Tarot card keywords
Every card in the deck, upright and reversed, with the words readers most often reach for. Use it to jog a memory mid-reading or to find the card you half-remember.
78 cards
A keyword is a door, not a room. It is the shortest way back into a card you already know something about, and a poor substitute for the card itself — so every row links to the full meaning, which is where the card actually lives.
Major Arcana
| Card | Upright | Reversed |
|---|---|---|
| The Fool | New beginnings, Innocence, Spontaneity, Faith, Free spirit, Openness | Recklessness, Naivety, Hesitation, Poor planning, Fear of starting, Avoidance |
| The Magician | Manifestation, Willpower, Resourcefulness, Focus, Capability, Initiative | Manipulation, Untapped talent, Scattered effort, Self-doubt, Trickery, Poor planning |
| The High Priestess | Intuition, Inner knowing, Mystery, Stillness, The unconscious, Discretion | Ignored intuition, Secrets, Disconnection, Withholding, Confusion, Surface living |
| The Empress | Abundance, Creativity, Nurture, Fertility, Sensuality, Growth | Depletion, Smothering, Creative block, Neglect, Over-giving, Dependence |
| The Emperor | Authority, Structure, Boundaries, Discipline, Protection, Stability | Rigidity, Domination, Absent authority, Stubbornness, Chaos, Control |
| The Hierophant | Tradition, Mentorship, Institutions, Shared belief, Convention, Study | Dogma, Rebellion, Hollow ritual, Nonconformity, Lost faith, Personal path |
| The Lovers | Union, Choice, Alignment, Values, Attraction, Commitment | Misalignment, Avoided choice, Disharmony, Temptation, Imbalance, Second-guessing |
| The Chariot | Willpower, Determination, Victory, Momentum, Self-control, Direction | Loss of control, Scattered force, Aggression, Stalling, No direction, Burnout |
| Strength | Courage, Patience, Compassion, Inner strength, Self-mastery, Influence | Self-doubt, Force, Impatience, Suppression, Insecurity, Depletion |
| The Hermit | Solitude, Introspection, Guidance, Search for truth, Withdrawal, Discernment | Isolation, Loneliness, Avoidance, Refusing help, Lost, Over-thinking |
| Wheel of Fortune | Change, Cycles, Turning point, Fortune, Fate, Momentum | Bad timing, Resistance to change, Stagnation, Setback, Loss of control, Repetition |
| Justice | Fairness, Truth, Accountability, Cause and effect, Clarity, Law | Injustice, Evasion, Bias, Dishonesty, Unaccountability, Imbalance |
| The Hanged Man | Suspension, New perspective, Surrender, Waiting, Sacrifice, Letting go | Stalling, Martyrdom, Resistance, Wasted time, Indecision, Pointless sacrifice |
| Death | Endings, Transformation, Transition, Release, Change, Closure | Resistance, Clinging, Stagnation, Fear of change, Delayed ending, Incomplete closure |
| Temperance | Balance, Moderation, Patience, Integration, Healing, Synthesis | Excess, Imbalance, Impatience, Extremes, Discord, Overcorrection |
| The Devil | Attachment, Compulsion, Materialism, Dependency, Shadow, Entrapment | Release, Awareness, Breaking free, Detachment, Reclaiming power, Confronting denial |
| The Tower | Upheaval, Sudden change, Revelation, Collapse, Disruption, Truth | Averted disaster, Delayed collapse, Fear of change, Slow unravelling, Clinging, Resisted truth |
| The Star | Hope, Renewal, Serenity, Inspiration, Healing, Openness | Discouragement, Lost faith, Self-doubt, Disconnection, Cynicism, Depletion |
| The Moon | Illusion, Uncertainty, Anxiety, The unconscious, Dreams, Distortion | Clarity returning, Truth revealed, Confusion lifting, Released fear, Confronted illusion, Deception exposed |
| The Sun | Joy, Clarity, Success, Vitality, Confidence, Truth | Dimmed joy, Delayed success, Doubt, Burnout, Forced positivity, Clouded clarity |
| Judgement | Awakening, Reckoning, Calling, Absolution, Reflection, Rebirth | Self-criticism, Ignored calling, Avoidance, Harsh judgement, Doubt, Unfinished business |
| The World | Completion, Wholeness, Achievement, Integration, Fulfilment, Closure | Incompletion, Loose ends, Delayed closure, Shortcuts, Stagnation, Unfinished cycle |
Wands
| Card | Upright | Reversed |
|---|---|---|
| Ace of Wands | Impulse, Beginning, Energy, Inspiration, Potential, Drive | False start, Hesitation, Scattered, Delay, Fizzled, Held back |
| Two of Wands | Planning, Decision, Vision, Foresight, Ambition, Threshold | Hesitation, Playing safe, Overplanning, Fear of leaving, Delay, Narrow view |
