THE RIDER–WAITE–SMITH DECK / 78 CARDS

Tarot card meanings

A language of images, from The Fool to the King of Pentacles. Traditional themes, upright and reversed interpretations, and the symbols within Pamela Colman Smith’s original artwork.

78 / 78 cards

Major Arcana

The larger patterns: turning points, inner growth and the journey of a life.

0 / Major Arcana

The Fool

Beginnings · innocence · freedom

UPRIGHT: A fresh start invites openness, spontaneity and trust. Step into unfamiliar territory, while remaining aware of practical risks.
REVERSED: Recklessness, hesitation or naïveté can interrupt a beginning. Consider whether you are ignoring a danger or letting fear prevent a useful leap.
SYMBOLISM: The cliff marks the unknown; the small bundle carries experience. The white rose suggests innocence, while the dog can be read as instinct or a warning. The sun illuminates the journey.

I / Major Arcana

The Magician

Will · skill · manifestation

UPRIGHT: Focused intention and practiced skill turn possibility into action. Recognize the resources already available and use them deliberately.
REVERSED: Manipulation, scattered effort or unused talents can weaken your purpose. Check whether words and actions align.
SYMBOLISM: One hand points upward and the other downward, joining spirit and matter. The four suit tools represent available resources; the infinity sign suggests enduring creative power.

II / Major Arcana

The High Priestess

Intuition · mystery · inner knowing

UPRIGHT: Quiet attention, intuition and patience reveal what direct action cannot. Some information may still be concealed or not ready to emerge.
REVERSED: Disconnected intuition, secrecy or inner confusion may cloud judgment. Make room to listen, without mistaking every feeling for evidence.
SYMBOLISM: Black and white pillars frame opposing forces. The veil decorated with pomegranates guards mystery; the partly hidden scroll signifies sacred knowledge and the crescent moon intuition.

III / Major Arcana

The Empress

Nurture · fertility · abundance

UPRIGHT: Growth comes through care, creativity and connection with the body and natural world. Receive nourishment as well as offering it.
REVERSED: Creative stagnation, overgiving or dependence may deplete you. Restore boundaries and attend to neglected needs.
SYMBOLISM: Wheat and lush vegetation signify fertility and sustenance. The Venus emblem links the card with beauty and love; twelve stars connect earthly abundance with celestial cycles.

IV / Major Arcana

The Emperor

Structure · authority · stability

UPRIGHT: Order, responsibility and clear boundaries establish a reliable foundation. Lead with consistency and protect what depends on you.
REVERSED: Rigidity, domination or a lack of discipline can destabilize authority. Examine whether structure supports life or merely controls it.
SYMBOLISM: The stone throne and barren mountains emphasize endurance. Ram heads associate the figure with Aries; armor beneath the robe suggests protection and readiness.

V / Major Arcana

The Hierophant

Tradition · teaching · shared values

UPRIGHT: Established knowledge, spiritual teaching and community offer guidance. Consider the commitments and traditions that shape your values.
REVERSED: Conformity, dogma or a need to question inherited beliefs may arise. Find a practice whose meaning you can genuinely accept.
SYMBOLISM: The crossed keys signify access to sacred understanding. Two students represent transmission of tradition; the triple crown and raised blessing express spiritual authority.

VI / Major Arcana

The Lovers

Union · choice · alignment

UPRIGHT: Relationships and consequential choices ask for honesty and alignment with your values. Mutual trust matters as much as attraction.
REVERSED: Disharmony, divided loyalties or conflicting values can strain a bond. A choice may require clarity rather than avoidance.
SYMBOLISM: The angel watches over two unclothed figures, suggesting openness. The serpent and fruit tree evoke temptation and knowledge, while the mountain emphasizes a shared challenge.

VII / Major Arcana

The Chariot

Direction · resolve · victory

UPRIGHT: Determination and self-command can carry opposing impulses toward a common goal. Progress depends on direction, not force alone.
REVERSED: Loss of control, aggression or conflicting aims can stall movement. Regain your bearings before accelerating.
SYMBOLISM: Black and white sphinxes represent opposing forces. The starry canopy suggests higher guidance; the armored driver holds no visible reins, emphasizing mastery through will.

VIII / Major Arcana

Strength

Courage · patience · compassion

UPRIGHT: Gentle courage and emotional steadiness succeed where coercion fails. Meet instinct and difficulty with patience rather than suppression.
REVERSED: Self-doubt, unchecked impulses or exhaustion may diminish confidence. Strength can mean asking for support and responding without aggression.
SYMBOLISM: A woman calmly tends a lion, joining compassion with instinct. The infinity sign and floral garland suggest spiritual strength and harmony rather than conquest.

