Tarot Card Meanings Cheat Sheet: All 78 Cards Quick Reference
Bookmark this page! A comprehensive quick reference for all 78 tarot cards with keywords to help you remember meanings during readings.
Luna
love & relationships specialist
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How to Use This Cheat Sheet
Keep this page open during readings. Click any card name to see its full meaning. Focus on the keywords that resonate with your question—trust your intuition!
Major Arcana (22 Cards)
The Major Arcana represent life's spiritual lessons and big themes. When these appear in a reading, pay attention—they carry significant weight. Learn more in our beginner's guide.
The Fool
New beginnings, innocence, spontaneity, free spirit
The Magician
Manifestation, resourcefulness, power, inspired action
The High Priestess
Intuition, sacred knowledge, divine feminine, subconscious
The Empress
Femininity, beauty, nature, nurturing, abundance
The Emperor
Authority, structure, control, fatherhood, stability
The Hierophant
Spiritual wisdom, tradition, conformity, institutions
The Lovers
Love, harmony, relationships, values alignment, choices
The Chariot
Control, willpower, success, determination, direction
Strength
Courage, patience, inner strength, compassion, influence
The Hermit
Soul-searching, introspection, inner guidance, solitude
Wheel of Fortune
Good luck, karma, life cycles, destiny, turning point
Justice
Fairness, truth, cause and effect, law, balance
The Hanged Man
Pause, surrender, letting go, new perspective
Death
Endings, change, transformation, transition, release
Temperance
Balance, moderation, patience, purpose, meaning
The Devil
Shadow self, attachment, addiction, restriction, sexuality
The Tower
Sudden change, upheaval, chaos, revelation, awakening
The Star
Hope, faith, renewal, serenity, inspiration
The Moon
Illusion, fear, anxiety, subconscious, intuition
The Sun
Positivity, fun, warmth, success, vitality
Judgement
Judgement, rebirth, inner calling, absolution
The World
Completion, accomplishment, travel, integration
Cups - Water
Theme: Emotions, relationships, feelings, intuition
New love, compassion, creativity, emotional beginnings
Unity, partnership, mutual attraction, connection
Celebration, friendship, creativity, community
Meditation, contemplation, apathy, reevaluation
Regret, failure, disappointment, pessimism
Nostalgia, childhood memories, innocence, joy
Fantasy, illusion, wishful thinking, choices
Abandonment, withdrawal, disappointment, escape
Contentment, satisfaction, gratitude, wish fulfilled
Divine love, blissful relationships, harmony, alignment
Creative opportunities, intuitive messages, curiosity
Romance, charm, imagination, following the heart
Compassionate, caring, emotionally stable, intuitive
Emotionally balanced, diplomatic, calm
Wands - Fire
Theme: Action, creativity, passion, ambition
Inspiration, new opportunities, growth, potential
Future planning, progress, decisions, discovery
Expansion, foresight, overseas opportunities
Celebration, harmony, homecoming, relaxation
Conflict, disagreements, competition, tension
Success, recognition, progress, self-confidence
Challenge, competition, perseverance, defense
Movement, speed, quick action, air travel
Resilience, grit, persistence, boundaries
Burden, responsibility, hard work, stress
Exploration, excitement, freedom, discovery
Energy, passion, adventure, impulsiveness
Courage, determination, joy, vibrancy
Leadership, vision, entrepreneur, honor
Swords - Air
Theme: Thoughts, communication, truth, conflict
Breakthrough, clarity, sharp mind, truth
Difficult decisions, stalemate, avoidance, truce
Heartbreak, emotional pain, sorrow, grief
Rest, relaxation, meditation, contemplation
Conflict, disagreements, competition, defeat
Transition, leaving behind, moving forward
Deception, strategy, sneakiness, resourcefulness
Imprisonment, entrapment, self-limiting beliefs
Anxiety, worry, fear, depression, nightmares
Painful endings, betrayal, loss, crisis
Curiosity, mental energy, new ideas
Ambitious, fast-thinking, driven, perfectionist
Perceptive, clear thinker, independent
Intellectual power, authority, truth
Pentacles - Earth
Theme: Material world, finances, career, health
New financial opportunity, manifestation, abundance
Multiple priorities, time management, adaptability
Teamwork, collaboration, learning, implementation
Saving money, security, conservatism, scarcity
Financial loss, poverty, isolation, insecurity
Giving, receiving, charity, generosity, sharing
Long-term view, perseverance, investment, reward
Apprenticeship, education, quality, engagement
Abundance, luxury, self-sufficiency, financial security
Wealth, inheritance, family, establishment
Manifestation, financial opportunity, new career
Hard work, productivity, routine, conservatism
Nurturing, practical, financially independent
Wealth, business, leadership, discipline, abundance
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I memorize all 78 tarot card meanings?
Don't try to memorize! Focus on learning the Major Arcana first, then understand suit themes (Cups=emotions, Wands=action, Swords=thoughts, Pentacles=material). Number patterns repeat across suits. Use a cheat sheet during readings—it's not cheating, it's learning.
What's the difference between Major and Minor Arcana?
Major Arcana (22 cards) represent major life themes and spiritual lessons. Minor Arcana (56 cards) reflect daily life situations. Majors carry more weight in readings and point to significant turning points or karmic patterns.
Do reversed cards always mean the opposite?
Not necessarily. Reversals can indicate blocked energy, internal versus external expression, or a need to work on that card's theme. Some readers don't use reversals at all—it's a personal choice.
Which tarot cards are good or bad?
No card is inherently good or bad—context matters. The Death card usually means transformation, not literal death. The Sun is positive but can warn against overconfidence. Every card has light and shadow aspects.
How do court cards work?
Court cards (Page, Knight, Queen, King) can represent actual people, aspects of yourself, or situations. Pages suggest messages/beginnings, Knights indicate action/movement, Queens represent mastery/nurturing, Kings show authority/completion.
Written by
Luna
Love and relationship tarot specialist. Luna guides seekers through matters of the heart with compassion and clarity.
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