The Complete Tarot Guide
Whether you're picking up your first deck or deepening an existing practice, this guide walks you through every card in the traditional Rider-Waite-Smith tarot. Learn the symbolism, meanings, and stories behind all 78 cards.
What is Tarot?
The tarot is a deck of 78 cards that has been used for centuries as a tool for divination, self-reflection, and storytelling. Each card carries rich symbolism and meaning — from the sweeping archetypes of the Major Arcana to the everyday experiences captured in the Minor Arcana.
The most widely recognised tarot deck is the Rider-Waite-Smith (RWS), first published in 1909. Illustrated by Pamela Colman Smith under the direction of Arthur Edward Waite, its vivid imagery has become the foundation for most modern tarot decks and interpretations.
You don't need to be psychic to read tarot. At its heart, tarot is a language of symbols — a mirror that reflects your own intuition, questions, and life experiences back to you with startling clarity.
Structure of the Deck
Major Arcana
22 cards representing life's major themes, spiritual lessons, and archetypal forces. From The Fool's innocent first step to The World's triumphant completion — these cards tell the story of the soul's journey.
Explore the Major Arcana →
Minor Arcana
56 cards across four suits — Cups, Pentacles, Swords, and Wands — reflecting the day-to-day experiences, challenges, and emotions of everyday life.
Explore the Minor Arcana →
The Major Arcana
The 22 trumps of the tarot — archetypal forces that shape the human experience.
The Fool
The Magician
The High Priestess
The Empress
The Emperor
The Lovers
Death
The Star
The Moon
The Sun
The World
The Four Suits
Each suit connects to an element and governs a different domain of human experience.
Cups
WaterThe suit of Cups deals with emotions, relationships, feelings, and creativity. Cups are connected to the water element and the heart — they explore love, intuition, imagination, and the inner world of feeling.
Pentacles
EarthThe suit of Pentacles addresses the material world — finances, career, health, and physical well-being. Connected to the earth element, Pentacles ground us in the practical realities of building a stable life.
Swords
AirThe suit of Swords represents the mind — thoughts, words, conflicts, and decisions. Connected to the air element, Swords cut through to the truth but can also wound. They explore intellect, communication, and the challenges of the mental realm.
Wands
FireThe suit of Wands embodies passion, energy, creativity, and ambition. Connected to the fire element, Wands represent the spark of inspiration, the drive to create, and the will to pursue bold visions.
How to Use This Guide
Use the navigation on the left (or the menu above on mobile) to browse cards by arcana and suit. Each card page includes the traditional Rider-Waite-Smith illustration, upright and reversed meanings, keywords, and a description of the card's imagery and symbolism.
This guide is designed to be a reference you return to again and again. As your practice deepens, the same card will reveal new layers of meaning. There's no single “correct” interpretation — tarot is a conversation between the cards and your intuition.