š® Tarot Mastery Mini GuideA Complete Introduction to Spreads & Simple Card Meanings
- Amanda jane
- Sep 14
- 9 min read

Simple Tarot card Layouts and Basic key meanings TAROT LEARNING & READINGS FB GROUP
Tarot card layouts:
š Part 1: Tarot Spreads & How to Use Them
1. Single Card Pull
Purpose: Daily guidance, meditation, or quick insight.
How to Do It: Shuffle, set an intention (āWhat do I need to know today?ā), and draw one card.
Interpretation: Read upright/reversed meaning, but also notice imagery and how it connects with your mood.
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2. Three-Card Spread
Purpose: Simple but powerful for storytelling.
Layout:
Card 1 ā Past (influences)
Card 2 ā Present (current situation)
Card 3 ā Future (likely outcome)
Variations:
Mind / Body / Spirit
You / Relationship / Partner
Situation / Obstacle / Advice
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3. Five-Card Cross
Purpose: Deeper look at a situation with added influences.
Layout:
Center ā Present Situation
Left ā Past Influence
Right ā Future Energy
Above ā Strengths/What helps
Below ā Weaknesses/What hinders
Interpretation: A balanced view, especially useful for choices or complex challenges.
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4. Celtic Cross (10 Cards)
Purpose: Classic ābig pictureā reading.
Layout:
1. Present situation
2. Immediate challenge
3. Subconscious foundation
4. Past influences
5. Conscious goals
6. Near future
7. Self / attitude
8. External environment
9. Hopes & fears
10. Outcome
Tip: This spread takes practiceāfocus on how cards interact rather than reading them in isolation.
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5. Horseshoe Spread (7 Cards)
Purpose: To see how situations are unfolding.
Layout:
1. Past
2. Present
3. Hidden influences
4. Obstacles
5. External influences
6. Best action
7. Likely outcome
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6. Relationship Spread (6 Cards)
Purpose: Insight into love, friendship, or family dynamics.
Layout:
1. You
2. Them
3. The connection
4. Strengths
5. Weaknesses
6. Potential outcome
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7. Decision Spread (Two Paths)
Purpose: When faced with a choice.
Layout:
Path A: 3 cards (pros, cons, outcome)
Path B: 3 cards (pros, cons, outcome)
Final Card: Advice/Overall lesson
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8. Year Ahead Spread (12 Cards)
Purpose: Forecast for the next 12 months.
Layout: Lay out 12 cards in a circle or line, each representing a month.
Tip: Journal each card at the start of the month and reflect at the end.
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9. Shadow Work Spread (5ā7 Cards)
Purpose: Healing, uncovering hidden wounds, and growth.
Layout Example (5 Cards):
1. What I hide from myself
2. Where this shadow comes from
3. How it shows up in my life
4. What it teaches me
5. How I can heal and integrate it
š Part 2: The Tarot Card Meanings
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š The Major Arcana (22 Cards)
The Major Arcana are the ābig themesā ā the soulās journey. They represent archetypes, turning points, and life lessons.
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0. The Fool
Upright: New beginnings, innocence, faith in the unknown, spontaneous adventure. Stepping into the journey without full knowledge but with trust.
Reversed: Recklessness, naivety, poor planning, ignoring warning signs, fear of moving forward.
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I. The Magician
Upright: Manifestation, resourcefulness, willpower. You have all four elements (Wands, Cups, Swords, Pentacles) at your disposal ā time to act.
Reversed: Manipulation, trickery, wasted talent, untapped potential, false starts.
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II. The High Priestess
Upright: Intuition, hidden knowledge, mysteries, divine feminine, trusting inner wisdom.
Reversed: Secrets revealed, lack of clarity, ignoring intuition, being too passive.
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III. The Empress
Upright: Fertility, creativity, nurturing, abundance, divine mother energy. Growth in love, art, or family.
Reversed: Creative block, dependence, smothering, neglect, lack of self-care.
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IV. The Emperor
Upright: Authority, stability, structure, father energy, logic over emotion. Taking control of life.
Reversed: Rigidity, domination, lack of discipline, misuse of power.
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V. The Hierophant
Upright: Tradition, institutions, spiritual teaching, guidance, collective wisdom. Marriage, rituals, religion.
Reversed: Rebellion, questioning authority, breaking free from outdated beliefs.
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VI. The Lovers
Upright: Harmony, deep relationships, choices aligned with values, soul connection.
Reversed: Disharmony, imbalance, misaligned values, temptation, difficult choices.
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VII. The Chariot
Upright: Victory, willpower, determination, self-discipline, forward momentum despite obstacles.
