The pack of tarot cards consists of 78 cards. Of these, twenty two of them are called major arcana. When these appear in your reading, it means a time of changes. If you only have minor cards, then it's a time to sit back and wait. Of the minor cards, the suits are cups, representing love and relationships. Pentacles represent money and anything earthy. Swords are sometimes connected to aggression and quick thinking. Spears are work related and anything concerning creativity.
The major Arcana.
The Fool, The Magician, The High Priestess, The Empress, The Emperor, The Hierophant, The Lovers, The Chariot, Strength, The Hermit, The Wheel of Fortune, Justice, The Hanged man, Death, Temperance, The Devil, The Tower, The Star, The Moon, The Sun, Judgement, The World.
This group of cards takes you on a journey from setting out with the Fool, maybe you are wondering whether to take a path that means taking risks, and having people say you'd be a fool to go this way. Follow your heart is the message that the fool brings. The Magician tells of wisdom and skills needed to set you on your path. Learning a new trade or studying something new would be a good idea when this card shows up. High Priestess card tells of your spirit guide being close. All things mystical and psychic are concerned with this card. Empress is the mother card. Protection and a feeling of calm come with this card. Emperor tells of a business person. Being in control and making descisions are show when this card appears in the spread. Hierophant represents someone who you go to for advice. a solicitor, doctor, accountant, advisor. Decisions are to be made when this card appears. Lovers is telling of special relationships. Depending on the cards around, it could mean marriage, engagement or a deepening of commitment in a romance. The chariot tells of moving on, this could mean moving house, or changing jobs. Lots of activity going on when this one appears. Strength tells that you will be strong in a situation. Keeping calm and dealing with the job in hand. Hermit is saying that now you need to withdraw and take some time out to think over what you have to do. You may take up meditation or yoga something along those lines. Wheel of fortune means that your luck is changing for the better. Sometimes you will have a lucky gamble that will pay off when this card shows up. In general, what goes around comes around. Your luck is in... Justice will be done when this card shows up. If you're going through some kind of talks with a solicitor, then things will get sorted out. Hanged man means you're putting yourself last in a situation. Time to put yourself at the front of the queue, and stop doing everything for everybody. Look after your own interests for a change... Death card is one of the best cards in the pack, not meaning a death; more a death of a situation. A complete new way of life will come when this card appears. The only time, if ever it means an actual death is if lots of other cards around it indicate this. Very rarely does this occur. Only once for me it happened, and the lady was asking questions about her old aunt who was a hundred and one... Temperance card shows that a balance of a situation will come about. Bridges will be mended, rifts in relationships will heal. A calming time is coming for you when this card appears. The Devil tells you to look out for someone who is no good. Somebody will try and corrupt your way of thinking and lead you astray. Beware of strangers, and be even more aware of jealousy and backstabbing going on. The Tower. This card concerns your home. Depending on the surrounding cards, it could mean someone moving out of your home or someone moving in. You will need to look at the cards around it to see what the message is here. In general it means disruption in your home life. The Star tells of hope and inspiration. You could have a flash of genius in your dreams or while you're having a moment to yourself. Whatever comes to mind will be the answer to your problems.
The suits of the minor arcana are swords, wands, cups and pentacles. These stand for air, fire, water, earth. In order as they are above, they stand for the mind, careers, love and money.