Tarot cards
Angelique burns a house of tarot cards.
Tarot cards are one of the many supernatural tools that provide knowledge of a future event or situation, especially through extrasensory means. They are commonly used by gypsies, warlocks, and witches. Like a normal deck of playing cards, the tarot has four suits (which vary by region, being the French suits in Northern Europe, the Latin suits in Southern Europe, and the German suits in Central Europe). Each of these suits has pip cards numbering from ace to ten and four face cards for a total of 14 cards. In addition, the tarot is distinguished by a separate 21-card trump suit and a single card known as the Fool. Depending on the game, the Fool may act as the top trump or may be played to avoid following suit.
- "The cards don't lie." - Leticia Faye, 1176
Card meanings[]
| Card | Meaning | |
|---|---|---|
| 0 or 22 | The Fool | Inconsiderate actions. Madness. Innocence. Risk. |
| 1 | The Magician | Male inquirer. Potential. Confidence |
| 2 | The High Priestess | Female inquirer. Intuition. Mystery |
| 3 | The Empress | Abundance. Pregnancy. Motherhood |
| 4 | The Emperor | Will. Knowledge. Leadership. Fatherhood. |
| 5 | The Hierophant | Inspiration. Spiritual advisor. Truth. Tradition. |
| 6 | The Lovers | Love. Attraction. Alliance. Choice. |
| 7 | The Chariot | Triumph. Providential protection. Movement. |
| 8 | Justice | Justice. Balance. Contracts. |
| 9 | The Hermit | Prudence. Solitude. Introspection. |
| 10 | Wheel of Fortune | Fortune. Destiny. Cycles. Changing luck. |
| 11 | Strength | Strength. Fortitude. Self-control. |
| 12 | The Hanged Man | Trials. Sacrifice. Changing perspective. |
| 13 | Death | Death. Drastic change. Inheritance. |
| 14 | Temperance | Temperance. Economy. Moderation. |
| 15 | The Devil | Trapped. Illness. Addiction. Lust. |
| 16 | The Tower | Crisis. Destruction. Liberation. |
| 17 | The Star | Hope. Dreams. Wishes. Healing. |
| 18 | The Moon | Hidden enemies. Danger. Secrets. Dreams. |
| 19 | The Sun | Joy. Good health. Children. |
| 20 | Judgement | Change of position. Second chances. Calling. |
| 21 | The World | Assured success. Completion. Travel. Endings. |
| Card | Meaning | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ace of Wands | Initiative. New projects. Birth. |
| 2 | Two of Wands | Equilibrium. Hope. Inspiration. |
| 3 | Three of Wands | Resourcefulness. Cleaning. Expectation. |
| 4 | Four of Wands | Agreement. Celebration. Stability. |
| 5 | Five of Wands | Preparation for a confrontation. Combat. |
| 6 | Six of Wands | Defeated enemies. Rewarded efforts. Fame. |
| 7 | Seven of Wands | Decisive challenge. Moral strength. Valor. Standing ground. |
| 8 | Eight of Wands | Motion. Dynamism. Blending of activities. News. |
| 9 | Nine of Wands | Protective instinct. Defensiveness. Determination. |
| 10 | Ten of Wands | Oppression. Burden. Taking on too much. Confusion. |
| 11 | Page of Wands | Friendship. Help from a companion. Enthusiasm. Playfulness. |
| 12 | Knight of Wands | Dynamic action. Passion. Desire. Seduction. |
| 13 | Queen of Wands | Allure. Spiritedness. Warmth. |
| 14 | King of Wands | Charisma. Inspirational leadership. Father figure. |
| Card | Meaning | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ace of Coins | Material control. New wealth. Gifts. |
| 2 | Two of Coins | Juggling. Finding balance. Back and forth. |
| 3 | Three of Coins | Teamwork. Projects. Craft. |
| 4 | Four of Coins | Possessiveness. Greed. Holding on. |
| 5 | Five of Coins | Poverty. Lack. In need of help. |
| 6 | Six of Coins | Generosity. Give and take. Rightful reward. |
| 7 | Seven of Coins | Investment. Patience. Wait and see. |
| 8 | Eight of Coins | Work. Completion. Skill. Projects well done. |
| 9 | Nine of Coins | Independence. Prudence. Sudden wealth. |
