Guide
Tarot Card Meanings: A Guide to All 78 Cards
Von Seraphina
Ein Tarotdeck besteht aus 78 Karten: 22 Große Arkana und 56 Kleine Arkana, aufgeteilt in vier Farben. Die folgenden Bedeutungen folgen der weit verbreiteten Rider-Waite-Smith-Tradition. Sie beschreiben Symbolik, keine festen Vorhersagen. Die Bedeutung einer Karte verschiebt sich mit der Frage, ihrer Position in der Legung und den umliegenden Karten, und deine eigene Deutung des Bildes ist wichtig.
The Major Arcana
These 22 cards describe big life themes and turning points. When many appear in one reading, the matter tends to feel significant.
- 0 · The Fool
- UprightNew beginnings, trust, a leap into the unknown.
- UmgekehrtLeichtsinn, Zögern, Angst vor dem Anfang.
- I · Der Magier
- UprightSkill, focus, using what you already have.
- UmgekehrtZerstreute Energie, Manipulation, ungenutztes Talent.
- II · The High Priestess
- UprightIntuition, inner knowing, what is hidden.
- UmgekehrtIgnoring your instincts, secrets, confusion.
- III · The Empress
- UprightAbundance, nurture, creativity, comfort.
- UmgekehrtNeglecting yourself, dependence, creative block.
- IV · The Emperor
- UprightStructure, authority, stability, boundaries.
- UmgekehrtRigidity, control, lack of discipline.
- V · The Hierophant
- UprightTradition, Lehre, gemeinsame Überzeugungen, Mentoren.
- UmgekehrtQuestioning rules, rebellion, your own path.
- VI · Die Liebenden
- UprightLove, union, an important choice based on values.
- UmgekehrtImbalance, misalignment, a hard decision avoided.
- VII · The Chariot
- UprightWillpower, direction, moving forward.
- UmgekehrtLost direction, pulling in two ways.
- VIII · Die Kraft
- UprightCourage, patience, gentle inner strength.
- UmgekehrtSelf-doubt, low energy, losing your temper.
- IX · The Hermit
- UprightEinsamkeit, Besinnung, Blick nach innen.
- UmgekehrtIsolation, loneliness, avoiding reflection.
- X · Wheel of Fortune
- UprightZyklen, Wandel, Wendepunkte.
- UmgekehrtResisting change, a stuck or unlucky stretch.
- XI · Justice
- UprightFairness, truth, cause and effect.
- UmgekehrtUnfairness, avoiding accountability.
- XII · The Hanged Man
- UprightPause, surrender, seeing things differently.
- UmgekehrtStalling, needless sacrifice, impatience.
- XIII · Death
- UprightEndings, transformation, clearing space. Rarely literal.
- UmgekehrtSich einem Ende widersetzen, Stillstand.
- XIV · Die Mäßigkeit
- UprightBalance, moderation, patience, blending.
- UmgekehrtExcess, imbalance, haste.
- XV · The Devil
- UprightAttachment, temptation, unhealthy patterns.
- UmgekehrtBreaking free, release, facing a habit.
- XVI · The Tower
- UprightPlötzlicher Umbruch, enthüllte Wahrheit, Zusammenbruch des Falschen.
- UmgekehrtAvoiding disaster, fear of change.
- XVII · The Star
- UprightHope, healing, renewal, calm after a storm.
- UmgekehrtDiscouragement, lost faith.
- XVIII · Der Mond
- UprightUncertainty, dreams, illusion, the subconscious.
- UmgekehrtClarity returning, fears released.
- XIX · Die Sonne
- UprightJoy, success, warmth, vitality.
- UmgekehrtVorübergehende Traurigkeit, gedämpfter Optimismus.
- XX · Judgement
- UprightErwachen, Abrechnung, eine Berufung.
- UmgekehrtSelf-doubt, ignoring the call.
- XXI · The World
- UprightCompletion, wholeness, a cycle fulfilled.
- UmgekehrtUnfinished business, lack of closure.
The Minor Arcana: four suits
The 56 Minor Arcana cards cover everyday situations. Each suit has a subject; each number adds a stage of that story.
Stäbe
Feuer
Energy, passion, ambition, creativity and action.
Cups
Water
Gefühle, Liebe, Beziehungen und Intuition.
Swords
Air
Thought, truth, conflict, decisions and communication.
Pentacles
Erde
Money, work, the body, home and material security.
The Suit of Stäbe
- Ass der Stäbe
- UprightInspiration, ein Funke, ein neues Vorhaben.
