This is the complete cheat sheet of all 78 tarot card meanings, with quick upright and reversed keywords for every card in the Rider-Waite-Smith deck. Use it as a reference while you read: glance at a card, catch its core theme, then notice how the image and your own question shade that meaning. Treat these as starting points for reflection, not fixed verdicts.
How to use this cheat sheet. Find the card you drew in the table below, read the upright keywords if it landed upright and the reversed keywords if it landed inverted, then ask how that theme speaks to your situation. The keywords are deliberately short so they stay flexible. Where a card name is a link, you can tap through to a full article on that card's symbolism, story, and nuances.
The Major Arcana (0-21)
| Card | Upright | Reversed |
|---|---|---|
| The Fool | New beginnings, leap of faith, innocence | Recklessness, hesitation, fear of starting |
| The Magician | Willpower, skill, manifestation, focus | Manipulation, scattered energy, untapped talent |
| The High Priestess | Intuition, mystery, inner knowing | Secrets, ignored instinct, disconnection |
| The Empress | Nurturing, abundance, creativity, fertility | Smothering, creative block, neglect of self |
| The Emperor | Structure, authority, stability, control | Rigidity, domination, loss of control |
| The Hierophant | Tradition, guidance, shared beliefs, learning | Rebellion, dogma, questioning convention |
| The Lovers | Love, union, values, meaningful choice | Disharmony, imbalance, misaligned values |
| The Chariot | Determination, willpower, focused momentum | Loss of direction, scattered effort |
| Strength | Courage, inner power, gentle resolve | Self-doubt, weakness, raw impulse |
| The Hermit | Solitude, soul-searching, inner guidance | Isolation, withdrawal, lost direction |
| Wheel of Fortune | Cycles, turning point, destiny, luck | Resistance to change, bad timing |
| Justice | Fairness, truth, accountability, balance | Unfairness, dishonesty, avoided responsibility |
| The Hanged Man | Pause, surrender, new perspective | Stalling, resistance, needless sacrifice |
| Death | Endings, transformation, release, renewal | Clinging to the past, stalled change |
| Temperance | Balance, patience, moderation, healing | Excess, imbalance, impatience |
| The Devil | Attachment, temptation, restriction, shadow | Breaking free, reclaiming power |
| The Tower | Sudden upheaval, revelation, collapse | Delayed disaster, fear of change |
| The Star | Hope, renewal, faith, gentle healing | Discouragement, lost faith, disconnection |
| The Moon | Intuition, illusion, the unknown | Confusion lifting, fear released, clarity |
| The Sun | Joy, success, vitality, warmth | Temporary gloom, dimmed optimism |
| Judgement | Awakening, reckoning, renewal, calling | Self-doubt, avoidance, harsh judgment |
| The World | Completion, fulfillment, wholeness, achievement | Loose ends, delay, near completion |
The Suit of Wands
| Card | Upright | Reversed |
|---|---|---|
| Ace of Wands | Inspiration, spark, new passion, potential | Delays, false start, lost spark |
| Two of Wands | Planning, vision, future choices | Fear of the unknown, indecision |
| Three of Wands | Expansion, foresight, progress underway | Delays, setbacks, limited vision |
| Four of Wands | Celebration, harmony, home, milestones | Tension at home, postponed joy |
| Five of Wands | Conflict, competition, friction, disagreement | Avoiding conflict, tension easing |
| Six of Wands | Victory, recognition, confidence, success | Lack of recognition, self-doubt |
| Seven of Wands | Defending ground, perseverance, conviction | Overwhelmed, giving up, defensiveness |
| Eight of Wands | Speed, movement, swift news, momentum | Delays, frustration, scattered energy |
| Nine of Wands | Resilience, persistence, last stand | Burnout, defensiveness, exhaustion |
| Ten of Wands | Burden, responsibility, hard work, strain | Releasing weight, delegating, burnout |
| Page of Wands | Curiosity, enthusiasm, exploration, fresh ideas | Distraction, hesitation, immaturity |
| Knight of Wands | Energy, passion, adventure, boldness | Impulsiveness, recklessness, frustration |
| Queen of Wands | Confidence, warmth, charisma, vitality | Insecurity, jealousy, self-doubt |
| King of Wands | Vision, leadership, boldness, drive | Impulsiveness, domineering, recklessness |
The Suit of Cups
| Card | Upright | Reversed |
|---|---|---|
| Ace of Cups | New love, emotional opening, compassion | Blocked feelings, emptiness, withheld emotion |
| Two of Cups | Partnership, mutual love, connection | Imbalance, tension, broken bond |
| Three of Cups | Friendship, celebration, community, joy | Overindulgence, gossip, isolation |
| Four of Cups | Apathy, contemplation, missed opportunity | Renewed interest, acceptance, awakening |
| Five of Cups | Grief, loss, regret, disappointment | Acceptance, moving on, forgiveness |
