Rider-Waite

The Rider-Waite tarot deck is one of the most popular and widely used decks, known for its iconic imagery and straightforward symbolism. Created by Arthur Edward Waite and illustrated by Pamela Colman Smith, it’s ideal for beginners and experienced readers alike, offering clear interpretations that focus on traditional meanings and insights.

Major Arcana

The Magician

The Fool

  • Manifestation, resourcefulness, power, inspired action

  • Manipulation, deception, lack of focus, missed opportunities

  • Beginnings, freedom, adventure, innocence

  • Recklessness, hesitation, naivety, poor judgment

The Empress

High Priestess

  • Abundance, creativity, nurturing, growth

  • Neglect, creative blocks, dependence, lack of growth

  • Intuition, mystery, wisdom, spiritual insight

  • Secrets, disconnection, blocked intuition, hidden agendas

The Emperor

The Hierophant

  • Authority, stability, structure, leadership

  • Tyranny, rigidity, lack of discipline, loss of control

  • Tradition, spirituality, guidance, conformity

  • Rebellion, unconventionality, personal belief, misguidance

The Lovers

The Chariot

  • Love, harmony, alignment, choices

  • Disharmony, imbalance, misaligned values, difficult choices

  • Willpower, determination, success, control

  • Lack of direction, self-doubt, obstacles, loss of control

The Hermit

The Strength

  • Introspection, solitude, wisdom, spiritual guidance

  • Isolation, loneliness, withdrawal, missed insights

  • Courage, compassion, inner strength, resilience

  • Weakness, self-doubt, lack of control, fear

Justice

Wheel of Fortune

  • Fairness, truth, accountability, balance

  • Dishonesty, unfairness, lack of accountability, imbalance

  • Change, cycles, destiny, luck

  • Resistance to change, bad luck, stagnation, misfortune

Death

The Hanged Man

  • Transformation, endings, new beginnings, letting go

  • Resistance to change, stagnation, fear of endings, holding on

  • Surrender, perspective, letting go, spiritual growth

  • Stagnation, resistance, indecision, delays

The Devil

Temperance

  • Temptation, materialism, attachment, addiction

  • Freedom, detachment, breaking chains, empowerment

  • Balance, harmony, patience, moderation

  • Imbalance, excess, impatience, disharmony

The Star

The Tower

  • Hope, inspiration, renewal, faith

  • Despair, lack of faith, disconnection, imbalance

  • Upheaval, revelation, sudden change, transformation

  • Avoidance of change, fear of upheaval, lingering instability

The Sun

The Moon

  • Joy, success, vitality, positivity

  • Temporary setbacks, lack of clarity, unrealistic expectations

  • Illusion, intuition, mystery, subconscious

  • Confusion, fear, deception, clarity emerging

The World

Judgement

  • Completion, fulfillment, unity, accomplishment

  • Incompletion, delays, lack of closure, unfulfilled goals

  • Rebirth, awakening, accountability, transformation

  • Self-doubt, avoidance, fear of change, stagnation

The Wands

2 of Wands

Ace of Wands

  • Planning, decisions, foresight, expansion

  • Indecision, fear of change, lack of planning, delays

  • Inspiration, new beginnings, creativity, potential

  • Delays, lack of direction, creative blocks, missed opportunities

4 of Wands

3 of Wands

  • Celebration, stability, harmony, milestones

  • Tension, instability, incomplete success, lack of support

  • Expansion, progress, foresight, opportunities

  • Delays, lack of planning, missed opportunities, setbacks

6 of Wands

5 of Wands

  • Victory, recognition, success, triumph

  • Doubt, lack of recognition, setbacks, pride

  • Conflict, competition, disagreements, challenges

  • Resolution, cooperation, avoidance, inner conflict

8 of Wands

7 of Wands

  • Speed, progress, momentum, action

  • Delays, frustration, lack of direction, scattered energy

  • Perseverance, self-defense, standing your ground, resilience

  • Overwhelmed, defensiveness, giving up, lack of confidence

10 of Wands

9 of Wands

  • Responsibility, burden, hard work, achievement

  • Overwhelm, burnout, releasing burdens, lack of support

  • Resilience, perseverance, determination, protection

  • Exhaustion, defensiveness, hesitation, overwhelm

Knight of Wands

Page of Wands

  • Energy, passion, determination, adventure

  • Impulsiveness, recklessness, lack of direction, delays

  • Enthusiasm, curiosity, creativity, exploration

  • Lack of direction, impatience, setbacks, inexperience

King of Wands

Queen of Wands

  • Leadership, vision, boldness, inspiration

  • Impulsiveness, arrogance, lack of direction, overbearing nature

  • Confidence, determination, charisma, creativity

  • Insecurity, jealousy, manipulation, burnout

The Cups

2 of Cups

Ace of Cups

  • Harmony, partnership, mutual connection, balance

  • Imbalance, disharmony, broken communication, tension

  • Emotional fulfillment, new love, spiritual connection, creativity

  • Emotional blockages, repressed feelings, missed opportunities, lack of self-love

