, on the other hand, consist of 56 cards and closely reflect the trials and tribulations of everyday life. For example, the Suit of Swords are associated with intellect, truth, justice and decisions. The Suit of Wands relate to creativity, passion, expression and career. The Suit of Cups are concerned with love, relationships, emotions and family, and the Suit of Pentacles addresses money and health issues.

Reading Tarot Cards

Before beginning a tarot reading, it is important to set an intention. Take a moment to be clear on what question you would like to know or what advice you need, and allow yourself to be open and receptive to the energy of the cards. Once prepared, begin shuffling to infuse the cards with your energy, then spread the deck face down and pick out the desired amount of cards.

Understanding the Card Position

In each reading, the cards are placed in positions that are interpreted by the reader according to their personal beliefs, and can determine the meaning of the card. The most common positions are:

The Significator

The Significator is the card that represents the querent and their current situation, offering insight on personal development.

Past, Present and Future

The three positions of past, present and future address how the situation has evolved, the current state and the anticipated outcome.

The Challenge and the Goal

The Challenge and the Goal are interpreted by looking at the relationship between the cards, to help the querent in understanding the obstacle they face, and the action they need to take in order to overcome it.

Interpreting Tarot Cards

Interpreting tarot cards is a personal experience, and can often differ from one reader to another. Every card has multiple layers of symbolic meaning, and to accurately interpret them, it is necessary to incorporate the card’s context into the reading. Consider the card’s position, which direction the image is facing, and how the card relates to the other cards in the spread.

Guidance from Tarot Cards

When it comes to receiving guidance from the cards, the best thing to do is to trust your intuition and to ask questions. Ask the cards to provide clarity, advice or confirmation on an issue you are struggling with. What can you do to find balance and security in the present moment? What is needed to create a positive outcome in the future? Seek advice from the cards, and allow yourself to be guided by them.

Closing Thoughts

The use of tarot cards as a form of divination can help one to traverse the paths of life and uncover personal insights. To accurately understand the cards, it is necessary to learn the underlying symbolism and context of the card’s position. Approaching the cards with an open mind and trust in your own intuition will lead you to a clearer understanding of the cards, and open yourself to the revelations and guidance of the Universe.
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What are the traditional meanings of tarot cards?

The traditional meanings of Tarot cards depend on the particular deck, but generally each card has a unique set of attributes. The Major Arcana cards (generally numbered 0-21) usually represent spiritual factors, while the Minor Arcana cards (generally numbered 1-10) usually represent everyday matters.

The Major Arcana often represent significant life lessons such as death and rebirth, the Fool’s journey, or the Hero’s quest. Some Major Arcana cards have been given names like The Fool, The Magician, The High Priestess, The Empress, The Emperor, The Hierophant, The Lovers, The Chariot, Strength, The Hermit, Wheel of Fortune, Justice, The Hanged Man, Death, Temperance, The Devil, The Tower, The Star, The Moon, The Sun, Judgment, and The World.

The Minor Arcana cards are divided into four suits – Wands, Swords, Cups, and Pentacles – and each suit relates to a specific area of life, such as work, emotions, relationships, and money. The suits also each contain numerical sets from Ace to 10, and the court cards – King, Queen, Knight, and Page – that often represent people in our lives. Each card in a suit represents a specific range of meaning related to its suit, but is also modified by its numerical value. For example, the Two of Wands could represent a decision or change of direction, while the Seven of Wands could represent a challenge or a call to stand up for oneself.

The interpretation of Tarot cards can also be affected by their position in a spread (the physical layout of the card on the reading surface) and the kind of reading the reader is doing. This can add additional layers of meaning to the traditional attributes of each card.

What tarot cards represent luck?

The most popular tarot cards associated with luck include the Wheel of Fortune, the Ace of Pentacles, the Sun card, the Six of Pentacles, the Nine of Pentacles, and the Ten of Pentacles.

