Step 5: Interpret the Cards
There are two sections within the Tarot deck, the Major Arcana and the Minor Arcana.
- Major Arcana. There are 22 of these cards. In some Tarot Decks, these are numbered, except the Fool. They represent different stages in life, different aspects of yourself, the situations you will encounter and the qualities you will need to help you.
- Minor Arcana. There are 56 of these cards. They are divided into four suits with 14 cards in each, similar to normal playing cards. The suits are Cups, Wands, Pentacles and Swords, and each suit comprises of 10 numbered pip cards, and four court cards (Page, Knight, Queen and King).
- The Cups Suit (also known as the Chalice Suit) is linked with the standard Hearts Suit, and henceforth with your feelings and emotions, especially love, kindness and admiration. It is also associated with the classical element of Water.
- The Wands Suit (also known as the Staves Suit, Rods Suit or the Batons (the French word for Wands) Suit) is linked with the standard Clubs Suit, and with your intuition, especially vision, prediction and "gut-feelings". It is also associated with the classical element of Fire.
- The Pentacles Suit (also known as the Coins Suit) is linked with the standard Diamonds suit, and henceforth with the material world; your possessions and the things you cherish. It is also associated with the classical element of Earth.
- The Swords Suit is linked with the standard Spades Suit, and with your mind, especially your intellect and your decisions. It is also associated with the classical element of Air.
- The Cups Suit (also known as the Chalice Suit) is linked with the standard Hearts Suit, and henceforth with your feelings and emotions, especially love, kindness and admiration. It is also associated with the classical element of Water.