4 of Cups

3 of Cups

  • Contemplation, reevaluation, introspection, apathy

  • Acceptance, new opportunities, awareness, motivation

  • Celebration, friendship, community, joy

  • Overindulgence, gossip, isolation, imbalance

6 of Cups

5 of Cups

  • Nostalgia, childhood memories, kindness, innocence

  • Stuck in the past, unrealistic expectations, moving on, unresolved issues

  • Loss, disappointment, grief, regret

  • Acceptance, forgiveness, moving on, emotional healing

8 of Cups

7 of Cups

  • Letting go, self-discovery, emotional detachment, moving on

  • Fear of change, stagnation, avoidance, returning to the past

  • Choices, illusions, dreams, imagination

  • Clarity, focus, realistic decisions, grounded action

10 of Cups

9 of Cups

  • Harmony, fulfillment, happiness, family

  • Disconnection, unmet expectations, conflict, imbalance

  • Emotional satisfaction, contentment, gratitude, fulfillment

  • Overindulgence, dissatisfaction, unmet desires, arrogance

Knight of Cups

Page of Cups

  • Romance, creativity, emotional expression, following dreams

  • Overindulgence, moodiness, unrealistic expectations, escapism

  • Creativity, intuition, emotional openness, unexpected news

  • Emotional immaturity, insecurity, blocked creativity, unrealistic expectations

King of Cups

Queen of Cups

  • Emotional mastery, compassion, balance, calm authority

  • Emotional manipulation, moodiness, imbalance, suppressed feelings

  • Compassion, intuition, emotional depth, nurturing

  • Emotional insecurity, over-dependence, suppressed feelings, lack of boundaries

The Swords

2 of Swords

Ace of Swords

  • Indecision, balance, difficult choices, stalemate

  • Confusion, avoidance, emotional overwhelm, impulsive decisions

  • Clarity, truth, breakthroughs, decisive action

  • Confusion, misinformation, indecision, miscommunication

4 of Swords

3 of Swords

  • Rest, recovery, introspection, contemplation

  • Burnout, stagnation, restlessness, delayed healing

  • Heartbreak, sorrow, emotional pain, betrayal

  • Healing, forgiveness, acceptance, emotional recovery

6 of Swords

5 of Swords

  • Transition, healing, moving forward, recovery

  • Resistance to change, stagnation, unfinished business, emotional baggage

  • Conflict, tension, hollow victory, selfishness

  • Reconciliation, resolution, forgiveness, learning from conflict

8 of Swords

7 of Swords

  • Restriction, self-imposed limitations, fear, paralysis

  • Freedom, empowerment, new perspectives, overcoming fear

  • Deception, strategy, independence, resourcefulness

  • Coming clean, guilt, accountability, self-deception

10 of Swords

9 of Swords

  • Endings, betrayal, rock bottom, acceptance

  • Recovery, regeneration, resilience, new hope

  • Anxiety, fear, overthinking, mental anguish

  • Recovery, hope, release from worry, overcoming fear

Knight of Swords

Page of Swords

  • Ambition, determination, swift action, focus

  • Impulsiveness, recklessness, impatience, scattered energy

  • Curiosity, intellect, communication, new ideas

  • Gossip, impulsiveness, misinformation, lack of direction

King of Swords

Queen of Swords

  • Authority, intellect, truth, ethical leadership

  • Manipulation, abuse of power, lack of clarity, rigid thinking

  • Clarity, independence, truth, intellectual strength

  • Coldness, bitterness, overcritical thinking, isolation

The Pentacles

2 of Pentacles

Ace of Pentacles

  • Balance, adaptability, multitasking, flexibility

  • Overwhelm, imbalance, poor time management, financial strain

  • Prosperity, new beginnings, abundance, opportunities

  • Missed opportunities, financial insecurity, instability, delays

4 of Pentacles

3 of Pentacles

  • Security, stability, control, materialism

  • Greed, insecurity, financial instability, release

  • Collaboration, teamwork, skill mastery, shared goals

  • Lack of teamwork, poor planning, miscommunication, imbalance

6 of Pentacles

5 of Pentacles

  • Generosity, balance, charity, fairness

  • Strings attached, imbalance, selfishness, dependency

  • Hardship, financial struggles, isolation, resilience

  • Recovery, hope, resourcefulness, spiritual growth

8 of Pentacles

7 of Pentacles

  • Hard work, skill development, dedication, craftsmanship

  • Lack of focus, poor quality work, shortcuts, impatience

  • Patience, evaluation, investment, long-term success

  • Impatience, wasted effort, lack of progress, poor planning

10 of Pentacles

9 of Pentacles

  • Legacy, wealth, family, long-term stability

  • Financial loss, family conflict, instability, lack of planning

  • Independence, abundance, self-sufficiency, luxury

  • Financial dependence, setbacks, overindulgence, insecurity

Knight of Pentacles

Page of Pentacles

  • Diligence, responsibility, hard work, patience

  • Stagnation, laziness, lack of direction, overwork

  • Opportunity, ambition, learning, practicality

  • Lack of focus, procrastination, missed opportunities, immaturity

King of Pentacles

Queen of Pentacles

  • Wealth, stability, success, leadership

  • Greed, materialism, instability, overindulgence

  • Nurturing, practicality, abundance, financial security

  • Imbalance, neglect, financial insecurity, over-dependence