Rider-Waite Tarot Deck

True heart, joy, contentment, abode, nourishment, abundance, fertility, holy table, felicity.

Ace of Cups "The waters are beneath, upon which are water lilies. The hand issues from the cloud, holding in its palm the cup, from which four streams are pouring. A dove, bearing in its beak a cross-marked host, descends to place the wafer in the cup--the dew of water is falling on all sides. It is an intimation of that which may lie behind the lesser arcana."

Perfect contentment, felicity, ecstasy--also speedy intelligence, gold.

Ace of Pentacles "A hand--issuing, as usual, from a cloud--holds up a pentacle."

Triumph, the excessive degree in everything, conquest, triumph of force. A card of great force, in love as well as in hatred.

Ace of Swords "A hand issues from a cloud, grasping a sword, the point of which is encircled by a crown."

Creation, invention, enterprise, the powers which result in these, principle, beginning, source, birth, family, origin, the beginning of enterprises, according to another account--money, fortune, inheritance.

Ace of Wands "A hand issuing from a cloud grasps a stout wand or club."

This card speaks for itself on the surface, but other readings are entirely antithetical--giving joy, mildness, timidity, honor, modesty.

Eight of Cups "A man of dejected aspect is deserting the cups of his felicity, enterprise, undertaking or previous concern."

Work, employment, commission, craftsmanship, skill in craft and business.

Eight of Pentacles "An artist in stone at work."

Bad news, violent chagrin, crisis, censure, power in trammel so, conflict, calumny--also sickness.

Eight of Swords "A woman, bound and hoodwinked, with the swords of the card about her."

Activity in undertakings, the path of such activity, swiftness, as that of an express messenger; great haste, great hope, speed towards an end which promises assured felicity; that which is on the move, also the arrows of love.

Eight of Wands "The card represents motion through the immovable--a flight of wands through an open country."

It is a card of loss, but something remains; three have been taken, but two are left. It is a card of inheritance, transmission, and patrimony. It may be a card of marriage, but not without bitterness or frustration.

Five of Cups "A dark, cloaked figure looks at three prone cups; two other cups stand upright behind him. A bridge is in the background."

It foretells material trouble above all, whether in the form illustrated, that is, destitution, or otherwise. For some cartomancists, it is a card of love and lovers--wife, husband, friend, mistress--also concordance, affinities. These alternatives cannot be harmonized.

Five of Pentacles "Two mendicants in a snowstorm pass a lighted casement."

Degradation, destruction, reversal, infamy, dishonor, loss.

Five of Swords "A disdainful man looks after two retreating and dejected figures. Their two swords lie upon the ground. He carries two others on his left shoulder, and a third sword is in his right hand, point to earth. He is the master in possession of the field."

Imitation, for example, sham fight, the strenuous competition and struggle of the search after riches and fortune. Hence in some attributions say that it is a card of gold, gain, opulence.

Five of Wands "A posse of youths are brandishing staves, as if in sport or strife. It is mimic warfare."

Weariness, disgust, aversion, imaginary vexations--as if the wine of this world has caused satiety only. Another cup of wine, as if a fairy gift, is now offered him, but seea no consolation therein. This is also a card of blended pleasure.

Four of Cups "A young man is seated under a tree and contemplates three cups set on the grass before him. He expresses discontent with his enviroment. An arm issuing from a cloud offers him another cup."

The surety of possessions, cleaving to that which one has , gifts, legacy, inheritance.

Four of Pentacles "A crowned figure, having a pentacle over his crown, clasps another with hands and arms; two Pentacles are under his feet.

They are for once almost on the surface, country life, repose, concord, harmony, prosperity, peace, and the perfected work of these.

Four of Wands "From the four great staves planted in the foreground there is a great garland suspended, two female figures uplift nosegay and at their side is a bridge over a moat, leading to an old manorial house."

Vigilance, retreat solitude, hermit's repose, exile, tomb and coffin.

Four of swords "The effigy of a knight in the attitude of prayer, at full length upon his tomb."

Fair man, man of business, law, or divinity, responsible, disposed to oblige the Querent. Also equity, art and science, including those who profess science, law and art, creative intelligence.

King of Cups "He holds a short sceptor in his left hand and a great cup in his right, his thone is set upon the sea, on one side a ship is riding and on the other a dolphin is leaping. The implicit is that the sign of the Cup naturally refers to water, which appears in all the court cards.

Valor, realizing intelligence, business and normal intellectual aptitude, sometimes mathematical gifts and attainments of this kind--success in these paths.

King of Pentacles "The figure calls for no special description. The face is rather dark, suggesting also courage, but somewhat lethargic in tendency. The bull's head should be noted as a recurrent symbol on his throne. The sign of this suit is represented throughout as engraved or blazoned with the pentagram, typifying the correspondence of the four elements in human nature and that by which they may be governed."

Whatsoever arises out of the idea of judgement and all its connections--power, command, authority, militant intelligence, law, offices of the crown, and so forth.

