Tarot Cards - TV Tropes

The cards of the Major Arcana are numbered 1 to 21, usually in Roman numerals, with The Fool designated as either first or last ("0" or "22"). Read in order, they can portray a kind of story - a journey that starts with blissful ignorance and brings on spiritual self-discovery from teachers and family, of easy successes and sudden failures, of never giving up, of facing the worst and freedom from your illusions, of hope, and continuing your journey regardless, and victory, and glory, and the world restored. And while it all leads to enlightenment, it leads to another journey...:

---

0/XXII — The Fool

An extravagantly-dressed young man strays obliviously close to the edge of a cliff, with a white dog at his heels, which seems to be either warning him of the looming danger ahead, or eagerly accompanying him. His posture is open, and embraces all that life has to offer him, untainted by preconceptions and uncumbered by others' disapproval. He holds a white rose, a symbol of divine love, innocence, purity, and faith. The Trickster as often as an innocent protected by his own luck, a madman who speaks with the voice of gods, the village idiot who hides strange powers, a happy-go-lucky adventurer that is missing something deep inside of him, which is the growth and change that will result from the peril and challenges that reality will soon thrust upon him, or simply a Naïve Newcomer. The Fool is a symbol of the in-between, great untapped potential, of The Grotesque, of reliance on luck. This card represents the enthusiasm and openness that a person often has when embarking on a new pursuit. It all starts with a leap of faith and a journey of self-discovery, and a reminder to expect the unexpected. There's no need to manipulate a specific outcome, just breathe it all in and try to see the big picture and enjoy your journey.

The dark side of the Fool is someone foolhardy, immature, and overenthusiastic, someone who takes huge risks without a plan, who jumps to conclusions and who lets their dreams and flights of fancy lead them astray, or into dangerous places (without a figurative parachute to break the fall in case anything goes wrong), someone who chooses to remain ignorant and stagnant to be blissful, or someone who is too jaded and closed-off to even bother to improve themselves and embark on new journeys.

Historical sidenote: The Fool's role in the trick taking card games which gave rise to the modern Tarot deck was unique: The card always lost, but also was always a valid play, thus making the card both worthless at the tactical level and immensely valuable at the strategic level (you could avoid playing a card that could win a later round if you had already lost this round). Before the Rider-Waite-Smith deck, the Fool was traditionally unnumbered; Rider-Waite (and many decks that followed its lead) assigned it the number 0 (and thus, the sole Arabic numeral in the Major Arcana), although some decks assign it XXII instead.

I — The Magician

A young man with a symbol for infinity as his halo. He stands over a table containing a wand, a cup, a sword, and a pentacle, symbolizing the four Elements as they appear on the Lesser or Minor Arcana. The red roses and white lilies surrounding him represent desire and faith in one's own purity of intention, respectively. The Marseilles version tends to view him more as The Trickster and sometimes a bumbling one (and is sometimes instead named Juggler), whereas for the Rider-Waite-Smith version he's more of a confident person in control of nature's forces. In divination, it's often attributed to the consultant, so it can more often represent the protagonist. The Magician symbolizes action, initiative, self-confidence, determination, manipulation, dexterity, following your inspiration, and channeling and manifesting one's potential. Don't be afraid of success, and have faith in your talents: the reward will be worth the effort.

The dark side of the Magician is a person that lets their confidence turn into overconfidence, and their resourcefulness turn into self-serving, unethical manipulation: think of a conman. Alternatively, it could be represented by a person who has confidence, communication, and creativity issues, and who is letting their talents go to waste.

II — The High Priestess

A veiled, crowned woman with a crescent moon at her feet, seated in a stone seat between a black pillar with the letter 'B' and a white pillar with the letter 'J' (possibly the entrance to the Temple of Solomon), and backed up by a tapestry depicting palm trees and pomegranates, which covers the view of a great body of water. She holds a partially-obscured scroll, the Torah. This card symbolizes our inner world, the quiet, contemplative, centered search for hidden, occult wisdom and self-knowledge, the unconscious realm of intuition, reflection, inspiration, female mysteries, magic, and psychic powers. The card may often double up with Triptic Goddess imagery. A mythological parallel would be the story of Persephone, the Greek goddess of springtime who afterwards became the Queen of the Underworld after eating pomegranate seeds. She often is a Threshold Guardian, and associated with the Moon. Things seem strange and mysterious now, but don't worry, sometimes it's a good thing to take a moment to think about your situation and pay attention to your gut feelings before you make your next move.

The dark side of the High Priestess is a person who either is too wrapped up in their own inner world — disregarding the physical, outer world in the process —, or who cannot access their inner landscape (or is deliberately ignoring or repressing it), along with their own intuition, instincts, and emotions.

