Understanding the Basics of Tarot Cards—The Minor Arcana Suits

When starting to learn tarot, it’s important to understand the different suits and what they mean. Most Tarot card decks have seventy-eight Tarot cards, which are separated into the Major Arcana—which consists of twenty-two cards—and the Minor Arcana—which consists of fifty-six cards. The Minor Arcana is made up of four suits, much like a deck of playing cards, numbered one through ten, along with court cards, being the Page, Knight, Queen, and King. The Minor Arcana focuses on real-life expressions and day-to-day living. They represent human life and its surrounding factors, such as work, relationships, environment, etc., and the thoughts, feelings, and interactions that come with them. Each card brings its own meaning and value, however, each suit has a specific theme that the cards with said suit follow.

Pentacles

The Pentacle suit, also sometimes referred to as ‘Coins,” revolves around the material world. These cards usually have to do with money, fortune, success, and your career. They also represent the element of earth, which is the embodiment of the physical world, so think of work, resources, foundations, craft, home, and environment. It is the things we do with our bodies and hands and how that further benefits us through monetary value, success, or nothing at all. When a card of this suit is pulled, it typically is referring to a building block and how our actions affect our lives.

Wands

The Wands suit, also sometimes referred to as “Staffs,” is more focused on the spiritual realm. These cards are often made up of our desires and beliefs, they influence action and drive. They represent the element of fire, which is equal to passion, power, impulse, motivation, spirit, and commitment. Think of them as a mirror to your ego and innermost self, revealing the truth behind themes such as conflict, achievement, status, and creation. It showcases how we act and whether those actions and beliefs bring confidence or burnout. It is the manifestation of your purpose in the world.

Cups

The Cups suit is most closely connected to our soul, so they revolve around emotions and

relationships. They are often used to expose one's well-being or to reveal true feelings—whether our own or others. They represent the element of water, which is equal to intuition, love, loss, and anything that is fluid and the matter of the heart. Think of it as the physicality of personhood and the reflection of feelings. It analyzes how an individual or those around them feel and why.

Swords

The Swords suit is most known for its association with inner and outer conflict. These cards often reveal personal challenges and truths, such as illness, heartbreak, and death. They represent the element of air, living within the mind, and therefore brings fear, insecurity, sorrow, and self-doubt to light. These cards are usually what one would define as a “tough pill to swallow” due to their need to bring clarity, justice, and truth. They are meant to bring perspective and encourage strength to learn and move forward.