From the Fool’s impulse to the World’s integration: discover what each card represents and how its reading changes with the question. Choose a card to explore its symbols and interpretation.
Explore the 22 cards How to use this guideBefore interpretingSymbol, question and context
The Major Arcana depict scenes and characters that help you explore a situation from different angles. A card has no single translation: its position in the spread, your question and neighbouring cards guide the reading.
In the Tarot de Marseille, Justice is VIII and Strength is XI; Rider-Waite swaps these numbers. The Fool usually has no printed number, and card XIII often has no title. We retain these features and mention familiar alternative names.
What if the card is reversed?
A reversal can suggest a blockage, excess, inward expression or a meaning that needs reviewing. It is not automatically negative. If you do not use reversals, treat this section as a useful contrast when studying.
These contemporary interpretations were written by Tarotsi for learning and entertainment; they are not attributed to the deck’s maker. An image should not be treated as a diagnosis, a guaranteed date or proof about another person.
Choose a card
Open a card to read it. Close it again whenever you want to keep exploring.
No cards match your search. Try another name or select “Clear”.
UnnumberedThe Fool
Freedom · Impulse · JourneyRead interpretationClose card
Begin a new stage without having every answer. Freedom needs a direction, even a provisional one.
Look at the card The traveller carries a bundle and staff; an animal approaches his leg. Notice the movement and light luggage.
Upright
Curiosity, independence and willingness to try something new.
Reversed
Acting without considering consequences, or fearing a step beyond the familiar.
Love and relationships
Open yourself to meeting someone or renewing a relationship without imposing a script.
Work and projects
Explore an idea with a first trial before committing resources.
For a move, explore the destination without mistaking enthusiasm for preparation.
IThe Magician
Initiative · Resources · SkillRead interpretationClose card
Turn a possibility into a first action. You do not need to master everything before you begin practising.
Look at the card Small objects cover the table and the figure holds a wand. Notice the available tools and his hands.
Upright
Ingenuity, active learning and use of available resources.
Reversed
Scattered effort, unfulfilled promises or skill used only to impress.
Love and relationships
Take the initiative and express interest through a concrete gesture.
Work and projects
Put a skill to work and develop an idea through trials.
For a new project, make a small sample instead of preparing indefinitely.
IIThe Popess
Study · Intuition · ReserveRead interpretationClose card
Listen, observe and let understanding mature before speaking. Also known as the High Priestess.
Look at the card The open book, cloak and seated figure contrast with the Magician’s activity. Careful reading may matter most.
Upright
Patience, research, inner life and attention to what remains unspoken.
Reversed
Excessive silence, assumptions or knowledge gathered but never used.
Love and relationships
Recognise your feelings and speak when you can give them words.
Work and projects
Study the details or complete some training before deciding.
If an offer seems unclear, read its conditions and ask what is missing.
IIIThe Empress
Creation · Expression · FertilityRead interpretationClose card
Give shape and voice to what is growing. Fertility here means creative capacity, not a pregnancy announcement.
Look at the card The crown, sceptre and eagle shield connect imagination with the power of expression.
Upright
Creativity, communication, enjoyment and development of an idea.
Reversed
Too many ideas, seeking approval or difficulty making things concrete.
Love and relationships
Show affection, share enjoyment and make room for a growing relationship.
Work and projects
Communicate a proposal and turn inspiration into something visible.
When preparing a presentation, use examples that others can picture.
IIIIThe Emperor
Structure · Boundaries · StabilityRead interpretationClose card
Sustain what you have created through decisions, responsibility and boundaries. Firmness need not become control.
Look at the card The seat, sceptre and shield suggest established authority. Observe the figure’s posture.
Upright
Organisation, commitment and a stable foundation.
Reversed
Rigidity, domination or lack of a supporting structure.
Love and relationships
Agree on boundaries and responsibilities without directing another person’s life.
Work and projects
Define a plan, distribute roles and maintain continuity.
In a disorganised team, clarify who decides and who is responsible for each task.
VThe Pope
Teaching · Values · TransmissionRead interpretationClose card
Learn with support and examine the ideas that guide your decisions. Also known as the Hierophant.
Look at the card A central figure addresses two others. The hand gesture and staff highlight the passing on of knowledge.
Upright
Advice, education, shared agreements and experienced guidance.
Reversed
Dogmatism, dependence on approval or rules that no longer help.
Love and relationships
Discuss values and expectations, including agreements about commitment.
Work and projects
Seek mentoring or understand an organisation’s rules before acting.
When choosing a course, consider what the teacher offers beyond their reputation.
VIThe Lovers
Choice · Connection · DesireRead interpretationClose card
Recognise what you desire and choose when other people or expectations are involved. This card is not limited to romance.
Look at the card Three people stand beneath a winged figure. Their hands and gazes make the choice less simple than it first appears.
Upright
Attraction, dialogue and choices aligned with personal values.
Reversed
Ambivalence, people-pleasing or reluctance to own a choice.
