Interpretation: Minor Arcana

The Minor Arcana

Most of the cards in the tarot deck are minor arcana cards. These cards fill out the deck, making it more balanced and complete. The 56 cards of the minor arcana are split into four suits. Each suit represents a different aspect of life. Numerology can be used in conjunction with the minor arcana as the cards are numbered from 1 to 10 or Ace through 10. There are four nobles' cards in each suit as well, the Page, Knight, Queen and King. This makes 14 cards in each suit.

The Suits of the Minor Arcana

Wands, Staves or Spears - The first suit represents a long object, whether it be a staff or wand by name, it usually represents physical labor. This suit is related to the physical body. It encompasses growth, ideas and creativity. It is associated with the element of fire and the season of spring.

Cups - This suit represents emotional desire. The filled cups are symbolic of filled emotions. It encompasses affairs of the heart, desires and the inner self. It is associated with the element of water and the season of summer.

Swords, Knives or Daggers - This is the suit of all things with sharp edges. It represents the intellectual self. It encompasses ideas, thoughts, morality, and strife. It is associated with the elements of air and the season of winter.

Pentacles, Shields or Coins - This suit is a round object of some sort, ranging from shields to coins. It represents the material possessions. It encompasses money, wealth, health, prosperity and property. It is associated with the element of earth and the season of autumn.

The Noble Cards of the Minor Arcana

The Page - The Page is a bearer of messages and the harbinger of communication. This card represents youth and the beginnings of maturity.

The Knight - the Knight is a traveler, one who brings change and good deeds into the world. This card represents new relationships, friendship, courage and stability.

The Queen - The Queen is a strong female. She has the ability to lead, listen and guide. She represents the completion relationships, jobs and projects, also a strong emotional person who knows where they are going and what they want.

The King - The King is a strong male figure. He is the leader of the suit, the end of it and the highest mark. He represents a mature and wise person who knows what they can and cannot accomplish.

The Number of the Minor Arcana

One/Ace - Represents beginnings, action, will, new ideas, creative power, potential, first causes, primary impulses, and positive activities.

Two - Represents partnerships, relationships, polarities, balancing, duality, choices, patience, stillness, and positive and negative.

Three - Represents synthesis, growth, creativity, abundance, collaboration, friendship, artistic expression, refining plans, and preparing to take action.

Four - Represents foundations, discipline, work, order stability, solidity, tangible achievement, and practical attainment.

Five - Represents new cycles, change, progress, shifts, adjustment, fine tuning, instability, challenge, versatility, freedom, and courage.

Six - Represents balance, health, beauty, harmony, contentment, relaxation, satisfaction, equilibrium, marriage, family, and sympathy.

Seven - Represents Spirituality, wisdom, perfect order, the macrocosm, religion, luck, magic, and multiple options.

Eight - Represents victory, will, success, regeneration, rebirth, reevaluating, putting things in order, and setting priorities.

Nine - Represents compassion, integration, movement, flexibility, fulfillment, attainment and benevolence.

Ten - Represents transition, renewal to a new cycle, completion, wholeness, mastery, excess, and overabundance.

Wands:

Ace of Wands - Positive
Two of Wands - Anticipation
Three of Wands - Positive
Four of Wands - Midway
Five of Wands - Negative
Six of Wands - Medium
Seven of Wands - Anticipation
Eight of Wands - Positive
Nine of Wands - Medium
Ten of Wands - Anticipation
Page of Wands - Positive
Knight of Wands - Positive
Queen of Wands - Positive
King of Wands - Positive

Cups:

Ace of Cups - Medium
Two of Cups - Positive
Three of Cups - Positive
Four of Cups - Negative
Five of Cups - Unfortunate / Negative
Six of Cups - Medium
Seven of Cups - Anticipation
Eight of Cups - NegativeNine of Cups - Anticipation
Ten of Cups - Positive
Page of Cups - Positive
Knight of Cups - Positive
Queen of Cups - Positive
King of Cups - Positive

Swords:

Ace of Swords - Anticipation
Two of Swords - Negative
Three of Swords - Negative
Four of Swords - Anticipation
Five of Swords - Negative
Six of Swords - Negative
Seven of Swords - Negative
Eight of Swords - Medium
Nine of Swords - Unfortunate / Negative
Ten of Swords - Negative
Page of Swords - Positive
Knight of Swords - Positive
Queen of Swords - Medium
King of Swords - Medium

Pentacles:

Ace of Pentacles - Positive
Two of Pentacles - Changeability
Three of Pentacles - Positive
Four of Pentacles - Positive
Five of Pentacles - Medium
Six of Pentacles - Anticipation
Seven of Pentacles - Wait & Watch
Eight of Pentacles - Positive
Nine of Pentacles - Composure
Ten of Pentacles - Positive
Page of Pentacles - Positive
Knight of Pentacles - Positive
Queen of Pentacles - Positive
King of Pentacles - Positive