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These are the standard Rider-Waite keyword tarot interpretations based on the art of Pamela Coleman Smith. These keywords can be found in the companion book that accompanies the deck. These are not the be all / end all interpretations of tarot. They are used as a general guide of the cards meanings, but the tarot often speaks to each of us in its own voice.

Tarot Major Arcana

0 - The Fool

Folly, mania, extravagance, intoxication, delirium, frenzy, bewrayment.
Reversed: Negligence, absence, distribution, carelessness, apathy, nullity, vanity.

I - The Magician

Skill, diplomacy, address, sickness, pain, loss, disaster, self-confidence, will, the Querent himself (if male).
Reversed: Physician, Magus, mental illness, disgrace, disquiet.

II - The High Priestess

Secrets, mystery, the future as yet unrevealed, the woman who interests the Querent (if male); the Querent (if female) silence, tenacity; wisdom, science.
Reversed: Passion, moral or physical ardor, conceit, surface knowledge.

III - The Empress

Fruitfulness, initiative, action, long days, clandestine, the unknown, difficulty, doubt, ignorance.
Reversed: Light, truth, the unraveling of involved matters, public rejoice, also, according to another reading—vacillation.

IV - The Emperor

Stability, power, aid, protection, a great person, conviction, reason.
Reversed: Benevolence, compassion, credit, also confusion to enemies, obstruction, immaturity.

V - The Heirophant

Marriage alliance,captivity, servitude, mercy and goodness, inspiration, the man to whom the Querent has recourse.
Reversed: Society, good understanding, concord, over-kindness, weakness.

VI - The Lovers

Attraction, love, beauty, trials overcome.
Reversed: Failure, foolish designs.

VII - The Chariot

Succor, providence, also war, triumph, presumption, ven-geance, trouble.
Reversed: Riot, quarrel, dispute, litigation, defeat.

VIII - Strength

Power, energy, action, courage, magnanimity.
Reversed: Abuse of power, despotism, weakness, discord.

IX - The Hermit

Prudence, also and especially treason, dissimulation, corruption, roguery.
Reversed: Concealment, disguise, policy, fear, unreasoned caution.

X - The Wheel of Fortune

Destiny, fortune, success, luck, felicity.
Reversed: Increase, abundance, superfluity.

XI - Justice

Equity, rightness, probity, executive.
Reversed: Law in all departments, bigotry, bias, excessive severity.

XII - The Hanged Man

Wisdom, trials, circumspection, discernment, sacrifice, intuition, divination, prophecy.
Reversed: Selfishness, the crowd, body politic.

XIII - Death

End, mortality, destruction, corruption.
Reversed: Inertia, sleep, lethargy, petrifaction, somnambulism.

XIV - Temperance

Economy, moderation, frugality, management, accommodation.
Reversed: Things connected with churches, religions, sects, the priesthood, also unfortunate combinations, disunion, competing interests.

XV - The Devil

Ravage, violence, force, vehemence, extraordinary efforts, fatality, that which is predestined but not for this reason evil.
Reversed: Evil fatality, weakness, pettiness, blindness.

XVI - The Tower

Misery, distress, ruin, indigence, adversity, calamity, disgrace, deception.
Reversed: According to one account, the same in a lesser degree, also oppression, imprisonment, tyranny.

XVII - The Star

Loss, theft, privation, abandonment, although another reading suggests hope and bright prospects in the future.
Reversed: Arrogance, impotence, haughtiness.

XVIII - The Moon

Hidden enemies, danger, calumny, darkness, terror, deception, error.
Reversed: Instability, inconstancy, silence, lesser degrees of deception and error.

XIX - The Sun

Material happiness, fortunate marriage, contentment.
Reversed: The same in a lesser sense.

XX - Judgement

Change of position, renewal, outcome.
Reversed: Weakness, pusillanimity, simplicity, also deliberation, decision, sentence.

XXI - The World

Assured success, route, voyage, emigration, flight, change of place.
Reversed: Inertia, fixity, stagnation, permanence.

Tarot Minor Arcana

Cups

Ace of Cups

True heart, joy, contentment, abode, nourishment, abundance, fertility, holy table, felicity.
Reversed: False heart, mutation, instability, revolution.

