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THE MINOR ARCANA
The Minor or Lesser Arcana consists of 56 cards, which represent the mundane events in our lives. This section is divided into four suits: wands, pentacles (or coins), cups, and swords: Within each suit, there are cards numbered Ace through 10, and court cards, which are divided into pages, knights, queens, and kings.
When the
cards are drawn before a reading, some may be drawn in the reversed (upside
down) position. This does not necessarily mean that the card's message is
negative...it depends on the card, and how it falls within the grouping of the
other cards...so don't be alarmed if you draw a card in the reversed position!
WANDS
This is a creative suit dealing with thoughts, ideas, inspiration, and motivation.
Ace: new ideas; beginnings; creativity
reversed: cancelled plans; delayed start
2. communicating ideas well with others; creative partnership
reversed: block in communication; creative differences
3. negotiations; creative flow
reversed: setbacks; creative block
4. marriage; partnership; success
reversed: dissolved partnerships; delay in plans
5. struggle; competition
reversed: peace; end of turmoil
6. completion; success; victory
reversed: disappointment; frustration
7. standing firm; position of advantage
reversed: losing ground; feeling threatened; doubt
8. good news; travel; reaching goals
reversed: delay in travel; delay in reaching goals
9. waiting; preparation
reversed: impatience; lack of preparation
10. pressure; responsibility; burden
reversed: unburdening; relief of pressure
Page: young person; enthusiasm; good news
reversed: bad news; insincerity; gossip
Knight: young man, friendly and energetic
reversed: young man lacking patience; conflict
Queen: kind woman; patience; spirituality
reversed: strict and controlling woman
King: sincere man; fairness; spiritual strength
reversed: man who is critical; opposition; conflict
PENTACLES
This is a financial suit dealing with money, material possessions, work, and profits & losses. In some decks, the suit is pictured as COINS or DISKS.
Ace: new financial venture; success in financial matters
reversed: greed; financial problems
2. juggling finances; partnership
reversed: imbalance
3. security; use of talents
reversed: insecurity; not living up to potential
4. sense of identity
delays in financial matters; insecurity; fear of poverty
5. unemployment; uncertainty about career
reversed: steady work; steady money flow
6. prosperity; comfort; monetary support
reversed: withdrawal of support; greed; mishandling of money
7. financial success; unexpected money
reversed: unexpected expense; financial anxiety
8. learning a new skill; going to school
reversed: losing interest in a skill; lack of ambition
9. accomplishment; security; fulfillment
reversed: poor judgment; dishonesty
10. increased income; security; unity of family
reversed: money loss; family problems
Page: serious minded youth; news; information; advice
reversed: self indulgent youth; bad news; loss of money
Knight: hardworking man; working toward material goals
reversed: overly critical man; discouragement
Queen: strong perceptive woman; practical; organized; material security
reversed: insecure woman; anxiety; misfortune
King: business man; reliability; material success
reversed: corrupt man; unfaithful; materialistic; unreliable
CUPS
This is an emotional suit dealing with intuition, fears of the heart, and psychic sense.
Ace: beginning of a relationship
reversed: loneliness; problem in relationship
2. partnership; deep friendship
reversed: misunderstanding; problem in friendship
3. parties; family gatherings; celebrations
reversed: sex without love; excessive drinking
4. lack of fulfillment; dissatisfaction; boredom
reversed: satisfaction; renewed interest
5. disappointment; sense of loss
reversed: new understanding; appreciation
6. memories; return of a lover of friend
reversed: living in the past; outgrowing a past lover or friend
7. fantasy; daydreams; scattered energies
reversed: realistic focus; directed energy
8. loneliness; emotional withdrawal
reversed: pursuit of goals
9. happiness; fulfillment of a dream
reversed: mistake in plans; delay in fulfillment of a dream
10. joy; contentment; family success; mutual love
reversed: conflict at home or in relationships; unrequited love
Page: young person; correspondence or invitation
reversed: immature person; missed opportunity
Knight: intelligent young man; an invitation
reversed: insincere man; person with emotional problems
Queen: highly intuitive woman; devoted wife and mother
reversed: superficial or gullible woman
King: family man; sound advice
reversed: misuse of power; over-protective; smothering
SWORDS
This is a mental energy suit dealing with conflict, stress, intelligence, and courage.
Ace: courage; strength; action; determination
reversed: excessive force; extremes
2. indecisiveness; stalemate
reversed: time to act; end of stalemate
3. heartbreak; division; emotional upheaval
'reversed: recovery from emotionally painful relationship
4. recuperation; retreat from stress
reversed: seeking guidance
5. betrayal; gossip; lack of forgiveness
reversed: forgiveness, regret; triumph over gossip
6. assistance; resolution of a problem; travel
reversed: problem with no apparent solution; postponed travel
7. victimization; mistrust; bad luck
reversed: triumph after loss; return of stolen property
8. bound; trapped; restricted; controlled; dominated
reversed: freedom; overcoming restriction
9. grief; worry; anxiety; depression; ill health
reversed: resolution; release of tension and worry
10. defeat; trouble; sudden misfortune
reversed: end of suffering; recovery
Page: upsetting communication; person engaged in secret activities
reversed: unforeseen problems; youth causing a disturbance
Knight: conflict; destruction; young man of action
reversed: strife; destruction; arrogant young man
Queen: strong-willed woman; independent woman
reversed: shallow-minded woman; intolerant woman; malice
King: brilliant older man; sound advice
reversed: harshness; brutality; violence
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