IX / Major Arcana

The Hermit

Solitude · wisdom · discernment

UPRIGHT: Withdrawal and careful reflection can clarify your next step. Seek inner guidance or the counsel of someone with lived wisdom.
REVERSED: Isolation, avoidance or refusal of guidance can turn solitude into stagnation. Consider when it is time to reconnect.
SYMBOLISM: The lantern contains a six-pointed star, a light of wisdom. The staff supports the traveler; the snowy height suggests the distance and discipline of contemplation.

X / Major Arcana

Wheel of Fortune

Cycles · change · turning points

UPRIGHT: Circumstances are turning, often beyond personal control. Respond to changing conditions with flexibility and awareness of recurring patterns.
REVERSED: Resistance to change, setbacks or repeating cycles may be present. Focus on your response rather than trying to control every outcome.
SYMBOLISM: The wheel is surrounded by ascending and descending figures. A sphinx represents balance amid change; the four winged beings in the corners hold books and evoke fixed signs and sacred knowledge.

XI / Major Arcana

Justice

Fairness · truth · accountability

UPRIGHT: Clear judgment, responsibility and fair dealing are required. Weigh the evidence and recognize how choices produce consequences.
REVERSED: Bias, dishonesty or avoidance of accountability may distort a decision. Seek a fuller picture before passing judgment.
SYMBOLISM: The scales weigh competing claims; the upright sword represents decisive truth. The seated figure between pillars emphasizes impartiality and established law.

XII / Major Arcana

The Hanged Man

Surrender · pause · perspective

UPRIGHT: A voluntary pause or release of control offers a different view. What looks like delay may create room for insight.
REVERSED: Unproductive waiting, resistance or sacrifice without purpose can keep you suspended. Ask what the pause is actually teaching you.
SYMBOLISM: The figure hangs by one foot yet wears a serene expression and halo. The living tree and crossed leg suggest that suspension can be transformative rather than merely punitive.

XIII / Major Arcana

Death

Endings · transition · renewal

UPRIGHT: An old phase gives way to transformation. Letting something end creates room for renewal; this card is not a literal prediction of death.
REVERSED: Resistance to an ending, stagnation or unfinished transition may prolong discomfort. Identify what has already outlived its purpose.
SYMBOLISM: The armored skeleton rides a white horse past figures of different ranks. A white rose on the black banner suggests renewal; a rising sun beyond two towers signals life after transition.

XIV / Major Arcana

Temperance

Moderation · balance · integration

UPRIGHT: Patient adjustment and cooperation reconcile different needs. A sustainable rhythm develops through proportion, not extremes.
REVERSED: Excess, imbalance or impatience can disrupt harmony. Revisit your pace and the elements that need to work together.
SYMBOLISM: The angel pours water between cups, blending opposites. One foot rests on land and one in water; the path toward a distant crown suggests purposeful integration.

XV / Major Arcana

The Devil

Attachment · bondage · materialism

UPRIGHT: Attachments, compulsions or unequal power can restrict freedom. Notice the habits and agreements that keep you bound.
REVERSED: Recognizing a limiting attachment can open a path to release. Freedom may require honest confrontation with an entrenched pattern.
SYMBOLISM: Two figures wear loose chains beneath a horned figure. The inverted pentagram and downward torch suggest energy turned toward material fixation; the loose chains imply possible release.

XVI / Major Arcana

The Tower

Disruption · revelation · upheaval

UPRIGHT: A sudden revelation or breakdown exposes an unstable structure. Difficult change can clear away assumptions that no longer hold.
REVERSED: Fear of upheaval, a narrowly avoided crisis or a private restructuring may be at work. Address weaknesses rather than postponing them.
SYMBOLISM: Lightning strikes the tower and dislodges its crown. Falling figures and flames dramatize the collapse of constructed certainty and the force of revelation.

XVII / Major Arcana

The Star

Hope · renewal · openness

UPRIGHT: After difficulty, hope and a sense of possibility can return. Restore trust through quiet care, generosity and renewed connection.
REVERSED: Discouragement or loss of faith may obscure available support. Begin rebuilding hope through small, grounded acts.
SYMBOLISM: The unclothed figure pours water onto land and into a pool. Seven small stars surround one larger star; water and open posture suggest replenishment and unguarded sincerity.

XVIII / Major Arcana

The Moon

Uncertainty · dreams · intuition

UPRIGHT: Appearances may be incomplete and emotions unusually vivid. Navigate uncertainty carefully, distinguishing intuition from fear or projection.
REVERSED: Confusion may begin to clear, or an unacknowledged fear may surface. Verify your impressions rather than rushing to certainty.
SYMBOLISM: A dog and wolf stand between two towers, joining tame and wild instincts. A crayfish emerges from water; the winding path leads through the unfamiliar under reflected moonlight.

