Meaning of the 78 Tarot Cards: Complete Guide of Major and Minor Arcana

In Tarot, the four suits — Pentacles ('Deniers' in french, really another meaning ... Be aware !), Wands, Swords, and Cups — are closely linked to the four elements of nature: Earth, Fire, Air, and Water. This association is not only symbolic, it also offers depth of meaning when interpreting the cards. For readers new to divination arts, understanding this correspondence can be a real asset.

The Earth is the element that anchors us in reality and reminds us of our basic needs. It is the most tangible aspect of our existence, the one that allows us to build and grow. Earth symbolizes the quest for stability, security, and material well-being. It encompasses everything from physiological needs like food and shelter, to psychological needs for security and comfort. In this context, the need is not only a physical or material necessity, but also an aspiration for balance and constancy in our lives. When this element is highlighted in a situation, it often indicates a concern for fundamental needs, such as health, financial security, or home. It can also signal a period of personal or professional growth, where the focus is on self-realization and achieving concrete objectives.

Fire is the spark that fuels our passion, creativity, and will to act. It represents the driving force that pushes us to excel, to take initiatives, and to realize our deepest aspirations. The desire, in this context, is not a mere fleeting want, but a powerful energy that can lead us to significant changes and the realization of our dreams. When this element is predominant, it often signals a period of high activity, inspiration, and transformation. It may also indicate a need for change, an aspiration to break the chains of routine and to explore new possibilities. Fire reminds us that desire is a powerful engine of change, capable of transforming not only our inner world but also our environment.

Air symbolizes our intellectual world, our ability to think, communicate, and solve problems. It is the realm of rational thought, logic, but also imagination and innovation. This element invites us to step back, analyze situations, and make informed choices. It is often associated with moments of decision, deep reflection, or change of perspective. Air reminds us of the importance of mental clarity and communication in the journey of our complex lives. It can also signal a period of questioning, where ideas and beliefs are put to the test, thus offering an opportunity for intellectual growth and personal development.

Water is the reservoir of our emotions, intuition, and ability to feel and connect with others. It encompasses everything related to the heart, from love to sadness, and extending to compassion and empathy. This element is often at the center of relational questions, whether they are romantic, familial, or friendly relationships. It reminds us of the importance of listening, emotional openness, and mutual understanding. Water is the mirror of our soul, reflecting our deepest desires and our most secret fears. It may also indicate a period of emotional transformation, where feelings are more intense and it may be necessary to face uncomfortable truths in order to progress.

Traditionally, Pentacles are associated with Earth, Wands with Fire, Swords with Air, and Cups with Water. These associations are widely accepted and used as a starting point for interpreting the cards.

However, it's important to note that these associations are not universal and can vary. Indeed, some authors or tarot practitioners choose to diverge from traditional associations for reasons of their own. These reasons could be philosophical, theological, or even personal. For example, an author might associate Swords with Fire rather than Air to highlight the combative and cutting aspect of this element. Similarly, Wands might be associated with Air to underscore their changing and unpredictable nature.

So, why these divergences? They could be the result of in-depth study, personal revelation, or simply a preference for certain symbolism.

Ultimately, tarot is a flexible and adaptable tool. Elemental associations are just a guide, not a strict rule. As readers and practitioners, we have the freedom to adopt the associations that resonate most with us, while respecting the traditions that have preceded us.

When beginning to learn the Tarot de Marseille, it's common to rely on traditional associations between the elements and the suits of the cards. Although these associations are an excellent starting point, they can sometimes limit our understanding of the cards and the situations they represent. Let's take some examples to illustrate this point:

What the 4 suits are NOT:

• Financial matters are not limited to Pentacles.
• Sex does not just boil down to Wands.
• Professional career does not only depend on Swords.
• Lovely relationships are not solely associated with Cups.

Because:

• Managing money requires involvement (Wands), planning, analyzing investments (Swords), and staying serene (Cups).
• In sex, there is a relationship to the body (Pentacles), there is also dialogue (Swords), and feelings (Cups).
• Having a job has a financial aspect (Pentacles) and is related to ambition (Wands) as well as fulfillment (Cups).
• Thriving in a couple's relationship requires managing daily life (Pentacles), projecting into the relationship (Wands), and communicating with your partner (Swords).