II of Cups

Love, passion, friendship, affinity, union, concord, sexual relations. That which nature has santified.
Reversed: False love, folly, misunderstanding.

III of Cups

The conclusion of any matter. Plenty, perfection, merriment, happiness, victory, fulfillment, solace, healing.
Reversed:Expedition, dispatch, achievement, end.

IV of Cups

Weariness, disgust, aversion, imaginary vexations—as if the wine of this world had caused satiety only. Another cup of wine, as if a fairy gift, is now offered him, but he sees no consolation therein. This is also a card of blended pleasure.
Reversed: Novelty, omen, new instructions, new relations.

V of Cups

It is a card of loss, but something remains; three have been taken, but two are left. It is a card of inheritance, transmission, and patrimony. It may be a card of marriage, but not without bitterness or frustration.
Reversed: News, alliances, affinity, ancestry, return, false projects.

VI of Cups

A card of memories and of the past. For example, reflecting on childhood, happiness, enjoyment, but coming rather from the past, things that have vanished. Another reading reverses this, suggesting new relations, new environment and new knowledge.
Reversed: Renewal, the future, that which will come to pass presently.

VII of Cups

Fairy favors, images of reflection, imagination, sentiment, things seen in the glass of contemplation, some attainment in these degrees but nothing permanent or substantial is suggested.
Reversed: Desire, will, determination, project.

VIII of Cups

The card speaks for itself on the surface, but other readings are entirely antithetical—giving joy, mildness, timidity, honor, modesty.
Reversed: Great joy, happiness, feasting.

IX of Cups

Concord, contentment, physical bien-être; also victory, success, advantage, satisfaction for the Querent or person for whom the consultation is made.
Reversed: Truth, loyalty, liberty. But the readings vary and include mistakes, imperfections, etc.

X of Cups

Contentment, repose of the entire heart—the perfection of that state, if with several picture cards, a person who is taking charge of the Querent’s interests. Also the town, village or country inhabited by the Querent.
Reversed: Repose of the false heart, indignation, violence.

Page of Cups

Fair young man, one impelled to render service and with whom the Querent will be connected, a studious youth, news, message, application, reflection, meditation—also these things directed to business.
Reversed: Taste, inclination, attachment, seduction, deception, artifice.

Knight of Cups

Arrival, approach—sometimes that of a messenger, advances, proposition, demeanor, invitation, incitement.
Reversed: Trickery, artifice, subtlety, swindling, duplicity, fraud.

Queen of Cups

Good, fair woman, honest, devoted, who will do service to the Querent. Loving intelligence, and hence the gift of vision, success, happiness, pleasure, also wisdom, virtue.
Reversed: The accounts vary; good woman, otherwise, distinguished woman but one not to be trusted, perverse woman, vice, dishonor, depravity.

King of Cups

Fair man, man of business, law, or divinity, responsible, disposed to oblige the Querent. Also equity, art and science, including those who profess science, law and art, creative intelligence.
Reversed: Dishonest, double-dealing man, roguery, exaction, injustice, vice, scandal.

Wands

Ace of Wands

Creation, invention, enterprise, the powers which result in these, principle, beginning, source, birth, family, origin, the beginning of enterprises, according to another account—money, fortune, inheritance.
Reversed: Fall, decadence, ruin, perdition, to perish, also—clouded joy.

II of Wands

Between the alternative readings there is no marriage possible, on the one hand, riches, fortune, magnificence. And on the other, physical suffering, disease, chagrin, sadness, mortification. The design gives one suggestion— here is a lord overlooking his dominion and alternately contemplating a globe. It looks like the malady, the mortification, the sadness of Alexander amidst the grandeur of this world’s wealth.
Reversed: Surprise, wonder, enchantment, emotion, trouble, fear.

III of Wands

He symbolizes established strength, enterprise, effort, trade, discovery, commerce; those are his ships, bearing his merchandise, which are sailing over the sea.
Reversed: The end of troubles, suspension or end of adversity, disappointment, and toil.

IV of Wands

They are for once almost on the surface—country life, repose, concord, harmony, prosperity, peace, and the perfected work of these.
Reversed:The meaning remains unaltered—increase, felicity, beauty, embellishment.