Love and relationships
Clarify the bond you want without treating the card as proof of someone’s feelings.
Work and projects
Choose a collaboration or direction that fits your priorities.
Between two offers, separate your own wishes from the urge to please others.
VIIThe Chariot
Direction · Progress · WillRead interpretationClose card
Coordinate different energies to move forward. Momentum helps when you know where to direct it.
Look at the card The figure rides under a canopy with two animals ahead. Compare apparent assurance with the forces pulling the vehicle.
Upright
Determination, autonomy and movement towards a defined goal.
Reversed
Haste, attempts to control everything or inconsistent directions.
Love and relationships
Make a joint decision and check that both people share the goal.
Work and projects
Concentrate efforts and turn strategy into steps.
If tasks pile up without progress, choose one goal and align your work with it.
VIIIJustice
Balance · Judgement · ResponsibilityRead interpretationClose card
Weigh the facts, recognise consequences and apply consistent standards. This does not guarantee a legal outcome.
Look at the card Scales and sword bring together evaluation and decision. Justice is VIII in Marseille.
Upright
Clarity, proportionate boundaries, agreements and accountability.
Reversed
Hasty judgements, excessive demands or imbalance requiring correction.
Love and relationships
Review whether agreements and effort are fairly shared.
Work and projects
Read conditions, define responsibilities and assess the facts.
When tasks are unevenly distributed, discuss concrete facts and renegotiate the agreement.
VIIIIThe Hermit
Search · Prudence · ExperienceRead interpretationClose card
Move at a pace that allows understanding. A pause may help you find direction rather than give up.
Look at the card The lamp lights a small area and the staff supports each step. The whole path is not visible at once.
Upright
Reflection, deep study and learning from experience.
Reversed
Prolonged isolation, excessive delay or refusing help.
Love and relationships
Explain your need for personal space so it does not become silent distance.
Work and projects
Research carefully, review lessons or seek experienced advice.
After similar mistakes, pause to examine the pattern before trying again.
XThe Wheel of Fortune
Cycle · Change · AdaptationRead interpretationClose card
Recognise changing circumstances and find room to act within them. The card does not promise a lucky streak.
Look at the card Three figures occupy different positions around a wheel. What rises does not remain at the top forever.
Upright
A new stage, changing circumstances and adaptability.
Reversed
Resistance to change or repetition of an unexamined pattern.
Love and relationships
Review cycles of closeness and distance or adjust to a new stage.
Work and projects
Adapt plans to changing conditions without relying only on luck.
If an opportunity closes, consider what options the new situation opens.
XIStrength
Composure · Courage · Self-controlRead interpretationClose card
Work with your impulses without denying them or being carried away. Firmness can be calm.
Look at the card A woman holds the lion’s mouth. Marseille gives Strength number XI: notice the contact as well as the animal.
Upright
Persistence, confidence and a calm approach to difficulty.
Reversed
Repression, exhaustion or impulsive reactions replacing firmness.
Love and relationships
Express a desire or boundary without turning conversation into a contest.
Work and projects
Maintain your practice and handle pressure sustainably.
When criticised, listen and respond clearly instead of exploding or falling silent.
XIIThe Hanged Man
Pause · Perspective · Letting goRead interpretationClose card
Change your viewpoint when persistence no longer helps. Distinguish a useful pause from waiting without limits.
Look at the card The figure hangs by one foot between two trunks. The inverted posture changes the usual perspective.
Upright
Observation, acceptance of a pause and release of an expectation.
Reversed
Stagnation, pointless sacrifice or a feeling of having no choice.
Love and relationships
Stop supporting a one-sided pattern and consider your real needs.
Work and projects
Rethink your approach before investing more effort in the same attempt.
If negotiations stall, change the proposal instead of repeating it with more pressure.
XIIIArcana XIII · Death
Ending · Clearing · TransformationRead interpretationClose card
Close a stage and remove what can no longer be sustained. This is symbolic transformation, not literal death.
Look at the card A figure with a scythe works over ground with remains and shoots. Many Marseille decks leave this card untitled.
Upright
Letting go, profound change and an ending that allows reorganisation.
Reversed
Attachment to what is over, fear of change or an unprocessed break.
Love and relationships
Transform an exhausted pattern; the question clarifies whether this concerns the bond or its form.
Work and projects
Retire an obsolete process or finish one project before beginning another.
When reviewing a business, remove services that drain effort without fulfilling their purpose.
XIIIITemperance
Adjustment · Dialogue · ModerationRead interpretationClose card
Find proportions that support cooperation or a sustainable process. This requires adjustment, not stillness.
Look at the card The winged figure transfers liquid between two vessels. Notice the continuing exchange.
Upright
Mediation, coordination and gradual improvement.
Reversed
Imbalance, extremes or communication that cannot flow.
Love and relationships
Listen, negotiate rhythms and build a sustainable way of relating.
Work and projects
Coordinate tasks and try progressive adjustments.
