The
Cards of The Minor Arcana
The Minor Arcana is divided into four suits - Swords, Wands, Cups and Pentacles. Each suit contains the same types of cards with similar basic properties.
Aces are the start of their suit, representing the elements of the suit. They represent beginnings, action, new ideas, potential, and initiation. The Ace is individualistic, innovative, courageous, energetic and assertive. The Ace of Swords represents the Element of Air; mental force, truth, justice, fortitude. The Ace of Wands represents the Element of Fire; creative force, enthusiasm, confidence, courage. The Ace of Cups represents the Element of Water; emotional force, intuition, intimacy, love. The Ace of Pentacles represents the Element of Earth; material force, prosperity, practicality, trust.
Twos represent partnerships, relationships, balance of the beginning. The Two is sensitive, patient, adaptable, and understanding. They are the power of creation and the first action after the beginning. They represent the choices to be made. The Two of Swords represents blocked emotions, avoidance, stalemate. The Two of Wands represents personal power, boldness, originality. The Two of Cups represents connection, truce, attraction. The Two of Pentacles represents juggling, flexibility, fun.
Threes are the understanding of the task, and represent growth, expansion, and implementation. Threes are a synthesis - growth, collaboration, friendship, fun, emotional and/or social expression. Threes are fun and versatile, given to artistic expression. The Three of Swords represents heartbreak, loneliness, betrayal. The Three of Wands represents exploration, foresight, leadership. The Three of Cups represents exuberance, friendship, community. The Three of Pentacles represents teamwork, planning, competence.
The Fours are the foundation of action - structure, order, logic. They are practical, solid, and stable. Tangible achievement is coming into focus through hard work and determined effort. The Four of Swords represents rest, contemplation, quiet preparation. The Four of Wands represents celebration, freedom, excitement. The Four of Cups represents self-absorption, apathy, going within. The Four of Pentacles represents possessiveness, control, blocked change.
The Fives of the Minor Arcana are the equivalent of the Tower from the Major Arcana. Fives are motion, change, and destruction. It is indicative of a time for change, progress, challenge, instability, and courage. But Fives are adventurous, sensual, unpredictable, and restless. The Five of Swords represents self-interest, discord, open dishonor. The Five of Wands represents disagreement, competition, hassles. The Five of Cups represents loss, bereavement, regret. The Five of Pentacles represents hard times, ill health, rejection.
Sixes are consciousness and harmony, a balance and formation of certainties. Sixes are beauty, harmony, equilibrium, and contentment. The are also compassionate, caring, and supporting. The Six of Swords represents depression, recovery, travel. The Six of Wands represents triumph, acclaim, pride. The Six of Cups represents good will, innocence, childhood. The Six of Pentacles represents resources, knowledge, power.
Sevens are anarchy as well as creation. Goals are coming into focus as abilities are developed. Sevens are spirituality, wisdom, religion, magic, and perfect order. The Seven of Swords represents running away, independent loner, hidden dishonor. The Seven of Wands represents aggression, defiance, conviction. The Seven of Cups represents wishful thinking, options, dissipation. The Seven of Pentacles represents assessment, reward, direction change.
The Eights stand for logic and intellect. Eights are a time to set priorities, to reevaluate and get organized, and to plan for the long term as you move towards your goal. Eights still represent the struggle to achieve, but they represent strong values, judgment, and loyalty. In the end, victory will be achieved. The Eight of Swords represents restriction, confusion, powerlessness. The Eight of Wands represents quick action, conclusion, news. The Eight of Cups represents deeper meaning, moving on, weariness. The Eight of Pentacles represents diligence, knowledge, detail.
Nines are enlightenment, attainment, and achievement. They are the culmination of effort, integrating the actions into fulfillment of the goal. Nines are benevolent, thoughtful, emotional, tolerant, and kind. The Nine of Swords represents worry, guilt, anguish. The Nine of Wands represents defensiveness, perseverance, stamina. The Nine of Cups represents wish fulfillment, satisfaction, sensual pleasure. The Nine of Pentacles represents discipline, self-reliance, refinement.
Tens are the final achievement, reflective of the end of a cycle. Tens are a time of transition as you move to a new cycle. The Ten of Swords represents bottoming out, victim mentality, martyrdom. The Ten of Wands represents overextending, burdens, struggle. The Ten of Pentacles represents affluence, permanence, convention.
Pages are young children, playing with abandon for delight and pleasure. Pages represent adventure and possibilities. They can also clear the way for new paths to open. The Page of Swords represents using your mind, truth, justice, fortitude. The Page of Wands represents creativity, enthusiasm, courage, confidence. The Page of Pentacles represents having an effect, practicality, prosperity, trusting and trustworthy.
The Knight is the adolescent in the court cards. They represent challenge, energetic approaches, eagerness and sincerity. But the Knights swing about from one thing to another as they search for achievement. The Knight of Swords represents direct action, authority, incisiveness, knowledge, logic, as well as opinionated, overbearing, unfeeling. The Knight of Wands represents positive action, charm, self-confidence, daring, adventure, passion, as well as foolhardiness, restlessness, hot-tempered. The Knight of Cups represents romance, imagination, sensitivity, refinement, introspection, as well as temperamental, introverted, fanciful. The Knight of Pentacles represents unwavering loyalty, caution, thoroughness, realistic approaches, hard work, as well as stubbornness, pessimism, obsessive behavior.
The Queens represent the mature feminine qualities. Queens represent intuition, emotional approaches, completion of a relationship or project; also pregnancy. Queens are reflective of personal understanding about who and what you are on an emotional and spiritual level. The Queen of Swords represents honesty, astuteness, forthright approaches, wit, experience. The Queen of Wands represents attractiveness, wholehearted approaches, energy, cheerfulness, self-assurance. The Queen of Cups represents love, tenderheartedness, intuition, psychic ability, spiritualism. The Queen of Pentacles represents nurturance, bigheartedness, down to earth approaches, resourcefulness, trust.
The Kings represent the mature masculine qualities. Kings represent closure, completion, finality. Kings are reflective of authority, control and mastery. The King of Swords represents intellect, analytical approaches, articulation, justice, ethics and morals. The King of Wands represents creativity, inspiration forceful approaches, charisma, boldness. The King of Cups represents wisdom, calmness, diplomatic approaches, caring, tolerance. The King of Pentacles represents enterprising approaches, adeptness, reliability, support, steadiness.
Swords
Wands
Cups
Pentacles
- © 2001 Mother
