The tarot deck is split into two categories: major arcana and minor arcana. Arcana is latin for "life secrets". Then the minor arcana is further split into 4 categories representing the elements. These elements are fire, air, earth and water. For centuries it's been believed that life cannot exist without these 4 elements. Consider that without air we could not breathe, without fire we would have no sun, without water we couldn't survive and without earth we wouldn't exist.
The minor arcana 4 categories are also known as suits wands, cups, swords and coins (or pentacles). Wands relates to your career and intellectual activities. Cups is all about emotions, love, and pleasure. Swords relates to struggles, difficulties and illness. Coins (Earth) deals with the material world, finances and property.
To understand the meaning of each tarot card, first take some time to study the illustrations. Take note that a card could have an opposing meaning if it shows up in a spread upside down. While you can learn the standard meaning of each card, they are not written in stone. You should instead develop your intuition and get your own feeling for what each card means. After you understand the basic card meanings this will become easier.
The cards in the major arcana represent major forces and phases of life. Cards such as Lovers, Death and the World are included. The deck begins with "The Fool" and ends with "The World". Major arcana cards are the most powerful ones in the tarot deck.
Each of the cards in the 4 minor arcana categories range from Ace to King and include 4 additional count cards.
These 4 count cards represent lesser events in our every day lives. Each suit (wands, cups, swords, coins) represents a different area of life, and each card (Ace to King or count card) lends to interpreting tarot cards.
The suit of swords can relate to suffering or intellectual changes. The swords are cards of action and conflict.
The suit of cups relate to changes on an emotional level or in relationships. They relate to how you perceive the world. They are the bridge between idea and action. Cups can also be thought of as relating to desire, inner experience and spirit.
Wands relates to changes in work and creativity. They are about ideas and growth and are considered the first suit of the minor arcana.
The suit of coins represent money, material goods and career advancement. Pentacles are about results and fruition, the actual manifestation of ideas.
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