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Welcome to SuperTarot: Your Gateway to Tarot Mastery

Tarot card meanings form the bedrock of your journey into the mystical world of tarot. Mastering even a handful of keywords for each card can open doors to deeper insights and empower you to confidently read for others. When you explore a new tarot deck, the accompanying guide often includes a brief section on the card’s meaning as it relates to that specific system or belief.

How Many Keywords Do You Need for Tarot Cards?

Truthfully, you only need one or two keywords to start. While some readers excel at memorising a plethora of keywords, others find simplicity more effective.

Here, I’ll guide you through how tarot card meanings are structured, their origins, and how you can personalise your interpretations. Remember, not all decks present card names clearly, and some use titles that may be unfamiliar.

Embracing Tarot Card Meanings

There’s no need to stress over memorising meanings, especially during a reading. Often, the meanings you’ve memorised may not resonate with the person in front of you. Don’t worry! Let your intuition guide you—sometimes, a seemingly irrelevant thought can strike a chord with your client. It’s as if the keywords emerge from the client’s energy; your role is simply to be attuned.

Over time, you might notice that your memory of a card shifts, and that’s perfectly natural. Tarot is an evolving practice, and so is your understanding.

Unveiling the History of Tarot Card Meanings

The origins of tarot card meanings are shrouded in mystery, often hidden by the secretive nature of their creators, many of whom were Heads of Secret Societies. These authors would obscure their teachings to entice students into joining their ranks. They’d often overwhelm readers with an abundance of keywords, a tactic known as “keyword stuffing,” to appear more authoritative.

As language evolves, so too must our interpretations. The Golden Dawn, a key influence on modern tarot, often borrowed from French sources. When A.E. Waite developed his deck, he simplified these teachings, while Aleister Crowley took his own unique approach. Tarot masters have always balanced revelation with secrecy, drawing on traditions steeped in Freemasonry, astrology, and numerology.

Keywords in the Modern Age

With new tarot decks appearing daily in countless styles and forms, the visual and artistic elements often take precedence. Anyone can create a deck that reflects their spiritual, religious, or lifestyle beliefs. However, it’s important to remember that visual representations are interpretations, not absolutes.

Symbols and Visuals: A Double-Edged Sword

Symbols, while seemingly straightforward, can be as misleading as they are revealing. They require careful interpretation and a deep understanding of the underlying meanings.

Keywords and the Tree of Life

The Kabbalistic Tree of Life, an invention of the 17th century, attempts to connect the 22 Hebrew letters with the numbers 1 to 10 (the sephiroth). Though a Western creation, it remains influential, especially within Secret Societies. Even if you find it challenging, studying the Tree of Life can be invaluable in understanding broader tarot practices.

Major Arcana Keywords: A Cloaked Mystery

The 22 Major Arcana cards are intrinsically linked to the 22 letters of the Hebrew alphabet. Historically, discussing Hebrew associations could have dire consequences, so these origins were often disguised within a Christian context. Knowing the astrological connections behind each card can either clarify or complicate your understanding.

Over time, these connections were distorted, leading to confusion about the cards’ original meanings. But if you can grasp the astrological key, you can reconstruct the system and deepen your understanding.

Minor Arcana Keywords: Structuring the 40 Cards

The 40 Minor Arcana cards can be structured in several ways. Primarily, they are grouped by numbers (1 to 10) and by elements (Fire, Water, Air, Earth). Each element carries its own set of attributes: Fire for action, Water for emotion, Air for thought, and Earth for practicality.

Astrological influences, especially from sources like the Arabic grimoire Picatrix, also play a role in defining the Minor Arcana’s divinatory meanings.

Court Card Keywords: The Challenge of Interpretation

The 16 Court Cards represent the nuclear family—Man, Woman, Son, and Daughter—combined with the four elements. While their structure seems simple, in practice, they often prove to be the most challenging for students and teachers alike. Court cards can represent the client, someone in the client’s life, or even multiple people, making keywords less reliable here.

Keywords for the Aces: Beyond the Elements

Aces, such as the Ace of Wands or Ace of Cups, are often misunderstood. They represent the spirit or root of an element, not the element itself. Unlike the other Minor Arcana, Aces don’t fit neatly into the 40-card structure and are often grouped with the Court Cards, although they aren’t people.

Aces stand alone, embodying the elemental aspects of spirit.

Elemental Keywords: Your Tarot Roadmap

Finding and understanding tarot card meanings has never been easier. This guide is designed to help you navigate the complex world of tarot with confidence. Use the search bar to explore specific cards or keywords like love, work, and more.

Navigation Made Simple

Our navigation bar offers three main sections: Rider-Waite (and other decks), Golden Dawn, and Book of Thoth. Each deck is further divided into:

  • Major Arcana
  • Minor Arcana
    • Wands
    • Swords
    • Cups
    • Disks or Pentacles
  • Court Cards
    • King/Knight
    • Queen
    • Prince
    • Page/Princess
    • Aces (grouped with Court Cards)

Tarot Attributions: The Core of Card Meanings

At the heart of each tarot card lies a combination of an element (Fire, Water, Air, or Earth), an astrological component (Zodiac sign or Planet), and a number. Use these attributions to explore and connect with cards that share similar energies.

Embark on your tarot journey with confidence. At SuperTarot, we’re here to support you every step of the way. Explore, learn, and let the cards speak to you!