In several languages, the High Priestess is traditionally known as the "Popess" (French: la Papesse), and is a counterpart to the Hierophant, who is also known as "The Pope".

III — The Empress

A fair woman (sometimes pregnant in other decks) crowned by stars, holding a scepter, seated in luxurious cushions, surrounded by a lush forest, and sporting a stone shield emblazoned with the sign of Venus, the Roman goddess of love, beauty, sexuality, and sensuality, and the mother of Rome in mythology. The Empress is totally a Team Mom; authoritative, comforting, understanding and prosperous. She's the one who creates life and promotes growth, and ensures the creation develops. It can hold symbolism related to The Three Faces of Eve, and represent the main female love interest, as well as the Earth Mother. It is not just a card of fertility, prosperity and creativity but also the potential to appreciate and enjoy it — if you can take the initiative. Together with the Emperor, this character archetype represents Harmony in Harmony Versus Discipline, the Gentle Touch in Gentle Touch vs. Firm Hand, and Mother Nature in Mother Nature, Father Science.

The dark side of the Empress is a person much like an overbearing mother, someone who has serious mommy issues, someone who is unfeeling and cold and could be more in tune with their sensitivity and compassion, someone who feels dead and lifeless and has problems creating.

IV — The Emperor

A crowned, bearded, armoured man, seated in a throne at the top of a dry mountain range with crossed legs in the shape of a "4", and holding a golden ankh and a globe. He's the powerful Team Dad, a man of action, leadership, stability and decisiveness. Can be associated with The Government. You are in a position of leadership, and it's time to take charge - but don't bully people. Things are going pretty well for you, so maybe it's time to give a little. Together with the Empress, this character archetype represents Discipline in Harmony Versus Discipline, the Firm Hand in Gentle Touch vs. Firm Hand, and Father Science in Mother Nature, Father Science.

V — The Hierophant

The Pope, crowned with a tiara, blessing two monks. A symbol of education, authority, conservatism, obedience and relationship with the divine. This card is most often associated with The Church, be it corrupt (e.g., dogmatic and intolerant) or saintly (e.g., nurturing and a source of enlightenment), but it can also represent shared group values, group mentality, conformity for the common good, and spiritual mentorships. People may admire you for your morals and choices, but don't be inflexible. You can give advice, but you can't make people take it.

When reversed, the Hierophant is often associated with the rejection of, and even resistance and rebellion against authority figures, which can be considered a good thing under certain circumstances, especially if the authority is corrupt or otherwise compromised.

VI — The Lovers

In the Marseilles version, it shows a man having to choose between two women (sometimes an older woman, possibly his mother, and a younger woman, his girlfriend, representing the conflicting impulses between staying in your comfort zone and taking a chance), symbolizing the crossroads and the need to make a choice. The Rider-Waite-Smith version shows Adam and Eve being blessed by an angel, which can symbolize both love and the synthesis of opposing concepts, but also the danger of temptation and desire. Love comes in many forms; don't forget to explore all the possibilities. If the choice seems too difficult, you may be able to Take a Third Option.

VII — The Chariot

A kingly figure riding a chariot drawn by two differently colored sphinxes, one black and one white (two horses in the Marseilles deck). May be based on Plato's Chariot Allegory, representing the different parts of the human soul. A symbol of conflict, victory, self-assertion and command. The image of mastering, controlling, and leading two opposing forces is prevalent. A great victory, whether material or spiritual, is close at hand; don't let yourself be distracted by petty disagreements.

VIII — Strength^note 

A peaceful-looking young woman taming a lion with no effort. Beyond the Beast and Beauty imagery, there's a moral about the superiority of self-control, gentleness, inner courage and virtue over brute force. On the other hand, you may as well call it the card of Waif-Fu. A mythological parallel would be the story of Samson and Delilah. Your strength of character is evident and you are in the perfect position to shape your destiny - so never forget how important self-control and balance are.

IX — The Hermit

An old man in a snowy mountaintop (this snowy summit can be seen in the horizon in the Fool card), holding up a lantern and having reached a certain spiritual accomplishment. It's associated with wisdom, introspection, solitude, retreat and philosophical searches. Often a symbol for the Mentor, or a Seeker Archetype, but also The Hero undergoing a Heroic BSoD taking a much-needed Journey to the Center of the Mind to sort out his personal demons before returning to kick ass. Be honest with yourself as well as others, remember to take advice, and don't confuse solitude and loneliness as one.

