The Minor Arcana
The 56 cards from the tarot deck form the Minor Arcana and are split into four suits: Wands (sometimes referred to as Sceptres, Rods, Batons or Staves), Gups, Swords and Coins (sometimes referred to as Pentacles or Discs). Each suit has ten numbered cards for example, the Eight of Coins) and four court cards. The court cards are the Page, the Knight, the Queen and the King.
The Minor Arcana cards are said to have associations with today's playing cards, and those interested in the art of cartomancy may find that there are similarities in the interpretations of cards.
Every suit in the minor arcana has it's own symbolism and significance. These cards symbolize the feelings, thoughts, desires and actions that allows changes to occur in the querent's life. The numbered minor arcane cards could be concurred by the major arcane cards and court cards, thus their explanation will be influenced by other cards in reading. If one suit is strongly represented then the interpretation or understanding of a reading will also be influential. For example the three cards from the cups represent the importance of the querent's emotional situation in a Celtic cross spread.
Below are the suits of playing cards and their suggested antecedents:
- Cups (Water) - Emotions, compassion, feeling, language of Spirit
- Swords (Fire) - Power, action, motivation, conflict, force
- Wands (Air) - Ideas, thoughts, communication, concepts, enlightenment
- Coins (Earth) - Manifestation, physical creation, physical expression in the world
All the four suits in minor arcana are structured to form a regular playing card deck. Every suit contains 14 cards each. Cards in each suit flow in order as follows:
- Aces: The themes of the suit is annouced by an ace and it represents positive forces at all times. The Ace of Cups stands for intimacy, intuition, emotions and love.
- Number cards (2 - 10): Other than Ace each numbered cards represents a different aspect of a suit.
- Page: A Page reprsebnts a playful child in it's suit. With abandon and pleasure he acts out the qualities of his suit. It stands for possibility and adventure.
- Knight: A Knight represents an immature teenager in it's suit and he is unable to express himself with balance.
- Queen: A Queen represents feminine and mature in it's suit. She is related with relationships, feelings and self-expression.
- King: A King represents mature and masculine in it's suit. He shows control authority, and mastery in some part associated with his suit.