XIX / Major Arcana

The Sun

Joy · vitality · clarity

UPRIGHT: Clarity, warmth and confidence support growth. Enjoy what is visible and life-giving without needing to complicate it.
REVERSED: Diminished enthusiasm, delayed happiness or overconfidence may obscure a positive situation. Look for a simpler and more realistic source of joy.
SYMBOLISM: A child rides a white horse beneath a radiant sun. Sunflowers and the red banner suggest vitality; the garden wall marks a boundary beyond which life continues.

XX / Major Arcana

Judgement

Awakening · reckoning · calling

UPRIGHT: Honest self-review and a renewed sense of calling invite change. Respond to what experience has taught you rather than remaining in an old identity.
REVERSED: Self-criticism, denial or reluctance to answer a calling can delay renewal. Accountability need not become condemnation.
SYMBOLISM: An angel sounds a trumpet as figures rise from coffins. The image evokes awakening, release from former conditions and a summons to a different way of living.

XXI / Major Arcana

The World

Completion · integration · wholeness

UPRIGHT: A cycle reaches fulfillment, bringing integration and earned perspective. Acknowledge the achievement before beginning another journey.
REVERSED: An unfinished task, lack of closure or delayed completion may remain. Attend to the final step instead of seeking a new beginning too soon.
SYMBOLISM: A dancing figure is enclosed by a laurel wreath and holds two wands. Four corner beings recall the Wheel of Fortune, now framing a sense of harmony and completion.

Wands

Fire — inspiration, ambition, creative energy and action.

A · † / Wands

Ace of Wands

Inspiration · potential · initiative

UPRIGHT: A creative impulse or new enterprise offers fertile potential. Give the spark a practical first action.
REVERSED: A false start, depleted motivation or delayed inspiration may need patience. Reconnect with the purpose before forcing momentum.
SYMBOLISM: A hand extends a sprouting wand from a cloud. Falling leaves and a green landscape suggest living potential; the distant castle hints at what the beginning might build.

II · † / Wands

Two of Wands

Planning · vision · possibility

UPRIGHT: Survey your options and plan beyond familiar territory. Progress asks for a considered choice between security and expansion.
REVERSED: Fear of the unknown, narrow planning or indecision may limit your range. Check whether your ambition has a realistic next step.
SYMBOLISM: A figure holds a globe while looking outward from a battlement. One wand is fixed to the wall and one held freely, contrasting established ground with exploration.

III · † / Wands

Three of Wands

Expansion · foresight · enterprise

UPRIGHT: Early effort begins to open wider possibilities. Watch for opportunities and prepare for the results of what you have set in motion.
REVERSED: Delays, limited foresight or obstacles to expansion may require revised expectations. Review the foundation before reaching further.
SYMBOLISM: A figure stands above the sea watching ships. Three planted wands suggest established effort; the broad horizon emphasizes trade, distance and future development.

IV · † / Wands

Four of Wands

Celebration · home · belonging

UPRIGHT: A milestone, welcoming community or stable home deserves celebration. Shared joy can strengthen a lasting foundation.
REVERSED: Domestic tension, an unsettled transition or postponed celebration may affect belonging. Clarify what makes a space feel supportive.
SYMBOLISM: Four wands hold a floral canopy while figures raise bouquets. The castle and gathered people evoke a homecoming, communal welcome and the fruits of stability.

V · † / Wands

Five of Wands

Competition · friction · challenge

UPRIGHT: Different aims or voices create friction. Productive competition can develop skill if conflict remains fair and purposeful.
REVERSED: Conflict avoidance or escalating rivalry may prevent useful cooperation. Establish shared rules and distinguish disagreement from hostility.
SYMBOLISM: Five figures brandish wands in a crowded scene. Their varied clothes and uncoordinated movement suggest competing energies rather than an organized battle.

VI · † / Wands

Six of Wands

Recognition · success · confidence

UPRIGHT: An achievement receives recognition and support. Accept the acknowledgment while remembering the work and people behind it.
REVERSED: A setback, lack of recognition or pride can unsettle confidence. Separate the value of your effort from applause.
SYMBOLISM: A rider crowned with laurel carries a wreath-topped wand. The surrounding crowd makes victory public, emphasizing leadership and collective recognition.

VII · † / Wands

Seven of Wands

Defense · conviction · perseverance

UPRIGHT: Protect your position amid challenge. Courage and clear priorities help you hold ground without fighting every battle.
REVERSED: Overwhelm, defensiveness or exhaustion may undermine your stance. Decide what is worth defending and where support is needed.
SYMBOLISM: A figure stands on higher ground against six rising wands. Mismatched footwear suggests being caught unprepared, while the elevation gives a hard-earned advantage.

VIII · † / Wands

Eight of Wands

Speed · movement · messages

UPRIGHT: Events, communication or travel gather pace. Act with focus as obstacles give way to swift development.
REVERSED: Delays, miscommunication or rushed action can scatter energy. Confirm direction before responding at speed.
SYMBOLISM: Eight wands fly together through an open sky above a river. The absence of human figures highlights momentum itself and an unobstructed trajectory.