The Wheel of Fortune card is a reminder that luck can be both a blessing and a curse – it is a symbol of life’s unpredictability and the importance of appreciating what we have. The Ace of Pentacles is one of the most powerful cards associated with luck as it represents a potential for abundance, fortune, and wealth. The Sun card represents joy, good times, and a healthy dose of luck. The Six of Pentacles is about generosity, giving, and receiving, while the Nine of Pentacles indicates having the resources and wisdom to attract luck and good fortune. The Ten of Pentacles indicates that luck is a blessing that’s worth savoring and protecting.

What tarot cards represent wealth and abundance?

The most commonly associated tarot cards with wealth and abundance are the Ten of Pentacles, the Nine of Pentacles, the Seven of Pentacles, the Wheel of Fortune, the Six of Pentacles, and the Four of Pentacles. The Ten of Pentacles indicates the assurance of a lasting legacy or inheritance. The Nine of Pentacles symbolizes financial security through hard work, wisdom, and knowledge. The Seven of Pentacles is a card of growth, reaping the rewards of hard work and dedication. The Wheel of Fortune is a reminder of the potential for abundance, wealth, and luck. The Six of Pentacles is about generosity, giving and receiving, and a feeling of abundance. The Four of Pentacles symbolizes protection of resources and the wise use of money.

What type of tarot cards represent prosperity and success?

Prosperity and success in tarot can be represented by a variety of cards. Some of the most common cards associated with prosperity and success are The Sun, The World, The Wheel of Fortune, The Empress, Ten of Pentacles, Six of Pentacles, and many more. The Sun card is said to bring happiness, joy, and vitality. The World card represents fulfillment, wholeness, and achievement. The Wheel of Fortune is a reminder that luck can be a blessing and a curse. The Empress card encourages abundance, growth, prosperity, and fertility. The Ten of Pentacles represents security, assurance, and the potential for lasting legacy and inheritance. The Six of Pentacles is about generosity, charity, and abundance.

What type of tarot card is associated with wealth and abundance?

The tarot card associated with wealth and abundance is the Nine of Pentacles. This card symbolizes the manifestation of wealth and material abundance through effort, resources, discipline, and wisdom. It indicates having the inner-strength to create financial security for yourself and your loved ones. Additionally, the card could mean that your hard work and sacrifice are paying off, and you’re reaping the rewards of your efforts.

What cards in a tarot reading indicate wealth and abundance?

The four tarot cards which traditionally signify wealth and abundance are the Ace of Pentacles, the Nine of Pentacles, the Six of Pentacles, and the Ten of Pentacles. The Ace of Pentacles typically symbolizes potential for growth and financial security. The Nine of Pentacles indicates solid financial stability and enjoyment of the fruits of a successful effort. The Six of Pentacles signifies generosity, awareness of the prosperity of others, and a contentment with one’s own wealth. The Ten of Pentacles is a card of great abundance, joy, security and prosperity. It typically indicates a lasting legacy.

What cards in a tarot reading indicate luck in money matters?

The cards associated with luck in money matters in a tarot reading are the Nine of Pentacles, the Wheel of Fortune, and the Ace of Pentacles. The Nine of Pentacles is a card of earthly success, prosperity, and security. It is the card of luck, but achieved through effort, skill and hard work. The Wheel of Fortune is a card of luck, sudden good fortune, and luck changing in unexpected ways. The Ace of Pentacles is a card of abundance and wealth; it is a card of potential and an opportunity to create financial security.

What tarot cards indicate financial windfall?

Some Tarot cards that may indicate a financial windfall are: Ace of Pentacles, Two of Pentacles, Ten of Pentacles, Page of Pentacles, Knight of Pentacles, and the Six of Coins. The Ace of Pentacles signifies potential for growth and financial security, so it can indicate a positive change. The Two of Pentacles suggests getting into balance and finding harmony in financial situations. The Ten of Pentacles symbolizes material wealth, hard-won success, and a lasting legacy. The Page of Pentacles is a card of new opportunities, enthusiasm and enthusiasm for learning new skills. The Knight of Pentacles indicates careful consideration, patience, and a thoughtful approach to money matters. The Six of Coins signifies charity, kindness and abundance.