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Tarot offers the wisdom of the ages to those
who are open to it. Tarot helps one to find the
path, it can pave the way for the seeker. It can
provide the key to open doors if one lets it. 

Tarot touches upon so many aspects of life,
some intricate, some simple and fundamental.
Images on the cards can be interpreted in 
different perspectives in relation to other
cards in the spread. In tarot reading, there
is no right or wrong. 

Numbers and tarot go hand in hand. A good 
grasp of the significance of numbers in the
tarot cards can be very helpful.

Interpretation of numbers:

Tarot Suits: 
It is important to be familiar with the tarot
suits to understand the significance of the
numbers in relation to that suit.

WANDS:
Wands are associated with the fire element.
This suit relates to creativity, inspiration,
motivation and enthusiasm. Energy, spirit, 
growth and enterprise are also indicated by 
this suit.

In relation to other cards, wands can indicate 
if the energy is positive or negative. In most 
decks, wands are shown as rods or staff with 
twigs growing from it; it may also represent 
a weapon to fight or proclaim victory.

CUPS:
This suit represents the water element. It 
relates to emotions, relationships, beauty, 
fertility, affairs of the heart. It deals 
with the sub-conscious mind and instinct.

SWORDS
This suit represents the element air.Most 
pictures of this suit show aggression, defeat,
misfortune. It depicts the active world 
where people strive and fight with courage, 
which may be constructive  or destructive. 
Swords relates to mental energy, the ability 
to think one�s way out of a dilemma.

PENTACLES
This is a suit representing Earth and all 
things of this material world. The coin-like 
discs are pentagrams,five-pointed stars, 
which are time, honored symbols of Man. 
This suit relates to career, enterprise, 
all things that pertain to physical and 
material necessity.  

ACES:
It is number one, the beginning of all 
things. The number for creation and unity. 
It stands for the start of new projects, 
a new idea taking root.It is One God and 
the unity if man. Aces relate to raw energy, 
seize the moment while the energy is �there.�
In some books, Aces indicate the seasons 
for new beginnings to present itself.


TWO
Duality, balance of forces negative or 
positive,collaboration in business ventures, 
unity and harmony in a relationship.

It is the yin and yang, opposites like day 
and night. It calls our attention to balance 
certain elements in our lives, recognize 
the existence of our inner and outer worlds.
It can mean the possibility of a new 
partnership. Two is the experience that 
follows what is expressed by the aces.

THREE
This number is known to indicate growth and
expression. It is the Trinity of life, the 
triune of mind-body-spirit. One brings f
orth the idea,two works to bring it to 
fruition, three brings the fruits, thus 
calls for celebration.

It is a number of vision, creativity and 
perspective.In tarot, three can indicate 
confidence through acquired knowledge and 
understanding of the conflicts brought 
on by number two.

FOUR
This number stands for stability. It is 
the cube, the square in its equality. Four 
is a number of reality,of the material world, 
the status quo. Four is the expression in 
the material world, of the conscious mind 
in this earthly life. When the the foundation 
is solid; there is stability, there are also 
limitations, which can result in stagnation. 
This period can be used to advantage, 
a time to rest.

It is a number of wholeness- the four elements,
four cardinal points, four evangelists, 
four Gospels. In tarot, this number encourages 
a period of development to gain further insight.


FIVE
Five represents the five senses,
Five is a number of instability, uncertainty. 
It indicates constant activity and adversity. 
This  number can mean betrayal, insecurity, 
crises,competition or regret. It is a number 
of anxiety over the unknown.

In tarot, five can reflect the need to 
make a choice or decision to get over a 
crisis, it can pave the way to new possibilities.

SIX
This number relates to balance, harmony,
victory and equilibrium. It is believed 
that number six is the number of the mind.  
It is an important number in ceremonial magic.

Cards with this number comes with a positive
tone; pleasant memories of the past, a difficult 
phase is coming to pass, some victory is
achieved and material well �being is at hand.

Number six reflects how a situation is 
handled,how a challenge is overcome, 
new experience is on the horizon.

SEVEN
This is a number of unexpected change. 
Intuition, insight and perception are
indicated by this number. It shows a 
position of advantage against adversity
and  betrayal.

This number brings with it the possibility
of imagination going wild.
This is the number of mysticism.

EIGHT
This number stands for justice, judgment,
material progress and health. It is the 
number if cosmic balance, symbolized in 
the Rider Waite Wheel of Fortune card. 

In tarot, eight can hint at the need to 
create new order when things are out of 
synch. 

It  can indicate a time to think things 
over, re-assess and re-evaluate and take 
the time to set priorities. Eight encourages
one to let go of the old and worn-out 
ideas and make way for the new.

NINE
This number symbolizes attainment on the 
three planes- physical, mental and spiritual.  
Number nine sums up all the forces of the 
other numbers.

Number nine stands for completion. It 
contains the seeds of a new beginning 
about to take root. It is symbolic of 
attainment on the three planes-
physical, mental and spiritual. 

It brings a period of calm, anxiety, 
excitement and at times, regret. Number 
nine encourages one to be receptive and 
appreciative of the gifts and blessings 
of this life. It is a number that brings 
a semblance of stability through 
transformation.

TEN
Ten marks an ending and hints at a new 
beginning.Ten reflects the heavy load 
on one�s shoulders,but with this, an 
ending is forthcoming. Nothing lasts 
forever, neither good or bad.

Ten reinforces the impermanence of our
material/physical world. It stands for a 
period of  transition as we persevere 
and struggle through stubbornly and 
with determination.

Reference:
Pictorial Key to the Tarot by Arthur Waite
Picures from the Heart by Sandra Thomson



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