Minor Arcana quick reference

This is a list of keywords associated with each of the numbers in the Minor Arcana, with links to posts with more detail.

• Aces - new beginnings, opportunities
• 2s - harmony, partnership
• 3s - creativity
• 4s - stasis, stability, stagnation
• 5s - conflict, obstacles
• 6s - harmony, peace
• 7s - decision, evaluation
• 8s - advancement, progress
• 9s - completion, perfection
• 10s - extremes, excesses
• Pages - investigation
• Knights - championship
• Queens - nurturing
• Kings - mastery

The 9s

Back when I wrote about the 3s, I mentioned that the number 3 has a long history of magical associations.  When you multiply 3 by itself, you get 9.  If 3 is powerful, 3 3s is exponentially more so.  So 9, as you might expect, represents the full completion and culmination of each suit's properties.  The 9s integrate the earlier experiences of each suit's story arc.

There's something interesting about the swords, especially 7-9.  They're not quite what you would predict them to be.  Take the 9:  If you think of swords as representing reason, analysis, and the mind, and 9 as the culmination of that, you'd expect the 9 of Swords to represent something like a genius or a university, right?  Something very intellectual, at any rate.  And instead what we get is a person so upset that s/he can't sleep.  This person is literally sitting up nights agonizing over something.  S/he is filled with anxiety...why do these darn swords always have to be so miserable?  The swords are--literally and metaphorically--double-edged.  On the one hand, they may show us when their characteristics are badly needed, while on the other, they may show us we are over-thinking.  They can even do both at the same time.  To return to the 9 of Swords specifically, (1) the person shown on the card is stuck in a cycle of rumination over something, thinking and re-thinking it in an entirely unproductive manner (who hasn't lost sleep because they couldn't turn their inner chatter off?), and yet (2) a little more objectivity and a little less instinctive fear would do him/her a world of good.  Opinion on this card seems to be divided, with some readers viewing the upright card as advising you to worry less while the reversal means that you have good cause to be worried, and others (including myself) see it exactly opposite.  I think with this card you have to be careful to reference the question; for example, if it is simply describing a situation, the upright form of the card is simply saying that worry and anxiety are present (in which case, I would read the reversal as indicating that maybe there needs to be a little more fear of something).  But if the card is drawn as advice, I would be more inclined to read the upright version as saying that the worry was excessive (and then the reversal would suggest that the subject has reason to be worried).  Whichever way you look at it, be consistent.  When I'm in doubt, I pull another card to elaborate on the matter.

9 of Cups, Thoth Tarot

The 9 of Cups, by contrast, is relatively simple.  It is replete with satisfaction and fulfillment, and is sometimes called "the wish card."  I like the imagery of the Thoth Tarot, where nine cups are beaming golden light, overflowing with its blessings.  I wouldn't go so far as to call this card a guarantee that your wishes will come true, but you should be feeling pretty content with your situation when you draw it.

The 9 of Pentacles is one of my favorite cards.  The Rider-Waite image shows a woman in a garden with a falcon on her wrist.  This is a woman of means, enjoying her demesne.  Many interpreters see the falcon as a sign of control, of the woman's power over her material circumstances, even over nature.  However, I view it somewhat differently.  In T.H. White's wonderful memoir The Goshawk, he describes his fraught relationship with a bird of prey.  Falcons and other birds of prey are never truly tame, so they are really only ever a little bit under our control.  If they slip their jesses, they are gone for good.  Instead we must think of mastery here, and as White's experience illustrates, in particular self-mastery.  Mastering falconry means overcoming one's own impatience and frustration, as well as becoming intimately familiar with the bird's instincts and how to make them work for you.  Also, historically, falconry was very much an activity for the wealthy classes, and I think its presence in the 9 of Pentacles shows us that the woman is unquestionably well off.  I believe this card shows us a person who has earned the right to enjoy the fruits of hard labor, all those luxurious and beautiful pentacles things.

