Ordering the Minor Arcana

The ordering of the deck is variable, according to different authors. It is most usual to find the Swords and Wands placed first and second, with Cups and Pentacles third and last. The numbered suit cards are usually ordered from Ace through Ten, followed by the court cards. My own preference is to order the deck with the Pentacles first, because directionally Pentacles represent East, the place of the sunrise, and in Native American lore, the "Place of Beginnings".

Each student should decide to order the deck according to what "feels right".

Fire, Earth, Air and Water

Pentacles (Earth): Pentacles, also known as Coins or Disks, relate to the questioner's or subject's physical status, and the mundane world. They pertain to financial achievement, the rewards of enterprise. Pentacles usually show us people at work, or involved in creative activities that are the means of generating wealth. They are commonly called the "money" cards. Seasonally, Pentacles represent the Spring months (March, April, May) during which life springs anew, lambs are eaned, shoots and saplings spring from the ground, birds are building their nests, etc. The modern suit of Diamonds is the equivalent of Pentacles. East = beginnings, sunrise, springtime. Colours: Leaf green (trad.), Yellow (Dene lore), Tan, Brown, Black.

Wands (Fire): Wands, also known as Batons or Firebrands, relate to personal growth. They also pertain to the fields of enterprise in which the questioner or subject is involved. If the subject seeks to be outstanding in something, the wands pertain to the area(s) of distinction. Wands represent the "fire of the soul", the "divine spark", action, eagerness, impetuosity. Generally wands show us people winning life's battles, overcoming obstacles, moving ahead. The "action" or "self" cards. Seasonally, wands represent the Summer months (June, July, August), the time of growth and fulfillment. Trees are in full leaf, grain heads are filling, fruits are ripening, nestlings have taken flight. The modern suit of Clubs is the equivalent of Wands. South = place of activity, rapid growth, heat. Colours: Red (trad. and Native American), Orange, Gold, Purple, Pink, Crimson.

Cups (Water): Cups, also known as Vessels, relate to the subject's feelings. They pertain to love and happiness, and emotional relationships in which the subject is involved. Cups represent imagination, joy and peace, well-being, acceptance and comfort. Cups usually show us people reaping the rewards of life's achievements, and sharing with others. The participants are generally, passive, accepting, relaxed. The "love" cards. Seasonally, Cups represent the Autumn months (September, October, November), the time of harvest, feasting and plenty. Summer is over, and the migratory birds have departed, leaves are changing colour, weather is unpredictable. The modern suit of Hearts is equivalent to Cups. West = day turning into night, sunset, the place of changes. Colours: Dark/Med. blue (trad.), Black (Dene), Aqua, Turqoise, Dark sea-green.

Swords (Air): Swords (Blades, Daggers, etc.) relate to the subject's intellect, the cold sharpness of reason. They pertain to acceptance of truth, the quest for the meaning of life, and sometimes painful understanding. Swords represent struggle and animosity. In the tarot, swords depict people embattled or encumbered, seeking to overcome difficulties or enemies, distressed, suffering losses. Commonly called the "sorrow" or "loss" cards. Seasonally, Swords represent the Winter months (December, January, February), the time of coldness, hardship, and oft-times death. The season of withdrawal that precedes renewal or rebirth. North = coldness and aging, hard lessons to be learned, maturity, the teachings of the elders. Colours: Yellow (trad.), White (Native American), Ice blue, Grey, Silver, Pale ice green.

The Numbered Suit Cards

Numerology is the study of numbers, and their metaphysical significances, applied to the subject's life situation. Each number represents a concept or set of concepts.

• Aces: Aces represent beginnings, Alpha, ideas and individuality, the seed or origin of something.
• Twos: Pairings, co-operation, oppositeness, duality. The interplay of the two indicates unfulfilled creativity, a balance of forces, ideas being acted upon and/or shared, coupling, promise.
• Threes: The "Trinity of Life", material results. They signify the fulfillment of ideas represented by the twos, harmony, the fruits of partnership and co-operation, the conception of progeny.
• Fours: Four is the square or cube of solidity. Fours represent reality, logic and reason. The four is foundation, the basis upon which solid development takes place, stability, settling down. 
• Fives: Five is the number of uncertainty, instability and adversity. Fives represent change, lack of balance, shifting fortunes, uncontrolled activity, difficulty and/or strife, non-cooperation.
• Sixes: Six is the number of equilibrium, forces in harmonious balance. It is the number of the mind, reason and synthesis. Sixes signify integration, marriage, motherhood.
• Sevens: Seven is the number of rest, thoughtfulness, spirituality, wisdom and perfection. Seven is also the number of the mystic, relating to the soul development of the individual, and to the completion of cycles. Broadening of experience.
• Eights: Eight is the number of material progress, judgment and justice. The eight signifies a balance of opposing forces, the breaking down of the old to make way for the new. It is the number of regeneration.
• Nines: Nine is the number of experience and accumulation. Nines signify the attainment of goals on the mental, physical and spiritual planes. Ultimate achievements.
• Tens: Tens signify movement from a lower plane to a higher plane. The ten is the number of transition. It is the highest manifestation of the ideas represented by the Aces, the beginning of a new (and more advanced) cycle. The foundation of a better idea.

Exercises for Minor Arcana

The following exercises are helpful in familiarizing yourself with the suit cards:

Exercise #1: Separate the numbered suit cards from the deck, and lay them out in four rows, from Ace through Ten in each suit. a) Study each row, and take note of similarities between the cards within each suit, such as colour, action/inaction, dress, background, etc. b) Study each column, and take note of similarities between the cards of the same denomination. c) Compare your notes on the rows and columns with the guidelines presented in this lesson, and take note of ways in which your notes agree and/or disagree with the guidelines. d) jot down a brief assessment of whether or not the artist has succeeded in using the images to convey the traditional meanings of the cards.

Exercise #2: Colour-in outline pictures of a few cards. Compare your colours to those of the artist's choice on a commercially printed card of the same denomination and suit. Is the artist's colouring similar/different from your own; in what ways? Which do you prefer?