King of Swords "He sits in judgement, holding the unsheathed sign of his suit."

Dark man, friendly, countryman, generally married, honest and conscientious.

King of Wands "The physical and emotional nature to which this card is attributed is dark, ardent, lithe, animated, impassioned, noble. He uplifts a flowering Wand and wears, like his three correspondences in the remaining suits, what is called a cap of maintenance beneath his crown. He connects with the symbol of the lion, which is emblazoned on the back of his throne."

Arrival, approach--sometimes that of a messenger, advances, proposition, demeanor, invitation, incitement.

Knight of Cups "Graceful, not warlike, riding quietly, wearing a winged helmet, referring to the higher graces of the imagination which sometimes characterize this card."

Utility, serviceableness, interest, rectitude, responsibility.

Knight of Pentacles "He rides a slow, enduring, heavy horse, to which his own aspect corresponds."

Skill, bravery, capacity, defense, address, enmity, wrath, war, destruction, opposition, resistance, ruin.

Knight of Swords "In full course, as if scattering his enemies.

Departure, absence, flight, emigration. A dark young man, friendly. Change of residence.

Knight of Wands "He is shown as if upon a journey, armed with a short wand, and although mailed is not on a warlike errand. He is passing mounds or pyramids."

Concord, contentment, physical bien-être(well-being); also victory, sucess, advantage, satisfaction for the Querent or perso. For whom the consultation is made.

Nine of Cups "The goodly personage is feastimg to his heart's content, and abundant refreshment of wine is on the arched counter behind him."

Prudence, safety, success, accomplishment, certitude, discernment.

Nine of Pentacles "A woman, with a bird upon her wrist, stands amidst a great abundance of grapevines in the garden of a great house."

Death, failure, miscarriage, delay, deception, disappointment, despair.

Nine of Swords "One seated on her couch in lamentation with the swords over her."

The card signifies strength in opposition. If attacked, he will meet the onslaught boldly. With this main significance there are all it possible adjuncts, including delay, suspension, adjournment.

Nine of Wands "The figure leans upon his staff and has an expectant look, as if awaiting an enemy. Behind him are eight other stages erect, in orderly disposition, like a palisade."

Fair young man, one impelled to render service and with whom the Querent will be connected, a studious youth, news, message, application, reflection, meditation--also these things directed to business.

Page of Cups "A fair, pleasing, somewhat effeminate Page, of studious and intent aspect, contemplates a fish rising from a cup to look at him."

"Application, study, scholarship, reflection. Another reading says news, messages and the bringer thereof--also rule, management.

Page of Pentacles "A youthful figure, looking intently at the pentacle that hovers over his raised hands."

Authority, overseeing, secret service, vigilance, spying, examination, and the qualities thereto belonging.

Page of Swords "A lithe, active figure holds a sword upright in both hands, while in the act of swift walking."

Dark young man, faithful, a lover, an envoy, a postman. Beside a man, he will bear favorable testimony concerning him. He is a dangerous rival, if followed by the Page of Cups. Has the chief qualities of his suit.

Page of Wands "In a scene similar to the former, a young man stands in the act of proclamation. He is unknown but faithful, and his tidings are strange."

Good, fair woman, homest, devoted, who will do the service to the Querent. Loving intelligence, and hence the gift of vision, success, happiness, pleasure, also wisdom, virtue.

Queen of Cups "Beautiful, fair, dreamy woman (as one who sees visioms in a cup).

Opulence, generosity, security, magnificence, Liberty.

Queen of Pentacles "The face suggests that of a dark woman, whose qualities might be summed up in the idea of greatness of the soul. She has also the serious cast of intelligence--she contemplates her symbol and may see worlds therein."

Widowhood, female sadness and embarrassment, absence, sterility, mourning, privation, separation.

Queen of Swords "Her right hand raises the weapon vertically and the hilt rests on an arm of her royal chair. The left hand is extended, the arm raised, her countenance is severe, chastened, and suggests familiarity with sorrow."

A dark woman or countrywoman, friendly, chaste, loving, honorable. If the card besides her signifies a man, she is well disposed towards him; if a woman, she is interested in the Querent. Also, love of money.

Queen of Wands "Throughout this suit the wands are always in leaf, as it is a suit of life and animation. Emotionally and otherwise, the Queen's personality corresponds to that of the King, but is more magnetic."

Fairy favors, images of reflection, imagination, sentiment, things seen in the glass of contemplation, some attainment in these degrees but nothing permanent or substantial is suggested.

Seven of Cups "Strange chalices of vision."

These are exceedingly contradictory, in the main, it is a card of money, business, barter--but one reading gives altercation, quarrel, and another innocence, ingenuity, purgation.

Seven of Pentacles "A young man, leaning on his staff, looks intently at seven Pentacles attached to a clump of greenery on his right. One would say that these were his treasures and that his heart was there."

Design attempt, wish, hope, confidence--also quarreling. A plan that may fail, annoyance.

Seven of Swords "A man in the act of carrying away five swords rapidly, the two others of the card remain stuck in the ground. A camp close at hand."