- UmgekehrtDelays, low motivation, a false start.
- Two of Wands
- UprightPlanning, future vision, deciding where to go.
- UmgekehrtFear of the unknown, poor planning.
- Drei der Stäbe
- UprightExpansion, foresight, early progress.
- UmgekehrtSetbacks, frustration with slow results.
- Four of Wands
- UprightCelebration, home, community, a milestone.
- UmgekehrtTension at home, a celebration postponed.
- Five of Wands
- UprightCompetition, friction, clashing ideas.
- UmgekehrtAvoiding conflict, tension easing.
- Six of Wands
- UprightVictory, recognition, public success.
- UmgekehrtSelf-doubt, a fall from favour.
- Sieben der Stäbe
- UprightStanding your ground, defending a position.
- UmgekehrtFeeling overwhelmed, giving up the fight.
- Eight of Wands
- UprightSpeed, momentum, news arriving.
- UmgekehrtVerzögerungen, Hast, Dinge, die ins Stocken geraten.
- Nine of Wands
- UprightResilience, persistence, the last stretch.
- UmgekehrtExhaustion, defensiveness, near giving up.
- Zehn der Stäbe
- UprightBurden, responsibility, carrying too much.
- UmgekehrtPutting a load down, delegating.
- Bube der Stäbe
- UprightBegeisterung, Entdeckergeist, aufregende Neuigkeiten.
- UmgekehrtRestlessness, ideas without follow-through.
- Knight of Wands
- UprightAdventure, passion, bold action.
- UmgekehrtImpulsiveness, haste, scattered energy.
- Queen of Wands
- UprightConfidence, warmth, determination.
- UmgekehrtJealousy, insecurity, burnout.
- King of Wands
- UprightVision, leadership, taking charge.
- UmgekehrtArrogance, impatience, overreach.
The Suit of Cups
- Ace of Cups
- UprightNew love, emotional opening, compassion.
- UmgekehrtEmotional blocks, holding feelings in.
- Two of Cups
- UprightPartnership, mutual attraction, connection.
- UmgekehrtImbalance, a rift between two people.
- Three of Cups
- UprightFreundschaft, Feier, Gemeinschaft.
- UmgekehrtMaßlosigkeit, Klatsch, sich ausgeschlossen fühlen.
- Four of Cups
- UprightApathy, contemplation, missing an offer.
- UmgekehrtNew interest, accepting what is offered.
- Five of Cups
- UprightVerlust, Bedauern, Trauer um das Vergangene.
- UmgekehrtAcceptance, moving on, forgiveness.
- Six of Cups
- UprightNostalgia, childhood, innocence, old ties.
- UmgekehrtStuck in the past, ready to move forward.
- Seven of Cups
- UprightChoices, daydreams, many options.
- UmgekehrtClarity, making a choice, cutting illusion.
- Eight of Cups
- UprightWeggehen, nach etwas Tieferem suchen.
- UmgekehrtFear of leaving, drifting, returning.
- Nine of Cups
- UprightContentment, a wish fulfilled, satisfaction.
- UmgekehrtDissatisfaction, smugness, hollow wishes.
- Zehn der Kelche
- UprightHarmony, family, lasting happiness.
- UmgekehrtEntfremdung zu Hause, unerfüllte Ideale.
- Page of Cups
- UprightCreative or emotional messages, curiosity.
- UmgekehrtEmotional immaturity, creative block.
- Knight of Cups
- UprightRomantik, Charme, dem Herzen folgen.
- UmgekehrtMoodiness, unrealistic promises.
- Queen of Cups
- UprightCompassion, intuition, emotional care.
- UmgekehrtZu viel geben, emotionale Überforderung.
- King of Cups
- UprightEmotional balance, calm, diplomacy.
- UmgekehrtSuppressed feelings, manipulation, moodiness.
The Suit of Swords
- Ass der Schwerter
- UprightClarity, truth, a breakthrough idea.
- UmgekehrtConfusion, misinformation, harsh words.
- Two of Swords
- UprightStalemate, a hard choice, avoidance.
- UmgekehrtUnentschlossenheit löst sich, Informationsflut.
- Three of Swords
- UprightHeartbreak, grief, painful truth.
- UmgekehrtHealing, release, forgiveness.
- Vier der Schwerter
- UprightRest, recovery, contemplation.
- UmgekehrtRestlessness, burnout, returning to activity.
- Fünf der Schwerter
- UprightConflict, winning at a cost, defeat.
- UmgekehrtReconciliation, letting go of a fight.
- Six of Swords
- UprightTransition, moving on, calmer waters.
