Learning how to read the Tarot is like learning to read a brand new language. It takes time, patience and lots and lots of practice. The more you work with the Tarot and research the multitude of meanings behind each of the 78 cards in the Major and Minor Arcana, the more familiar you will become with their energies. These descriptions refer to the traditional Rider-Waite-Smith deck meanings and serve as a starting point for your learning. They do not necessarily encompass every possible meaning to the court cards. For a more in depth understanding of each card, search for their meanings in our site archives.

Reading the Tarot is very much an intuitive process, as you must learn to decipher the meanings of the cards in relation to the spread and context. The following cheat sheets provide quick and easy keywords to reference while you continue familiarizing yourself with the Minor Arcana Royals. The suits represent the following domains:

• Wands (ideas and action)

• Cups (inner world and emotions)

• Swords (communication and intellect)

• Pentacles (wealth and the material realm)

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How to Read Kings in the Tarot: Keywords

Kings in the Tarot represent divine masculine energy, which does not necessarily relate to gender. Kings in the Tarot and masculine energy can refer to someone that is currently in an assertive and action-oriented mindset, as opposed to a passive or receptive mindset. They are the masters of their domain, which is reflected by their given suit. They can also represent a fatherly figure, patriarch, boss or highly developed person. They have graduated to their final form, starting from the beginning of their journey as a page.

King of Wands may represent a person ruled by a Fire sign in their natal chart ie: Aries, Sagittarius or Leo.

King of Cups may represent a person ruled by a Water sign ie: Scorpio, Pisces or Cancer.

King of Swords may represent a person ruled by an Air sign ie: Gemini, Aquarius or Libra.

King of Pentacles may represent a person ruled by an Earth sign ie: Virgo, Capricorn or Taurus.

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How to Read Queens in the Tarot: Keywords

Queens in the Tarot represent divine feminine energy, which does not necessarily relate to gender. Queens in the Tarot and feminine energy can refer to someone that is currently in a more passive or receptive mindset, as opposed to an assertive and action-oriented mindset. Queens in the Tarot are always abundant, prosperous and fertile for more growth in their given domain. They can represent a motherly figure, matriarch or someone who is currently cultivating success in their given domain.

Queen of Wands may represent a person ruled by a Fire sign in their natal chart ie: Aries, Sagittarius or Leo.

Queen of Cups may represent a person ruled by a Water sign ie: Scorpio, Pisces or Cancer.

Queen of Swords may represent a person ruled by an Air sign ie: Gemini, Aquarius or Libra.

Queen of Pentacles may represent a person ruled by an Earth sign ie: Virgo, Capricorn or Taurus.

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How to Read Knights in the Tarot: Keywords

Knights in the Tarot represents different levels or stages of movement or progress, related to the context of their given domain. The fastest acting Knight is the Knight of Swords, followed by the Knight of Wands, Knight of Cups and Knight of Pentacles in descending levels of energy. They can also represent important messengers or incoming communications. They have graduated from page status and have already begun their journey towards their destined outcome.

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How to Read Pages of the Tarot: Keywords

Pages in the Tarot are seen as children of the Minor Arcana, at the very beginning of their journeys. Pages in the Tarot often represent new beginnings, opportunities or pursuits pertaining to their given domain. They have not fully matured or figured out their path, but they are full of optimism and potential. Pages in the Tarot are not necessarily destined to fulfill their mission, but they often signal the start of an important, new life chapter or endeavour. Pages in the Tarot can also represent a child in your life that is ruled by a Fire, Water, Air or Earth signs, respectively, or simply childish and beginner energy.