S. L. MacGregor Mathers's Divinatory Meanings
Excerpted from The Tarot: Its Occult Significance, Use in Fortune-Telling, and Method of Play, Etc.
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The Magician
Upright
Will, Will-Power, Dexterity
Reversed
Will applied to evil ends, Weakness of Will, Cunning, Knavishness.
The Papess
Upright
Science, Wisdom, Knowledge, Education
Reversed
Conceit, Ignorance, Unskilfulness, Superficial Knowledge.
The Empress
Upright
Action, Plan, Undertaking Movement in a matter, Initiative
Reversed
Inaction, Frittering away of power, Want of Concentration Vacillation.
The Pope
Upright
Mercy, Beneficence Kindness, Goodness
Reversed
Over-kindness, weakness, Foolish exercise of generosity.
The Lovers
Upright
Wise Dispositions, Proof, Trials Surmounted
Reversed
Unwise Plans, Failure when put to the test.
The Chariot
Upright
Triumph, Victory, Overcoming obstacles
Reversed
Overthrown, Conquered by Obstacles at the last moment.
Justice
Upright
Equilibrium, Balance, Justice
Reversed
Bigotry, Want of Balance, Abuse of Justice, Over-severity, Inequality, Bias.
Wheel of Fortune
Upright
Good Fortune, Success, Unexpected Luck
Reversed
Ill-Fortune, Failure, Unexpected Ill-Luck.
Strength
Upright
Power, Might, Force, Strength, Fortitude
Reversed
Abuse of Power, Overbearingness, Want of Fortitude.
The Traitor
Upright
Self-sacrifice, Sacrifice, Devotion, Bound
Reversed
Selfishness, Unbound, Partial sacrifice.
Death
Upright
Death, Change, Transformation, Alteration for the worse
Reversed
Death just escaped, Partial change, Alteration for the better.
Temperance
Upright
Combination, Conformation, Uniting
Reversed
Ill-advised combinations, Disunion, Clashing interests, &c.
The Tower
Upright
Ruin, Disruption, Over-throw, Loss, Bankruptcy
Reversed
These in a more or less partial degree.
The Star
Upright
Hope, Expectation, Bright promises
Reversed
Hopes not fulfilled, Expectations disappointed or fulfilled in a minor degree.
The Moon
Upright
Twilight, Deception, Error
Reversed
Fluctuation, slight Deceptions, Trifling Mistakes.
Judgement
Upright
Renewal, Result, Determination of a Matter
Reversed
Postponement of Result, Delay, Matter re-opened later.
The Fool
Upright
Folly, Expiation, Wavering
Reversed
Hesitation, Instability, Trouble arising herefrom.
King of Clubs
Upright
Man living in the country, Country Gentleman, Knowledge, Education
Reversed
A naturally good but severe man, Counsel, Advice, Deliberation.
Queen of Clubs
Upright
Woman living in the country, Lady of the Manor, Love of Money, Avarice, Usury
Reversed
A good a virtuous Woman, but strict and economical, Obstacles, Resistance, Opposition.
Page of Clubs
Upright
A Good Stranger, Good News, Pleasure, Satisfaction
Reversed
Ill News, Displeasure, Chagrin, Worry.
Ten of Clubs
Upright
Confidence, Security, Honour, Good Faith
Reversed
Treachery, Subterfuge, Duplicity, Bar.
Nine of Clubs
Upright
Order, Discipline, Good Arrangement, Disposition
Reversed
Obstacles, Crosses, Delay, Displeasure.
Eight of Clubs
Upright
Understanding, Observation, Direction
Reversed
Quarrels, Intestine disputes, Discord.
Seven of Clubs
Upright
Success, Gain, Advantage, Profit, Victory
Reversed
Indecision, Doubt, Hesitation, Embarrassment, Anxiety.
Six of Clubs
Upright
Attempt, Hope, Desire, Wish, Expectation
Reversed
Infidelity, Treachery, Disloyalty, Perfidy.
Five of Clubs
Upright
Gold, Opulence, Gain, Heritage, Riches, Fortune, Money
Reversed
Legal proceedings, Judgment, Law, Lawyer, Tribunal.
Four of Clubs
Upright
Society, Union, Association, Concord, Harmony
Reversed
Prosperity, Success, Happiness, Advantage.
Three of Clubs
Upright
Enterprise, Undertaking, Commerce, Trade, Negotiation
Reversed
Hope, Desire, Attempt, Wish.
Two of Clubs
Upright
Riches, Fortune, Opulence, Magnificence, Grandeur
Reversed
Surprise, Astonishment, Event, Extraordinary Occurrence.
Ace of Clubs
Upright
Birth, Commencement, Beginning, Origin, Source
Reversed
Persecution, Pursuits Voilence, Vexation, Cruelty, Tyranny.
King of Cups
Upright
A fair Man, Goodness, Kindness, Liberality, Generosity
Reversed
A Man of good position, but shifty in his Dealings, Distrust, Doubt, Suspicion.
Queen of Cups
Upright
A fair Woman, Success, Happiness, Advantage, Pleasure
Reversed
A Woman in good position, but intermeddling, and to be distrusted; Success, but with some attendant trouble.
Knight of Cups
Upright
Arrival, Approach, Advance
Reversed
Duplicity, Abuse of Confidence, Fraud, Cunning.
Page of Cups
Upright
A fair Youth, Confidence, Probity, Discretion, Integrity
Reversed
A Flatterer, Deception, Artifice.
Ten of Cups
Upright
The Town wherein one resides, Honour, Consideration, Esteem, Virtue, Glory, Reputation
Reversed
Combat, Strife, Opposition, Differences, Dispute.
