This is a list that I've put together, pieced from sources I've found helpful to interpreter my planned series of personal 'cards'
Most items came from Wikipedia. Each item has a portion of interesting information I didn't bother with copy+pasting
The Fool
"The Fool is the beginning and the end of the Life Circle in Tarot at the same time.
An innocent newborn child, who starts to learn about the dangers of the world, someone who's
searching for the wisdom and intuition - symbolized by the butterfly he follows. He's the
chaos before the rationality, pure impulse, neither good nor bad. The white flower in his
hand symbolizes his soul.
When he reaches the harmony of the world and the universe, he becomes the last part of the
Circle and the last card of The Major Arcana."
Symbols :
The Magician
Action — Consciousness — Concentration — Personal power
Practicality — Energy — Creativity — Movement
Precision — Conviction — Manipulation — Self confidence
Being objective — Focusing — Determination — Initiative
Symbols : wand (bridge between worlds), roses/lilies (aspiration), hands point to earth and sky, classical elements (4)
The High Priestess - typically female
Knowingness – Love – Relationships
Wisdom – Sound judgment – Receptiveness
Common sense – Intuition
Mystical vision – introspection – other-worldliness
Symbols : scroll , color blue, horned diadem (a crown)
[The priestess and the empress are noted as sisters in Rider-Waite symbolism]
The Empress
Mothering — Fertility — Sexuality — Abundance
Material prosperity — Pleasure — Comfort — Power
Nature — Delight — Desire — Physical attraction
Health — Sensuality — Beauty — Satisfaction
Symbols : color red, crown/secpter, vegetation (life), growth of the natural world, fertility, and what one knows or believes from the heart.
The Emperor
Fathering — Stability — Authority — Power
Control — Discipline — Command — Common sense
Status quo — Order — Structure — Egocentrism
Tradition — Rigidity — Leadership — Experience
Inflexibility — Public image — Organization
Symbols : a scepter, a globe = symbol of domination
The Hierophant - typically male
Education — Knowledge — Status quo — Institution
Leadership — Discipline — Maturity — Formality
Deception — Power — Respect — Duality
Social convention — Belief system — Group identification
Experience — Tradition — Naïve
Symbols : between two pillars symbolizing Law and Liberty or obedience and disobedience, keys to Heaven are at his fee, right hand raised in what is known esoterically as the blessing or benediction [ counterpart to "The High Priestess">
The Lovers
Love relationship — Union — Passion — Sexuality
Pleasure — Humanism — Desire — Personal beliefs
Individual values — Physical attraction — Connection
Affinity — Bonding — Romance — Heart
Symbols :
The Chariot
Conquest — Honor — Victory — Energy
Egocentrism — Self—confidence — Conviction — Anxiety
Willpower — Self—assertion — Hard control — Discipline
Inflexibility — Success — Wealth — Recognition
Impulsivity — Command — Bravery — Pride
Symbols : a black and white motif, figure controlling four different animals, representing the four elements. The image of this card is a chariot, or triumphal car, an armored warrior, the sun and moon symbols, lingam and yoni symbol (the encircled rod on the winged shield...), black and white sphinxes/lions/horses, sometimes at rest. A canopy of stars and sometimes a throne inside the car.
Justice
Impartiality — Distance — Coldness — Justice
Objective mind — Criticism — Being clever — Insensitivity
Decision — Intellect — Analysis — Stillness — Curiosity
Responsibility — Rationality — Clear vision — Logic and reason
Symbols :
The Hermit
Introspection — Silence — Guidance — Reflection
Solitude — Looking inward — Reclusion — Being quiet
Inner search — Deep understanding — Isolation
Distance — Retreat — Philosophical attitude
Symbols :
Wheel of Fortune
Turning point — Opportunities — Possibilities
Destiny — Fate — Superiority — Movement
Development — Activity — Surprises — Expansion
Sudden events — Speed — New developments — Life cycles
Interpretation — Sudden change — Dissension — Approachability
Symbols : 4 classic elements (fire,water,wind earth), yin/yang
Strength [Fortitude]
Self-control — Being solid — Patience — Compassion
Composure — Stability — Perseverance — Moderation
Kindness — Gentleness — Slowness — Softness
Serenity — Comprehension — Discipline — Inner strength
Symbols :
The Hanged Man ; I highly suggest researching this card
Sacrifice — Letting go — Surrendering — Passivity
Suspension — Acceptance — Renunciation — Patience
New point of view — Contemplation — Inner harmony
Conformism — Non-action — Waiting — Giving up
Symbols :
Death
Ending of a cycle — Loss — Conclusion — Sadness
Transition into a new state — Psychological transformation
Finishing up — Regeneration — Elimination of old patterns
Being caught in the inescapable — Good-byes — Deep change
Symbols :
Temperance
Temperance — Harmony — Balance — Health
Moderation — Joining forces — Well—being — Recovery
Equilibrium — Transcendence — Unification — Healing
Synthesis — Bringing together opposites — Feeling secure
The Devil
Materialism — Ignorance — Stagnation — Self-bondage
Lust — Egoism — Obsession — Anxiety — Anger
Hedonism — Passion — Instincts — Racist
Sexuality — Temptation — Doubt — Vice
Futility — Physical attraction — Pessimism — Insight
Symbols :
The Tower
Chaos — Sudden change — Impact — Hard times
Crisis — Revelation — Disruption — Realizing the truth
Disillusion — Crash — Burst — Uncomfortable experience
Downfall — Ruin — Ego blow — Explosive transformation
Symbols :
The Star
Calmness — Free-flowing love — Trust
Tranquility — Peace of mind — Pure essence
Hope — Serenity — Inspiration — Generosity
Optimism — Joy — Faith — Regeneration
Good will — Optimism — Harmony — Renewal of forces
Symbols : 8 stars, water flows freely, a sign of perpetual creation
The Moon
Lack of clarity — Tension — Doubt — Fantasy
Deception — Psychological conflict — Obscured vision
Confusion — Illusion — Fear — Imagination — Worry
Romanticism — Anxiety — Apprehension — Unrealistic ideas
The Sun
Optimism—Expansion—Being radiant—Positive feelings
Enlightenment—Vitality—Innocence—Non-criticism
Assurance—Energy—Personal power—Happiness
Splendor—Brilliance—Joy —Enthusiasm
Symbols :
Judgment
Judgement — Rebirth — Inner calling — Absolution
Restart — Accepting past mistakes/actions — Release
Forgiveness — End of repression — Reconciliation — Renewal
Decision — Salvation — New beginning — Hope — Redemption
Symbols : the dead rising [not zombies], think the religious 'judgement day'
The World
Fulfillment — Accomplishment — Success — Integration
Involvement — Prospering — Satisfaction — Repleteness
Contentment — Good feelings — Wholeness
Symbols :
RESEARCH! MAY IT HELP YOU AS IF HAS FOR ME!
This was all sourced from articles I read on Wikipedia or tarot-related websites for personal use.
