Pip Cards of the Minor Arcana

The Minor Arcana cards show how the larger themes of Major Arcana cards play out in daily life.

There are 56 Minor Arcana cards in 4 suits: Wands, Swords, Cups, and Pentacles. The Minor Arcana has 40 Pip Cards (numbered Ace to 10) and 16 court cards (King, Queen, Knight, Page), so the 14 cards in each suit include 10 Pip Cards and 4 Court Cards. Writers can use the information below to explore the Pips by number and suit.

The Minor Arcana cards are more concrete and situational than the Major Arcana cards. Where the Court Cards deal with "who" shows up on the journey, the Pip Cards deal with the "how" and "what" of life. They represent day-to-day events, practical challenges, emotions, thoughts, actions, and material circumstances of life. They depict practical details, everyday experiences, challenges, and opportunities related to the specific life domains represented by the four suits. The meaning of each card is derived from a combination of its number and suit.

As the Pip cards progress from Ace to 10, each number represents a stage of development or a life experience. For example, all the Aces indicate beginnings or potential, all 5s are challenges, all 10s show completion or the end of a cycle. The numbers 1 through 10 represent a complete cycle.

Writers who use tarot as a generative or ideation tool will see the stories unfolding.

1. The ACE is the seed or beginning. It represents pure potential, opportunities, or gifts. You can think of the Ace as the raw essence of the suit's energy erupting and initiating. It’s a powerful beginning, a gift, an invitation, or a spark of inspiration. Meanings:

Ace of Wands: Burst of inspiration, a new passion, an adventure, a spark.

Ace of Swords: Mental clarity, a breakthrough, a truth revealed, an idea.

Ace of Cups: New love, an emotional opening, intuition, self-love, a spiritual gift.

Ace of Pentacles: A new opportunity (e.g. a new home, engagement, job offer), prosperity begins, a health boost.

Keywords: Opportunity, Beginning, Potential, Gift, Spark, Essence.

2. The TWO represents choice, balance, partnership, or receptivity. The energy of the suit moves from singularity to duality. Twos often signify a choice, a partnership, a balance of forces, or the initial reception or acknowledgment of the Ace's potential. Meanings:

2 of Wands: Planning an adventure, choosing a path, future vision.

2 of Swords: A stalemate, indecision, blocked view including blocking online, avoidance.

2 of Cups: A soulmate connection, a partnership, harmony, mutual respect.

2 of Pentacles: Juggling resources, taking care of business, adaptability, finding balance.

Keywords: Duality, Choice, Balance, Partnership, Receptivity, Union.

3. The THREE signifies creation, expansion, expression, and initial success. Threes represent the first tangible results, early manifestation, growth, creativity, and collaboration. Acknowledging and possibly celebrating progress is common with the three. Meanings:

3 of Wands: Progress, expansion, foresight, looking ahead with anticipation.

3 of Swords: Heartbreak or a break up, grief, betrayal, painful truth.

3 of Cups: Celebrations, parties and dates, friendship, joy, community, creativity, solace and healing.

3 of Pentacles: Teamwork and collaboration, skilled labor and mastery, achievement and renown.

Keywords: Growth, Creation, Manifestation, Collaboration, Celebration, Initial Success.

4. The FOUR is about stability, foundations, rest, and consolidation. After some initial growth, it is a period of stabilization. Fours represent building structures, seeking security, and consolidating energy. The Four can feel solid but also stagnant or overly rigid sometimes. Meanings:

4 of Wands: Celebration, homecoming, peace and harmony, stability after effort, twin flame union .

4 of Swords: Rest and recuperation, retreat, solitude, sanctuary or exile, meditation, a tomb or coffin.

4 of Cups: Apathy, weariness, withdrawal, dissatisfaction, disgust, having an aversion, a missed opportunity.

4 of Pentacles: Conservation, control, security, holding on or hoarding, stability.

Keywords: Stability, Structure, Foundation, Security, Rest, Consolidation, Order.

5. The FIVE represents challenge, loss, conflict, and instability. The stability of the Four is disrupted and challenges arise. Fives reveal conflict, loss, competition, uncertainty, or feeling stretched too thin. This energy forces adaptation and re-evaluation. Meanings:

5 of Wands: Competition, conflict, rivalry, testing boundaries.

