the deck
all 78 cards, explained like a friend would.
every card from the original 1909 deck, what it usually means, the one-line version, and a question to sit with.
major arcana
the 22 big ones. turning points, lessons, main-character moments.
the foolbeginnings, trust, leap
the magicianskill, focus, resourcefulness
the high priestessintuition, stillness, inner knowing
the empressabundance, nurture, growth
the emperorstructure, authority, stability
the hierophanttradition, teaching, belonging
the loverschoice, union, values
the chariotwillpower, direction, drive
strengthcourage, gentleness, patience
the hermitsolitude, reflection, guidance
wheel of fortunecycles, change, timing
justicefairness, truth, accountability
the hanged mansurrender, pause, new perspective
deathendings, transition, release
temperancebalance, moderation, blending
the devilattachment, temptation, habits
the towerupheaval, revelation, sudden change
the starhope, renewal, calm
the moonuncertainty, dreams, illusion
the sunjoy, clarity, warmth
judgementawakening, reckoning, calling
the worldcompletion, wholeness, arrival
wands
fire. drive, ambition, the stuff you want to make happen.
ace of wandsspark, inspiration, potential
two of wandsplanning, vision, decision
three of wandsexpansion, foresight, waiting
four of wandscelebration, home, milestone
five of wandsfriction, competition, conflict
six of wandsrecognition, victory, confidence
seven of wandsdefense, conviction, standing firm
eight of wandsspeed, momentum, news
nine of wandsresilience, persistence, guardedness
ten of wandsburden, overwork, responsibility
page of wandscuriosity, enthusiasm, exploration
knight of wandsaction, passion, impulsiveness
queen of wandsconfidence, warmth, independence
king of wandsleadership, vision, boldness
cups
water. feelings, love, friendships, what's going on underneath.
ace of cupslove, openness, new feelings
two of cupspartnership, connection, mutual respect
three of cupsfriendship, community, joy
four of cupsapathy, contemplation, missed chances
five of cupsgrief, regret, what remains
six of cupsnostalgia, childhood, kindness
seven of cupsoptions, fantasy, discernment
eight of cupswalking away, seeking, release
nine of cupscontentment, satisfaction, wishes
ten of cupsharmony, family, fulfillment
page of cupswonder, sensitivity, creativity
knight of cupsromance, idealism, invitation
queen of cupscompassion, intuition, emotional depth
king of cupsemotional balance, calm, diplomacy
swords
air. overthinking, decisions, conflict, the truth of it.
ace of swordsclarity, truth, insight
two of swordsindecision, stalemate, avoidance
three of swordsheartbreak, grief, honesty
four of swordsrest, recovery, quiet
five of swordsconflict, hollow victory, pride
six of swordstransition, moving on, recovery
seven of swordsstrategy, deception, evasion
eight of swordsfeeling trapped, self-limiting, perspective
nine of swordsanxiety, worry, sleepless nights
ten of swordsrock bottom, ending, release
page of swordscuriosity, alertness, new ideas
knight of swordsambition, speed, directness
queen of swordsperception, independence, honest boundaries
king of swordsreason, authority, fairness
pentacles
earth. work, money, home, the practical side of life.
ace of pentaclesopportunity, groundwork, seed
two of pentaclesbalance, adaptability, juggling
three of pentaclesteamwork, craft, collaboration
four of pentaclessecurity, control, holding on
five of pentacleshardship, isolation, asking for help
six of pentaclesgenerosity, giving, receiving
seven of pentaclespatience, assessment, long-term growth
eight of pentaclesmastery, diligence, practice
nine of pentaclesself-sufficiency, ease, refinement
ten of pentacleslegacy, roots, permanence
page of pentaclesstudy, ambition, new skills
knight of pentaclesreliability, routine, steadiness
queen of pentaclesnurturing, practicality, groundedness
king of pentaclesprosperity, stewardship, success