It is a card of valor, for on the surface, six are attacking one, who has, however, the vantage position. On the intellectual plane, it signifies discussion, wordy strife, in business--negotiations, war of trade, barter, competition. It is further a card of success, for the combatant is on the top and his enemies may be unable to reach him.

Seven of Wands "A young man on a craggy eminence, brandishing a staff, six other stages are raised towards him from below."

A card of memories and of the past. For example, reflecting on childhood, happiness, enjoyment, but coming rather from the past, things that have vanished. Another reading reverses this, suggesting new relations, new enviroments and new knowledge.

Six of Cups "Children in an old garden, their culs filled with flowers."

Presents , gifts, gratification. Another account says attention, vigilance, now is the accepted time, present prosperity, etc.

Six of Pentacles "One in the guise of a merchant weighs money in a pair of scales and distributes it to the needy and distressed."

Journey by water, route, way, envoy, commission army, expedient.

Six of Swords "A ferryman carrying passengers in his punt to the further shore."

The card has been so designed that it can cover several significations. On the surface, it is a victor triumphing, but it is also great news, such as might be carried in state by the king's courier. It is expectation crowned with its own desire, the crown of hope.

Six of Wands "A laureled horseman bears staff adorned with laurel crown; footmen with staves are at his side."

Contentment, repose of the entire heart--the perfection of that state, if with several picture cards, a person who is taking charge of the Querent's interests. Also the town, village or country inhabited by the Querent.

Ten of Cups "Appearance of Cups in a rainbow, it is contemplated in wonder and ecstasy by a man and woman below, evidently husband and wife. His right arm is about her, his left raised upward as she raises her right arm. The two children dancing near them hane not observed the prodigy, but are happy after their own manner. There is a home scene beyond.

A card of many significances, and some of the readings cannot be harmonized. I set aside that which connects it with honor and good faith. It is oppression simply, but it is also fortune, gain, any kind of success of these things. It is also a card of false-seeming, disguise, perfidy. The place which the figure is approaching may suffer from the rods that he carries. Success is stultified if the nine of swords follows, and if it is a question of lawsuit--there will be certain loss.

Ten of Wands "A man oppressed by the weight of the ten stages which he is carrying."

Gain, riches, family matters, archives, extraction, the abode of family.

Ten of pentacles "A man and woman beneath an archway which gives entrance to a house and domain."

Whatsoever is intimated by the design--also pain, affliction, tears, sadness, desolation.

Ten of swords "A prostrate figure, pierced by all the swords belonging to the card."

Stability, power, aid, protection, a great person, conviction, reason

The Emperor

Fruitfulness, initiative, action, long days, clandestine, the unknown, difficulty, doubt, ignorance.

The Empress

Folly, mania, extravagance, intoxication, delirium, frenzy, bewrayment.

The Fool

Secrets, mystery, the future as yet unrevealed, the woman who interests the Querent (if male); the Querent (if female), silence, tenacity; wisdom, science.

The High Priestess

Skill, diplomacy, address, sickness, pain, loss, disaster, self-confidence, will, the Querent himself (if male).

The Magician

The conclusssion of any matter. Plenty, perfection, merriment, happiness, victory, fulfillment, solace, healing.

Three of Cups "Maidens in a garden celebrate with cups uplifted, as if pledging one another."

Mètier (employment), trade, skilled labor. Usually, however, regarded as a card of nobility, aristocracy, renown, glory.

Three of Pentacles "A sculptor at his work in a monastery."

Removal, absence, delay, division, rupture, dispersion, and all that the design signifies naturally.

Three of Swords "Three swords piercing a heart, cloud and rain behind."

He symbolizes established strength, enterprise, effort, trade, discovery, commerce

Three of Wands "A calm, stately figure, with his back turned, looking from a cliff's edge at ships passing over the sea. Three staves are planted in the ground and he leans slightly on one of them."

Love, passion, friendship, affinity, union, concord, sexual relations. That which nature santified.

Two of Cups "A youth and maiden are pledging to one another. Above their cups rises the caduceus of Hermes, between whose great wings there appears a lions head."

It is represented as a card of gaiety, recreation and its connections, which is subject of the design. But it is read also as news and messages in writing, such as obstacles, agitation, trouble, embroilment.

Two of Pentacles "A young man in the act of dancing has a pentacle in either hand, and they are joined by that endless cord which is like the number eight reversed.

Between the alternative readings there is no marriage possible, on the one hand, riches, fortune, magnificence. And on the other, physical suffering, disease, chagrin, sadness, mortification.

Two of Wands "A tall man looks from a battlemented roof over sea and shore. He holds a globe in his right hand and a staff in his left rests on the battlemented, another is fixed in a ring. The Rose and cross and lily should also be noticed on the left side."

Conformity and the equipoise (balance of forces or interests) which it suggests, courage, friendship, affection, concord in a state of arms, intimacy.

Two of swords "A hoodwinked figure balances two swords upon her shoulders."