The Minor Arcana of the Tarot

The four suits of the Tarot — Cups, Wands, Swords, and Pentacles — are visual descriptions of four different aspects of life; these are the Minor Arcana. The four suits express the entire range human experience. In one sense, they give even greater detail to the Fool’s Journey as expressed in the Major Arcana. Each individual suit focuses on a particular facet of the Fool’s Journey.

The Numbered Tarot Cards in the Minor Arcana

Each suit of the Minor Arcana is divided into two separate yet equally important groups — the numbered cards and the court cards. There are ten numbered cards in each suit. These numbered cards allow you to see the more ordinary experiences related to the particular suit. They detail events and people, as well as fleeting states of mind or feeling.

Each numbered card represents a typical experience, and every person will eventually face these experiences during the course of a lifetime. The numbered cards are most commonly interpreted as related to events in the world at large, often referred to as the outer world.

The Court Tarot Cards

There are four court cards in each suit. These are: Page, Knight, Queen, and King. These cards do not typically describe events that an individual experiences. Instead, they are character types relating to a sphere of life. The particular sphere of life involved is determined by the suit of the court card in question.

The Pages represent the more delicate qualities of each individual suit. The raw essence of that suit, so to speak. The Page represents a more fragile form, the one that needs care and protection before its qualities can develop and reach its full potential.

The Knights represent the energetic and questing spirit of the suit. This is the aspect that wishes to explore and experiment. This card is also the most volatile, like an unpredictable adolescent who still requires guidance.

The Queens represent the stable, receptive, and nurturing qualities of each suit. The energy of these cards is concentrated and directed. This results in an even greater power. It is the embodiment of feminine qualities, which is appropriate, since it is the only female in the court.

The Kings represent the directive, controlling qualities of each suit. The Kings’ energies are very masculine and dynamic. His is the energy of materialization and of action. He is fully mature, and sometimes very dominating and overbearing.

The Suit of Cups in Tarot

Cups represent the element of water. It has been said that all life emerged from water, that water is where all life begins, and so Cups are generally considered to come before the other three suits. Water is changeable, with no real shape, and yet it is as powerful as rock. The sea is both beautiful and dangerous all at once. So too is this suit, the suit of feeling and emotion.

The cards of the Suit of Cups are all about the development of feelings through life. They address the way feelings change and deepen as life continues. Cups are associated with the heart, and often with love; this may be spiritual or romantic love, but this suit is the essence of all relationships.

The Suit of Wands in Tarot

Wands represent the element of fire. It is said that fire can transform everything it touches, but without being transformed itself. Fire is volatile and a catalyst that causes change in the other elements. In this way, it is like the creative center of the mind.

The cards of the Suit of Wands are related to the imagination and the challenges it encounters. These challenges may include the over-use of imagination without restraint. Wands, as a catalyst, are a good thing, but they can be very dangerous when taken to extremes — much like fire itself.

The Suit of Swords in Tarot

Swords represent the element of air. It is said that air is the breath of the spirit, and symbolizes the logical mind. Air gives a subtle structure that must exist before any act of creation can take place. But air, like the sword, is double-edged, and so it is inherently dangerous.

The cards in the Suit of Swords are related to the rational and logical mind. The development of the mind is a contrary thing, including the quarrels and conflicts that thoughts and words can bring, along with the clarity and understanding which follow quiet contemplation. This suit can be perplexing and difficult to interpret. However, with contemplation comes understanding. If you wish to understand the message of the Suit of Swords, you have only to look within yourself.

The Suit of Pentacles in Tarot

Pentacles represent the element of earth. It is said that all life is formed of earth, and earth is both the beginning and the end of all things. Earth can be molded and shaped into whatever is desired, but it can consume as well. Earth symbolizes the practical side of life.

The cards of the Suit of Pentacles are related to reality. They represent having to deal with all that life can bring, such as requirements and challenges, as well as the disappointments that inevitably appear. This is a suit of practicality.

The Minor Arcana has a broader message than the Major Arcana, but not quite so deep. It is only combined in a spread that they can offer a complete message.