Three Card Tarot is the most recognized method of Tarot card readings. In Three Card Tarot, the person asking a question picks three cards from the Tarot deck. The first card relates to the situation in the past; the second card relates to the situation in the present; and the third card relates to the situation in the future. This Tarot card reading helps you determine the best way to move forward with your current situation.
The Basics of Tarot
Each deck of Tarot consists of 78 different cards. Each card has its own unique meanings. The cards are split into two categories: the Major Arcana and the Minor Arcana. There are 22 Major Arcana cards and 56 Minor Arcana Cards. The Major Arcana cards represent the larger events in our lives; they provide an overall spiritual meaning. The Minor Arcana cards represent the more practical aspects of our lives and show us the things that happen in our day to day.
The Major Arcana Cards
The Major Arcana, also known as trump cards, make up the foundation of a Tarot deck. There are 21 numbered cards in deck and one unnumbered card. These cards depict major life events, decisions, and important experiences. The Major Arcana cards help us look for greater understanding and meaning in our lives. The imagery of the cards is very important and they help the Tarot reader provide their client with answers to their big questions. The images on the Major Arcana are influenced by many cultures and religions, including Buddhism, Hebrew, Christian, Sufi, Hindu, and Egyptian. If a lot Major Arcana cards are pulled from the deck, that person is experiencing major life changes. The cards can either pulled upright or reversed. Upright cards tend to have more positive readings and pulling reversed cards means that the person isn’t listening to what the universe is trying to tell them. The 21 Major Arcana cards are as follows:
The Fool no. 0
- Upright: free spirit, spontaneity, innocence, beginnings
- Reversed: foolish, naïve, reckless, risk taking
The Magician no. 1
- Upright: skill, concentration, resourcefulness, power
- Reversed: latent talents, poor planning, manipulation
The High Priestess no. 2
- Upright: mystery, higher powers, subconscious mind, intuition
- Reversed: need to listen to inner voice, hidden agendas
The Empress no. 3
- Upright: beauty, nature, abundance, fertility
- Reversed: dependence on others, creative block
The Emperor no. 4
- Upright: structure, solid foundation, father-figure, authority
- Reversed: excessive control, rigidity, domination, inflexibility
The Hierophant no. 5
- Upright:beliefs, identification, religion,conformity, group, tradition
- Reversed: restriction, challenging the status quo
The Lovers no. 6
- Upright: union, love, relationships, values alignment, choices
- Reversed: disharmony, imbalance, misalignment of values
The Chariot no. 7
- Upright: control, will power, victory, assertion, determination
- Reversed: lack of control and direction, aggression
Strength no. 8
- Upright: strength, courage, patience, control, compassion
- Reversed: weakness, self-doubt, lack of self-discipline
The Hermit no. 9
- Upright: soul searching, introspection, being alone, inner guidance
- Reversed: isolation, loneliness, withdrawal
Wheel of Fortune no. 10
- Upright: good luck, karma, life cycles, destiny, a turning point
- Reversed: bad luck, negative external forces, out of control
Justice no. 11
- Upright: justice, fairness, truth, cause and effect, law
- Reversed: unfairness, dishonesty, lack of accountability
The Hanged Man no. 12
- Upright: suspension, restriction, letting go, sacrifice
- Reversed: martyrdom, indecision, delay
Death no. 13
- Upright: endings, beginnings, change, transformation, transition
- Reversed: resistance to change, unable to move on
Temperance no. 14
- Upright: balance, moderation, patience, purpose, meaning
- Reversed: imbalance, excess, lack of long-term vision
The Devil no. 15
- Upright: bondage, materialism, sexuality, addiction
- Reversed: detachment, breaking free, power reclaimed
The Tower no. 16
- Upright: disaster, upheaval, sudden change, revelation
- Reversed: avoidance of disaster, fear of change
The Star no. 17
- Upright: hope, spirituality, renewal, inspiration, serenity
- Reversed: lack of faith, despair, discouragement
The Moon no. 18
- Upright: illusion, fear, anxiety, insecurity, subconscious
- Reversed: release of fear, unhappiness, confusion
The Sun no. 19
- Upright: fun, warmth, success, positivity, vitality
- Reversed: temporary depression, lack of success
Judgment no. 20
- Upright: judgment, rebirth, inner calling, absolution
- Reversed: self- doubt, refusal of self-examination
The World no. 21
- Upright: completion, integration, accomplishment, travel
- Reversed: lack of completion, lack of closure
The Minor Arcana Cards
The Minor Arcana consists of 56 cards across 4 suits. Each suit has 14 cards; cards numbered 1-10 with a King, Queen, Knight, and Page. The four suits are Cups, Pentacles, Swords, and Wands. Each suit represents a different element and different aspect of our daily lives.
Cups
The suit of Cups represents the element of Water. This suit deals with our innermost feelings and our emotions. Cups are associated with innovation, creativity, love, feelings, relationships, and connections. Drawing this suit means you are thinking with your heart and feeling impulsive
Pentacles (Coins or Disks)
The suit of Pentacles represents the element of Earth. This suit deals with the material aspects of life. Drawing this suit represents your livelihood, financial status, and calling in life. Pentacles represent our physical being and reflect our outer situations. Some of the positives of drawing Pentacles include prosperity, realization, and manifestation.
Swords
The suit of Swords represents the element of Air. This suit deals with our beliefs and our ability to understand. Swords represent battles and warfare, thus making it the most dangerous and powerful suit. This suit is associated with the mind and our intellect. Some of the positive aspects of Swords are ambition, courage, a call to action, and change.
Wands
The suit of Wands represents the element of Fire. This suit deals with our intuition, primal energies, and original thought. Wands represent our internal and external energies; they also represent our egos. This card predicts our day-to-day life and shows us our motivations and inspirations.