| Six of Cups | Nostalgia, memories, innocence, reunion | Stuck in the past, idealizing |
| Seven of Cups | Choices, fantasy, illusion, wishful thinking | Clarity, focus, decisive action |
| Eight of Cups | Walking away, seeking meaning, departure | Fear of leaving, drifting, avoidance |
| Nine of Cups | Contentment, wishes fulfilled, satisfaction | Unfulfilled wishes, smugness, excess |
| Ten of Cups | Harmony, family joy, emotional fulfillment | Disconnection, broken harmony, strain |
| Page of Cups | Creative spark, sensitivity, gentle messages | Emotional immaturity, escapism, moodiness |
| Knight of Cups | Romance, charm, following the heart | Moodiness, unrealistic ideals, disappointment |
| Queen of Cups | Compassion, intuition, emotional depth | Overwhelm, dependency, emotional withdrawal |
| King of Cups | Emotional balance, calm, diplomacy | Moodiness, suppression, volatility |
The Suit of Swords
| Card | Upright | Reversed |
|---|---|---|
| Ace of Swords | Clarity, breakthrough, truth, new idea | Confusion, miscommunication, clouded judgment |
| Two of Swords | Stalemate, hard choice, avoidance | Indecision lifting, confusion, overwhelm |
| Three of Swords | Heartbreak, sorrow, painful truth | Healing, forgiveness, releasing pain |
| Four of Swords | Rest, recovery, pause, stillness | Restlessness, burnout, avoiding rest |
| Five of Swords | Conflict, defeat, tension, winning poorly | Reconciliation, releasing resentment, compromise |
| Six of Swords | Transition, moving on, calmer waters | Resistance, stuck, unfinished journey |
| Seven of Swords | Deception, strategy, getting away with | Coming clean, conscience, exposed deceit |
| Eight of Swords | Feeling trapped, self-limiting beliefs | Freedom, releasing fear, new clarity |
| Nine of Swords | Anxiety, worry, sleepless nights, dread | Hope returning, fear easing, relief |
| Ten of Swords | Painful ending, rock bottom, betrayal | Recovery, survival, the worst over |
| Page of Swords | Curiosity, vigilance, new ideas, candor | Gossip, scattered thinking, deception |
| Knight of Swords | Ambition, drive, swift action, focus | Recklessness, impatience, blunt aggression |
| Queen of Swords | Clear thinking, honesty, independence | Coldness, harsh words, bitterness |
| King of Swords | Authority, intellect, fairness, reason | Coldness, manipulation, abuse of power |
The Suit of Pentacles
| Card | Upright | Reversed |
|---|---|---|
| Ace of Pentacles | New opportunity, prosperity, solid foundation | Missed chance, instability, delayed reward |
| Two of Pentacles | Balance, juggling priorities, adaptability | Overwhelm, disorganization, dropped balls |
| Three of Pentacles | Teamwork, skill, collaboration, building | Discord, poor teamwork, lack of skill |
| Four of Pentacles | Security, saving, holding on, stability | Greed, clinging, fear of loss |
| Five of Pentacles | Hardship, lack, insecurity, isolation | Recovery, help arriving, hope returning |
| Six of Pentacles | Generosity, giving and receiving, balance | Strings attached, inequality, dependency |
| Seven of Pentacles | Patience, long-term effort, assessment | Impatience, wasted effort, poor return |
| Eight of Pentacles | Diligence, craftsmanship, skill-building, focus | Carelessness, lack of focus, perfectionism |
| Nine of Pentacles | Self-sufficiency, comfort, earned reward | Overwork, financial dependence, hollow luxury |
| Ten of Pentacles | Legacy, family wealth, lasting security | Instability, financial loss, family tension |
| Page of Pentacles | Ambition, study, new opportunity, focus | Procrastination, missed chance, lack of follow-through |
| Knight of Pentacles | Reliability, diligence, patience, routine | Stagnation, boredom, overcaution |
| Queen of Pentacles | Nurturing, practical, grounded, resourceful | Imbalance, neglect, smothering, overwork |
| King of Pentacles | Abundance, security, leadership, stability | Greed, materialism, stubbornness |
How to go deeper
Keywords are a doorway, not the whole room. Once a card catches your eye, slow down and read its full story. If you are still learning the deck, start with tarot card meanings for beginners, then learn how an inverted card shifts the message in upright vs reversed. When you are ready to read several cards as one sentence rather than separate keywords, card combinations shows you how the cards talk to each other.
Let the cards meet your real question
You do not have to memorize all 78 meanings to read well. Aurum Tarot, releasing soon, interprets the exact cards you draw in the context of your specific question, so the same card reads differently for a question about work than for one about the heart. It is built for reflection and self-understanding, not fortune-telling or medical, financial, or legal advice. Explore Aurum Tarot and let the cheat sheet become a living conversation.