9 of Wands, Housewives' Tarot

The Rider-Waite Tarot's 9 of Wands shows us a man with a bandaged head, looking a bit beaten down.  But I like the picture on the Housewives' Tarot:  the lady is climbing a ladder with her bucket and sponge, but by God, she's dressed for breakfast at Tiffany's.  She knows that the drudgery is nearly done, and she is ready to rise above it.  The story arc of the wands is kind of a rollercoaster ride, and by the time we reach 9, we're nearly worn out.  I feel this card is very wise in the way that it shows how so often, just as we are about to achieve our goals, we succumb to weariness, despair, or frustration, in spite of all our past successes.  But this is no time to give up!  Don't give in to exhaustion and don't let your attention waver.  Put on your kitten-heel slingbacks and remember the inspiration, the desire or ambition (wands qualities) that fueled you at the beginning of your quest--if you can just hold out a little bit longer, your reward is assured.  See how the lady is almost at the top of the ladder?  Just a few more rungs to go!

The 5s

Starting from where we left off in our story arcs, with the static 4s, the 5s add a new element and that produces conflict of a nature determined by the suit involved.  In the 5s, something usually seems to come between us and what we want or need.  Although this can sometimes be quite unpleasant, it can present opportunities for new growth, and it certainly produces movement that breaks us out of our rut.

5 of Swords, Universal Waite Tarot

In the 5 of Swords we see the idea of conflict represented most clearly.  The sweeping clouds and the garments of the largest figure indicate a strong wind or passing storm.  Two of the people walk away looking dejected, while one is smiling and collecting swords.  To me the subject of this card appears to be the victor in a battle--perhaps a verbal dispute, given the nature of the suit of swords--but at what cost?  He's made his point (no pun intended) but driven away his friends.  We've all been browbeaten by this kind of person, and at times, we've been this person ourselves.  Sometimes we care more about being right than being good.  And yet there are times when we do need to stick up for ourselves and defend our point of view.  Just be careful how you do it if you want to keep your friends--is a tongue-lashing really necessary?  You can stand your ground without cruelty, and you should be able to do so after that nice little clarity break you took in the 4 of Swords. 

5 of Cups, Rider-Waite Tarot

5 of Cups, Shadowscapes Tarot

They say there's no use crying over spilt milk, but that's exactly what's going on in the 5 of Cups.  Three of the cups have tipped over and spilled out their contents (satisfaction, fulfillment, love) and the subject of the card feel grief, disappointment, and guilt.  It's okay to be sad, but beware of this becoming a full-on pity party.  If the subject of the 4 of Cups gave in to his/her sense of dissatisfaction, this is very likely where they might end up.  There are two cups left, though, so not all is lost.  I like the imagery on the Shadowscapes Tarot 5 of Cups--the figure gazes into her fishbowl when she's surrounded by an entire ocean!  So this card often points to a necessary change of focus, from the narrow to the big picture, or from the past to the future.

In the 5 of Pentacles, we see the tired, hungry, and sick.  No matter how tightly you cling to what gives you security (the 4 of Pentacles), misfortune can happen.  This card can signify poverty or illness, but there is more to it.  Note the church window in the background.  Shelter and charity are at hand, so why don't these two avail themselves of it?  Probably because they have been--or feel themselves to be--rejected and cast out by whatever they perceive to be in authority.  This authority stands between them and the physical necessities represented by the suit of pentacles.  Of course, as is so often the case, this can be more a matter of perception than reality, but what you perceive is real for you.  In terms of advice, this card tells you that it's not weakness to ask for help when you need it--but people won't know you need it if you don't speak up. 