In short, any human activity involves the mobilization of the 4 Elements (Earth, Fire, Air, Water). Associating a domain like money, sex, work, love with only one of the 4 Elements is very reductive and allows no nuance and no depth in the perception of situations. The interpretations of the readings are all the more biased.

I know that when you start, you like generalizations and bullet lists and think, for example, that love stories are related to Cups. Of course, this simplifies learning, but it significantly narrows down the areas of meaning and makes the interpretations of the readings just as simplistic. If you want to keep it simple and concise, opt more for the associations Earth Need, Fire Desire, Air Thought, Water Feeling. This approach is simple without being simplistic and allows a clever blend of the 4 elements.

In the fascinating world of cartomancy and spirituality, we are used to perceiving the positive and negative aspects of the cards. However, there is a more nuanced perspective that goes beyond this classic duality.

I present to you the "4 Ways" of experiencing the cards, an approach that transcends the simple positive/negative dichotomy to reveal a rich and complex palette of human experiences. Each of these ways provides a deeper understanding of how we interact with our needs, desires, thoughts, and emotions.

1) Fluid

Definition : the individual experiences the aspect optimistically, balanced, fully developing the aspect to its term, without slowing down the evolutionary process or interrupting the cycle. The "Fluid" way refers to a healthy and harmonious interaction with a need, desire, thought, or feeling. It is a response that naturally arises from self-awareness and acceptance, allowing unhindered progression in the personal evolution process.
Keywords : Consistency, Balance, Harmony, Acceptance, Progression, Evolution.

2) Excessive

Definition : the individual experiences the aspect unrestrained, outside reasonable limits. The aspect becomes deviant, uncontrolled, leading the evolutionary process into a too fast, too strong, in short, uncontrolled path. The "Excessive" way characterizes an amplified or disproportionate response to a need, desire, thought, or feeling. It may result from overcompensation or an attempt to fill a void, often leading to impulsive or compulsive behaviors that can deviate from the desired evolutionary path.
Keywords : Overzealousness, Compulsion, Overcompensation, Excess, Hyperactivity.

3) Rejected

Definition : the individual rejects the aspect, it is partially or totally repressed. The individual refuses to experience and fully integrate it. The evolutionary process is slowed or completely interrupted. The "Rejected" way involves suppression or conscious or unconscious rejection of a need, desire, thought, or feeling. This can be the result of past traumas, limiting beliefs, or deeply rooted fears that hinder the evolutionary process.
Keywords : Suppression, Denial, Negation, Repression, Avoidance, Refoulement.

4) Insufficient

Definition : the individual hesitates and does not resolve to fully experience the aspect. The individual lives in doubt, fear, or ignorance of what must be experienced and accomplished to advance on their life path. The evolutionary process does not follow a normal rhythm; it is slow. The "Insufficient" way is marked by hesitation or ambivalence towards a need, desire, thought, or feeling. This may be due to a lack of information, confidence, or clarity, which slows down or disrupts the natural evolutionary process.
Keywords : Ambivalence, Indecision, Hesitation, Delay, Confusion, Incompetence.

Each of the following four texts will guide you through the nuances and symbolics of each type of court card, thus helping you understand their essential role in tarot readings.

Whether you are a curious beginner or an experienced practitioner, these explanations will help you deepen your understanding of the Tarot de Marseille. Get ready to discover the power and wisdom of the Pages, the dynamics of the Knights, the grace of the Queens, and the authority of the Kings.

The Page represents youth, learning and enthusiasm, a new beginning. It is synonymous with initiative, momentum, and action. The personality traits carried by the Pages are dynamism, impulsivity, decision making, and the manifestation of creative energy.

If you are familiar with astrology, you can perfectly associate the Pages with the Cardinal mode. The Cardinal mode speaks of the instigation of action and novelty.

The Kings symbolize authority, stability, leadership, and power. They represent the mastery of the elements of their respective suits (earth, fire, air, water) and are strong and pragmatic decision makers. The Kings embody the responsibility and self-confidence necessary to lead and make informed decisions. The personality traits carried by the Kings are stability, perseverance, consistency, resolution, the strength to maintain and consolidate what has been initiated, resistance to change, and determination to achieve set goals.

If you are familiar with astrology, you can perfectly associate the Kings with the Fixed mode. The Fixed mode embodies stability, perseverance, determination, and the resolution to keep things as they are.