X — The Wheel of Fortune

A golden wheel of eight spokes that reads TAROT, TORA, and ROTA ('wheel' in Latin), decorated with elemental symbols and surrounded by a blue sphinx holding a sword, a red Anubis-like figure, a yellow snake representing Typhon, and four angels, each associated with the four fixed signs of the Zodiac: the human angel is Aquarius, the eagle is Scorpio, the lion is Leo, and the bull is Taurus. (They are also the signs of the Four Evangelists: the angel is Matthew, the eagle John, the lion Mark, and the bull Luke.) In other decks, the wheel is surrounded by different animals wearing wealthy and beggarly clothes. This card is a symbol of the inevitability of fate and changing fortunes, and life cycles. What goes up will go down, what goes down will go up. Easy Come, Easy Go. Things are going well, so now you can plan for the future. Alternatively things may seem bad but don't give up; now's a great time to try something new.

XI — Justice:^note 

A crowned, throned woman (sometimes blindfolded in other decks), holding a sword and set of scales. A very traditional allegory of justice, objectivity, rationality and analysis, expect references to the Judgment of Solomon, the Balance Between Good and Evil, and maybe a Secret Test of Character. Everything you do will have consequences, but the world doesn't work on a tit-for-tat principle. Sometimes people aren't as great as you thought; you must judge wisely, and don't forget that the idea of law governs your morals too.

XII — The Hanged Man

A serene man hanging upside-down from a tree on one leg, while the other crosses it, forming a "4", while his arms are typically bound behind him, forming a "3". You may as well call this the Crucified Hero Shot card. It's associated with self-sacrifice for the sake of enlightenment, bindings that liberate, paradoxes, and juxtaposition between heaven and earth. Apart from Jesus, it can be associated with such myths as Odin volunteering to hang from Yggdrasil to learn the runes, the cycle of the murder and rebirth of Osiris, or Dionysus being born twice. You have committed yourself to a purpose. You may feel a little isolated, but if you embrace and cherish your gifts, people will appreciate what you've done in time.

XIII — Death

The Grim Reaper, an armored skeleton on horseback approaching uneasy people prostrating before it as a king lies dead beneath the horse, symbolizing the inevitability of change, one of its most powerful forms being death (in the Marseilles version, the card depicts a skeleton swinging his scythe and leaving severed heads and limbs in his wake, which actually fertilize the land, representing the cycle of life). It is often used for a cheap effect of doomy foreshadowing, and even more frequently parodied as such. More accurately in Tarot, a symbolism of metamorphosis and a big change. Don't fight the inevitable; the end of one thing just means the beginning of another, even if it comes as a shock to you.

Often, a show will do just enough research to know that the Death card isn't a portent of doom, but a symbol of change, but their research tends to stop there. When drawn, most often, the reader will explain that the card does not actually mean literal physical death, and the story will go on to demonstrate that, in fact, it totally does. (Either that, or the person receiving the reading will not listen, panic, and faint out of sheer fright.)

In some traditional tarot decks, this card, uniquely among the major arcana, was not labelled with its name; in French, it's known allusively as the lame sans nom or arcane sans nom (card/arcanum without a name).

XIV — Temperance

An androgynous angelic figure (sometimes interpreted as the healer Raphael) pouring water between two golden cups (sometimes either blue and red or gold and silver, in other decks) and one foot in the water. A symbol of synthesis, prudence, harmony, and the merging of opposites. Let go of your obsessions, and you will find peace of mind. With peace of mind you can do anything; it's not selfish to take care of your own needs as well.

XV — The Devil

A hermaphrodite demon (or a satyr such as Pan) standing over two compliant naked and chained figures. The card of The Dark Side, the urge to give in to selfish impulses. Occasionally interpreted as a symbol of sexuality, knowledge, ambition, occult forces, or the need to balance indulgence and abstinence. In the Rider-Waite-Smith deck, it visually echoes the Lovers. Everything may seem fine now, but don't give in to the illusion of material trappings; enlightenment is within your reach, and what you were afraid of doesn't have as much power over you as you thought.

XVI — The Tower

A dark, grey tower on a lonely landscape struck by lightning, from which two frightened people fall to an unknown fate. A straight Tower of Babel allegory about pride preceding a fall. Often associated to overly arrogant, prejudiced, and authoritarian organizations (including The Government) which walk to their own ironic demise, as well as the necessity of profound, sometimes destructive, change. Also more generically used as an omen of Doomy Dooms of Doom, at least by those who think Death alone isn't ominous enough. Readers however know that dramatic change awaits you, but it's not the end of the world. In fact, you may find that things are better once you're OUTSIDE your cramped little comfort zone.

In French it's known as La Maison Dieu (the house of God), making the whole thing even more apocalyptic.

