Suites of the Tarot Cards - Graphics and Meanings

Swords

Swords are the cards of the mind, and of conflict. The sword cuts to the truth of a situation; usually drawing blood in the process.

Sword aligned people can be of great use in dire or extreme circumstances; they take a stand, and do not quit, and often test their considerable abilities (and 'IQ') usually very effectively as emergency workers, advocates and the like.

It is just not quite as welcome when they bring the same energy and total effort for a victory to every day matters, such as what to watch on the television, or who said what in an argument two weeks ago.

Elementally and astrologically, Swords is an 'Air' sign

Rods

A man of noble character. Honest, loyal conscientious and JUST. Generally married, often a countryman. Willing to help, perhaps financially. / Alternate: Unyielding in judgement. Strict but kind. Sometimes unpredicatable, A warm honorable woman devoted to family and loyal to her friends. May have some success in business. / Alternate: Practical and careful with money. Obliging. In some situations may become jealous, pushy or deceptive. Active young man, personally attractive and may create dissension in his wake. Travels a lot ( or yearns to do so. / Alternate: In some situations can cause conflict, perhaps by ill considered remarks. Young person, bearer of messages - an envoy,faithful lover or friend. / Alternate: Young person brining bad news. Sometimes indecisive.

Rods or wands are concerned with creation, energy, the human will and ideas

Fire can forge exquisite pottery or groundbreaking new technology and Wands people are the creative forces in our society, the people who ask 'why not?'. They work for the advancement of others in government or law - but not 'daily grind' work - it must be novel, challenging and hopefully with travel involved, so their strength of mind and will is challenged.

Because Fire can also burn you (I know, banal but true), and the energy of Wands people, unchannelled or untutored, can create mischief and disruption, as the Wands person seeks diversion and change in less productive ways.

Elementally and astrologically, wands are a 'fire' sign.

Cups

Represents a person of business, law or divinity, who is responsible, generous and considerate of others. Creative, but perhaps lacking persevearance. Negative A selfish, deceitful person, may indicate considerable loss. Beautiful, loving woman, practical yet also intuitive. HAppy marriage, good relationships. Wisdom and pleasure. /Alternate: In one way a good woman, but can be perverse, not to be trusted. An intelligent man, of high value, bearer of important messages. Can represent innovations, changes or beginnings and changes to newendeavours. Enthusiasm. / Alternate: Seducer, unworthy of trust. Examine all carefully. Thoughtful artistic young person, willing to help birth of some importance - child or new endeavour, news. / Alternate: Obstacles, delays, responsibility not assumed.

Cups are the suite of emotions, fulfillment, love, and matters of the heart.

Cups people care about others, finding happiness through helping others find it. Intuition is also a cups trait.; persevearance is not neccessarily a cups trait.

But when you get tired of caring, when it just is too much, then a cup person may get cynical or self centred, and rebellious.

Elementally and astrologically, cups are a 'water' sign.

Pentacles

A dark man of good intelligence and strong convictions who is a considerate and affectionate partner. May have a talent for mathematics or business. May be lonely. / Alternate: Can be corrupt; may have a tendency towards drunkenness, unfaithfulness, perv A dark loyal woman of generous and perspective spirit, a devoted wife. / Alternate: May tend to become distrustful, anxious . Responsible, patient hard working man. Values usefullness and the ability to serve./ Alternate: Can be prone to lethergy, idleness, carelessness, lack of interest Young person, serious, scholarly, hardworking, respects new ideas. / Alternate: Rebellious, prone to living the high life.

Coins or pentacles are concerned with practical, concrete things, and with the body.

People aligned with pentacles value and respect good hard work, and to some extent good hard cash. Doing one's work the best way possible, and providing a good home for one's family are high priorities.

Much of the actiities keeping our world going would suffer without pentacles people; but sometimes they can find it hard to remember just why all this work is needed. At the worst, the pure enjoyment of physical pleasure and possessions can dominate, or rebellion and lethargy.

Elementally and astrologically coins are an 'earthe' sign.

The Tarot - The Minor Suites

'Court Cards'

Note that each of the Tarot cards below can have two groups of meanings; broadly, I have labelled them regular and 'alternate'.

Swords