A-Z (Alphabetical)

Arcana

Meaning: Latin for “secret.” Tarot cards are classified into Major Arcana and Minor Arcana.

Celtic Cross

Meaning: One of the most famous and complex spreads. 10 cards are arranged in a cross shape to analyze a situation from multiple angles.

Court Cards

Meaning: Person cards. Each suit includes 4 cards: Page, Knight, Queen, and King. → See Person Cards

Cups

Meaning: One of the four suits of the Minor Arcana. Corresponds to the element of water, representing emotions, love, and relationships. Also called Chalices.

Divination

Meaning: The art or practice of foretelling the future or discovering hidden truths. Tarot is one form of it.

Fool’s Journey

Meaning: A story expressing the gradual growth of life, from Major Arcana card 0 “The Fool” to card 21 “The World.”

Major Arcana

Meaning: The 22 main cards of the Tarot. They represent important stages and major themes in life.

Minor Arcana

Meaning: The 56 cards of the Tarot. They represent daily events and specific situations. Divided into four suits.

Pentacles

Meaning: One of the four suits of the Minor Arcana. Corresponds to the element of earth, representing material possessions, money, and health. Also called Coins or Disks.

Pip Cards

Meaning: The numbered cards of the Minor Arcana (Ace to 10). A term used to distinguish them from Court Cards.

Querent

Meaning: The person receiving a Tarot reading. The person who asks for a reading.

Reader

Meaning: The person who performs a Tarot reading. The person who reads the cards, a fortune teller.

Reversed

Meaning: The state where a card appears upside down. It is said to have a different meaning from the upright position.

Rider-Waite

Meaning: One of the most common Tarot decks. Designed by Dr. Arthur Edward Waite and illustrated by Pamela Colman Smith.

Spread

Meaning: The method of arranging cards. Arranging cards in a specific pattern according to the question.

Suit

Meaning: One of the four groups of the Minor Arcana: Wands, Cups, Swords, and Pentacles.

Swords

Meaning: One of the four suits of the Minor Arcana. Corresponds to the element of air, representing thought, difficulties, and conflict. Also called Blades.

Upright

Meaning: The state where a card appears in its normal orientation. Interpreted as its standard meaning.

Wands

Meaning: One of the four suits of the Minor Arcana. Corresponds to the element of fire, representing passion, creativity, and work. Also called Batons or Rods.

Japanese Syllabary Order (A-Z equivalent)

Gusha (Fool)

English: The Fool Number: 0 or 22 Meaning: New beginnings, purity, adventurous spirit, innocence. The starting point of the Major Arcana journey.

Gusha no Tabi (Fool’s Journey)

English: Fool’s Journey Meaning: A way to interpret the Major Arcana as a story of life’s growth. From The Fool (0) to The World (21).

Ace

Meaning: The 1st card of each suit. Represents new beginnings, pure energy, and potential.

Element

English: Element Meaning: The four basic elements. Corresponds to Fire (Wands), Water (Cups), Air (Swords), and Earth (Pentacles).

Major Arcana

English: Major Arcana Meaning: The 22 main cards of the Tarot. They represent important stages and major themes in life.

K-Row (K-sound)

Kantei (Reading)

Meaning: Performing a Tarot reading. Reading and interpreting cards.

Gyakuichi (Reversed)

English: Reversed Meaning: The state where a card is upside down. Interpreted differently from the upright position.

King

Meaning: One of the Court Cards of each suit. Represents a mature man, authority, and outward power.

Queen

Meaning: One of the Court Cards of each suit. Represents a mature woman, nurturing, and inward power.

Celtic Cross

English: Celtic Cross Meaning: One of the most famous spreads using 10 cards.

Kouka (Coins)

English: Coins/Pentacles Meaning: Another name for Pentacles. Represents material abundance and practical matters.

Court Card

English: Court Cards Meaning: English name for Person Cards. The four cards: Page, Knight, Queen, and King.

S-Row (S-sound)

Sanmai-biki (Three Card Draw)

English: Three Card Spread Meaning: A basic spread using 3 cards. Interpreted as Past/Present/Future, etc.

Significator

English: Significator Meaning: A card representing the querent. Sometimes chosen before the reading.

Shitsumonsha (Querent)

English: Querent Meaning: The person receiving a Tarot reading. The person asking for a reading.

Shuffle

English: Shuffle Meaning: Mixing the cards. Done to prepare the energy before a reading.

Minor Arcana

English: Minor Arcana Meaning: The 56 cards of the Tarot. They represent daily events.

Seihai (Chalice)

English: Cups Meaning: Another name for Cups. A suit representing emotions, love, and spirituality.

Seiichi (Upright)

English: Upright Meaning: The state where a card appears in its normal orientation. Interpreted as its basic meaning.

Swords

English: Swords Meaning: One of the four suits of the Minor Arcana. Represents thought, difficulties, and conflict. Blades.