Reversed: Lack of direction, scattered energy, aggression, losing control.
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VIII. Strength
Upright: Inner strength, courage, patience, compassion, taming inner beasts.
Reversed: Self-doubt, weakness, lack of control, fear.
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IX. The Hermit
Upright: Soul-searching, solitude, wisdom, inner guidance, spiritual mentor energy.
Reversed: Isolation, loneliness, ignoring inner call, fear of stillness.
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X. The Wheel of Fortune
Upright: Cycles, luck, destiny, fate turning, unexpected opportunities. What goes around comes around.
Reversed: Resistance to change, bad luck, setbacks, feeling stuck in a cycle.
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XI. Justice
Upright: Truth, fairness, balance, legal matters, accountability.
Reversed: Dishonesty, unfairness, corruption, lack of accountability, denial.
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XII. The Hanged Man
Upright: Surrender, letting go, new perspective, pause for reflection. Sacrifice for growth.
Reversed: Stalling, indecision, resistance, needless sacrifice.
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XIII. Death
Upright: Transformation, endings that lead to new beginnings, shedding old skin.
Reversed: Fear of change, stagnation, resisting transition, clinging to the past.
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XIV. Temperance
Upright: Balance, moderation, harmony, patience, blending opposites.
Reversed: Excess, imbalance, lack of vision, impatience.
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XV. The Devil
Upright: Bondage, addiction, temptation, toxic patterns, materialism. Seeing your own shadows.
Reversed: Liberation, breaking free, detachment, reclaiming power.
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XVI. The Tower
Upright: Sudden upheaval, shocking truth, destruction of illusions, necessary chaos.
Reversed: Avoiding disaster, resisting change, lingering crisis, fear of collapse.
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XVII. The Star
Upright: Hope, healing, inspiration, renewal, divine guidance, serenity.
Reversed: Despair, hopelessness, lack of faith, feeling disconnected.
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XVIII. The Moon
Upright: Illusion, dreams, subconscious, intuition, confusion, hidden truths.
Reversed: Clarity, secrets exposed, fear, anxiety, deception revealed.
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XIX. The Sun
Upright: Joy, vitality, success, clarity, childlike happiness, positive outcomes.
Reversed: Temporary sadness, overexposure, unrealistic expectations, burnout.
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XX. Judgment
Upright: Awakening, renewal, higher calling, self-reflection, forgiveness, redemption.
Reversed: Self-doubt, denial, poor self-evaluation, refusing to change.
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XXI. The World
Upright: Completion, fulfillment, wholeness, achievement, unity, integration.
Reversed: Lack of closure, unfinished business, delays, feeling incomplete.
š„ The Suit of Wands
Element: Fire | Keywords: Action, Passion, Drive, Creativity
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Ace of Wands
Upright: Spark of inspiration, new opportunities, fresh creative energy, the start of a passionate project. A divine āyesā to bold ideas.
Reversed: Missed opportunities, delays, creative block, lack of direction.
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Two of Wands
Upright: Planning, vision, making choices, looking at the horizon with potential. The courage to step outside your comfort zone.
Reversed: Fear of the unknown, poor planning, playing it safe, missed expansion.
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Three of Wands
Upright: Progress, foresight, waiting for results, expansion, exploration. Ships you sent out are returning with rewards.
Reversed: Obstacles to long-term goals, delays in plans, lack of foresight, frustrations with progress.
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Four of Wands
Upright: Celebration, harmony, community, weddings, homecoming, joyful milestones.
Reversed: Conflict at home, instability, lack of support, postponed celebrations.
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Five of Wands
Upright: Competition, conflict, disagreements, clashing opinions. Energy is scattered but can sharpen skills.
Reversed: Avoidance of conflict, inner tension, suppressed disagreements, resolution possible.
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Six of Wands
Upright: Victory, recognition, success, achievement, public acknowledgment.
Reversed: Fall from grace, self-doubt, lack of recognition, hidden achievements.
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Seven of Wands
Upright: Defense, standing your ground, perseverance against opposition. Courage in the face of challenge.
Reversed: Giving up, overwhelmed, defensiveness, lack of conviction.
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Eight of Wands
Upright: Fast movement, quick progress, communication, travel, sudden momentum.
Reversed: Delays, frustration, chaos, miscommunication, setbacks.
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Nine of Wands
Upright: Resilience, persistence, last stand before success, inner strength despite exhaustion.
Reversed: Burnout, defensiveness, paranoia, refusing to learn from mistakes.