V of Wands

Imitation, for example, sham fight, the strenuous competition and struggle of the search after riches and fortune. Hence some attributions say that it is a card of gold, gain, opulence.
Reversed: Trickery,Contradiction, litigation, disputes.

VI of Wands

The card has been so designed that it can cover several significations. On the surface, it is a victor triumphing, but it is also great news, such as might be carried in state by the King’s courier. It is expectation crowned with its own desire, the crown of hope.
Reversed: Apprehension, fear—as of a victorious enemy at the gate, treachery, disloyalty, as of gates being opened to the enemy.

VII of Wands

It is a card of valor, for on the surface, six are attacking one, who has, however, the vantage position. On the intellectual plane, it signifies discussion, wordy strife, in business—negotiations, war of trade, barter, competition. It is further a card of success, for the combatant is on the top and his enemies may be unable to reach him.
Reversed: Perplexity, embarrassments, anxiety.

VIII of Wands

Activity in undertakings, the path of such activity, swiftness, as that of an express messenger; great haste, great hope, speed towards an end which promises assured felicity; that which is on the move, also the arrows of love.
Reversed: Arrows of jealousy, internal dispute, stingings of conscience, quarrels.

IX of Wands

The card signifies strength in opposition. If attacked, he will meet the onslaught boldly. With this main significance there are all its possible adjuncts, including delay, suspension, adjournment.
Reversed: Obstacles, adversity, calamity.

X of Wands

A card of many significances, and some of the readings cannot be harmonized. I set aside that which connects it with honor and good faith. It is oppression simply, but it is also fortune, gain, any kind of success of these things. It is also a card of false-seeming, disguise, perfidy. The place which the figure is approaching may suffer from the rods that he carries. Success is stultified if the Nine of Swords follows, and if it is a question of a lawsuit— there will be certain loss.
Reversed: Contrarieties, difficulties, intrigues, and their analogies.

Page of Wands

Dark young man, faithful, a lover, an envoy, a postman. Beside a man, he will bear favorable testimony concerning him. He is a dangerous rival, if followed by the Page of Cups. Has the chief qualities of his suit.
Reversed: Anecdotes, announcements, evil news. Also indecision and the instability which usually accompanies it.

Knight of Wands

Departure, absence, flight, emigration. A dark young man, friendly. Change of residence.
Reversed: Rupture, division, interruption, discord.

Queen of Wands

A dark woman or a countrywoman, friendly, chaste, loving, honorable. If the card beside her signifies a man, she is well disposed towards him; if a woman, she is interested in the Querent. Also, love of money.
Reversed: Good, economical, obliging, serviceable. Also signifies opposition, jealousy, deceit, and infidelity.

King of Wands

Dark man, friendly, countryman, generally married, honest and conscientious.
Reversed: Good, but severe; austere, yet tolerant.

Swords

Ace of Swords

Triumph, the excessive degree in everything, conquest, triumph of force. A card of great force, in love as well as in hatred.
Reversed: The same meanings, but the results are disastrous; another account says—conception, childbirth, augmentation, multiplicity.

II of Swords

Conformity and the equipoise which it suggests, courage, friendship, affection, concord in a state of arms, intimacy.
Reversed: Imposture, falsehood, duplicity, disloyalty.

III of Swords

Removal, absence, delay, division, rupture, dispersion, and all that the design signifies naturally.
Reversed: Mental alienation, error, loss, distraction, disorder, confusion.

IV of Swords

Vigilance, retreat, solitude, hermit’s repose, exile, tomb and coffin.
Reversed: Wise administration, circumspection, economy, avarice, precaution, testament.

V of Swords

Degradation, destruction, reversal, infamy, dishonor, loss.
Reversed: The same—burial and obsequies.

VI of Swords

Journey by water, route, way, envoy, commissionary, expedient.
Reversed: Declaration, confession, publicity. One account says that it is a proposal of love.

VII of Swords

Design, attempt, wish, hope, confidence—also quarrelling. A plan that may fail, annoyance.
Reversed: Good advice, counsel, instruction, slander, babbling.