IX · † / Wands

Nine of Wands

Resilience · vigilance · boundaries

UPRIGHT: Experience has made you cautious, but perseverance remains possible. Protect your energy while assessing the challenge realistically.
REVERSED: Burnout, suspicion or rigid defenses may make every demand feel like a threat. Recovery can be more useful than another show of endurance.
SYMBOLISM: A bandaged figure grips a wand before a row of eight others. The wound records past struggle; the upright barrier conveys vigilance and a defended position.

X · † / Wands

Ten of Wands

Burden · responsibility · overwork

UPRIGHT: Success or obligation has become heavy to carry. Reorganize responsibilities and distinguish commitment from unnecessary overload.
REVERSED: A burden may be released, refused or intensified by reluctance to delegate. Review what truly belongs to you.
SYMBOLISM: A bent figure carries ten wands toward a town. The load obstructs the view ahead, suggesting how responsibility can narrow perspective even near a destination.

P · † / Wands

Page of Wands

Curiosity · discovery · enthusiasm

UPRIGHT: An adventurous message or fresh interest invites exploration. Begin as a learner and give enthusiasm room to develop.
REVERSED: Restlessness, immature plans or inconsistent effort can dissipate inspiration. Experiment without promising more than you can sustain.
SYMBOLISM: A young figure examines a sprouting staff in a desert. Salamanders on the clothing associate the suit with fire; the open landscape emphasizes undiscovered possibility.

Kn · † / Wands

Knight of Wands

Adventure · drive · boldness

UPRIGHT: Energetic action and a willingness to explore bring movement. Channel passion into a direction that can withstand the initial rush.
REVERSED: Impulsiveness, frustration or unreliable follow-through may create disruption. Slow down enough to consider consequences.
SYMBOLISM: A rearing horse and windblown plumes convey haste. The rider's salamander-patterned tunic and desert setting reinforce fiery energy and a restless quest.

Q · † / Wands

Queen of Wands

Confidence · warmth · independence

UPRIGHT: Self-assurance, generosity and creative vitality help you lead naturally. Make room for both independence and connection.
REVERSED: Insecurity, jealousy or demanding attention can distort confidence. Return to self-trust rather than controlling how others respond.
SYMBOLISM: The queen holds a sunflower and wand on a lion-decorated throne. A black cat at her feet adds an element of instinct and mystery to the bright, outward energy.

K · † / Wands

King of Wands

Vision · leadership · enterprise

UPRIGHT: Lead with a clear vision, courage and the ability to inspire others. Creative authority requires responsibility as well as ambition.
REVERSED: Domineering behavior, impulsive leadership or unrealistic expectations can alienate support. Match your vision with consistent conduct.
SYMBOLISM: Lions and salamanders decorate the throne and robe. The sprouting wand represents active creative power; the upright posture suggests readiness to turn vision into action.

Cups

Water — feeling, relationships, imagination and the inner life.

A · ♆ / Cups

Ace of Cups

Love · receptivity · new feeling

UPRIGHT: Emotional openness, compassion or a new relationship can begin. Allow feeling to flow without demanding a predetermined outcome.
REVERSED: Blocked feelings, emotional depletion or an inward turning of affection may need care. Replenish yourself before giving more.
SYMBOLISM: An overflowing cup rests in a hand above water and lilies. Five streams convey abundance; the dove descending toward the cup adds a spiritual dimension to emotional renewal.

II · ♆ / Cups

Two of Cups

Partnership · reciprocity · connection

UPRIGHT: Mutual affection, respect or agreement supports a meaningful bond. Meet another person as an equal, with honest exchange.
REVERSED: Imbalance, misunderstanding or a broken agreement can strain connection. Restore reciprocity rather than relying on attraction alone.
SYMBOLISM: Two figures exchange cups beneath a caduceus and winged lion's head. The balanced stance emphasizes mutual recognition and the joining of different energies.

III · ♆ / Cups

Three of Cups

Friendship · celebration · community

UPRIGHT: Friendship and shared celebration provide emotional nourishment. Recognize the people whose presence makes joy and recovery possible.
REVERSED: Exclusion, gossip or overindulgence can unsettle a group. Consider whether your social circle supports genuine connection.
SYMBOLISM: Three figures raise their cups in a circle amid fruit and flowers. The harvest imagery and shared gesture suggest abundance enjoyed together.

IV · ♆ / Cups

Four of Cups

Apathy · contemplation · reevaluation

UPRIGHT: Withdrawal or dissatisfaction invites a closer look at what you need. An available offer may be overlooked while attention stays on disappointment.
REVERSED: Renewed interest or prolonged disengagement may emerge from a period of retreat. Choose which opportunities deserve another look.
SYMBOLISM: A seated figure looks toward three cups while a cloud-hand offers a fourth. Crossed limbs and the sheltering tree suggest inward attention and a possibility not yet received.