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Ten of Wands
Upright: Burden, responsibility, being weighed down, carrying too much, the finish line in sight but heavy.
Reversed: Release of burdens, delegation, avoiding responsibility, burnout.
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Court of Wands
Page of Wands
Upright: Enthusiasm, exploration, new ideas, a messenger of creativity, playful curiosity.
Reversed: Lack of direction, immaturity, procrastination, superficial energy.
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Knight of Wands
Upright: Passionate pursuit, adventure, impulsiveness, fearless action. Swept up in excitement.
Reversed: Recklessness, arrogance, scattered energy, broken promises.
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Queen of Wands
Upright: Confidence, determination, warmth, charisma, independence, magnetic leadership.
Reversed: Insecurity, jealousy, introversion, manipulation through charm.
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King of Wands
Upright: Visionary leader, long-term success, inspiration, authority through respect.
Reversed: Tyranny, impatience, impulsiveness, misusing influence.
š§ The Suit of Cups
Element: Water | Keywords: Emotions, Intuition, Love, Spirituality
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Ace of Cups
Upright: Emotional renewal, love overflowing, deep connections, spiritual awakening, compassion. A heart opening to new feelings.
Reversed: Emotional block, repressed feelings, emptiness, self-love needed before external love.
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Two of Cups
Upright: Union, partnership, harmony, mutual attraction, soulmate energy, balance in relationships.
Reversed: Breakup, imbalance, disharmony, unrequited love, tension between two people.
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Three of Cups
Upright: Friendship, celebration, reunion, social joy, community support.
Reversed: Gossip, overindulgence, cliques, isolation from friends.
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Four of Cups
Upright: Apathy, discontent, focusing on whatās missing instead of blessings, boredom. A nudge to open your eyes.
Reversed: New outlook, re-engagement with life, fresh opportunities after emotional stagnation.
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Five of Cups
Upright: Grief, loss, regret, focusing on spilled cups instead of what remains. Emotional heaviness, disappointment.
Reversed: Acceptance, moving on, healing from past wounds, finding peace.
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Six of Cups
Upright: Nostalgia, childhood memories, innocence, kindness, reunion with the past.
Reversed: Stuck in the past, unrealistic expectations, letting go of childhood illusions.
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Seven of Cups
Upright: Choices, fantasies, illusions, daydreaming, opportunities that may not all be real. Need for discernment.
Reversed: Clarity, decisiveness, focusing on one path, moving away from confusion.
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Eight of Cups
Upright: Walking away, soul-searching, leaving behind what no longer serves, seeking deeper meaning.
Reversed: Fear of change, avoidance of leaving, aimless drifting, stagnation.
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Nine of Cups
Upright: Contentment, satisfaction, emotional fulfillment, gratitude, wishes coming true.
Reversed: Superficial happiness, disappointment, indulgence without deeper meaning.
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Ten of Cups
Upright: Harmony, family, emotional bliss, happy relationships, divine love, lasting joy.
Reversed: Broken family, disharmony, disconnection, dreams not aligning with reality.
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Court of Cups
Page of Cups
Upright: Emotional openness, new love, creative beginnings, messages from the heart, intuitive stirrings.
Reversed: Emotional immaturity, escapism, insecurity, blocked intuition.
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Knight of Cups
Upright: Romance, charm, idealism, following the heart, love proposals, creative pursuits.
Reversed: Moodiness, disappointment, jealousy, unrealistic expectations, heartbreak.
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Queen of Cups
Upright: Compassion, intuition, nurturing, emotional balance, psychic sensitivity, gentle wisdom.
Reversed: Emotional insecurity, co-dependence, smothering, inner turmoil.
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King of Cups
Upright: Emotional maturity, diplomacy, balance of heart and mind, supportive leader, wise counselor.
Reversed: Manipulation, mood swings, emotional suppression, coldness.
š¬ļø The Suit of Swords
Element: Air | Keywords: Intellect, Challenges, Truth, Communication
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Ace of Swords
Upright: Breakthrough, mental clarity, truth revealed, new ideas, decisive action. A sword cutting through confusion.
Reversed: Confusion, misinformation, dishonesty, clouded judgment, missed insight.
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Two of Swords
Upright: Difficult choices, stalemate, weighing options, needing balance between logic and emotion.
Reversed: Indecision, avoidance, confusion, overwhelming choices, emotional blocks.
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Three of Swords
Upright: Heartbreak, betrayal, grief, sorrow, painful truth revealed.
Reversed: Healing from heartbreak, forgiveness, recovery, optimism after sorrow.
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Four of Swords
Upright: Rest, recovery, meditation, retreat, reflection, restoring mental clarity.