- UmgekehrtWiderstand gegen Veränderung, unerledigte Angelegenheiten.
- Sieben der Schwerter
- UprightStrategy, secrecy, getting away with something.
- UmgekehrtComing clean, a plan exposed.
- Acht der Schwerter
- UprightFeeling trapped, self-imposed limits.
- UmgekehrtRelease, new perspective, freedom.
- Nine of Swords
- UprightAnxiety, worry, sleepless nights.
- UmgekehrtHope returning, fears easing.
- Ten of Swords
- UprightEin schmerzhaftes Ende, der Tiefpunkt.
- UmgekehrtErholung, das Schlimmste ist vorbei.
- Page of Swords
- UprightCuriosity, new ideas, watchfulness.
- UmgekehrtGossip, scattered thinking, all talk.
- Ritter der Schwerter
- UprightAmbition, fast action, directness.
- UmgekehrtRecklessness, tactlessness, burnout.
- Queen of Swords
- UprightClear boundaries, honesty, independence.
- UmgekehrtColdness, bitterness, harsh judgement.
- King of Swords
- UprightIntellekt, Autorität, gerechtes Urteil.
- UmgekehrtMisused power, manipulation, rigidity.
The Suit of Pentacles
- Ace of Pentacles
- UprightA new financial or practical opportunity.
- UmgekehrtA missed chance, poor planning.
- Zwei der Münzen
- UprightJuggling priorities, adaptability.
- UmgekehrtOverwhelm, disorganisation.
- Drei der Münzen
- UprightTeamwork, skill, building something together.
- UmgekehrtPoor collaboration, lack of effort.
- Four of Pentacles
- UprightSaving, security, holding on.
- UmgekehrtGreed, or learning to loosen your grip.
- Fünf der Münzen
- UprightHardship, insecurity, feeling left out in the cold.
- UmgekehrtGenesung, Hilfe naht.
- Six of Pentacles
- UprightGroßzügigkeit, Geben und Nehmen, Gerechtigkeit.
- UmgekehrtStrings attached, one-sided giving.
- Seven of Pentacles
- UprightPatience, long-term investment, assessment.
- UmgekehrtImpatience, effort without reward.
- Eight of Pentacles
- UprightHandwerk, Fleiß, beständige Übung.
- UmgekehrtPerfectionism, lack of focus.
- Neun der Münzen
- UprightIndependence, comfort, self-reliance.
- UmgekehrtOverwork, financial dependence.
- Ten of Pentacles
- UprightLegacy, family wealth, long-term security.
- UmgekehrtFamily disputes, instability.
- Page of Pentacles
- UprightStudy, ambition, a practical new start.
- UmgekehrtProcrastination, lack of progress.
- Knight of Pentacles
- UprightHard work, routine, reliability.
- UmgekehrtBoredom, stubbornness, stagnation.
- Queen of Pentacles
- UprightNurturing, practical care, a warm home.
- UmgekehrtSelf-neglect, work-home imbalance.
- König der Münzen
- UprightAbundance, security, steady leadership.
- UmgekehrtMaterialismus, starrsinnige Kontrolle.
What the numbers mean
Verbinde eine Zahl mit ihrer Farbe. Die Fünf der Kelche etwa liest sich als emotionaler Verlust, die Zehn der Münzen als dauerhafte materielle Sicherheit.
- Ass: A seed or new opportunity in the suit's area.
- Two: Balance, partnership or a choice.
- Three: Growth, collaboration, first results.
- Four: Stabilität, Ruhe oder zu festes Festhalten.
- Fünf: Conflict, loss or challenge.
- Six: Wiederhergestellte Harmonie, Großzügigkeit, Weiterziehen.
- Seven: Bewertung, Durchhaltevermögen, Prüfung.
- Eight: Movement, effort, mastery or restriction.
- Nine: Kurz vor der Vollendung, Widerstandskraft, Erfüllung oder Sorge.
- Ten: Completion of the cycle, its full weight or reward.
The court cards
Court cards can describe a person in your life, a side of yourself, or an approach the situation calls for.
- Page: A student or messenger: curiosity, news, beginnings.
- Ritter: Handeln und Verfolgen, mitunter bis ins Extrem.
- Königin: Mature, inward mastery of the suit; nurturing.
- King: Äußere Meisterschaft der Farbe; Führung und Kontrolle.
About reversed cards
Some readers use reversals; many do not. When used, a reversed card usually suggests the energy is blocked, delayed, turned inward or overdone, rather than the simple opposite of the upright meaning.
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