V · ♆ / Cups

Five of Cups

Loss · grief · disappointment

UPRIGHT: Acknowledge loss without letting it erase what remains. Grief and gratitude can coexist; recovery begins with seeing the whole scene.
REVERSED: Acceptance, reconciliation or difficulty releasing regret may become central. Turn toward remaining support at a manageable pace.
SYMBOLISM: A cloaked figure faces three spilled cups while two stand behind. A bridge leads across the river toward shelter, suggesting a route beyond the immediate loss.

VI · ♆ / Cups

Six of Cups

Memory · kindness · innocence

UPRIGHT: Past connections, generosity or familiar comforts may nourish the present. Receive the sweetness of memory without needing to recreate it exactly.
REVERSED: Idealizing the past or difficulty leaving old roles can inhibit growth. Keep what is nurturing while allowing the present to differ.
SYMBOLISM: A child offers another a flower-filled cup in a sheltered courtyard. White flowers and the protective setting evoke innocence, simple gifts and recollection.

VII · ♆ / Cups

Seven of Cups

Options · fantasy · discernment

UPRIGHT: Many possibilities can inspire but also confuse. Separate appealing images from choices with substance before committing.
REVERSED: Greater clarity or continued escapism can follow an abundance of options. Bring one possibility into contact with reality.
SYMBOLISM: Seven cups float on clouds, containing jewels, a laurel wreath, a castle and other visions. Their mixture of rewards and dangers suggests the ambiguity of desire.

VIII · ♆ / Cups

Eight of Cups

Departure · searching · letting go

UPRIGHT: Something once fulfilling may no longer be enough. A thoughtful departure makes space for a deeper search, even when much remains intact.
REVERSED: Fear of leaving, aimless withdrawal or reconsidering a departure may arise. Distinguish a purposeful search from escape.
SYMBOLISM: A cloaked traveler leaves eight cups to climb a rocky path. The moon overhead and uneven terrain suggest an inward journey away from established emotional security.

IX · ♆ / Cups

Nine of Cups

Contentment · satisfaction · pleasure

UPRIGHT: Enjoy satisfaction and acknowledge a wish or effort coming to fruition. Gratitude deepens pleasure more than accumulating another desire.
REVERSED: Overindulgence, superficial satisfaction or disappointment after getting what you wanted may arise. Examine the need beneath the wish.
SYMBOLISM: A seated figure sits before an arched arrangement of nine cups. The confident posture and abundant display signify comfort, enjoyment and an attained desire.

X · ♆ / Cups

Ten of Cups

Harmony · family · shared happiness

UPRIGHT: Emotional fulfillment grows through belonging and shared values. Tend the relationships that make happiness sustainable.
REVERSED: Strained family expectations or a gap between an ideal and lived reality may disrupt harmony. Seek honest connection rather than a perfect picture.
SYMBOLISM: A rainbow of ten cups arches over a couple, children and a distant home. The open landscape joins emotional harmony with community and everyday life.

P · ♆ / Cups

Page of Cups

Sensitivity · imagination · surprise

UPRIGHT: A tender message, imaginative idea or new emotional awareness invites curiosity. Approach feeling with openness rather than embarrassment.
REVERSED: Emotional immaturity, creative inhibition or unrealistic expectations may need gentle attention. Let feelings be expressed without making them the whole truth.
SYMBOLISM: A fish unexpectedly emerges from the page's cup. The water and floral clothing emphasize sensitivity, imagination and something surprising from the inner world.

Kn · ♆ / Cups

Knight of Cups

Romance · invitation · idealism

UPRIGHT: An invitation or heartfelt pursuit brings emotional movement. Let imagination enrich the journey while keeping intentions sincere.
REVERSED: Moodiness, unrealistic romance or promises without substance may disappoint. Compare the beautiful offer with the behavior behind it.
SYMBOLISM: The knight presents a cup while riding a calmly moving horse. Winged details on the helmet and boots suggest imagination; the stream links the journey with feeling.

Q · ♆ / Cups

Queen of Cups

Empathy · intuition · compassion

UPRIGHT: Emotional insight and compassionate attention support wise care. Listen deeply while maintaining boundaries that preserve your own wellbeing.
REVERSED: Overabsorption in others' feelings, dependence or neglected self-care may blur boundaries. Compassion needs a stable container.
SYMBOLISM: The queen contemplates an ornate, closed cup beside the sea. Water, shells and the decorated throne emphasize receptivity and the depth of inner experience.

