List of All 78 Tarot Cards: Major & Minor Arcana Order

Introduction

The 78 cards of a tarot deck are not a random assortment of images; they represent a structured and archetypal journey. From The Fool's first innocent step into the unknown to The World's final card of completion, each one follows a specific sequence that tells the universal story of the human experience. This narrative architecture is what transforms the tarot from a simple divination tool into a profound map of personal growth.

Understanding this structure is essential for mastering the deck and delivering insightful readings. A complete tarot cards list in order provides the foundational framework you need to see the intricate connections between the Major Arcana's archetypal path and the everyday events depicted in the Minor Arcana. This guide provides that definitive list, breaking down all 78 cards from the Major Arcana to the four suits, allowing you to trace the journey from grand life lessons to daily practicalities.

Let’s explore this journey card by card, starting with the one that begins it all.

The Major Arcana: The Fool's Journey

The order of tarot cards begins with the 22 cards of the Major Arcana. This sequence is not arbitrary; it tells a profound allegorical story known as "The Fool's Journey." This narrative follows an archetype, The Fool, as he embarks on a path of spiritual evolution and self-discovery. Each card represents a key life lesson, a universal experience, or a significant milestone he encounters along the way. Paralleling foundational storytelling structures like the hero's journey, this progression provides deep context to the Major Arcana and its pivotal role in any reading.

Here is the complete list of Major Arcana cards in order, detailing each step of this archetypal journey from innocence to enlightenment.

0. The Fool: The protagonist at the start of his adventure, representing innocence, new beginnings, and the limitless potential contained in a leap of faith.
1. The Magician: The Fool encounters the power of will, skill, and manifestation. He learns he possesses the tools—intellect, emotion, passion, and resources—to shape his own reality.
2. The High Priestess: He turns inward to access intuition, hidden knowledge, and the subconscious mind. This is a crucial lesson in listening to his inner voice and trusting what cannot be seen.
3. The Empress: This stage represents nurturing, creativity, and a deep connection to the natural world. The Fool learns about abundance, sensuality, and earthly comfort.
4. The Emperor: He encounters structure, authority, and discipline. This card represents the establishment of order, logic, and control in his life to build a solid foundation.
5. The Hierophant: The Fool seeks guidance from tradition, institutions, and spiritual teachers. He learns established belief systems and the value of shared knowledge.
6. The Lovers: A critical choice point arises, forcing The Fool to align his values and make a heartfelt decision about relationships, personal beliefs, and what he truly stands for.
7. The Chariot: Armed with new resolve, he learns to assert his willpower and drive forward with determination, balancing opposing forces to overcome external obstacles.
8. Strength: The Fool discovers that true power comes not from external force, but from inner courage, compassion, and the gentle fortitude to tame his own primal instincts.
9. The Hermit: He withdraws from the world for introspection and soul-searching, turning his attention inward to seek wisdom and guidance from his own inner light.
10. Wheel of Fortune: The Fool learns about destiny, cycles, and the inevitable ups and downs of life. He comes to understand that change is the only constant and must learn to adapt.
11. Justice: He confronts the consequences of his actions, learning about cause and effect, truth, and fairness. This is a moment of accountability and objective clarity.
12. The Hanged Man: A period of surrender and sacrifice becomes necessary. The Fool must pause and see the world from a completely new perspective to gain enlightenment.
13. Death: This card represents a profound and necessary transformation—the end of one phase to make way for the new. The Fool learns the essential lesson of letting go.
14. Temperance: He finds balance, patience, and moderation, integrating the different aspects of his being into a harmonious and functional whole.
15. The Devil: The Fool confronts his shadow side—addiction, materialism, and self-imposed limitations—in order to recognize and break free from bondage.
16. The Tower: A sudden, chaotic upheaval shatters his illusions and false structures. While painful, this destruction is a necessary and liberating breakthrough.
17. The Star: After the storm of The Tower, The Fool finds hope, inspiration, and a renewed sense of purpose and faith in the universe.
18. The Moon: He journeys through the realm of the subconscious, facing his deepest fears, illusions, and the hidden anxieties that cloud his perception of reality.
19. The Sun: The Fool emerges from the darkness into the light with clarity, joy, and success. This is a moment of pure vitality, truth, and enlightenment.
20. Judgement: He experiences a final reckoning and absolution, integrating all his past lessons and awakening to a higher calling, free from past burdens.
21. The World: The Fool's Journey reaches its successful conclusion. He has achieved integration, fulfillment, and wholeness, ready to begin a new cycle with greater wisdom.