| Three of Wands | Expansion, Waiting, Foresight, Commitment made, Progress, Wider horizon | Delay, Impatience, Doubt, Nothing returning, Short view, Second-guessing |
| Four of Wands | Celebration, Homecoming, Stability, Milestone, Welcome, Foundation | Transition, Unsettled, Postponed, Impermanence, Muted, Home unfinished |
| Five of Wands | Competition, Friction, Disagreement, Rivalry, Scattered effort, Testing | Avoidance, Resolution, Inner conflict, Withdrawal, Truce, Exhaustion |
| Six of Wands | Recognition, Victory, Confidence, Acclaim, Progress, Being seen | Unacknowledged, Self-doubt, Delayed credit, Ego, Private win, Falling short |
| Seven of Wands | Defence, Conviction, Standing firm, Challenge, Perseverance, Holding ground | Overwhelmed, Giving way, Defensiveness, Exhaustion, Doubt, Outnumbered |
| Eight of Wands | Speed, News, Momentum, Sudden movement, Messages, Alignment | Delay, Scattered, Rushed, Miscommunication, Stalling, Too fast |
| Nine of Wands | Resilience, Wariness, Persistence, Nearly there, Guarded, Battle-worn | Exhaustion, Paranoia, Giving up, Walls, Refusing help, Depleted |
| Ten of Wands | Burden, Overload, Responsibility, Nearly home, Hard work, Too much | Delegation, Release, Collapse, Letting go, Refusing to share, Breaking point |
| Page of Wands | Enthusiasm, Discovery, Free spirit, A message, Beginning, Boldness | Scattered, Impatience, Unfinished, Bad news, All talk, Hesitation |
| Knight of Wands | Passion, Action, Adventure, Impulse, Charisma, Momentum | Recklessness, Burnout, Frustration, Half-finished, Volatility, Delay |
| Queen of Wands | Confidence, Warmth, Presence, Independence, Charisma, Courage | Insecurity, Jealousy, Demanding, Withdrawn, Self-doubt, Overbearing |
| King of Wands | Leadership, Vision, Authority, Boldness, Direction, Conviction | Domineering, Impulsive, Arrogance, Ineffectual, Tyranny, Grandiosity |
Cups
| Card | Upright | Reversed |
|---|---|---|
| Ace of Cups | New feeling, Openness, Receptivity, Offering, Beginning, Overflow | Blocked feeling, Deflection, Held back, Emptied, Self-protection, Unspoken |
| Two of Cups | Mutuality, Partnership, Attraction, Agreement, Equality, Meeting | Imbalance, One-sidedness, Withdrawal, Misread signals, Tension, Distance |
| Three of Cups | Friendship, Celebration, Community, Relief, Belonging, Shared joy | Overindulgence, Crowded out, Gossip, Third party, Withdrawal, Performing |
| Four of Cups | Discontent, Apathy, Withdrawal, Boredom, Reappraisal, Missed offer | Noticing, Re-engagement, Acceptance, Curiosity returning, Restlessness, Moving on |
| Five of Cups | Grief, Regret, Loss, Mourning, Disappointment, Focus on what is gone | Turning round, Acceptance, Recovery, Forgiveness, Moving on, Stuck in it |
| Six of Cups | Nostalgia, Memory, Innocence, Kindness, Childhood, Reunion | Living in the past, Idealising, Stuck, Letting go, Growing up, Return refused |
| Seven of Cups | Options, Fantasy, Illusion, Daydreaming, Indecision, Wishful thinking | Clarity, Choosing, Reality check, Focus, Disillusion, Commitment |
| Eight of Cups | Departure, Walking away, Search, Withdrawal, Enough, Moving on | Staying, Return, Drifting, Fear of leaving, Second thoughts, Aimlessness |
| Nine of Cups | Satisfaction, Contentment, Wish granted, Comfort, Pleasure, Enough | Smugness, Hollow win, Overindulgence, Wanting more, Dissatisfaction, Wrong wish |
| Ten of Cups | Harmony, Family, Belonging, Shared happiness, Home, Fulfilment | Appearances, Strain, Disconnection, Idealised, Unmet expectation, Distance |
| Page of Cups | Openness, Surprise, Sensitivity, A message, Beginnings, Playfulness | Immaturity, Moodiness, Ignored feeling, Escapism, Oversensitivity, Bad timing |
| Knight of Cups | Romance, Pursuit, Sincerity, Invitation, Idealism, Following feeling | Restlessness, Unreliability, Moodiness, Empty gesture, Avoidance, All talk |
| Queen of Cups | Empathy, Intuition, Compassion, Emotional depth, Holding, Attunement | Absorbed, Overwhelmed, Boundaryless, Withdrawn, Martyrdom, Numb |
| King of Cups | Composure, Diplomacy, Emotional maturity, Steadiness, Counsel, Restraint | Suppression, Coldness, Manipulation, Volatility, Detachment, Bottled up |
Swords
| Card | Upright | Reversed |
|---|---|---|
| Ace of Swords | Clarity, Truth, Breakthrough, Decision, Insight, A clean cut | Confusion, Harshness, Misuse, Cruelty, Muddle, Truth as a weapon |
