Keywords for Your (Tarot) Cards

Here is a list of commonly accepted keywords for the upright meanings of the 78 cards in the Rider-Waite-Smith (RWS) Tarot system.

Major Arcana Keywords (The Fool’s Journey)

The Major Arcana represent life’s major lessons, archetypes, and spiritual themes.

Card	Keywords
0 – The Fool	Beginnings, innocence, spontaneity, free spirit, a leap of faith
I – The Magician	Manifestation, resourcefulness, power, inspired action, skill
II – The High Priestess	Intuition, mystery, subconscious, inner voice, sacred knowledge
III – The Empress	Fertility, abundance, nurturing, mothering, creativity, nature
IV – The Emperor	Authority, structure, control, father figure, stability, power
V – The Hierophant	Tradition, conformity, spiritual guidance, institutions, learning, wisdom
VI – The Lovers	Choice, union, relationships, alignment of values, harmony
VII – The Chariot	Willpower, determination, victory, self-control, ambition, focused effort
VIII – Strength	Inner strength, courage, compassion, gentle persuasion, self-mastery
IX – The Hermit	Solitude, introspection, soul-searching, guidance, wisdom, retreat
X – Wheel of Fortune	Cycles, destiny, change, turning point, luck, opportunity
XI – Justice	Fairness, truth, law, consequence, objectivity, accountability
XII – The Hanged Man	Suspension, letting go, new perspective, sacrifice, surrender
XIII – Death	Endings, transformation, transition, clearance, inevitable change
XIV – Temperance	Balance, harmony, moderation, patience, blending, synergy
XV – The Devil	Bondage, addiction, materialism, obsession, shadow self
XVI – The Tower	Sudden change, disruption, revelation, collapse, upheaval, release
XVII – The Star	Hope, inspiration, healing, serenity, spiritual connection
XVIII – The Moon	Illusion, intuition, subconscious, fear, dreams, uncertainty
XIX – The Sun	Success, joy, vitality, truth, optimism, warmth, clarity
XX – Judgment	Calling, absolution, awakening, inner critique, evaluation
XXI – The World	Completion, achievement, integration, travel, fulfillment

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Minor Arcana Keywords

The Minor Arcana reflect the day-to-day events, practical matters, and immediate feelings in life.

Suit of Wands (Fire Element: Action, Inspiration, Energy)

Card	Keywords
Ace of Wands	Inspiration, new idea, desire, creative spark, potential
Two of Wands	Planning, future decisions, personal power, discovery
Three of Wands	Expansion, foresight, waiting for ships to come in, teamwork
Four of Wands	Celebration, home, harmony, community, stability, security
Five of Wands	Competition, minor conflict, playful rivalry, striving
Six of Wands	Victory, success, public recognition, self-confidence
Seven of Wands	Defense, perseverance, holding your ground, defiance
Eight of Wands	Rapid action, movement, quick decisions, progress, communication
Nine of Wands	Resilience, defense, strength in reserve, boundary setting
Ten of Wands	Burden, responsibility, heavy load, obligation, duty
Page of Wands	Enthusiasm, exploration, new energy, messenger, inspired child
Knight of Wands	Action-oriented, passionate, impulsive, adventure, travel
Queen of Wands	Courageous, charismatic, warm, determined, creative inspiration
King of Wands	Visionary, natural leader, confident, honorable, entrepreneurial

Suit of Cups (Water Element: Emotions, Relationships, Intuition)

Card	Keywords
Ace of Cups	New emotion, love, compassion, spiritual awareness, overflow
Two of Cups	Partnership, harmony, mutual love, connection, attraction
Three of Cups	Celebration, community, friendship, happy gathering, success
Four of Cups	Apathy, contemplation, discontent, missed opportunities
Five of Cups	Loss, grief, regret, disappointment, focusing on what’s gone
Six of Cups	Nostalgia, childhood, innocence, good memories, giving/receiving
Seven of Cups	Choice, illusion, wishful thinking, overwhelming options
Eight of Cups	Leaving, walking away, searching for deeper meaning, moving on
Nine of Cups	Wish fulfillment, satisfaction, material comfort, contentment
Ten of Cups	Joy, emotional fulfillment, happy family, domestic bliss
Page of Cups	Intuitive, artistic, sensitive, imagination, emotional news
Knight of Cups	Romance, proposal, charm, emotional offer, idealism
Queen of Cups	Compassionate, intuitive, emotional security, healer, loving
King of Cups	Emotional balance, diplomacy, calm, generous, maturity

Suit of Swords (Air Element: Intellect, Truth, Conflict)

Card	Keywords
Ace of Swords	Clarity, truth, sharp mind, mental breakthrough, cutting through confusion
Two of Swords	Indecision, stalemate, blocked emotions, uneasy truce, avoidance
Three of Swords	Heartbreak, separation, sorrow, rejection, emotional pain
Four of Swords	Rest, recuperation, healing, solitude, meditation, planning
Five of Swords	Conflict, dishonor, loss, self-interest, pyrrhic victory
Six of Swords	Transition, passage, moving away from difficulty, relief
Seven of Swords	Deception, sneakiness, getting away with it, cunning, avoidance
Eight of Swords	Restriction, self-imposed limitation, feeling trapped, negative thoughts
Nine of Swords	Worry, anxiety, nightmare, despair, fear, mental distress
Ten of Swords	Finality, rock bottom, unavoidable end, complete loss, hitting a low
Page of Swords	Curiosity, alertness, mental energy, truthful, gossipy
Knight of Swords	Ambitious, driven, aggressive, haste, action, intellectual intensity
Queen of Swords	Independent, sharp wit, honest, clear-minded, perceptive
King of Swords	Intellectual power, authority, truth, judgment, justice, discipline

Suit of Pentacles (Earth Element: Material, Security, Practicality)

Card	Keywords
Ace of Pentacles	Opportunity, material gain, prosperity, new job, security
Two of Pentacles	Balance, juggling resources, prioritization, adaptability
Three of Pentacles	Teamwork, collaboration, mastery, quality work, learning
Four of Pentacles	Possessiveness, control, saving, stability, material focus
Five of Pentacles	Financial loss, poverty, exclusion, hard times, destitution
Six of Pentacles	Giving and receiving, charity, financial equality, generosity
Seven of Pentacles	Investment, patience, careful evaluation, waiting for results
Eight of Pentacles	Diligence, skill, dedication, craftsmanship, focused effort
Nine of Pentacles	Luxury, self-sufficiency, financial independence, abundance
Ten of Pentacles	Wealth, legacy, family matters, tradition, permanence, inheritance
Page of Pentacles	New opportunities, student, good news, financial start, ambition
Knight of Pentacles	Reliable, practical, routine, patient, cautious, slow and steady
Queen of Pentacles	Nurturing, practical, financially secure, domestic contentment
King of Pentacles	Abundance, business success, security, earthly power, provider