While the Major Arcana outlines life's great spiritual lessons, our journey is not complete without understanding how these themes play out in our daily lives. This is where the Minor Arcana provides the practical details.

The Minor Arcana: The Four Suits of Daily Life

The remaining 56 cards in the tarot cards list in order comprise the Minor Arcana. These cards represent the everyday challenges, joys, thoughts, and activities that make up the fabric of our lives. They are divided into four suits, each associated with a classical element and a specific area of human experience. Understanding what is the order of the tarot suits—typically Wands, Cups, Swords, and Pentacles—helps clarify the progression of energy from an initial spark of an idea to its final physical manifestation.

Each suit contains 14 cards: an Ace, numbered cards from Two to Ten, and four Court Cards (Page, Knight, Queen, King). This numerical progression shows a journey from a new beginning (Ace) to a point of completion or culmination (Ten).

The Suit of Wands

Associated with the element of Fire, the Suit of Wands governs passion, creativity, ambition, and willpower. This suit represents the initial spark of an idea, the energy required to pursue goals, and the drive behind our personal and professional quests.

Ace of Wands: The initial spark of inspiration, potential, and new creative energy.
Two of Wands: Planning, making decisions, and contemplating the path ahead.
Three of Wands: The initial results of planning, signifying expansion and foresight.
Four of Wands: Celebration, harmony, and reaching a happy, stable milestone.
Five of Wands: Conflict, competition, and the friction of differing ideas.
Six of Wands: Public recognition, victory, and the success that follows a challenge.
Seven of Wands: Defending one's position, demonstrating perseverance, and courage under fire.
Eight of Wands: Rapid action, forward movement, and swift communication.
Nine of Wands: Resilience, persistence, and gathering strength for the final push.
Ten of Wands: Being burdened by responsibility, but also achieving the completion of a cycle.
Page of Wands: Exploring new ideas, youthful enthusiasm, and creative sparks.
Knight of Wands: Acting on passion, embracing impulsiveness, and pursuing adventure.
Queen of Wands: Confident, charismatic, and courageous leadership that inspires others.
King of Wands: Visionary leadership, taking control, and executing a long-term enterprise.

From the fiery spark of creation and ambition, the journey naturally progresses into the emotional currents that shape our relationships and inner world.

The Suit of Cups

Associated with the element of Water, the Suit of Cups delves into emotions, relationships, intuition, and creativity. These cards reflect the matters of the heart, emotional intelligence, and the deep flow of our feelings.

Ace of Cups: A new beginning in love, emotional expression, and compassion.
Two of Cups: Partnership, mutual attraction, and the power of a deep connection.
Three of Cups: Friendship, community, and joyful, collaborative celebration.
Four of Cups: Apathy, contemplation, and emotional discontent leading to introspection.
Five of Cups: Loss, grief, and the challenge of focusing on what has been lost versus what remains.
Six of Cups: Nostalgia, innocence, and revisiting joys from the past.
Seven of Cups: Choices, illusions, and the need to distinguish fantasy from reality.
Eight of Cups: Walking away from a situation, emotional searching, and abandoning what no longer serves you.
Nine of Cups: Wish fulfillment, deep contentment, and personal satisfaction.
Ten of Cups: Lasting happiness, family harmony, and complete emotional fulfillment.
Page of Cups: Creative opportunities, emotional curiosity, and intuitive messages.
Knight of Cups: A romantic pursuer, following the heart, and acting with charm.
Queen of Cups: A compassionate, intuitive, and emotionally mature figure.
King of Cups: Emotionally balanced, controlled, and compassionate leadership.

After navigating the complex and often unpredictable realm of the heart, the journey advances into the structured and analytical world of the mind.