Nine of Cups
Upright
Victory, Advantage, Success, Triumph, Difficulties surmounted
Reversed
Faults, Errors, Mistakes, Imperfections.
Eight of Cups
Upright
A fair Girl, Friendship, Attachment, Tenderness
Reversed
Gaiety, Feasting, Joy, Pleasure.
Seven of Cups
Upright
Idea, Sentiment, Reflection, Project
Reversed
Plan, Design, Resolution, Decision.
Six of Cups
Upright
The Past, passed by, Faded, Vanished, Disappeared
Reversed
The Future, that which is to come, Shortly, Soon.
Five of Cups
Upright
Union, Junction, Marriage, Inheritance
Reversed
Arrival, Return, News, Surprise, False projects.
Four of Cups
Upright
Ennui, Displeasure, Discontent, Dissatisfaction
Reversed
New Acquaintance, Conjecture, Sign, Presentiment.
Three of Cups
Upright
Success, Triumph, Victory, Favourable issue
Reversed
Expedition of business, Quickness, Celerity, Vigilance.
Two of Cups
Upright
Love, Attachment, Friendship, Sincerity, Affection
Reversed
Crossed desires, Obstacles, Opposition, Hindrance.
Ace of Cups
Upright
Feasting, Banquet, Good Cheer
Reversed
Change, Novelty, Metamorphosis, Inconstancy.
King of Swords
Upright
A Lawyer, a Man of Law, Power, Command, Superiority, Authority
Reversed
A Wicked Man, Chagrin, Worry, Grief, Fear, Disturbance.
Queen of Swords
Upright
Widowhood, Loss, Privation, Absence, Separation
Reversed
A Bad Woman, ill-tempered and bigoted, Riches and Discord, Abundance together with Worry, Joy with Grief.
Knight of Swords
Upright
A Soldier, a man whose profession is arms, Skilfulness, Capacity, Address, Promptitude
Reversed
A conceited fool, Ingenuousness, Simplicity.
Page of Swords
Upright
A Spy, Overlooking, Authority
Reversed
That which is unforeseen, Vigilance, Support.
Ten of Swords
Upright
Tears, Affliction, Grief, Sorrow
Reversed
Passing Success, Momentary Advantage.
Nine of Swords
Upright
An Ecclesiastic, a Priest, Conscience. Probity, Good Faith, Integrity
Reversed
Wise distrust, Suspicion, Fear, Doubt, Shady character.
Eight of Swords
Upright
Sickness, Calumny, Criticism, Blame
Reversed
Treachery in the Past, Event, Accident, Remarkable Incident.
Seven of Swords
Upright
Hope, Confidence, Desire, Attempt, Wish
Reversed
Wise Advice, Good Counsel, Wisdom, Prudence, Circumspection.
Six of Swords
Upright
Envoy, Messenger, Voyage, Travel
Reversed
Declaration, Love proposed, Revelation, Surprise.
Five of Swords
Upright
Mourning, Sadness, Affliction
Reversed
Losses Trouble (same signification, whether reversed or not.)
Four of Swords
Upright
Solitude, Retreat, Abandonment, Solitary, Hermit
Reversed
Economy, Precaution, Regulation of Expenditure.
Three of Swords
Upright
A Nun, Separation, Removal, Rupture, Quarrel
Reversed
Error, Confusion, Misrule, Disorder.
Two of Swords
Upright
Friendship, Valour, Firmness, Courage
Reversed
False Friends, Treachery, Lies.
Ace of Swords
Upright
Triumph, Fecundity, Fertility, Prosperity
Reversed
Embarrassment, Foolish and Hopeless Love, Obstacle, Hindrance.
King of Coins
Upright
A dark Man, Victory, Bravery, Courage, Success
Reversed
An old and vicious Man, a Dangerous Man, Doubt, Fear, Peril, Danger.
Queen of Coins
Upright
A dark Woman, a generous Woman, Liberality, Greatness of Soul, Generosity
Reversed
Certain Evil, a suspicious Woman, a Woman justly regarded with Suspicion, Doubt, Mistrust.
Knight of Coins
Upright
A useful Man, Trustworthy, Wisdom, Economy, Order, Regulation
Reversed
A brave Man, but out of Employment, Idle, Unemployed, Negligent.
Page of Coins
Upright
A dark Youth, Economy, Order, Rule, Management
Reversed
Prodigality, Profusion, Waste, Dissipation.
Ten of Coins
Upright
House, Dwelling, Habitation, Family
Reversed
Gambling, Dissipation, Robbery, Loss.
Nine of Coins
Upright
Discretion, Circumspection, Prudence, Discernment
Reversed
Deceit, Bad faith, Artifices, Deception.
Eight of Coins
Upright
A dark Girl, Beauty, Candour, Chastity, Innocence, Modesty
Reversed
Flattery, Usury, Hypocrisy, Shifty.
Seven of Coins
Upright
Money, Finance, Treasure, Gain, Profit
Reversed
Disturbance, Worry, Anxiety, Melancholy.
Six of Coins
Upright
Presents, Gifts, Gratification
Reversed
Ambition, Desire, Passion, Aim, Longing.
Five of Coins
Upright
Lover or Mistress, Love, Sweetness, Affection, Pure and Chaste Love
Reversed
Disgraceful Love, Imprudence, License, Profligacy.
Three of Coins
Upright
Nobility, Elevation, Dignity, Rank, Power
Reversed
Children, Sons, Daughters, Youths, Commencement.
Ace of Coins
Upright
Perfect Contentment, Felicity, Prosperity, Triumph
Reversed
Purse of Gold, Money, Gain, Help, Profit, Riches.