Remember the party represented by the 4 of Wands?  Well, in the 5 of Wands it has gotten a little out of hand and the neighbors have called the cops. It looks like some of the guests had a few too many and are now in the midst of a drunken brawl.  It's not a serious fight (you can see how none of the figures on the card appears to have suffered crippling blows), and will likely be forgotten by morning, but it is chaotic and kind of stupid.  Everyone has his/her own opinions and is prepared to passionately defend them.  While this card usually represents annoying setbacks or squabbles, the good news is that there's no shortage of ideas or passion.  Another thing that comes to mind with this card are those couples that bicker and fight constantly yet always manage to somehow make up and stay together.  Keep your head down and ride out the storm.  If you are the boss of these people, they'll need a firm hand.

The 4s

The 4s of the Minor Arcana all depict various kinds of stasis.  This can be good--stability--or bad--stagnation.  It can even be both at the same time.  Geometrically, the number 4 can be represented as a square--it's a very sturdy shape which isn't particularly prone to movement (there's a reason vehicles don't have square wheels).  Everything is perfectly balanced--maybe even a little too perfectly balanced. 

4 of Swords

The 4 of Swords shows a figure at rest, in fact the Rider-Waite version appears to be a tomb effigy.  This is a time for the mind to take a break from its incessant rumination.  Remember the 3 of Swords and its vulnerability?  When you've been wounded, you need to take time for healing, and sometimes that means withdrawing to take some alone time.  When this card shows up, you are or have been overthinking things.  So stop thinking and just let it be.  It's safe to just sit with it, whatever the current experience is.  While you do so, trust that the seeds you have planted are incubating.  This card is a rare one among the swords in that it doesn't confront you with any major challenge...although some people find sitting still to be a great challenge indeed.  Remember that calculated inaction is action.

4 of Cups

The figure on the 4 of Cups looks a little pouty, doesn't he?  The hand emerging from the cloud and offering a cup represents a gift from heaven, but this person doesn't see it.  He's focused on the other three cups, and frankly, looks rather dissatisfied with them.  Two things could be happening here:  first, he's so focused on what he doesn't have, or so bored with what he does have, that he fails to see the wonderful gift being presented to him.  Or, secondly, he's refusing to settle for the cups of this earth and holding out for that perfect cup of his dreams.  In both of these scenarios, we are stuck waiting and yearning.  The advice in this card may be to open your eyes to the many blessings in your life, or to be patient and expect the reward you are eventually promised.  Actually, it's both those things--recognize and celebrate your good fortune in the present moment and expect even more good fortune in the future.  It's important that you not sit around moping.  Mopery accomplishes nothing.

4 of Pentacles

The person on the 4 of Pentacles card has amassed a certain amount of wealth (think financial/material security) but is afraid to part with any of it.  S/he is, in short, a miser.  Notice how the figure in the Rider-Waite image hunkers down over his wealth.  The city is far in the background, which shows how he has distanced himself from other people in order to have more quality time with his money.  In emotional or relationship terms, the 4 of Pentacles represents jealousy and possessiveness.  The subject of this card is afraid of change.  Of course, as we know, you have to spend money to make money--so this character is stuck where s/he is.

4 of Wands

The 4 of Wands shows us four staffs in the form of a trellis, with figures dancing in the background.  This card stands for celebration, and will often appear to signify weddings or parties.  How does celebration fit with the theme of stasis?  Because a party is just a moment in time, or really, a moment out of time.  For most people, a party is a special break in our normal everyday existence.  Normal relationships may be exaggerated, suspended, or reversed.  People are free to go a little crazy and let their hair down.  Normal life can wait until tomorrow.  Receiving this card signals fun and pleasure, but in the context of the creativity and drive governed by the suit of wands, it is a fun and pleasurable pause.

Interpreting reversals, with an example

There are a number of ways of interpreting reversed cards, and many readers use more than one, depending on context.  And of course some readers don't bother with them at all.

First, they can be interpreted as opposite their upright meaning.  For example, if the 10 of Swords represents calamity, the 10 of Swords reversed represents good fortune.