| Two of Swords | Stalemate, Avoidance, Difficult choice, Truce, Blocked feeling, Denial | Decision, Information, Release, Overwhelm, Blindfold off, Taking a side |
| Three of Swords | Heartbreak, Grief, Painful truth, Separation, Rupture, Sorrow | Recovery, Release, Held grief, Forgiveness, Reopening, Slow healing |
| Four of Swords | Rest, Retreat, Recovery, Stillness, Contemplation, Convalescence | Restlessness, Burnout, Re-entry, Stagnation, Refusing rest, Waking up |
| Five of Swords | Hollow victory, Conflict, Defeat, Self-interest, Dishonour, Winning badly | Reconciliation, Amends, Letting go, Lingering resentment, Withdrawal, Truce |
| Six of Swords | Transition, Passage, Leaving, Gradual recovery, Calmer water, Moving on | Stuck, Return, Unfinished, Resistance, Delayed departure, Carrying it back |
| Seven of Swords | Stealth, Strategy, Deception, Acting alone, Getting away with it, Cunning | Exposure, Confession, Return, Self-deception, Coming clean, Caught |
| Eight of Swords | Restriction, Powerlessness, Self-imposed limits, Trapped, Fear, No options | Release, Perspective, Freedom, Deeper entrapment, Trying, The blindfold off |
| Nine of Swords | Anxiety, Nightmares, Anguish, Guilt, Sleeplessness, Dread | Relief, Daylight, Speaking it, Despair deepening, Recovery, Help |
| Ten of Swords | Ending, Rock bottom, Ruin, Betrayal, Finality, Collapse | Recovery, Survival, Getting up, Prolonged ending, Relief, Slow rise |
| Page of Swords | Curiosity, Vigilance, New ideas, Questions, Alertness, Learning | Gossip, Suspicion, Scattered, Sharp tongue, Caught out, Cynicism |
| Knight of Swords | Directness, Speed, Conviction, Courage, Argument, Decisive action | Recklessness, Aggression, Scattered force, Burnout, Bluster, Stalling |
| Queen of Swords | Clarity, Honesty, Independence, Discernment, Boundaries, Hard-won wisdom | Coldness, Bitterness, Cutting, Isolation, Cynicism, Guardedness |
| King of Swords | Authority, Judgement, Intellect, Ethics, Clarity, Law | Coldness, Abuse of power, Rigidity, Manipulation, Harshness, Rationalising |
Pentacles
| Card | Upright | Reversed |
|---|---|---|
| Ace of Pentacles | Opportunity, Prosperity, New venture, Material beginning, Security, Manifestation | Missed chance, Insecurity, Bad investment, Delay, Greed, Poor planning |
| Two of Pentacles | Balance, Juggling, Adaptability, Priorities, Flexibility, Time management | Overwhelm, Dropped ball, Disorganisation, Overcommitment, Imbalance, Rigidity |
| Three of Pentacles | Craftsmanship, Collaboration, Recognition, Skill, Teamwork, Competence | Mediocrity, Working alone, Ignored, Poor quality, Friction, Undervalued |
| Four of Pentacles | Security, Saving, Control, Holding on, Conservation, Boundaries | Letting go, Generosity, Loss, Release, Spending, Loosening |
| Five of Pentacles | Hardship, Exclusion, Loss, Isolation, Poverty, Being left out | Recovery, Help accepted, Coming inside, Persistent lack, Reconnection, Asking |
| Six of Pentacles | Generosity, Charity, Giving, Receiving, Fairness, Support | Strings attached, Debt, Inequality, Power imbalance, One-sided, Refusing help |
| Seven of Pentacles | Patience, Assessment, Long-term view, Investment, Perseverance, Waiting on growth | Impatience, Sunk cost, Poor return, Giving up, Wasted effort, Rushing |
| Eight of Pentacles | Diligence, Practice, Craft, Apprenticeship, Focus, Repetition | Perfectionism, Drudgery, Cutting corners, Boredom, Misdirected effort, Burnout |
| Nine of Pentacles | Independence, Self-sufficiency, Refinement, Earned comfort, Discipline, Solitude | Dependence, Loneliness, Overwork, Show, Insecurity, Hollow success |
| Ten of Pentacles | Legacy, Family, Lasting wealth, Inheritance, Home, Establishment | Family conflict, Instability, Lost legacy, Debt, Breaking away, Short-termism |
| Page of Pentacles | Study, Diligence, New skill, Focus, Practicality, Beginning | Procrastination, Distraction, Impracticality, Unfinished study, Short-termism, Daydreaming |
| Knight of Pentacles | Reliability, Patience, Routine, Thoroughness, Persistence, Duty | Stagnation, Stubbornness, Boredom, Inertia, Perfectionism, Rut |
| Queen of Pentacles | Nurturing, Practicality, Abundance, Resourcefulness, Generosity, Groundedness | Self-neglect, Smothering, Overwork, Insecurity, Martyrdom, Depletion |
| King of Pentacles | Prosperity, Stewardship, Reliability, Enterprise, Security, Mastery | Greed, Materialism, Rigidity, Corruption, Overcontrol, Status |