Embark on a tarot road trip with me! 🚗✨ We’re here to demystify tarot, explore the suits, and show you how to use them in your daily life. With so many cards and meanings, where do you begin? In this blog, we’ll do a full tarot suit breakdown so that you can learn more about the suits in a way that’s easy and simple to understand. 

A Little History (Because Tarot Has Some Serious Street Cred)

Before tarot became the go-to tool for self-reflection and guidance, it was actually… a card game! Yep, tarot cards first popped up in the 15th century in Europe, where they were used for playing a game called “Tarocchi.” It wasn’t until later that people started using them for spiritual insight. The four suits we use in tarot today are deeply connected to the playing card suits we know: hearts, diamonds, spades, and clubs, but with greater meaning and the opportunity to connect on a much deeper level. Think of them like card suits, but also like trusted friends, each offering guidance in different areas of life.

The fascinating thing about tarot suits is that they weren’t just randomly created, they were inspired by medieval society at the time. Tarot symbolism is deeply rooted in the elements, and understanding the tarot suits reveals how people throughout history have used tarot decks to connect with themselves and divine energy. Each suit represents a unique blend of emotions, experiences, and natural elements. What makes them even more special is their deep connection to nature, offering rich symbolism that helps us navigate different aspects of life and strengthen our personal and spiritual growth. Understanding the history of tarot suits not only deepens our appreciation for tarot but also enhances the power and clarity of our readings.

When you read tarot, think of the suits as ancient archetypes, and timeless energies that have shaped stories for centuries. Whether you’re stepping into your power like a noble (Wands), following your heart like a mystic (Cups), strategizing like a warrior (Swords), or building your legacy like a merchant (Pentacles), each suit is a chapter in your personal adventure. They also connect us to our ancestors, reminding us of their wisdom and cultural influence in our daily lives. 

Over time, tarot suits have evolved into what we know today, guiding us through our own personal quests, whether it’s love, career, decision-making, or spiritual growth. Mastering the meanings of tarot suits will enhance your readings and deepen your self-reflection. Use this information as your very own guide as you give readings to yourself and others! 

The Four Tarot Suits and Their Physical Elements

Wands (Fire) 🔥
Wands are all about energy, action, and creativity, basically, the spark that lights your fire! Fire fuels passion, transformation, and that unstoppable drive to make things happen. When you’re feeling inspired and ready to take on the world, that’s wand energy at work.

Cups (Water) 💧
Cups rule emotions, intuition, and relationships. Just like water, feelings ebb and flow, sometimes calm and soothing, other times crashing like waves. They remind you to go with the flow and nurture your emotional well-being.

Swords (Air) 🌬️
Swords are all about the mind, logic, communication, and clarity. Think of them as the sharp blade that cuts through confusion with precise thoughts and insights. When you’re deep in thought or having an “aha!” moment, that’s sword energy slicing through.

Pentacles (Earth) 🌍
Pentacles keep you grounded in the material world, money, career, health, and stability. Earth energy is steady, reliable, and practical, just like your bones and muscles holding you up every day. When you’re focused on building something solid and secure in your life, you’re tapping into pentacle energy. 

A Closer Look At The Suits

Wands

The Suit of Wands meanings are rooted in action, passion, and drive. This suit screams, “Go for it!” If Wands show up in your reading, the universe is basically handing you a permission slip to chase your dreams, take bold risks, and trust your instincts. Wands have a certain magic to them and inspire you to follow your fire. Each of the wands in The Adventure Tarot deck has beautiful orange and coral coloring that represents the warmth and passion this suit brings. 

Signs You’re in Wand Energy:

• You’ve got a million ideas and can’t sit still.
• You’re fired up about a new project or goal.
• You’re itching for adventure and new experiences.
• You feel an unstoppable urge to create, start something new, or take initiative.
• You’re stepping into leadership or inspiring others with your enthusiasm.
• You’re feeling restless and impatient, craving progress and movement.

Your Wands Reminder: Don’t just dream, find a way to truly go after what you want. Wands love action, so take that first step! Just be sure to be mindful of burnout, sometimes, slowing down for a moment can help you channel your energy more effectively. Also, don’t let impulsiveness get the best of you; think before you leap. The Wands will give you the motivation and strength to find the path that resonates the most with you at this time. 

Cups

The Suit of Cups meanings represent emotions, relationships, and intuition. This calming and grounded suit is rooted in peace, gentleness, and relaxation. It gives you the space to be thoughtful, reflective, and to slow down through the rush of your daily routine. The Cups ask you to check in with your heart, are you following your true feelings, or just going through the motions? In The Adventure Tarot Deck, The Cups feature a beautiful soft blue palette, with each card showcasing a body of water to help you connect to this element and the feelings of this suit. 

Signs You’re in Cup Energy:

• You’re feeling all the feels (and maybe turning your sad playlist on 😉 ).
• You’re drawn to deep, meaningful connections.
• You’re being called to reflect and trust your intuition.
• You’re nurturing relationships, offering emotional support, or seeking harmony.
• You’re engaging in creative, artistic, or spiritual pursuits that stir your soul.
• You feel extra nostalgic, romantic, or emotionally sensitive.

