Tarot & Readings
Minor Arcana Meanings — The Four Suits Made Simple
May 15, 2026 7 min read· Selena Moon
Key takeaways
- ★Wands = energy and ambition; Cups = feelings and relationships.
- ★Swords = thoughts and conflict; Pentacles = money, work and the body.
- ★Numbers 1–10 trace a mini-story within each suit.
- ★Court cards often represent people or aspects of yourself.
The Minor Arcana fill in the everyday detail of a reading through four suits and the court cards.
The four suits
- Wands — drive, creativity, ambition.
- Cups — love, emotion, intuition.
- Swords — thought, truth, conflict.
- Pentacles — money, work, health.
Numbers and court cards
Aces are beginnings, tens are completion, and court cards (Page → King) show people or stages of mastery. Pair this with the Major Arcana for the full picture.
Frequently asked questions
What do the four tarot suits mean?+
Wands = action/passion, Cups = emotions, Swords = thoughts/conflict, Pentacles = money and material life.
Are Minor Arcana less important?+
No — they describe the practical, day-to-day texture of a situation that the Major Arcana frame.
What do court cards mean?+
Pages, Knights, Queens and Kings usually represent people or personality energies in your situation.