Reversed: Burnout, restlessness, forced isolation, avoiding recovery.
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Five of Swords
Upright: Conflict, tension, defeat, hollow victory, winning at othersā expense.
Reversed: Resolution, reconciliation, learning from conflict, letting go of ego battles.
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Six of Swords
Upright: Transition, moving on, recovery, leaving difficulties behind, finding peace.
Reversed: Resistance to change, emotional baggage, difficulty moving on, delays.
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Seven of Swords
Upright: Deception, secrecy, betrayal, strategy, acting alone.
Reversed: Coming clean, guilt, being caught, learning from dishonesty.
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Eight of Swords
Upright: Feeling trapped, restricted, victim mentality, self-imposed limitations.
Reversed: Freedom, release, empowerment, clarity after mental blocks.
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Nine of Swords
Upright: Anxiety, worry, sleepless nights, guilt, overwhelming thoughts.
Reversed: Release of fear, healing, light after darkness, facing inner demons.
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Ten of Swords
Upright: Painful ending, betrayal, rock bottom, hitting a limit, finality.
Reversed: Recovery, regeneration, resilience, lessons learned, dawn after darkness.
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Court of Swords
Page of Swords
Upright: Curiosity, new ideas, communication, vigilance, youthful energy of learning.
Reversed: Gossip, misinformation, hasty words, immaturity in communication.
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Knight of Swords
Upright: Ambition, determination, swift action, charging toward goals, fearless pursuit.
Reversed: Impulsiveness, recklessness, aggression, unfocused action.
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Queen of Swords
Upright: Clarity, independence, wisdom through experience, objective truth, strong communicator.
Reversed: Coldness, bitterness, cynicism, overly harsh judgment.
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King of Swords
Upright: Authority, intellect, reason, strategic thinking, truth, fairness.
Reversed: Manipulation, misuse of power, dishonesty, corrupt authority.
š The Suit of Pentacles
Element: Earth | Keywords: Stability, Finances, Work, Health, Manifestation
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Ace of Pentacles
Upright: New financial opportunity, prosperity, manifestation, stability, seed of abundance.
Reversed: Missed chances, poor planning, instability, greed, lack of groundedness.
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Two of Pentacles
Upright: Balance, adaptability, juggling responsibilities, resourcefulness, time management.
Reversed: Overwhelm, disorganization, poor financial decisions, imbalance.
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Three of Pentacles
Upright: Collaboration, teamwork, craftsmanship, recognition, shared goals.
Reversed: Lack of cooperation, poor planning, sloppy work, misaligned goals.
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Four of Pentacles
Upright: Security, saving money, control, stability, protecting resources.
Reversed: Greed, materialism, fear of loss, letting go of control.
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Five of Pentacles
Upright: Hardship, financial loss, insecurity, feeling left out in the cold. A reminder to seek help/support.
Reversed: Recovery, improvement, spiritual renewal, finding help, hope returning.
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Six of Pentacles
Upright: Generosity, charity, giving and receiving, balance of resources.
Reversed: Debt, selfishness, strings attached, inequality in relationships.
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Seven of Pentacles
Upright: Patience, long-term vision, investment, evaluating progress. Seeds planted now will grow.
Reversed: Lack of reward, impatience, wasted effort, poor planning.
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Eight of Pentacles
Upright: Hard work, skill-building, dedication, craftsmanship, mastery.
Reversed: Lack of focus, burnout, poor quality work, perfectionism without progress.
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Nine of Pentacles
Upright: Luxury, self-sufficiency, financial independence, enjoying rewards, refinement.
Reversed: Overindulgence, dependence, superficial success, setbacks in independence.
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Ten of Pentacles
Upright: Wealth, legacy, family stability, long-term success, roots and tradition.
Reversed: Financial failure, instability, broken legacy, disputes over money/family.
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Court of Pentacles
Page of Pentacles
Upright: Ambition, manifestation, learning, new financial or career opportunity, grounded dreams.
Reversed: Lack of progress, procrastination, immaturity with money, short-sightedness.
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Knight of Pentacles
Upright: Hard work, responsibility, routine, steady progress, loyalty.
Reversed: Laziness, boredom, stagnation, obsession with routine.
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Queen of Pentacles
Upright: Nurturing provider, practicality, abundance, resourcefulness, grounded success.
Reversed: Self-centeredness, imbalance between work and home, over-dependence on others.
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King of Pentacles
Upright: Wealth, discipline, leadership, security, success through practicality.
Reversed: Greed, stubbornness, obsession with status, misuse of wealth.
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