The Knights symbolize openness to change, quest, transition, and progress. They represent the willingness to evolve, to exceed one's limits. The personality traits carried by the Knights are adaptability, flexibility, adjustment, versatility, courage in the face of changing or fixed circumstances. They have an open mind and are ready to modify their plans as needed.

If you know astrology, you can perfectly associate the Knights with the Mutable mode. The Mutable mode is related to the acceptance of change, mental agility, and the ability to adapt to the fluctuations of life.

The Queens symbolize mature femininity, compassion, and wisdom acquired through experience. They represent the ability to guide and take care of others. The personality traits carried by the Queens are receptivity, integration, generosity, sensitivity, transmission. The Queen, being a woman, has a power that the other 3 types of Court Cards do not have, that of giving birth. In truth, The Queen has 3 complementary social statuses: she is the mother of the Page, the wife of the King, and the lover of the Knight. Also, while the 3 men Page, King, Knight stay within their suit, the Queen transmits her energy to the next suit, concretely she gives birth to the Page of the following suit.

If you want to understand my analysis, I invite you to look in detail at the Queens of the Tarot de Marseille, and to note the presence of a baton in the Queen of Coins, a laurel wreath in the Queen of Wands, a hand on the belly in the Queen of Swords (she is pregnant), and a sheaf of vegetation and a seed in the Queen of Cups. You can also focus on the Pages, and note the presence of 2 coins in the Page of Coins (one in the ground), buds on the baton of the Page of Wands, the hand at the sheath and the sword drawn from the Page of Swords, and a cup covered with a veil as well as the hat in hand in the Page of Cups. Unfortunately these details have not been preserved in the R-W-S tarot (as well as other details in the 22 Triumphs). The R-W-S tarot therefore does not convey the knowledge of the Tarot de Marseille. If you have only learned the R-W-S tarot, are you aware that the initial, deep and universal message carried by the Tarot de Marseille is quite different from the R-W-S?

If you know astrology, you can perfectly adopt the following reading grid, it could greatly facilitate the interpretation of the Court Cards:

The Court Cards according to astrology
	Pentacles (Earth)	Wands (Fire)	Swords (Air)	Cups (Water)
Page (Cardinal)	Capricorn	Aries	Libra	Cancer
King (Fixed)	Taurus	Leo	Aquarius	Scorpio
Knight (Mutable)	Virgo	Sagittarius	Gemini	Pisces
Queen	Earth Fire	Fire Air	Air Water	Water Earth

Finally, if you have several Court Cards in a draw, and you have difficulty converging the meanings into a coherent reading, you can use the grid of relationships below. I also added The Fool who is also a Court Card and who makes the link between the 22 Triumphs and the 56 other cards.

The awakening of the apprentice: the potential within reach

The 'Tarot de Marseille'

The card is more about being incomplete (table with 3 legs instead of 4) and the need to grow and evolve (acorn between the fingers) along the way. The Bateleur embodies resourcefulness, urging the consultant to use his or her ingenuity to solve challenges and make the most of available resources.

The Rider-Waite-Smith Tarot

The card focuses on the fact that the traveller has infinite magical power, and if he wants to, he can fulfil all his potential. It underlines the importance of persuasive communication and the mastery of words to positively influence one's environment.

The source of life: the creative abundance of fertility

The 'Tarot de Marseille'

The Empress of the Tarot de Marseille, with her coat of arms in her arm, is more associated with the mother or a maternal figure, emphasising her protective and benevolent aspect.

The Rider-Waite-Smith Tarot

The Empress of the Rider-Waite-Smith Tarot is a more modern creation, with additional esoteric elements associated with her role as guardian of the sacred mysteries.

The spiritual guide: the bridge between tradition and innovation

The 'Tarot de Marseille'

The Tarot de Marseille's Pope places greater emphasis on inner wisdom and the search for spiritual truth.

The Rider-Waite-Smith Tarot

The Hierophant of the Rider-Waite-Smith Tarot is more associated with institutions, traditions and organised religious teachings.

The audacious quest: the road towards personal victory

The 'Tarot de Marseille'

In the Tarot de Marseille, the back of the hand on the hip means that the Prince can be flippant and careless, which explains why the carriage wheels go in different directions. This tarot underlines the idea of self-control, of being clear about one's commitment, at the risk of becoming spread out and going nowhere.

