The 56 Minor Arcana of the tarot

Energy that can still take many forms. Give it a concrete outlet.

Look at the card A hand holds a large staff: the suit is concentrated in one object.

One impulse meets another: they can cooperate or compete for space.

Look at the card Two staffs cross. Notice the meeting point and the spreading ends.

An emerging plan seeks development beyond its starting point.

Look at the card A third staff joins the crossing. Notice the added axis.

Create a framework that supports activity and reduces friction.

Look at the card The staffs form a balanced crossing; compare the sides and centre.

As activity increases, tensions reveal what needs reorganising.

Look at the card A central staff changes the arrangement of the other four.

Coordinate energy after an adjustment. Progress benefits from shared effort.

Look at the card The staffs form balanced groups around an organised centre.

Choose where to use your strength. Not every demand needs the same response.

Look at the card A central axis crosses six staffs. Notice what occupies the centre.

Organise abundant energy towards a result. Intensity needs a channel.

Look at the card The crossing pattern becomes dense and regular; examine its pathways.

Recognise what you have sustained and assess your remaining capacity.

Look at the card Another staff joins the eight. Compare the density with earlier cards.

Activity reaches a concentrated point. Complete, distribute or release part of the load.

Look at the card Ten staffs occupy much of the available space.

Explore your ability to act. This may describe a person, attitude or opportunity.

Look at the card A standing figure holds a large staff; compare its size with the posture.

Carry an impulse towards a destination. Starting matters; keeping direction is the challenge.

Look at the card A rider holds a staff. Notice the horse’s posture and orientation.

Sustain desire and initiative without needing to occupy all the space.

Look at the card A crowned, seated figure holds the staff; it remains central at rest.

Take responsibility for an initiative beyond its first impulse.

Look at the card A crowned figure sits with the staff. Compare authority, posture and tool.

The ability to feel and welcome experience. An emotional beginning does not guarantee lasting love.

Look at the card A large cup fills the card. Notice its details and capacity to contain.

An exchange needs both giving and receiving, with room for two perspectives.

Look at the card Ornaments link two cups. Examine the space and relationship between them.

Shared experience forms a circle. Feelings also develop through groups and friendships.

Look at the card Three cups expand the arrangement beyond a pair.

Give feelings a stable setting. Familiarity can shelter or become restrictive.

Look at the card Four cups form a symmetrical arrangement around the central decoration.

An emotion unsettles the familiar balance. Discomfort does not always announce loss.

Look at the card A fifth cup changes the even arrangement. Locate its centre and supports.

Reorganise feelings towards a kinder exchange and care for what is shared.

Look at the card Six cups are evenly distributed among plant forms.

Explore wishes without mistaking them for what already exists. Test imagination against experience.

Look at the card The seventh cup reshapes the arrangement around the centre.

Organise an emotional life with many needs and connections. They cannot all occupy the same place.

Look at the card Eight cups form a compact pattern. Notice the remaining spaces.

Appreciate available emotional richness without demanding permanent satisfaction.

Look at the card Nine cups fill the card in organised groups.

Integrate feelings, relationships and expectations. Harmony does not require identical emotions.

Look at the card Ten cups complete the suit; observe how the arrangement gathers its parts.

Approach feelings with curiosity and some inexperience. This is an attitude, not a required age.

Look at the card A standing figure carries a cup. Notice the grip and direction of attention.

Carry a feeling or proposal towards someone and make room for a response.

Look at the card The rider carries a cup; compare the horse’s motion with care for the vessel.

Attend to emotions without losing your own centre. Understanding does not require taking over.

Look at the card A crowned figure holds an elaborate cup and directs attention towards it.

Handle feelings with judgement and responsibility. Calmness does not mean an absence of emotion.

Look at the card The seated figure holds the cup as an attribute of authority.

Separate the essential from the incidental and name the issue. Clarity needs careful use.

Look at the card The central sword stands out as a single tool. Notice its direction and surroundings.

Consider two positions before concluding. A pause becomes unhelpful when it turns into avoidance.

Look at the card Two curved swords frame a central motif, protecting and limiting its space.

An idea takes form and crosses an existing balance. Words can clarify and unsettle.

Look at the card A straight sword sits within the curved frame. There is no Rider-Waite pierced heart here.

Create mental space to organise an issue. Thinking clearly may require pausing your reactions.

Look at the card Four curved swords form a symmetrical frame around the centre.

Tension asks you to review how you think or argue. Resolution matters more than winning.

Look at the card A central sword enters the curved arrangement and changes its balance.

Reorganise ideas after friction. A clearer framework supports shared understanding.

Look at the card Six curved swords surround a plant motif; compare structure and inner space.

Choose an approach within complexity. Discretion alone does not indicate deception.

Look at the card A straight sword occupies the centre of six curved swords.

A mental framework can focus or restrict you. Distinguish useful rules from assumed barriers.

Look at the card Eight curved swords form a closed pattern; examine the inner space.

Follow an issue through without letting analysis become exhausting repetition.

Look at the card A central sword joins the frame of eight, creating a dense composition.

A line of reasoning reaches its limit. End a debate or change its framework.

Look at the card Ten swords complete the suit; notice the space and straight blades.

Learn to observe and ask before judging. Sharpness needs practice and listening.

Look at the card The standing figure carries a sword and its sheath. Observe gesture and gaze.

Put an idea into action with determination while leaving room to listen.

Look at the card The rider carries a sword. Notice the movement and the accompanying blade.

Understand a situation and express your own judgement. Clarity can remain respectful.

Look at the card The seated figure holds an upright sword. Observe posture, gaze and the blade’s boundary.

Use thought to decide and organise fairly. Authority does not make an opinion infallible.

Look at the card The crowned figure holds a sword as a sign of command and stability.

A practical possibility needs attention to grow. It may involve time or skill, not only money.

Look at the card A large central coin is surrounded by plant motifs, suggesting growth.

Distribute resources between two needs. Balance need not mean equal halves.

Look at the card A curved ribbon links two coins and carries the maker’s mark.

A skill begins producing results through practice and support.

Look at the card Three coins form an initial structure among plant ornaments.

Protect what sustains you. Security stops helping when it prevents all movement.

Look at the card Four coins form a stable arrangement around a central shield.

A new need changes the resource balance. Recognise what is missing and what can change.

Look at the card A fifth coin alters the structure of four; locate its centre.

Distribute resources to sustain the whole. Giving and receiving also need agreements.

Look at the card Six coins are evenly arranged around a central space.

Assess something you have worked on. Waiting helps when you also observe and adjust.

Look at the card The seventh coin changes the group’s symmetry. Examine its position.

Refine a skill through repeated attention and review of your method.

Look at the card Eight coins form a regular structure; notice repetition and spaces.

Recognise what your resources and experience can sustain. Autonomy does not require doing everything alone.

Look at the card Nine coins fill a developed composition. Observe the central element.

Integrate resources and learning so something can last or be passed on. Value exceeds possession.

Look at the card Ten coins complete the suit among abundant plant motifs.

Learn something useful and observe the results. A student attitude has no fixed age.

Look at the card A standing figure watches one coin; another lies near the ground.

Direct resources and effort steadily, while retaining the ability to adjust course.

Look at the card The rider advances with a coin visible nearby. Compare movement and stability.

Attend to practical needs so life or work becomes liveable. Caring includes yourself.

Look at the card A crowned figure holds a coin and sceptre. Observe her attention and steady posture.

Use experience to sustain resources and accept practical decisions. Sound management matters more than appearances.

Look at the card The seated figure keeps a coin near his hand within a posture of authority.