Your Cups Reminder: Feel your emotions, but don’t let them control you. Balance is key and these cards can help you come back to center. Emotional depth is beautiful, but don’t get lost in that world for too long. Stay connected to reality while also striving to embrace your heart’s wisdom. Allow yourself to feel whatever is coming up for you during your reading, and be gentle with yourself as you reflect on your past, present, and future. 

Swords

The Suit of Swords meanings help bring clarity, logic, and truth. This suit doesn’t sugarcoat things, it cuts straight to the point. If Swords appear, it’s time to face reality, make decisions, and communicate with honesty (even if it’s uncomfortable). The Swords can often give you the firm but necessary messages that you need in order to discover more about yourself. In The Adventure Tarot Deck, The Swords are a gorgeous purple color and showcase activities like hiking, kayaking, doing yoga. One of the misconceptions of tarot is that The Swords have a negative connotation but that couldn’t be further from the truth. This suit helps you claim your power and puts sharp curiosity at the forefront of your daily routine. Each of these cards has a strong representation of having the courage to face your fears and finding yourself on a new unexpected adventure. 

Signs You’re in Sword Energy:

• You may be overthinking everything.
• You’re having tough but necessary conversations.
• You’re ready to cut out negativity and focus on truth.
• You’re analyzing situations from a logical, strategic perspective.
• You’re embracing intellectual pursuits, learning, or seeking clarity.
• You feel mentally sharp, curious, or craving knowledge and debate.

Your Swords Reminder: Remember to use your mind wisely. Don’t let overthinking paralyze you, but do embrace clarity and honesty. The truth can be liberating, but wield it with care because sharp words can cut deep (even to yourself). Also, balance rationality with empathy; cold logic without heart can make you seem detached or overly critical. Let The Swords help you to be bold and go after what you want! 

Pentacles

The Suit of Pentacles meanings are all about stability, career, money, and the physical world. This suit reminds you that slow and steady wins the race. These cards can help you feel more energized to go after your dreams and help you feel grounded in practicality. Fitting with the theme of career and money, the cards in The Adventure Tarot are green! The green also speaks to the earth element and all the cards include a type of plant to help tie you back to your roots. 

 Signs You’re in Pentacle Energy:

• You’re focused on finances, career, or health.
• You’re setting long-term goals and planning for the future.
• You’re being called to be patient and practical.
• You’re nurturing stability, responsibility, and reliability in your life.
• You’re paying attention to your physical well-being and surroundings.
• You’re craving a sense of security, grounding, and tangible success.

Pentacles Reminder: Growth takes time. Stay patient, stay consistent, and trust that your efforts will lead to something meaningful. Be mindful not to become too focused on material success, as true wealth extends beyond money. With this card, I aimed to highlight all forms of abundance, not just financial prosperity. Also, don’t let fear of change keep you stuck in your comfort zone.

How to Utilize the Suits in Your Tarot Readings

Understanding the tarot suits can take your readings to the next level, helping you unlock deeper insights and patterns in your life. Think of them as the key to translating the messages your cards are trying to send you. Here’s how you can use them:

Spot the Theme: Pay attention to which suit dominates your reading. If you have lots of Cups, emotions and relationships are front and center. If it’s all Wands, it’s time to take action!

Check for Balance: Do you have a mix of suits, or is one missing? A lack of Swords might mean you need more clarity and logic, while no Pentacles could be a sign to focus on stability.

Ask the Right Questions: Let the suits guide your interpretation. Wands ask, “What am I passionate about?” Cups ask, “How do I feel?” Swords say, “What do I need to understand?” and Pentacles remind you to ask, “How can I build long-term success?”

Use Suits for Daily Guidance: Pull a card each morning and let the suit guide your day’s focus. If you draw a Sword, maybe it’s a day for honest communication. A Cup? Time for some self-care and connection.

Bringing All the Suits Together

Life is a mix of all of these energies and learning how to read tarot suits can enhance your self-discovery journey. Maybe you’re in a fiery Wands phase, chasing your dreams, but you also need some Pentacle energy to stay grounded. Or maybe your emotions (Cups) are running high, and you need the clarity of Swords to make sense of it all.

This deck transforms tarot into a tool of empowerment, making every reading a chance to explore, evolve, and embrace your personal journey. Something that was important to me while creating this deck, was rewriting any narratives founded on patriarchal power dynamics or threatening language. The suits in The Adventure Tarot are no different and will leave you feeling empowered and excited! 

Next time you pull a tarot card, take a moment to look at its suit, it’s offering you a clue about which part of your life needs attention. Trust the journey, embrace the lessons, and remember, you’re the one writing your story. ✨

Ready to shuffle the deck? Your adventure awaits!

SHOP THE ADVENTURE TAROT NOW