The Minor Arcana consists of 56 cards divided into four suits, each representing a different element and area of life. Understanding these suits is fundamental to tarot reading, as they provide context for interpreting individual cards and understanding their relationships within a reading. Each suit tells its own story of human experience, from passion and creativity to emotion, intellect, and material concerns.
The Suit of Wands: Fire and Passion
Wands correspond to the element of fire and govern the realm of passion, creativity, ambition, and action. When Wands appear in a reading, they speak to your drive, inspiration, and the energy you bring to pursuing your goals. This suit is associated with the astrological fire signs: Aries, Leo, and Sagittarius.
The energy of Wands is dynamic and forward-moving. These cards often appear in readings about career aspirations, creative projects, entrepreneurial ventures, and personal growth. Wands ask: What sets your soul on fire? What are you passionate about? Where is your energy directed?
Positive Wands cards like the Ace of Wands and Six of Wands bring inspiration, victory, and enthusiasm. Challenging Wands cards such as the Five of Wands and Ten of Wands address competition, conflict, and the burden of taking on too much. The Court Cards—Page, Knight, Queen, and King of Wands—represent people or aspects of yourself characterized by creativity, confidence, and passionate energy.
When many Wands appear in a reading, expect themes of action, growth, and initiative. The querent may be starting something new, pursuing ambitions, or dealing with matters of willpower and determination.
The Suit of Cups: Water and Emotion
Cups are associated with the element of water and rule the emotional realm—love, relationships, intuition, and inner feelings. This suit corresponds to the water signs: Cancer, Scorpio, and Pisces. When Cups dominate a reading, matters of the heart take center stage.
The Cups suit explores how we connect with others and with our own inner landscape. These cards appear in readings about romantic relationships, family bonds, friendships, and emotional wellbeing. Cups ask: How do you feel? What does your heart desire? How are your relationships nourishing you?
Uplifting Cups cards like the Ace of Cups, Two of Cups, and Ten of Cups represent new love, partnership, and emotional fulfillment. Difficult Cups cards such as the Three of Swords, Five of Cups, and Eight of Cups deal with heartbreak, disappointment, and the need to walk away from unfulfilling situations. Court Cards in this suit represent emotionally sensitive, intuitive, and nurturing individuals.
A reading heavy with Cups suggests the querent is navigating emotional terrain—processing feelings, tending to relationships, or developing their intuitive abilities. The emphasis is on the internal, feeling dimension of experience.
The Suit of Swords: Air and Intellect
Swords correspond to air and govern the mental realm—thoughts, communication, conflict, and truth. This suit aligns with the air signs: Gemini, Libra, and Aquarius. Swords cut to the heart of matters, revealing truth even when it is uncomfortable.
The Swords suit deals with how we think, communicate, and handle conflict. These cards often appear in readings about decisions, challenges, arguments, and mental states. Swords ask: What are you thinking? What truth needs to be acknowledged? What mental patterns are affecting your situation?
Many Swords cards carry challenging energy because the mind can be both our greatest tool and our source of suffering. Cards like the Three of Swords, Nine of Swords, and Ten of Swords depict heartbreak, anxiety, and defeat. However, cards like the Ace of Swords, Six of Swords, and Queen of Swords bring clarity, transition toward peace, and mental strength.
A Swords-heavy reading indicates mental activity is prominent. The querent may be overthinking, facing difficult truths, navigating conflict, or needing to make important decisions. The emphasis is on the rational, analytical dimension of experience.
The Suit of Pentacles: Earth and Material
Pentacles (sometimes called Coins or Discs) correspond to earth and govern the material world—money, career, health, and physical reality. This suit aligns with earth signs: Taurus, Virgo, and Capricorn. Pentacles ground us in the practical aspects of life.
The Pentacles suit addresses how we create security, manage resources, and care for our physical wellbeing. These cards appear in readings about finances, career, property, health, and practical matters. Pentacles ask: What are you building? How are you tending to your material needs? What is your relationship with money and work?
Prosperous Pentacles cards like the Ace of Pentacles, Nine of Pentacles, and Ten of Pentacles represent new financial opportunities, self-sufficiency, and established wealth. Challenging cards such as the Five of Pentacles address hardship and lack. Court Cards in this suit represent practical, reliable, and materially-focused individuals.
When Pentacles dominate a reading, practical matters are the focus. The querent may be dealing with career questions, financial decisions, health concerns, or building something tangible for the long term. The emphasis is on the external, material dimension of experience.
The Numbered Cards and Their Progression
Within each suit, the numbered cards (Ace through Ten) tell a progressive story. Aces represent new beginnings—pure potential in that suit's energy. As numbers increase, the energy develops, faces challenges, and ultimately reaches completion at the Ten.
Generally, lower numbers (Ace through Three) deal with beginnings and initial development. Middle numbers (Four through Six) address building and stability or facing challenges along the way. Higher numbers (Seven through Nine) often involve tests and approaching completion. Tens represent the culmination of that suit's energy—for better or worse.
Understanding this progression helps you see where a particular card falls in its journey. A Three suggests early development; a Nine indicates near-completion. This context enriches your interpretation.
How Suits Interact in Readings
In multi-card readings, notice which suits appear and in what proportion. A reading with mostly Wands and Pentacles suggests action (Wands) directed toward material goals (Pentacles). Cups and Swords together might indicate that emotions (Cups) are creating mental distress (Swords) or that the mind and heart are in dialogue.
The absence of a suit is also significant. A reading about career with no Pentacles might suggest the querent is thinking about passion and fulfillment rather than salary. A relationship reading with no Cups could indicate emotional distance or emphasis on practical aspects of partnership.
Conclusion
The four suits provide the foundation for understanding the Minor Arcana. Wands speak to our passions and will; Cups to our emotions and relationships; Swords to our thoughts and conflicts; Pentacles to our material lives and practical concerns. Together, they address the full spectrum of human experience. Explore all Minor Arcana card meanings in our comprehensive guide to discover the detailed interpretations for each card in every suit.