Spread

English: Spread Meaning: The method of arranging cards. A specific pattern according to the question.

Suit

English: Suit Meaning: The four groups of the Minor Arcana: Wands, Cups, Swords, and Pentacles.

T-Row (T-sound)

Major Arcana

English: Major Arcana Meaning: The 22 main cards of the Tarot.

Tarot

English: Tarot Meaning: A divination method using 78 cards. Developed in Europe around the 15th century.

Tarot Deck

English: Tarot Deck Meaning: A complete set of Tarot cards. Consists of 78 cards.

Uranai-shi (Fortune Teller)

English: Reader/Fortune Teller Meaning: The person who performs a Tarot reading. Also called a Reader.

N-Row (N-sound)

Knight

Meaning: One of the Court Cards of each suit. Represents a young man, action, and change.

Nimai-biki (Two Card Draw)

English: Two Card Spread Meaning: A simple spread using 2 cards.

Jinbutsu-fuda (Person Cards)

English: Court Cards Meaning: The four person cards included in each suit: Page, Knight, Queen, and King.

H-Row (H-sound)

Haichi (Layout)

English: Layout Meaning: Arranging cards in a spread.

Page

Meaning: One of the Court Cards of each suit. Represents a young person, a learner, and a messenger.

Pentacle

Meaning: One of the four suits of the Minor Arcana. Represents material possessions, money, and health. Coins.

Bou (Rod)

English: Wands Meaning: Another name for Wands. A suit representing passion and creativity.

M-Row (M-sound)

Major Arcana

English: Major Arcana Meaning: English name for Major Arcana. The 22 main cards.

Minor Arcana

English: Minor Arcana Meaning: English name for Minor Arcana. The 56 daily cards.

Y-Row (Y-sound)

Yomi (Reading)

English: Reading Meaning: Interpreting cards. Performing a reading.

Yondai Genso (Four Elements)

English: Four Elements Meaning: The four basic elements: Fire, Water, Air, and Earth. Corresponds to each suit.

R-Row (R-sound)

Rider-Waite

English: Rider-Waite Meaning: The most common Tarot deck. Standard design for modern Tarot.

Reading

English: Reading Meaning: Reading Tarot cards. Performing a reading.

Reader

English: Reader Meaning: The person who performs a Tarot reading. A fortune teller.

Gyaku-biki (Reverse Draw)

Meaning: Drawing a card in the reversed position.

W-Row (W-sound)

Wands

Meaning: One of the four suits of the Minor Arcana. Represents the element of fire, passion, and creativity. Rods, Batons.

Numbers and Symbols

0 (Zero)

Card: The Fool Meaning: Infinite possibilities, new beginnings, purity.

1 (One)

Card: The Magician, Ace of each suit Meaning: Beginning, will, creativity, pure energy.

21 (Twenty-one)

Card: The World Meaning: Completion, achievement, integration, preparation for a new cycle.

22 (Twenty-two)

Meaning: The number of Major Arcana cards. Or the number for The Fool if it’s considered 22.

56 (Fifty-six)

Meaning: The number of Minor Arcana cards. 4 suits × 14 cards.

78 (Seventy-eight)

Meaning: The total number of Tarot cards. 22 Major Arcana + 56 Minor Arcana.

Special Terms

Astral Plane

English: Astral Plane Meaning: A spiritual dimension. The realm from which Tarot is said to derive information.

Inner Voice

English: Inner Voice Meaning: The inner voice, intuition. An important element in Tarot reading.

Oracle

English: Oracle Meaning: Divine message, revelation. Tarot is also a type of oracle system.

Karma

English: Karma Meaning: The law of cause and effect. The concept that past actions influence the present.

Synchronicity

English: Synchronicity Meaning: Meaningful coincidences. One of the principles by which Tarot is said to function.

Chakra

English: Chakra Meaning: Energy centers. Referenced in some Tarot readings.

Numerology

English: Numerology Meaning: The study of numbers. Closely related to the meaning of numbers in Tarot.

Pathworking

English: Pathworking Meaning: A meditation technique using Tarot card imagery.

Life Path

English: Life Path Meaning: The course of one’s life. An important theme explored in Tarot.

Practical Terms

Warm-up

Meaning: Preparation before a reading. Performing meditation or concentration.

Energy Clearing

Meaning: Purification of energy. The act of cleansing cards or space.

Grounding

English: Grounding Meaning: To connect with the earth. A stabilization technique performed before and after a reading.

Session

English: Session Meaning: The duration of a single reading. A reading session.

Protection

English: Protection Meaning: Safeguarding. Protecting oneself from negative energy during a reading.

Meditation

English: Meditation Meaning: Meditation. Performed before a reading or to deepen the connection with the cards.

Summary

This glossary covers important specialized terms for learning and practicing Tarot reading. Refer to it regularly for accurate understanding and effective learning.

Understanding these terms leads to a deeper practice of Tarot reading. Through continuous learning and practice, you will be able to use these terms naturally.