| 10 | Ten of Coins | Returns. Legacy. Family. Foundations. |
| 11 | Page of Coins | Wise management. Studies. |
| 12 | Knight of Coins | Slow-and-steady. Gradual progress. Financial growth. |
| 13 | Queen of Coins | Fruitfulness. Nurturing. Prosperity. |
| 14 | King of Coins | Business success. Monetary wisdom. Steadiness. |
| Card | Meaning | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ace of Cups | Harmony. Emotion. Affection. |
| 2 | Two of Cups | Falling in love. Collaboration. |
| 3 | Three of Cups | Celebration. Love affairs. Friendships |
| 4 | Four of Cups | Boredom. Depression. Taking for granted. |
| 5 | Five of Cups | Sorrows. Pain. Hopelessness. |
| 6 | Six of Cups | Happy memories. Return of old friends. Nostalgia. Childhood. |
| 7 | Seven of Cups | Fantasy. Many options. |
| 8 | Eight of Cups | Abandonment. Walking away. Moving on. |
| 9 | Nine of Cups | Joy of the senses. Satisfaction. A wish or dream come true. |
| 10 | Ten of Cups | Happiness. Good family relations. Happy marriage. |
| 11 | Page of Cups | Sweetness. Apologies. A crush. |
| 12 | Knight of Cups | Courtship. Romance. Ideal lover. Pleasure |
| 13 | Queen of Cups | Ideal wife and mother. Kindness. Compassion. Gentleness. |
| 14 | King of Cups | Sympathy. Winning hearts. Emotional depth. |
| Card | Meaning | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ace of Swords | Triumph. Logic. Victory. Thoughts. |
| 2 | Two of Swords | Difficult choices. Sizing up. Stalemate. |
| 3 | Three of Swords | Grief. Apprehension. Heartbreak. |
| 4 | Four of Swords | Retreat. Rest. Inaction. |
| 5 | Five of Swords | Future revenge. Betrayal. Defeat. |
| 6 | Six of Swords | Escape. Successful undertaking. Problem solving. |
| 7 | Seven of Swords | Subterfuge. Theft. Affairs. Sneaking away. |
| 8 | Eight of Swords | Imprisonment. Lack of trust. Helplessness. |
| 9 | Nine of Swords | Anxiety. Nightmares. Cry for help. |
| 10 | Ten of Swords | Ruin. Sudden ending. No communication. |
| 11 | Page of Swords | Observation. Learning. Spying. Social media. |
| 12 | Knight of Swords | Victory. Rush. Dramatics. Strong ally. |
| 13 | Queen of Swords | Reason. Intelligence. Wise action. Widows and spinsters. |
| 14 | King of Swords | Authority. Legal suits. Cool intellect. Mental prowess. |
Different spreads[]
- The Celtic Cross is the most common layout used for a Tarot card reading. Ten cards are drawn from the shuffled deck to form the Celtic Cross.
- The Tree of Life consists of ten cards, an eleventh signifier card can be optionally added, positioned in the center of the spread directly beneath the top card. The spread resembles a weeping willow tree.
- The 3 Card is an overview of the Past, Present and Future of the querent. Three cards are drawn from a deck of cards that have been shuffled and cut twice. The cards are placed downward on the table. The first card flipped over is the middle card, representing present influences. Secondly, the card on the left is turned over for review of past influences. Thirdly, the final card on the right is revealed to give a future outlook. Notably, there are various other 3-card tarot spreads that cater to different aspects of life. However, the simplicity and versatility of the classic Past, Present, Future spread make it an accessible and insightful choice for a wide range of inquiries.
- The Gypsy combines the 22 major arcana cards, (the trump cards of the Tarot deck) with the 20 cards drawn by the querent.
- The Pyramid consists of ten cards. This spread can be used for periodic life review readings. All the cards are placed upright, starting with the top card. For the top card, either a signifier card is selected for this position or a random card is drawn from the shuffled deck. The remaining rows of cards are laid out from left to right.