VIII of Swords

Bad news, violent chagrin, crisis, censure, power in trammels, conflict, calumny—also sickness.
Reversed: Disquiet, difficulty, opposition, accident, treachery, the unforeseen, fatality.

IX of Swords

Death, failure, miscarriage, delay, deception, disappointment, despair.
Reversed: Imprisonment, doubt, suspicion, reasonable fear, shame.

X of Swords

Whatsoever is intimated by the design— also pain, affliction, tears, sadness, desolation.
Reversed: Advantage, profit, success, favor, but none of these are permanent. Also power and authority.

Page of Swords

Authority, overseeing, secret service, vigilance, spying, examination, and the qualities thereto belonging.
Reversed: More evil side of these qualities, what is unforeseen, an unprepared state, sickness is also intimated.

Knight of Swords

Skill, bravery, capacity, defense, address, enmity, wrath, war, destruction, opposition, resistance, ruin.
Reversed: Imprudence, incapacity, extravagance.

Queen of Swords

Widowhood, female sadness and embarrassment, absence, sterility, mourning, privation, separation.
Reversed:Malice, bigotry, artifice, prudery, deceit.

King of Swords

Whatsoever arises out of the idea of judgment and all its connections—power, command, authority, militant intelligence, law, offices of the crown, and so forth.
Reversed: Cruelty, evil intentions, perversity, barbarity, breach of faith.

Pentacles

Ace of Pentacles

Perfect contentment, felicity, ecstasy— also speedy intelligence, gold.
Reversed:The evil side of wealth, bad intelligence. Also great riches.

II of Pentacles

It is represented as a card of gaiety, recreation and its connections, which is the subject of the design. But it is read also as news and messages in writing, such as obstacles, agitation, trouble, embroilment.
Reversed:Enforced gaiety, simulated enjoyment, literal sense, handwriting, composition, letters of exchange.

III of Pentacles

Métier, trade, skilled labor. Usually, however, regarded as a card of nobility, aristocracy, renown, glory.
Reversed: Mediocrity in work and otherwise, puerility, pettiness, weakness.

IV of Pentacles

The surety of possessions, cleaving to that which one has, gifts, legacy, inheritance.
Reversed: Suspense, delay, opposition.

V of Pentacles

It foretells material trouble above all, whether in the form illustrated, that is, destitution, or otherwise. For some cartomancists, it is a card of love and lovers—wife, husband, friend, mistress— also concordance, affinities. These alternatives cannot be harmonized.
Reversed:Disorder, chaos, ruin, discord, profligacy.

VI of Pentacles

Presents, gifts, gratification. Another account says attention, vigilance, now is the accepted time, present prosperity, etc.
Reversed: Desire, cupidity, envy, jealousy, illusion

VII of Pentacles

These are exceedingly contradictory, in the main, it is a card of money, business, barter—but one reading gives altercation, quarrel, and another innocence, ingenuity, purgation.
Reversed: Anxiety about money.

VIII of Pentacles

Work, employment, commission, craftsmanship, skill in craft and business.
Reversed: Voided ambition, vanity, cupidity, exaction, usury.

IX of Pentacles

Prudence, safety, success, accomplishment, certitude, discernment.
Reversed: Roguery, deception, voided project, bad faith.

X of Pentacles

Gain, riches, family matters, archives, extraction, the abode of a family.
Reversed: Chance, fatality, loss, robbery, games of hazard; sometimes gift, dowry, pension.

Page of Pentacles

Application, study scholarship, reflection. Another reading says news, messages and the bringer thereof—also rule, management.
Reversed: Prodigality, dissipation, liberality, luxury, unfavorable news.

Knight of Pentacles

Utility, serviceableness, interest, rectitude, responsibility.
Reversed: Inertia, idleness, repose of that kind, stagnation— also discouragement, carelessness.

Queen of Pentacles

Opulence, generosity, security, magnificence, liberty.
Reversed: Evil, fear, suspicion, suspense, mistrust.

King of Pentacles

Valor, realizing intelligence, business and normal intellectual aptitude, sometimes mathematical gifts and attainments of this kind—success in these paths.
Reversed: Vice, weakness, ugliness, perversity, corruption, peril.


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