K · ♆ / Cups

King of Cups

Emotional balance · wisdom · diplomacy

UPRIGHT: Steady feeling and measured judgment allow calm leadership. Recognize emotions without letting them dictate every response.
REVERSED: Emotional suppression, manipulation or unstable moods may distort influence. Seek honesty alongside composure.
SYMBOLISM: A king sits on a throne surrounded by choppy water, holding a cup and scepter. A ship and leaping fish move nearby, while he remains steady amid emotional currents.

Swords

Air — thought, communication, conflict and discernment.

A · ⚔ / Swords

Ace of Swords

Clarity · truth · breakthrough

UPRIGHT: A clear idea or truthful decision cuts through confusion. Use discernment responsibly; insight becomes useful when translated into action.
REVERSED: Confusion, harsh judgment or an untested idea may obscure the truth. Clarify the facts before making a decisive statement.
SYMBOLISM: A hand raises a sword crowned with a wreath and crown. The double-edged blade suggests the power and responsibility of thought; distant mountains evoke demanding clarity.

II · ⚔ / Swords

Two of Swords

Stalemate · indecision · guardedness

UPRIGHT: Competing views or a difficult choice have reached an impasse. Temporary stillness helps only if it leads to a more informed decision.
REVERSED: Avoidance, information overload or a decision forced by pressure may break the stalemate. Look directly at what you have been excluding.
SYMBOLISM: A blindfolded figure holds two crossed swords before water and rocks. The blocked view and balanced blades symbolize suspended judgment and defended emotion.

III · ⚔ / Swords

Three of Swords

Heartbreak · sorrow · painful truth

UPRIGHT: Loss, separation or a difficult truth asks to be acknowledged. Naming pain can begin healing without reducing you to the hurt.
REVERSED: Recovery, forgiveness or lingering resentment may become the focus. Make room for grief without continually reopening it.
SYMBOLISM: Three swords pierce a heart against rain and clouds. The direct image joins mental clarity with emotional pain and the atmosphere of sorrow.

IV · ⚔ / Swords

Four of Swords

Rest · retreat · recovery

UPRIGHT: Rest and temporary withdrawal restore clarity after strain. Allow quiet to be purposeful rather than treating it as wasted time.
REVERSED: Restlessness, burnout or readiness to return can signal a changing need. Check whether recovery is complete before resuming demands.
SYMBOLISM: An effigy lies with hands in prayer beneath three swords, with a fourth below. The stained-glass window and chapel setting suggest sanctuary and contemplation.

V · ⚔ / Swords

Five of Swords

Conflict · defeat · hollow victory

UPRIGHT: Winning at another's expense may carry a hidden cost. Examine the ethics of a conflict and whether continued fighting serves anyone.
REVERSED: Reconciliation, unresolved resentment or repeating a hostile pattern may follow. Repair needs accountability, not simply silence.
SYMBOLISM: One figure gathers swords as two others turn away beside rough water. The uncertain victory and fractured group emphasize the relational cost of conflict.

VI · ⚔ / Swords

Six of Swords

Transition · passage · gradual relief

UPRIGHT: A careful transition leads away from difficulty toward calmer conditions. Carry what you have learned without expecting instant relief.
REVERSED: Resistance to moving on, unfinished business or a delayed journey may slow recovery. Identify the practical obstacle to the crossing.
SYMBOLISM: A boat carries cloaked passengers and six swords across water. Rough water on one side and calmer water ahead suggest a passage that still carries sorrow.

VII · ⚔ / Swords

Seven of Swords

Strategy · secrecy · evasion

UPRIGHT: Indirect action, discretion or concealed motives may shape the situation. Assess whether a strategy is thoughtful or avoids necessary honesty.
REVERSED: Exposure, confession or self-deception may bring hidden behavior into view. Acknowledge what cannot be solved by evasion.
SYMBOLISM: A figure carries five swords away from a camp while looking back; two remain. The furtive posture and partial removal emphasize strategy, concealment and unfinished business.

VIII · ⚔ / Swords

Eight of Swords

Restriction · fear · limited perspective

UPRIGHT: A sense of entrapment may be intensified by fear or incomplete information. Seek the options and support that the current perspective excludes.
REVERSED: A widening perspective can loosen restrictions, though anxiety may persist. Take one safe step toward greater agency.
SYMBOLISM: A bound, blindfolded figure stands among eight swords. Gaps in the enclosure and the distant castle suggest a constraint that is not as absolute as it appears.

IX · ⚔ / Swords

Nine of Swords

Anxiety · anguish · sleeplessness

UPRIGHT: Worry, remorse or mental distress may dominate attention. Treat suffering seriously while distinguishing feared outcomes from established facts.
REVERSED: Relief, seeking help or intensified private worry may come into focus. Do not confuse the need for support with personal failure.
SYMBOLISM: A figure sits upright in bed with face in hands beneath nine swords. The dark setting and decorated coverlet place the distress in an intimate, inward space.