The Rider-Waite-Smith Tarot

The Chariot of the Rider-Waite-Smith Tarot focuses more on balance, or the union of opposing forces to achieve an ideal of a divine or celestial nature.

The inner light: the search for personal truth

The 'Tarot de Marseille'

The Tarot de Marseille hermit looks ahead with his staff raised, showing a much more dynamic stance than the RWS hermit, who stands statically. Also, the Tarot de Marseille hermit speaks of a pilgrim's journey confronting his past (looking to the left), whereas the RWS hermit would be more of a sage or guide.

The Rider-Waite-Smith Tarot

In the hermit's lantern of the RWS Tarot, a star shines to signify a quest of a divine nature, or a path enlightened by the gods, or some kind of magical protection against future obstacles. The hermit appears to be standing atop a hill, looking down on the void at his feet, evoking the fall that the hermit risks.

The silent power: the mastery of heart and mind

The 'Tarot de Marseille'

In the Tarot de Marseille, the woman wears a crown hat, signifying that she is master of her mind and reason. The animal emerges from her legs, suggesting that violence and savagery come from her, or that she rides and dominates her desires.

The Rider-Waite-Smith Tarot

In the RWS Tarot, the woman has a lemniscate, the infinity symbol, above her head, evoking the infinite power of her mind to curb her desires. The lion has its tail between its legs, showing submission, and licks the hand, indicating that it is appeased and domesticated.

The inevitable metamorphosis: the embrace of renewal

The 'Tarot de Marseille'

The Tarot de Marseille card is quite simple. It emphasizes the fact that Death imposes itself on everyone, from mere mortals to crowned heads. On the black, fertile ground, plants grow, evoking rebirth after death.

The Rider-Waite-Smith Tarot

The RWS card contains more details than the Tarot de Marseille card, such as the characters who show different attitudes to death. The river, mountains and sun tell us that life is not a tranquil river, but leads to a mystical dawn.

Alienation and freedom: the audacity of creativity

The 'Tarot de Marseille'

The Devil of the Tarot de Marseille is a hybrid creature, half woman, half man, half animal, standing on a pillar. The card reminds us that the Devil is a fallen angel, and his appearance shows above all that he is an alienated being, no longer knowing himself who he really is.

The Rider-Waite-Smith Tarot

The RWS map focuses on forbidden fruit, temptation and the darker side of humanity. The Devil is no longer human, so man and woman have retained almost all their human appearance. The RWS card confronts Evil with Humanity, while Marseille speaks of attachment to desires that are not like us.

The celestial blessing: the inspiration that nourishes the soul

The 'Tarot de Marseille'

In the Tarot de Marseille, L'Etoile reverses one of its chruches at the level of its sex, as if its water had broken (in correlation with the Hanged Man, representing the fetus in its mother's womb). The card thus focuses on the individual revealing himself, offering the best aspects of himself to the world.

The Rider-Waite-Smith Tarot

In the RWS, there are 8 8-pointed stars. The 8 symbolizing perfection, the card signifies that cosmic balance has been achieved. The water poured onto the earth separates into 5 streams (in relation to the blood spilt from Christ's 5 wounds on the cross) indicates that the Star is fully aware of its love for mankind.

The light of joy: the soul that celebrates life

The 'Tarot de Marseille'

In Jean Noblet's Tarot de Marseille, there are not two children, as in more recent Tarots de Marseille, but a man and a woman. This Tarot focuses on the idea of accepting and integrating the opposite aspects within oneself. Uniting on the inside, to appear whole and radiant on the outside.

The Rider-Waite-Smith Tarot

In the RWS Tarot, the sunflowers symbolize growth, sunshine and love. The horse and child represent the innocent, luminous spirit that rides the impulses and animal nature of the individual. Waite therefore speaks more of growth and spiritual elevation in a spirit of conquest and guidance, as the child holds up a banner.

The dance of the soul: the triumphant harmony of existence

The 'Tarot de Marseille'

In the Tarot de Marseille, the spiritualized Water element is represented by an angel, not a water creature. The card thus emphasizes that it is our feelings and emotions, bearing a genuine fervor for following our spiritual path, that will be the key to achieving our fulfillment.

The Rider-Waite-Smith Tarot

In the RWS Tarot, the woman holds two wands, while the Magician holds only one, symbolizing his complete freedom.