Second, some readers actually look at the picture upside down and interpret that.  In the 10 of Swords example, the swords would be falling out of the body rather than piercing it.  So they might interpret that as a removal of obstacles or pitfalls.  This method is highly individual, and I admit it doesn't work well for me, because when I flip the picture upside down I just see an upside-down picture.  But that's just me.

Third, they can be interpreted as difficulty fully manifesting the upright meaning, as if it were weakened or blocked.  In our reversed 10 of Swords example, this could be interpreted as only somewhat bad fortune.  Or it could be addressing your reaction to it.  I find this method to be more flexible than the others, but therefore also somewhat more perplexing, because you may have to weigh several options.

I favor the third method, but I'm not married to it.  Whatever method I use, it usually just comes to me intuitively that that is the right way to read the card, and that of course depends on the question.  But sometimes I admit I'm stumped.  These cases require a lot more thought, and that brings me to a fourth point:  Reversed cards offer the frustration challenge opportunity of delving much more deeply into the card's meaning.  In order to interpret the reversal, one has to come to an understanding of the upright meaning, then think about how that would manifest itself in an opposite or weakened form.  By the time I have thought enough about the upright meaning, I usually can see its shadow side.  When I first started reading, I didn't read reversals, but over time I've found that for me, they add a little more dimension, plus they are a way for the cards to encourage me not to settle for a superficial reading.

Not settling for the superficial is important when reading reversals.  I recommend not simply adhering to any one style of interpretation dogmatically, but considering the different possible alternatives.

All that said, I am going to give an example of one card that I recently received reversed--the 3 of Wands--and how I interpreted it. As I described here, the 3 of Wands urges confidence and faith in oneself and one's dreams.  (An aside--the question I asked as about a recurring dream, and when I wrote about the 3 of Wands before I talked about following your dreams.  Of course I was talking about the big kind of dreams, our wishes and goals, not the ones we have at night.  But it's just like the tarot to make a pun like that, and it's a perfect example of how they work with your pre-existing knowledge, too.)  Therefore, the reversed 3 of Wands was telling me that I was doubting and not having confidence in my own creations. 

Now, this interpretation might seem like I just took the opposite of the upright meaning, but it's not quite.  An opposite reading, I think, would tell you that there would be no return on your investments.  Your attempts at manifesting your dreams would come to nought.  It would be very discouraging.  Instead, the 3 of Wands reversed was telling me to consider exactly what I was manifesting--warning me that I was wasting too much energy on worrying when I could have been directing it in more productive ways.  It was not telling me to despair, but to wake up! 

Only you will know, in the moment, which sort of interpretation will work for you.  But I urge you, above all, not to interpret reversed cards mechanistically or superficially, but to give them the time and attention they deserve.  At the same time, practice following your intuition.  It is natural to question whether your intuitions are correct, and that is a losing battle, because ultimately there is no evidence that will truly, conclusively prove it to your satisfaction.  There's always more doubt lurking around the corner.  Now you may be thinking, "But wait a minute, didn't you just tell us not to settle for a superficial answer?"  Following your intuition is not the same as accepting a superficial interpretation.  A superficial interpretation is one that is mechanical, an x = 1, y = 2 formula that you are not allowed to violate even when that interpretation makes no sense for a given situation.  Intuition is that voice in your head that "just knows," the one that answers your questions in ways you would never have imagined.  It usually comes to you in a flash, out of the blue.  Everyone has intuition to some degree, and practice is the only way to strengthen it.  Practice allowing yourself to accept your intuitive interpretations without second-guessing them, to get the hang of what it feels like to have faith in yourself (a 3 of Wands theme again!).  With practice, your reading of reversals will become much faster, easier, and more reliable.

Notes on: The High Priestess

High Priestess, Housewives' Tarot

The High Priestess, numbered II* in the Major Arcana, is one of my favorite cards of the whole tarot, although I'm usually frustrated when I receive it.  And it is one of the cards I receive most frequently (of course).  This lady is hard to encapsulate, and therein lies the source of her allure (and my exasperation).

