Minor arcana in the Rider Waite Smith tarot
The Minor Arcana of the Rider-Waite-Smith Tarot complement the Major Arcana by providing concrete details about everyday situations. Composed of 56 cards divided into four suits – Cups, Swords, Wands and Pentacles – they explore the emotions, thoughts, actions and material aspects of life.
Each suit contains ten numbered cards (Ace to 10) and four court figures: Page, Knight, Queen and King. These cards reflect personal, relational and professional dynamics. For example, the Cups are linked to love and intuition, the Swords to communication and conflict, the Sticks to creativity and energy, while the Coins symbolise money, work and stability.
The Rider-Waite-Smith tarot is distinguished by offering a complete illustration for each minor card, facilitating intuitive and accessible interpretation, even for beginners. In a reading, the minor arcana of the tarot deck bring precision and nuance, enriching the overall reading of the tarot.
Studying the minor arcana means learning to decipher the subtle influences of everyday life through a powerful symbolic language.