- The Double Triad consists of seven cards. The center card is the signifier. The other six cards are positioned to form two triangles. An upright triangle (pyramid) and upside down triangle (inverted pyramid). These two triangles interlock, forming a six-pointed star. Geometrically, this star card layout with its seventh card in the center forms a merkaba.
- The Circle consists of five cards, which are placed inside a circle. This sacred circle is intended to emulate a mandala or Native American medicine wheel. The first card is drawn from the deck in the east position, moving in the counter-clockwise direction, placing the cards in the South, West, and North positions. Each placement reflects the various bodies: East: Spiritual Body; South: Physical Body; West: Emotional Body; North: Mental Body; Center of Circle: Inner Guidance. The final card is intended to integrate the spiritual, physical, emotional, and mental bodies and offer wisdom and inner guidance.
Appearances[]
| Character | Description | |
|---|---|---|
| 368/369 | Natalie DuPres | Death, The Tower, The Magician, The High Priestess, The Wicked Woman |
| 376 | Natalie DuPres | The Lover (inverted), Death, The Chariot |
| Naomi Collins | Dreams she follows a tarot card to Jeremiah and his lover. | |
| 379 | Natalie DuPres | (no cards named) |
| Victoria Winters | The Princess, The Magician, The Knight, Death | |
| 386 | Natalie DuPres | (no cards named) |
| 400 | Angelique Bouchard Collins | Uses tarot cards as part of a ceremony to call upon the fires of hell. |
| 403 | Natalie DuPres | (no cards named) |
| 406 | Natalie DuPres | The Lover, Death, The Chariot, The Moon, The Tower of Destruction. |
| 417 | Natalie DuPres | (no cards named); she saw her own death foretold in the cards. |
| 441 | Millicent Collins | The Tower of Destruction, The Star, The Moon, The Chariot, The Lover, The Devil, The High Priestess (incorrectly identified by Millicent; in fact, the Queen of Cups) |
| 647 | Elizabeth Collins Stoddard | Finds the Tower of Destruction card. |
| 701 | Edith Collins | The Tower of Destruction; Magda promises to bring some old gypsy cards to show her that are older than the Tarot. |
| 706 | Magda Rakosi | The Joker, The Queen, Death. |
| 713 | Madga Rakosi | The Queen (inverted), The Joker, The Tower of Destruction, The Ace. |
| 719 | Madga Rakosi | (no cards named) |
| 752 | Madga Rakosi | (no cards named) |
| 786 | Madga Rakosi | The Force, The Moon, The Lover (inverted), The Tower of Destruction (inverted), The Hanged Man (inverted) |
| 992 | Daniel Collins (1970 PT) | The Tower of Destruction. |
| 992 | Hannah Stokes | (no cards named) |
| 1003 | Hannah Stokes | The Tower of Destruction, Moon (inverted) |
| 1014 | Quentin Collins (1970 PT) | The Hanging Man |
| 1014 | Angelique Stokes Collins | (no cards named) |
| 1015 | Angelique Stokes Collins | Hanged Man |
| 1038 | Angelique Stokes Collins | Hanged Man |
| 1123 | Flora Collins | Moon, Emperor (inverted), Empress (inverted), Death. |
| 1124 | Leticia Faye | Finds the Tower of Destruction card. |
| 1132 | Gerard Stiles | (no cards named) |
| 1141 | Desmond Collins | (no cards named); he apparently learned how to read the cards from the gypsies on the great plains of Macedonia. |
| 1176 | Leticia Faye | Uses an ordinary deck of playing cards to read Gerard's future |
Background information and notes[]
- In the original series, the Swiss 1JJ deck, a distant derivative of the Tarot of Marseilles, is often used.
- In the revival series, tarot cards used by Maggie Evans are from the Thoth tarot deck, also known as Aleister Crowley tarot, while the tarot cards used by Countess Natalie du Prés are a variation of the Swiss 1JJ tarot cards with some different cards names, such as "The Wicked Woman" instead of High Priestess.
- Tarot cards also appear on the cover of the Dark Shadows comic book named A Motion and a Spirit: Part One - Visits and Visitations, published by Innovation.