X · ⚔ / Swords

Ten of Swords

Ending · exhaustion · finality

UPRIGHT: A painful ending or exhausted situation has reached its limit. Acknowledge what is over and look for the first practical step beyond it.
REVERSED: Recovery, survival or reluctance to accept an ending may shape the next phase. Healing begins with no longer sustaining the finished struggle.
SYMBOLISM: Ten swords lie in a fallen figure under a dark sky. Light appears at the horizon beyond still water, suggesting that even this stark ending does not consume the future.

P · ⚔ / Swords

Page of Swords

Curiosity · vigilance · inquiry

UPRIGHT: Alertness, study and direct questions uncover useful information. Develop your ideas through evidence and careful communication.
REVERSED: Gossip, defensiveness or premature conclusions may misuse mental energy. Verify what you hear before passing it on.
SYMBOLISM: A youthful figure holds a raised sword while wind moves the trees and clouds. The watchful stance and uneven ground convey readiness, curiosity and unsettled conditions.

Kn · ⚔ / Swords

Knight of Swords

Determination · speed · direct action

UPRIGHT: Decisive thought becomes rapid action. Pursue the objective clearly, while ensuring urgency does not erase nuance or care.
REVERSED: Aggression, haste or unfocused argument can cause unnecessary damage. Slow the charge enough to choose the right target.
SYMBOLISM: An armored rider charges with sword raised through a windswept landscape. The forward motion and stormy sky dramatize forceful, sometimes headlong, mental energy.

Q · ⚔ / Swords

Queen of Swords

Discernment · independence · candor

UPRIGHT: Clear perception and honest speech help establish wise boundaries. Join intellectual independence with fairness and humane judgment.
REVERSED: Cynicism, coldness or biased criticism may harden useful discernment. Examine whether hurt is influencing the verdict.
SYMBOLISM: The queen holds an upright sword and extends an open hand. Clouds and butterfly details connect her with thought, while the open gesture balances rigor with receptivity.

K · ⚔ / Swords

King of Swords

Reason · authority · ethical judgment

UPRIGHT: Principled reasoning and clear standards support responsible decisions. Use authority to clarify and serve, not merely to prevail.
REVERSED: Misused authority, rigid thinking or manipulative reasoning can undermine fairness. Test the judgment against evidence and ethics.
SYMBOLISM: The king sits front-facing with sword upright on a butterfly-decorated throne. His composed stance and airy setting emphasize intellectual command and impartial judgment.

Pentacles

Earth — work, resources, the body and material foundations.

A · ⬟ / Pentacles

Ace of Pentacles

Opportunity · security · a seed

UPRIGHT: A tangible opportunity can become a foundation through patient care. Begin with practical resources, skills and sustainable expectations.
REVERSED: A missed opportunity, poor planning or insecure foundations may limit growth. Assess what is viable before investing more.
SYMBOLISM: A hand offers a pentacle above a flowering garden. The archway opens toward distant mountains, joining immediate material potential with a longer path of effort.

II · ⬟ / Pentacles

Two of Pentacles

Balance · adaptability · priorities

UPRIGHT: Multiple demands require flexibility and rhythm. Adjust your priorities so that change remains manageable rather than exhausting.
REVERSED: Overcommitment, disorganization or financial imbalance may stretch capacity. Simplify the load and restore a workable routine.
SYMBOLISM: A figure juggles two pentacles inside an infinity-shaped ribbon. Ships rise and fall on waves behind, suggesting ongoing fluctuation and adaptive movement.

III · ⬟ / Pentacles

Three of Pentacles

Craft · teamwork · learning

UPRIGHT: Skilled work improves through collaboration, feedback and shared planning. Respect both your expertise and the contribution of others.
REVERSED: Poor coordination, undervalued skill or incompatible standards can weaken the work. Clarify roles and expectations.
SYMBOLISM: A craftsperson works in a church while two others consult a plan. Three pentacles set into the stone emphasize skill made durable through cooperative construction.

IV · ⬟ / Pentacles

Four of Pentacles

Security · possession · control

UPRIGHT: Preserving resources and setting limits can create stability. Watch when prudent protection becomes fear-driven refusal to share or grow.
REVERSED: Letting go, financial insecurity or excessive attachment may come into view. Decide what needs safeguarding and what can circulate.
SYMBOLISM: A figure grips one pentacle, balances another on the head and pins two beneath the feet. The distant city contrasts wider life with a tightly defended position.

V · ⬟ / Pentacles

Five of Pentacles

Hardship · exclusion · support

UPRIGHT: Material difficulty or feeling excluded calls for practical help and compassion. Notice available support rather than facing hardship alone.
REVERSED: Recovery, renewed access to help or enduring isolation may shape the situation. Accept assistance without treating need as shame.
SYMBOLISM: Two poorly clothed figures pass a lit stained-glass window in snow. The contrast between cold outside and light within evokes hardship and potential sanctuary.