XVII — The Star

A calm, naked woman pouring water into a pool and on land, nourishing them under a starlit sky. Associated with hope, faith, altruism, luck, generosity, peace, truth, and joy. In the Rider-Waite-Smith deck, it visually echoes Temperance. Very much a messianic card as well, as an omen of the coming of The Chosen One. Perhaps you feel like you're surrounded by problems, but things aren't really so bad. There's plenty of hope, so take some time to relax and enjoy yourself. Follow your star.

XVIII — The Moon

A dog and a wolf howl at the moon, around a pool with a crayfish in it, with two towers in the background and lights falling from the sky, and a long, winding road. This is most likely the great body of water that was hidden behind the High Priestess. Associated with creativity, journeys, madness, illusions, fear, fantasy, the subconscious, trickery, self-sabotage, the dark sides of people, a person's true colors, and the dark night of the soul. Masters of Illusion and Lotus Eater Machines can be associated with it, as can be Shape Shifters and Wolf Men. Also a good spot for a Mind Screw or a Dream Sequence. But the Moon can also represent a positive aspect of darkness and wildness. There is a long journey ahead of you; it may be scary, it may be dark, there may be people calling you crazy for trying and there may be distractions, but at least the path is clear. Even if you don't know what awaits you, it's time to stop being the little crayfish and make your mark in that big world. You can't go back.

XIX — The Sun

A pair of naked children frolic beneath a blazing sun. A symbol of happiness, joy, energy, self-expression, freedom to be oneself, finding the truths of one's life, optimism, and accomplishment. Can be associated with the hero's reward, or to an initial state of happiness. Sometimes associated with the myth of the androgynous and soul mates (although in decks influenced by the Rider-Waite-Smith deck, it's more likely to find the latter with The Lovers). You're in the right place, at the right time, with the right people. Now all you have to do is the right thing, and everybody can be happy.

XX — Judgement

The Archangel Gabriel blows his trumpet, as corpses rise from their graves and reach out to him acceptingly. It's The End of the World as We Know It, the time for the Final Battle. The Horsemen of the Apocalypse are probably not far off. Actions are weighted, plots reach their conclusion, secrets are revealed, and it's time to see if it will all end up for the best or not. Beware of deaths by redemption and resurrected messiahs. Whatever the case, no deed, good or evil, goes unjudged, because here everything is revealed for the whole world to see. All will be revealed, and that's not a bad thing at all, because it's a wonderful new day and you're surrounded by your friends, all you have to do is reach out and forgive. Don't wait too long though; these chances don't come around often.

XXI — The World

A naked woman (or hermaphrodite, depending on deck) dancing with a pair of rods, surrounded by figures of a lion, an angel, an eagle and a bull (which represent the Four Evangelists, which also corresponds to Fire, Water, Air and Earth, respectively, the transcendent forms of the suits of the Lesser Arcana). In the Rider-Waite-Smith deck, it visually echoes the Wheel of Fortune. A representation of the world, the totality of it, symbol of fulfillment, wholeness, harmony. The world is being handed to you on a silver platter, and that's because you've worked hard. It's time to cash in your winnings - don't be scared of collecting them.

The Pages: Typically represent a message of some kind, or it refers to a child or child-like person.

• Page of Wands: A message of travel or change. Can also represent a talkative child.
• Page of Coins: A message of financial or business news. Or it could be a child who likes to build or make things.
• Page of Swords: A message of information or problems. Could also be a child who is Too Clever by Half.
• Page of Cups: A message of family or love matters. Or a child who likes to daydream.

The Knights: Represent movement or travel, types of energy in one's environment, or an adolescent or teen-like adult.

• Knight of Wands: A long holiday, a time to mature, or a politically active but naive teen.
• Knight of Coins: Travel by foot, a calm and steady energy, or someone with a lot of projects.
• Knight of Swords: Air travel, a time of rapid changes, or a very clever and talkative Teen Genius.
• Knight of Cups: Travel to a body of water, a constantly shifting environment, or an emo teen.

The Queens: Represent various types of creation or development, or adult women.

• Queen of Wands: Planning a vacation or career, or a spirited woman
• Queen of Coins: Developing a business, or a down-to-earth woman
• Queen of Swords: Writing a speech or article, developing an academic theory, or a clever woman
• Queen of Cups: A developing romance or relationship, or a busybody or matchmaking woman

The Kings: Represent motivation, command of various parts of life, leaders or general adult men.

• King of Wands: Motivation for a new career, or a charismatic man
• King of Coins: Motivation for starting a business, managing a business, or a man of finance
• King of Swords: Motivation for seeking information, or a fair but judgmental man
• King of Cups: Motivation for starting a family or new relationship, managing a family, or a family man