The most misunderstood card in the entire deck is the DEATH card, and I want to clear that up right now. Naturally, the first thing people assume is that it indicates a death somehow - in the family or - worse yet - of the person that is the subject of the reading. This is just not true. The Death card is merely the ultimate symbol for significant change. I think you'll agree that death is about the biggest change we know, and it is so in every culture of the world. That is why it was chosen to symbolize CHANGE. Most usually, DEATH in a spread means you'll be moving, getting a new job, maybe graduating from college, or other such big change. It does not mean anyone is going to die. Meanings also include renewal of a dead situation or aspect of your life, or the ending of a worn-out, non-productive situation (yes, this could mean the big break-up between you and your lover, if it is a worn-out, non-productive situation!) So you see, it is more like death of the current situation. So now you know.
Now, here are some other interesting cards and their meanings. Of course, it would be much better to actually see the cards as well as the meanings. However, space and time limitations made including card drawings impractical. Hopefully you can get an idea of some cards, however.
TEMPERANCE - Moderation and control in all actions and affairs. Adapating to new circumstances. Diplomacy. Even temperment. Harmonizing of the psychic and material aspects. Don't overdo things - take life at a moderate pace. Keep your cool.
THE MAGICIAN - Will and determination to see an idea or project through. Skill to organize and direct. Concentration and control. Desires fulfilled by a strong will and the ability to utilize one's innate faculties to thier fullest advantage. Orginality and invention.
THE EMPRESS - Fertility, creativity, and imagination. Pregnancy. The ability to create a warm and productive environment. Good harvest. Comfort and excess. Material gain, luxurious surroundings. Productivity. Protectiveness. Coming to the end and completion of hard work and sacrifice. Soon recognition and rewards will come for your efforts.
JUSTICE - A fair and just outcome of a matter. Good instinct and perception. A positive end to a lawsuit. Setting a confused life to order successfully. Spiritual justice.
THE ACE OF CUPS - The beginning of great love, joy, spiritual enlightnement, perfection, beauty. Family love and true friendships. Birth.
THE TOWER - Sudden inpiration and realization. A traumatic change that will eventually bring positive growth and awareness. A broken home. Divorce. Outgrowing the environment.
THE SUN - Happiness, pleasure and understanding. Positive energy. Warmth, love, and growth. Joy. Accomplishment. Success. Good health.
THE MOON - Psychic powers are developed or developing. Hidden talents or feelings come to light. Situation can be illusionary. Intuition and imagination. Solitude. Peace.
It is interesting to note that the cards have different meanings if they appear upside-down in a reading. The upside-down meaning is not simply opposite that of a right-side-up card, but more like a counterpart to the same meaning - or the same meaning in a different degree.
There are 22 Major Arcana cards, and these can form a "mini-deck" on their own. You can group the major arcana by sevens to see cycles of the spiritual, physical, and environmant. Group them by three's to see change, influence, and results of different levels of situations. Just about any grouping of cards will inspire thought and can give insight.
The only card listed here that is not a Major Arcana card is the Ace of Cups. There are four suits (Cups, Rods, Swords, and Pentacles) and each suit contains fourteen cards: one through ten, the Page, the Knight, the Queen, and the King. Cycles of growth and change are also represented in these suit cards, sometimes called the Minor Arcana. See the sample reading (next) for more about interpreting the cards in a spread.
(All meaning text is taken from "The Book of Tarot" by Susan Gerulskis-Estes, ©1981 by Morgan & Morgan, Inc., and "Tarot: A New Handbook for the Apprentice" by Eileen Connolly, ©1979 by Eileen Connolly. Many warm thanks to them!)
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