The Suit of Swords

Associated with the element of Air, the Suit of Swords represents our thoughts, beliefs, challenges, and communication. This suit often highlights conflict and intellectual clarity, showing the power and consequence of our mindset. It is the double-edged sword of truth, which can cut through confusion but also inflict pain.

Ace of Swords: A breakthrough, a powerful new idea, or a moment of profound mental clarity.
Two of Swords: A stalemate, facing difficult decisions, and the deliberate avoidance of truth.
Three of Swords: Heartbreak, a painful realization, and sorrow born from truth.
Four of Swords: Rest, contemplation, and necessary mental recuperation.
Five of Swords: Conflict, defeat, and the hollow victory of winning at all costs.
Six of Swords: A transition, moving on from difficulty, and a rite of passage.
Seven of Swords: Deception, strategy, and the need to act alone or unconventionally.
Eight of Swords: Feeling trapped by self-imposed restrictions and limiting beliefs.
Nine of Swords: Anxiety, worry, and the mental anguish born from fear.
Ten of Swords: Painful endings, betrayal, and hitting rock bottom in a way that allows for a new start.
Page of Swords: New ideas, intellectual curiosity, and an insatiable thirst for knowledge.
Knight of Swords: Ambitious, fast-thinking, and prone to acting without full consideration.
Queen of Swords: Independent, sharp-witted, and a master of clear boundaries.
King of Swords: Intellectual power, moral authority, and the embodiment of truth.

Finally, the list of all tarot cards concludes by grounding these abstract ideas, fiery passions, and deep emotions in the tangible, physical world.

The Suit of Pentacles

Associated with the element of Earth, the Suit of Pentacles relates to the material world. This includes finances, career, physical health, and the manifestation of our efforts. It shows how we create and experience tangible results in our lives.

Ace of Pentacles: A new opportunity for prosperity, manifestation, and tangible abundance.
Two of Pentacles: Balancing priorities, adaptability, and managing resources effectively.
Three of Pentacles: Teamwork, collaboration, and the mastery of a craft or skill.
Four of Pentacles: Conservation, security, and the risk of holding on too tightly to resources.
Five of Pentacles: Financial loss, poverty, and the feeling of being left out in the cold.
Six of Pentacles: Generosity, charity, and the balanced flow of giving and receiving.
Seven of Pentacles: Patience, a long-term vision, and assessing the progress of your investments.
Eight of Pentacles: Diligence, craftsmanship, and dedication to improving a skill.
Nine of Pentacles: Abundance, self-sufficiency, and enjoying the fruits of your labor.
Ten of Pentacles: Generational wealth, legacy, and enduring family stability.
Page of Pentacles: Manifesting new opportunities, focusing on skill development, and financial news.
Knight of Pentacles: Hard work, methodical routine, and a reliable, patient approach.
Queen of Pentacles: A nurturing, practical, and grounded provider for others.
King of Pentacles: Material success, financial security, and mastery of the physical world.

Conclusion

The 78 cards of the tarot are far more than a random assortment; they form a structured narrative of the human experience. The Major Arcana provides the archetypal framework through the "Fool's Journey," outlining profound spiritual lessons, while the four suits of the Minor Arcana detail the everyday challenges and triumphs that shape our lives. From the creative spark of Wands and the emotional depth of Cups to the intellectual rigor of Swords and the material grounding of Pentacles, each suit offers a unique lens on our reality.

By understanding this deliberate order, a tarot reading transforms from a collection of individual meanings into a cohesive, insightful story. This framework allows you to identify where you are on your path, recognize the interplay between major life events and daily circumstances, and ultimately use the cards as a powerful tool for self-reflection and strategic guidance. For deeper insights, many people turn to a professional reading to explore these themes with an experienced guide. This authentic approach contrasts sharply with the often-dramatized portrayals of tarot in popular culture.

Looking ahead, the true wisdom of the tarot lies not just in identifying the cards, but in recognizing their sequence as a dynamic map for personal evolution. In a world of constant change, this ancient structure provides a timeless model for navigating uncertainty, embracing growth, and consciously creating your own journey. The ultimate question isn't just what the cards say, but how you will use their wisdom to write the next chapter of your story.

Tarot Cards List in Order: A Guide to All 78 Cards

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