In its earliest form, as part of the medieval game of Trumps, the card was called La Papessa (The Popess, or female pope).  One medieval legend has it that a woman ("Pope Joan") spent years disguised as a man and was able to ascend through the Church ranks all the way to the papacy, only to be caught when she unexpectedly gave birth in public.  This may be the inspiration for the card, or not.  For a woman to be pope was totally heretical, and to dress in the clothes of a man could actually be prosecuted as a crime.  A woman pope, therefore, was a counterfeit.  And yet there's nothing negative in the depiction--the woman simply looks like a nun wearing a papal crown and holding a book (bible?).  The original meaning of this card thus remains a mystery...which, as you'll see, is very appropriate.

The scene from the Rider-Waite deck is a hodge-podge of Egyptian (columns), Graeco-Roman (pomegranates and moons), and Judaeo-Christian symbols (the cross and "TORA" scroll).  The moons and pomegranates are traditional symbols of femininity and fertility in Graeco-Roman religions, linking her to the goddesses Demeter and Persephone, whilst the presence of a veil between the columns suggests something hidden from the viewer.  In ancient Greece, Demeter was the subject of veneration by "mystery cults," the practices of which were kept secret from non-initiates. 

La Papessa, Visconti-Sforza Tarot,
15th century

Anyway, the book or scroll shows us that the Priestess is knowledgeable.  But the veil in the Rider-Waite version shows us that she ain't talking.  Imagine a priest(ess)hood in the old days, or the Catholic Church tody--there is an established hierarchy, and reaching the top requires many years of service and learning.  The High Priestess can't just tell you all she knows because frankly, you haven't earned it yet.  More importantly, you wouldn't understand if she did tell you.  You have to do a certain amount of research, and just plain living, on your own or you just won't get it.  When I see the High Priestess, I think of flamenco dancers.  The best dancers aren't the gorgeous young things that tourists expect to see, but the middle-aged, chubby, chain-smoking ladies who know from bitter personal experience all the joys and sorrows of love and sex (the sorrows usually being the subject of flamenco songs).  Without that experience, a dancer can't bring, let alone inspire, real passion.  But the High Priestess' concerns are mystical and spiritual, and so she is simultaneously a woman of the world, and yet not of this world.

But remember what mysticism really means--a personal, direct connection to All That Is, recognizing it in yourself.  You don't actually need a High Priestess to tell you the secrets!  You had access to them all along, you just didn't realize it.  In fact, you don't just know the secrets--you are the secrets.

High Priestess, Rider-Waite Tarot

That's the High Priestess' mystery.  When she appears, she is telling you that you already know the answers, albeit perhaps on a subconscious level.  Therefore you can and should rely on your intuition to guide you.  At the same time, don't expect to fully understand the situation at this point--it will reveal itself to you over time.  This can be frustrating if you are looking for a quick, concrete answer--this card means you're going to have to learn it the hard way.

The High Priestess is the counterpart and complement to Card V, The Hierophant (male priest).  The Hierophant is the kind of teacher who will spell everything out for you (sometimes dogmatically and pedantically), while the Priestess knows that Truth transcends any dogma.


*For some reason the Housewives Tarot reverses the numbers of The Empress (IV) and The High Priestess (II).  Perhaps it's in order to place The High Priestess next to her counterpart The Hierophant in the sequence.

The 3s

Three is a number replete with magic in many cultures.  Especially in European and Indo-European cultures, there seems to have been a fascination with triads through time.  Not only are there tripartite deities, such as Shiva-Vishnu-Brahma in Hinduism and the Morrigan in early medieval Irish literature, but even in modern-day academic thinking there is a distinct tendency to divide history up in groups of three (e.g., the Stone Age, the Bronze Age, the Iron Age...etc.) even when the data don't fit perfectly into such a scheme.  I could come up with endless examples, but the point is, the magic of three has a long tradition behind it and in the European milieu in which the tarot originated, it conveys a sense of wholeness.  In the story arc of the Minor Arcana, 3s bring something new into existence.  They are fundamentally creative, and in that they fit well with the third card of the Major Arcana, The Empress.  In the previous cards, the 2s, two formerly-distinct elements were brought into harmony; I think of the 3s as the "children" brought forth from the "marriages" represented by the 2s.