5 of Swords: Conflict with a loss or "winning at all costs," destruction, dishonour, a reversal of fortune.

5 of Cups: A loss, disappointment, regret, focusing on the negative, getting less than you expected.5 of Pentacles: Material hardship, poverty, ruin, being left out in the cold or ghosted, isolation.

Keywords: Conflict, Challenge, Loss, Instability, Competition, Disruption, Tension.

6. The SIX brings harmony, resolution, communication, and transition. Sixes signal the beginning of resolution after the chaos of the Five. Balance is regained when harmony is restored, lessons are learned, support is given or received, and there is a transition towards a better state. Meanings:

6 of Wands: Victory, recognition, success, public acclaim.

6 of Swords: Transition, moving on, a healing journey, moving to calmer waters.

6 of Cups: Nostalgia, childhood, innocence, simple joys, giving or receiving.

6 of Pentacles: Generosity, charity, giving or receiving support, sharing the wealth.

Keywords: Harmony, Resolution, Balance, Support, Communication, Transition, Victory.

7. The SEVEN represents reflection, assessment, choosing (again), and wisdom. The energy of Seven signals standing at a crossroads. It’s time to reflect on progress, assess options, and make a more conscious choice based on experience. Sevens can indicate inner work, perseverance, or being tested. Meanings:

7 of Wands: Defending your position, standing your ground, facing opposition.

7 of Swords: Deception, sneakiness, on the down-low, strategy, avoidance, theft.

7 of Cups: Illusion or confusion, having a lot of / too many choices, fantasy, wishful thinking, overwhelm.

7 of Pentacles: Patience, assessing work of the past, long-term goals, waiting for harvest.

Keywords: Reflection, Assessment, Choice, Perseverance, Wisdom, Strategy, Contemplation.

8. The EIGHT is about movement, action, mastery, and efficiency. The Eight applies lessons learned through reflection. The Eight shows focused effort, movement towards a goal, skill development, efficiency, and taking control. Momentum builds here. Meanings:

8 of Wands: Rapid movement, swift action, a lot of messages, travel, gaining momentum.

8 of Swords: Feeling trapped or victimized, restriction, stuck in your head, looping negative thoughts.

8 of Cups: Walking away from an unfulfilling situation, seeking deeper meaning, emotional withdrawal.

8 of Pentacles: Hard work, discipline, and dedication, skill-building, mastering craftsmanship, quality.

Keywords: Action, Movement, Mastery, Progress, Efficiency, Skill, Momentum.

9. The NINE represents culmination, fruition, solitude, and approaching completion. With the nine, the intensity of the suit energy reaches a peak near completion. The Nine can signify fulfillment, satisfaction, or the culmination of effort. It can also indicate a pause before the final step, sometimes involving solitude or reviewing accomplishments. Meanings:

9 of Wands: Resilience, perseverance, the last stand, inner strength, going the distance, no quitting sense.

9 of Swords: Anxiety and worry, overcome with guilt, mental torment, sleepless nights / nightmares.

9 of Cups: Wishes coming true, contentment, satisfaction, gratitude, overindulgence, excessive drinking.

9 of Pentacles: Abundance, enjoyment, luxury, independence, self-sufficiency / someone who is single.

Keywords: Culmination, Fruition, Intensity, Near Completion, Solitude, Satisfaction, Review.

10. The TEN shows completion, legacy, burden, and transition. With the ten, the cycle concludes. Tens signify completion, fulfillment of the initial potential (Ace), achievement, or the establishment of something lasting. Tens can also represent a heavy burden of responsibility, feeling “over it,” or the need to release and start again. Ten is a transition point at the end of a cycle. Meanings:

10 of Wands: A heavy burden, overwhelm, responsibility, carrying too much.

10 of Swords: A painful ending, victimization, betrayal, hitting rock bottom.

10 of Cups: Emotional fulfillment, a happy family life / home, harmony, joy.

10 of Pentacles: Prosperity, material fulfillment, family, generational wealth, legacy, permanence.

Keywords: Completion, Fruition, Legacy, End of Cycle, Responsibility, Burden, Release, Transition.