If two people work differently, agree on a shared method and review it after testing.
XVThe Devil
Desire · Power · AttachmentRead interpretationClose card
Recognise desires and power dynamics shaping your choices. Intensity alone does not show that something suits you.
Look at the card Two figures are tied to a pedestal beneath a central character. Examine the bonds and distribution of power.
Upright
Magnetism, material energy and recognition of dependencies or hidden interests.
Reversed
An attempt to break free, or denial of an attachment that persists.
Love and relationships
Explore attraction without confusing possession, jealousy or dependence with intimacy.
Work and projects
Examine incentives, ambition and commitments that restrict your choices.
With a well-paid job that consumes your life, weigh both the reward and its cost.
XVIThe Tower
Disruption · Revelation · ReleaseRead interpretationClose card
Something challenges a structure that seemed secure. Consider what is revealed and what can be rebuilt.
Look at the card The tower’s top opens and figures appear outside it. The building no longer contains everything.
Upright
Abrupt change, discovery and collapse of an unsustainable idea.
Reversed
Resistance to recognising a problem or an inward change not yet expressed.
Love and relationships
A conversation may overturn expectations and call for more honest agreements.
Work and projects
Review a fragile system and build a better foundation.
If a plan fails at the first surprise, repair its structure rather than only the symptom.
XVIIThe Star
Trust · Simplicity · OpennessRead interpretationClose card
Recover a simpler relationship with what you want and can offer. Trust develops through actions, not guarantees.
Look at the card A figure pours water into a landscape beneath the stars. No armour or throne separates her from the surroundings.
Upright
Inspiration, generosity and willingness to participate again.
Reversed
Discouragement, overexposure or giving without attending to your needs.
Love and relationships
Be yourself and encourage closeness that does not require a performance.
Work and projects
Reconnect with a purpose and share a personally meaningful idea.
After disappointment, return to an activity that restores enthusiasm and contact with others.
XVIIIThe Moon
Sensitivity · Ambiguity · ImaginationRead interpretationClose card
Distinguish perception, memory and assumption when things are unclear. Uncertainty does not establish deception.
Look at the card The moon lights two towers, two animals and a creature emerging from water. Notice the different distances and layers.
Upright
Imagination, deep feelings and matters needing clarification.
Reversed
Confusion clearing, or assumptions becoming harder to question.
Love and relationships
Express fears and ask for clarity instead of filling silences with theories.
Work and projects
Check impressions and incomplete information before concluding.
If a message worries you, ask what it means before assigning an intention.
XVIIIIThe Sun
Clarity · Joy · EncounterRead interpretationClose card
Make visible what brings people together and allows enjoyment. Clarity supports action and sharing.
Look at the card Two figures meet beneath the sun in front of a wall. Notice their closeness and the light they share.
Upright
Understanding, collaboration, vitality and shared satisfaction.
Reversed
Craving recognition, excessive enthusiasm or difficulty enjoying achievements.
Love and relationships
Encourage open communication and time enjoyed together.
Work and projects
Share results and work towards goals everyone understands.
After a difficult task, recognise the joint effort and explain what worked.
XXJudgement
Calling · Review · RenewalRead interpretationClose card
Respond to a realisation and reconsider a stage of life. Understanding matters, but so does your response.
Look at the card The trumpet and rising figures form a scene of awakening. Something calls for attention and an answer.
Upright
Recognition, a new perspective and a decision to revisit or transform a matter.
Reversed
Persistent self-criticism, refusing to listen or waiting for external approval.
Love and relationships
Discuss unfinished matters and decide whether a different stage is possible.
Work and projects
Review your direction and respond to a new calling or responsibility.
After feedback on your work, choose one concrete improvement and apply it.
XXIThe World
Integration · Completion · OpennessRead interpretationClose card
Recognise a stage reaching its full form and see how the parts fit. Finishing well also prepares what comes next.
Look at the card A central figure is surrounded by a wreath and four beings in the corners. Observe both centre and whole.
Upright
Achievement, integrated learning and wider participation.
Reversed
Incomplete closure, perfectionism or difficulty recognising achievement.
Love and relationships
Build a relationship that fits the rest of life and leaves room to grow.
Work and projects
Complete a delivery, combine skills and explore a wider setting.
After a course, apply what you learned in a project that brings the parts together.
Give the meaning a context
As advice, the Magician encourages you to use your resources; as an obstacle, it may suggest scattered effort. The card is the same, but its role in the spread changes.
About the cards and this guide
Illustrations from a historical edition by A. Camoin, around 1890–1900, based on Nicolas Conver’s design. This copy is held by the Bibliothèque nationale de France and shared on Wikimedia Commons as public domain. Its colours, wear and handwritten notes have been preserved; the notes are not part of the original printed design.
BnF catalogue record · All 78 cards and their credits on Wikimedia Commons
Guide revised on 14 September 2026. The interpretations were written for this guide; the historical images let you examine the symbols, but do not establish a single divinatory meaning.