3 of Swords, Thoth Tarot

3 of Swords, Rider-Waite Tarot

Well, there's no help for it--nobody likes to see the 3 of Swords.  In the Thoth tarot it's called the Lord of Sorrow, and that certainly fits the image on the Rider-Waite deck.  I like the turmoil and darkness in the Thoth version, which not only seems to capture the mood of the card but, for me at least, actually inspires a feeling of uneasiness.  In the 2 of Swords, there was a sort of stalemate or neutrality--but the new (third) element has disrupted that balance.  I think of the third element as the introduction of feeling itself.  You see, feelings don't really have any place in the world of swords.  As long as there are only logical thoughts, the swords world works relatively smoothly.  But of course, there's no escaping emotions in life, and as soon as we add that element, we create vulnerability and conflict. So often, we find ourselves torn between the counsel of our hearts and that of our minds--that sort of indecision is antithetical to the swords.  Just as feelings can throw the orderly world of swords into chaos, the fear of being hurt can play havoc with our peace of mind.  But chaos can be creative, because it brings random elements into contact with one another, thus sparking the new.

3 of Cups, Rider-Waite Tarot

Botticelli's Three Graces

In contrast to the previous card, the 3 of Cups is delightful!   The three women in the Rider-Waite scene strike poses reminiscent of Botticelli's painting of the Three Graces.  The Graces were Graeco-Roman goddesses representing and inspiring Charm, Beauty, and Creativity.  Those are exactly the sorts of experiences evoked by this card.  The women's cups and the ripe vegetables on the ground symbolize the creation of abundance and enjoyment.  This joy was brought forth from the harmonious natural attraction represented by the 2 of Cups.  Think of it as two loving parents who raised a happy, well-adjusted child.  When you receive this card you can expect the blessing of mutual friendship and loyalty, and/or pure, unadulterated enjoyment and pleasure.  Hooray!

The 3 of Pentacles shows those pentacles in the form of an ornate stone arch, such as one would find on a Gothic cathedral.  At left stands a workman wearing an apron; at right are a monk and a man in a colorful cloak holding a blueprint.  We thus get the impression of a conference among the patron (in the fancy cloak), the artisan (craftsman), and recipient (monk) of a church--in other words, a grand cooperative undertaking.  The building could never be completed without the input and the unique contributions of all the individuals, so it represents the genesis of a mutually-supportive endeavor.  In addition, you can be certain that your presence and your contribution--whatever forms they may take--are recognized by others as not only meaningful, but integral to the project, system, or group.  This is the sort of recognition that many an artist, scholar, or craftsperson longs for.  And although pentacles aren't the most romantic suit, you can see how this card could bode very well for a relationship, indicating shared values and goals, a long-term vision, and a willingness to work together. 


Last but not least, we have the 3 of Wands.  Our hero stands on a high outcrop overlooking the sea and beyond it, distant lands.  Three ships ply the waves.  He is literally waiting for his ship to come in.  In this card, we can feel confident that a return on our previous investments (actions represented by the 2 of Wands) is imminent.  Being on high ground symbolizes the lofty viewpoint this card gives us--we can see how the pieces fit together and how the consequences of our actions will play out.  Indeed, at this time we may start to see synchonicity at play, a sure sign that we are in accord with the flow of life and on the right track to conscious manifestation.  We can finally feel--not just imagine, but feel--how we create our own reality.  With this card, you can, should, indeed must be confident that you can make your dreams come true.  Do not give in to doubt!  I have received this card at times when I was experiencing significant personal transformation, but transformation which I initiated myself, as opposed to some external cause.