VI · ⬟ / Pentacles

Six of Pentacles

Generosity · exchange · fairness

UPRIGHT: Giving and receiving can restore balance when resources are shared fairly. Consider dignity and power as well as the size of a gift.
REVERSED: Strings attached, unequal exchange or overgiving may complicate generosity. Check whether help creates freedom or dependence.
SYMBOLISM: A standing figure holds scales while distributing coins to two kneeling people. The scene combines measured charity with the unequal positions of giver and receiver.

VII · ⬟ / Pentacles

Seven of Pentacles

Patience · assessment · investment

UPRIGHT: Long-term effort asks for patient evaluation. Consider what is growing well and whether continued investment matches your aims.
REVERSED: Impatience, poor returns or effort without direction may require a change. Review the method before adding more labor.
SYMBOLISM: A worker rests on a tool while studying a vine bearing pentacles. The pause between effort and harvest emphasizes assessment, cultivation and delayed reward.

VIII · ⬟ / Pentacles

Eight of Pentacles

Practice · diligence · mastery

UPRIGHT: Consistent practice and attention to detail build real competence. Focus on the work itself rather than rushing toward recognition.
REVERSED: Perfectionism, repetitive work without learning or careless shortcuts may reduce progress. Reconnect effort with useful improvement.
SYMBOLISM: A craftsperson engraves pentacles at a bench, with finished pieces displayed nearby. The town in the distance suggests concentrated work apart from distraction.

IX · ⬟ / Pentacles

Nine of Pentacles

Independence · refinement · self-sufficiency

UPRIGHT: Enjoy the stability and confidence developed through disciplined effort. Material comfort is richer when accompanied by personal freedom.
REVERSED: Dependence, overwork or insecurity beneath appearances may complicate prosperity. Define success beyond display or status.
SYMBOLISM: A richly dressed figure stands among grapes and nine pentacles with a hooded falcon. The cultivated garden and trained bird suggest refinement, discipline and earned ease.

X · ⬟ / Pentacles

Ten of Pentacles

Legacy · stability · inheritance

UPRIGHT: Long-term security grows through shared resources, continuity and stewardship. Consider what your choices contribute to those who follow.
REVERSED: Family conflict, unstable finances or restrictive inherited expectations may threaten security. Reevaluate the structure as well as the assets.
SYMBOLISM: An elder, a couple, a child and dogs appear beneath an archway. Ten pentacles arranged across the scene link generations, property and the enduring fabric of community.

P · ⬟ / Pentacles

Page of Pentacles

Study · practicality · potential

UPRIGHT: A practical interest, course of study or small opportunity rewards commitment. Approach it as a learner prepared to build steadily.
REVERSED: Procrastination, unfocused study or unrealistic expectations may waste potential. Make the next step concrete and achievable.
SYMBOLISM: A young figure carefully studies a pentacle in a green field. Plowed ground and distant mountains suggest potential that will mature through patient work.

Kn · ⬟ / Pentacles

Knight of Pentacles

Reliability · routine · persistence

UPRIGHT: Steady effort, careful planning and dependable conduct produce durable results. Honor the routine without losing sight of its purpose.
REVERSED: Stagnation, stubbornness or neglect of responsibilities may undermine reliability. A sound method still needs occasional adaptation.
SYMBOLISM: The knight sits on a stationary dark horse holding a pentacle. Furrowed fields and the unhurried posture emphasize preparation, work and deliberate progress.

Q · ⬟ / Pentacles

Queen of Pentacles

Practical care · resourcefulness · comfort

UPRIGHT: Grounded care combines material stewardship with generosity. Nurture your surroundings and needs without forgetting your own wellbeing.
REVERSED: Neglected self-care, overextension or anxiety about security may disrupt balance. Reorganize care so it remains sustainable.
SYMBOLISM: The queen cradles a pentacle in a lush garden. Fruit, flowers and a rabbit suggest abundance and fertility; the decorated throne roots care in the tangible world.

K · ⬟ / Pentacles

King of Pentacles

Stewardship · prosperity · stability

UPRIGHT: Experience and responsible management create lasting material security. Use resources wisely and make success beneficial beyond yourself.
REVERSED: Greed, inflexibility or unreliable management may erode prosperity. Examine whether ownership has displaced responsibility.
SYMBOLISM: The king holds a pentacle and scepter amid vines and a castle. Bull motifs, rich clothing and the settled setting emphasize earthly authority and cultivated abundance.

Artwork by Pamela Colman Smith, with the symbolic direction of A. E. Waite; first published by William Rider & Son in 1909.

These are contemporary summaries of traditional Rider–Waite–Smith interpretations, not quotations from Waite. Reversals have no single universal meaning; context and reading traditions differ. Tarot offers symbolic reflection, not certain predictions.

Historical reference: The Pictorial Key to the Tarot, A. E. Waite (1911) ↗