The four tarot suits

Why the suits matter

Each of the 56 Minor Arcana cards belongs to one of four suits. If you know what a suit is about, you already know half of every card in it. The other half comes from its number or court rank.

Wands: fire, energy and drive

Wands are linked with the element of Fire. They are about passion, ambition, creativity and action. A Wands card often asks what you want and how hard you are willing to go after it. Start with the Ace of Wands, a spark of new energy.

Cups: water, feelings and love

Cups are linked with Water. They cover emotions, love, friendship, intuition and dreams. A spread full of Cups means the heart is at the centre of the question. The Two of Cups is the classic card of a close bond.

Swords: air, thoughts and conflict

Swords are linked with Air. They are about the mind: ideas, words, decisions, truth and also stress and arguments. Swords cards can look harsh, but they often show clarity after a hard truth. See the Ace of Swords for a breakthrough idea.

Pentacles: earth, money and the body

Pentacles, sometimes called Coins, are linked with Earth. They cover work, money, home, health and everything slow and solid. The Ten of Pentacles shows lasting security built over time.

Reading the suit balance

In a spread, notice which suit appears most and which is missing. Many Swords and no Cups can mean you are thinking a lot about something you have not let yourself feel. Our elemental dignities tool shows how cards of different elements support or weaken each other.

Common questions