The three-card tarot is the most recognized method of reading tarot cards. In the three-card tarot, the person who poses a question chooses three cards from the tarot deck. The first letter relates to the situation in the past; the second, with the situation in the present; and the third, with the situation in the future. This reading of the tarot cards helps you determine the best way forward in your current situation.
The tarot principles
Each tarot deck consists of 78 different cards, each of which has its own unique meaning. The cards are divided into two categories: the Major Arcana and the Minor Arcana. There are 22 cards from the Major Arcana and 56 from the Minor Arcana. The letters of the Major Arcana represent the most important events in our lives and provide a general spiritual meaning. The Minor Arcana’s letters represent the most practical aspects of our life and show us the circumstances that occur in everyday life.
The major arcana cards
The Major Arcanum, also known as trump cards, lays the base of a tarot deck. There are 21 numbered and one unnumbered letters. These letters describe important events, decisions and experiences in our lives. The letters of the Major Arcana help us to seek greater understanding and meaning in our lives. The imagery of the cards is very important and they help the tarot reader to provide his client with the answers to his questions. The images in the Major Arcana are influenced by numerous religions and cultures, including Buddhist, Hebrew, Christian, Sufi, Hindu and Egyptian. If many cards are taken from the Major Arcana, that person is experiencing some important changes in his life. The cards can be pulled up or down. The letters that go up tend to have more positive readings, and taking cards upside down means that the person is not listening to what the universe tries to tell him. The 21 cards of the Major Arcana are the following:
The crazy No. 0
- Upwards: free spirit, spontaneity, innocence, beginnings
- Down: idiocy, naive, reckless, risky
The Magician, No. 1
- Upwards: capacity, concentration, inventiveness, power
- Down: latent talents, poor planning, manipulation
The high priestess No. 2
- Upwards: mystery, high powers, subconscious mind, intuition
- Down: need to hear an inner voice, hidden purposes
The Emperor, No. 3
- Upwards: beauty, nature, abundance, fertility
- Down: dependence on others, creative block
The Emperor, No. 4
- Upwards: structure, solid foundation, father figure, authority
- Down: excessive control, rigidity, domination, inflexibility
Hierophant No. 5
- Upwards: beliefs, identification, religion, conformity, group, tradition
- Down: restriction, defying the established order
The lovers, nº 6
- Upwards: union, love, relationships, alignment of values, choices
- Down: discord, imbalance, value mismatch
The car No. 7
- Upwards: control, will, victory, affirmation, determination
- Down: lack of control and direction, aggression
The Force, No. 8
- Upwards: strength, courage, patience, control, compassion
- Down: weakness, lack of self confidence, lack of discipline
The Hermit No. 9
- Upward: soul search, introspection, being alone, inner guidance
- Down: isolation, loneliness, withdrawal
The Ferris Wheel, No. 10
- Upwards: good luck, karma, life cycles, destiny, turns of destiny
- Down: bad luck, negative external forces, out of control
Justice, No. 11
- Upwards: justice, fairness, truth, cause and effect, law
- Down: injustice, falsehood, lack of responsibility
The Hangman, No. 12
- Upwards: suspension, restriction, letting go, sacrifice
- Down: martyrdom, indecision, delay
The death, nº 13
- Upwards: endings, beginnings, change, transformation, transition
- Down: resistance to change, inability to move forward
Temperance No. 14
- Upwards: balance, moderation, patience, purpose, meaning
- Down: imbalance, excess, lack of long-term vision
The Demon, No. 15
- Upwards: ties, materialism, sexuality, addiction
- Down: detachment, liberation, claim of power
The tower, nº 16
- Upwards: disaster, agitation, sudden change, revelation
- Down: elusion of disaster, fear of change
The star, No. 17
- Upwards: hope, spirituality, renewal, inspiration, serenity
- Down: lack of faith, hopelessness, discouragement
The Moon, No. 18
- Upwards: illusion, fear, anxiety, insecurity, subconscious
- Down: freedom from fear, unhappiness, confusion
The Sun, No. 19
- Upwards: fun, warmth, success, positivity, vitality
- Down: temporary depression, lack of success
The trial, No. 20
- Upwards: judgment, rebirth, inner call, absolution
- Down: self insecurity, denial or self-examination
The world, nº 21
- Upwards: completion, integration, achievement, travel
- Down: lack of completion, lack of conclusion
The Minor Arcana cards
The Minor Arcanum consists of 56 cards spread over 4 suits. Each suit has 14 cards numbered from 1 to 10 and a king, a queen, a knight and a jackpot. The four suits are cups, swords, golds and clubs. Each stick represents a different element and a different aspect of our daily lives.
Cups
The stick of cups represents the element of water. This stick is about our deepest feelings and emotions. Cups are associated with innovation, creativity, love, feelings, relationships and connections. Taking out this stick means that you are thinking with your heart and that you are acting impulsively.
Pentacles (Gold or coins)
The pentacle stick represents the earth element. This stick is about the material aspects of life. Taking out this stick represents your livelihood, economic status and vocation. The pentacles represent our physical being and reflect external situations. Some of the positive aspects of taking pentacles include prosperity, fulfillment and manifestation.
Swords
The sword suit represents the element of air. This stick is about our beliefs and our ability to understand. Swords represent battles and conflicts, making them the most dangerous and powerful suit. This stick is associated with the mind and intellect. Some of the positive aspects of the sword are ambition, courage, action and change.
Coarse
The stick of clubs represents the element of fire. This stick is about our intuition, primary energies, and original thinking. The clubs represent our internal and external energies; and also represent our egos. This letter predicts our daily life and shows our motivations and inspirations.
