Tarot glossary
Short definitions of the terms that come up in readings: arcana, querent, significator, spread, trump and more.
21 guides in this category
What is an arcanum in tarot?
Arcanum is the traditional name for a tarot card. Learn where the word comes from, how the 78 arcana divide and why the term points to mystery.
What are the Major Arcana in tarot?
The Major Arcana are the 22 cards with the heaviest symbolism in tarot, from The Fool to The World. See the definition, numbering and how they enter a reading.
What are the Minor Arcana in tarot?
The Minor Arcana are the 56 cards of the four tarot suits. Learn how they are organized, what they cover and how they relate to the Major Arcana.
What does trump mean in tarot?
Trump is one of the names for the Major Arcana and comes from an Italian card game. See where the term comes from, what it means and when it is used.
What is a lâmina in tarot?
Lâmina is a Brazilian Portuguese way of saying tarot card. Learn where it comes from, when it appears and how it differs from arcanum and card.
What is a suit in tarot?
A suit is each of the four groups of Minor Arcana cards: Wands, Cups, Swords and Pentacles. See the definition, the names and the common associations.
What is a court card in tarot?
A court card is each of the four figures of every tarot suit: Page, Knight, Queen and King. See how they are read and how they vary between decks.
What is the Ace in tarot?
The Ace is the first card of each tarot suit and marks a beginning or a seed. Learn the definition, the symbolism and how the term is used in a reading.
What is a significator in tarot?
A significator is the card chosen to represent the querent or the theme of the reading. See the definition, how it is chosen and whether you really need one.
What is a querent (or sitter) in tarot?
A querent is the person who asks the question in a tarot reading. Learn where the term comes from, how sitter is used and what role the person plays.
What is a spread in tarot?
A spread is the method of choosing and laying out tarot cards to answer a question. See the definition, the most common types and how to pick one.
What is a card's position in a spread?
A position is the place on the table that gives a card its role in a tarot spread. Learn how it shapes a reading and why one card can mean different things.
What is a clarifier card in tarot?
A clarifier is an extra card drawn to shed light on a card or position that felt unclear. See the definition, when to use one and what to watch out for.
What is a cartomancer and what do they do?
A cartomancer is someone who reads playing cards as a form of divination or guidance. See the definition, how it differs from a tarot reader and what to expect.
What is a tarot reader?
A tarot reader studies and reads tarot, as a personal practice or a profession. Learn the definition, what they do and how they differ from a cartomancer.
What is cartomancy?
Cartomancy is the practice of reading playing cards to reflect on or anticipate situations. See its origin, the decks used and how it connects to tarot.
What is an oracle?
An oracle is a deck of symbolic cards without tarot's fixed structure. See the definition, the origin of the term and how it differs from tarot.
What does Marseille mean in tarot?
Marseille is the name of a family of traditional French tarot decks. See what the term means, the hallmarks of the style and how it differs from others.
What is the Rider-Waite-Smith?
The Rider-Waite-Smith is the 1909 tarot deck illustrated by Pamela Colman Smith, with scenes on every card. Learn the name and its influence on tarot today.
What is the Thoth Tarot?
The Thoth Tarot is the deck conceived by Aleister Crowley and painted by Lady Frieda Harris. See the definition, the card name changes and its symbolic style.
What is a reversed card in tarot?
A reversed card is one that lands upside down in a spread. See the definition, the different ways to interpret it and why not every reader uses reversals.