Week 3: The Minor Arcana

WEEK 3 – THE MINOR ARCANA

Reading the Story of Everyday Life

Theme: The Major Arcana reveals life’s greatest lessons, while the Minor Arcana tells the story of our everyday experiences.

Welcome to Week Three

Congratulations, you’ve reached Week Three of your tarot journey.

Over the past two weeks, you’ve learned how to connect with your Oceanic Tarot deck, trust your intuition and explore the powerful lessons of the Major Arcana.

This week, we’re going to discover the Minor Arcana — the 56 cards that bring the everyday story of tarot to life.

If the Major Arcana represents the milestones of our journey, the Minor Arcana reflects the everyday moments that shape who we are.

They reveal our relationships, emotions, ambitions, decisions, work, finances and personal growth.

These are the cards you’ll see most often in your readings, and learning to understand them will help you tell the complete story behind every spread.

By the end of this week, you’ll be able to recognise the energy of each suit, understand the Court Cards and begin reading several cards together with greater confidence.

What Is the Minor Arcana?

The Minor Arcana consists of 56 cards, divided into four suits, with each suit representing a different area of everyday life.

Each suit contains:

* Ace

* Cards Two to Ten

* Page

* Knight

* Queen

* King

Together, these cards tell the story of our everyday experiences from exciting new beginnings and opportunities to challenges, achievements, relationships and personal growth.

You don’t need to memorise all 56 meanings straight away.

Start by understanding the suit, then the number or Court Card, and finally pay attention to what you intuitively notice within the card.

The Four Suits

CUPS – THE SUIT OF THE HEART

Element: Water

Keywords: Love • Relationships • Emotions • Intuition • Compassion

The Cups remind us to listen to our hearts.

These cards often appear when emotions, relationships, family, friendships or intuition are important.

When Cups appear, ask yourself:

How am I feeling?

What does my heart need?

Am I listening to my intuition?

WANDS – THE SUIT OF PASSION

Element: Fire

Keywords: Creativity • Confidence • Action • Inspiration • Adventure

The Wands are full of energy, movement and possibility.

They encourage us to follow our dreams, take action and believe in ourselves.

These cards often appear when new opportunities are beginning or when we’re being encouraged to move forward with an idea.

When Wands appear, ask yourself:

What inspires me?

Where should I direct my energy?

What am I ready to take action on?

SWORDS – THE SUIT OF THE MIND

Element: Air

Keywords: Thoughts • Decisions • Communication • Truth • Challenges

The Swords encourage us to think clearly and honestly.

Although some Sword cards can initially look challenging, they often appear when we need clarity, courage or a different perspective.

Sometimes they simply ask us to change the way we think.

When Swords appear, ask yourself:

What am I thinking about?

What decision needs to be made?

Where do I need greater clarity?

PENTACLES – THE SUIT OF THE EARTH

Element: Earth

Keywords: Career • Money • Home • Security • Stability • Practical Matters

The Pentacles remind us to build strong foundations.

These cards relate to the practical side of life our work, finances, home, security and the things we build over time.

When Pentacles appear, ask yourself:

Where do I need greater stability?

What practical action can I take?

What am I building for my future?

Understanding the Numbers

One of the easiest ways to begin understanding the Minor Arcana is to learn the energy behind each number.

You can then combine the number with the suit to help discover the card’s message.

ACE

New beginnings • Opportunities • Potential

An Ace represents the beginning of something.

Think of it as a seed waiting to grow.

TWO

Balance • Choices • Partnership

Twos often represent two possibilities, two people or the need to find balance.

THREE

Growth • Creativity • Working Together

Three brings expansion and development.

Something that began with the Ace is starting to take shape.

FOUR

Stability • Structure • Security

Four represents foundations.

It can show us where something feels secure or where we may need greater stability.

FIVE

Challenge • Change • Learning

Five often brings movement or disruption.

It doesn’t necessarily mean something negative — sometimes change is exactly what helps us grow.

SIX

Harmony • Healing • Support

Six often brings greater balance after the challenges of Five.

It can represent support, harmony and moving forward.

SEVEN

Reflection • Patience • Assessment

Seven asks us to pause and consider where we are.

Are we heading in the right direction?

Do we need to make an adjustment?

EIGHT

Progress • Commitment • Movement

Eight is about momentum.

Something is developing and requires continued effort or commitment.

NINE

Achievement • Confidence • Fulfilment

Nine often represents reaching an important stage of accomplishment.

You are close to completing the journey.

TEN

Completion • Achievement • Transition

Ten represents the end of a cycle.

But every ending also creates space for a new beginning.

Putting the Suit and Number Together

This is where reading the Minor Arcana becomes much easier.

Instead of trying to memorise every card individually, combine the meaning of the number with the energy of the suit.

For example:

Ace + Cups

Ace = New Beginning

Cups = Emotions and Relationships

This could suggest a new emotional beginning, relationship or opening of the heart

Five + Pentacles

Five = Challenge or Change

Pentacles = Money, Security and Practical Matters

This could indicate a practical or financial challenge that needs attention.

Ten + Wands

Ten = Completion

Wands = Energy, Action and Responsibility

This may suggest reaching the end of a demanding period or carrying too much responsibility.

You don’t need to know every meaning perfectly.

Look at the suit.

Look at the number.

Look at the image.

Then ask yourself:

“What story is this card trying to tell me?”

Meeting the Court Cards

Many beginners find the Court Cards difficult at first.

The easiest way to understand them is to think of them as personalities, energies or different ways of approaching life.

Sometimes they represent another person.

Sometimes they represent you.

And sometimes they simply suggest an energy you need to embrace.

THE PAGE

The Student

Curious • Open-minded • Learning • New Ideas

The Page brings beginner’s energy.

There is something new to discover.

THE KNIGHT

The Adventurer

Determined • Driven • Active • Moving Forward

The Knight brings movement.

Something is happening and energy is building.

THE QUEEN

The Nurturer

Wise • Compassionate • Intuitive • Confident

The Queen represents inner wisdom and maturity.

She understands her energy and knows how to use it.

THE KING

The Leader

Experienced • Balanced • Supportive • Accomplished

The King represents mastery and leadership.

He understands the lessons of his suit and knows how to put them into practice.

Reading Cards Together

One card tells a story.

Two cards create a conversation.

Three or more cards begin to create a complete picture.

When reading several cards together, don’t immediately reach for the guidebook.

First, simply look.

Ask yourself:

* Which card catches my eye first?

* Do several cards belong to the same suit?

* Are there repeated numbers?

* Are the figures facing towards or away from one another?

* Which card feels strongest?

* Is there a repeated colour or symbol?

* Does the energy feel light, challenging, calm or exciting?

* What overall story seems to be unfolding?

Take a moment to observe.

Your first impression is important.

Trust Your Intuition

One of the greatest gifts tarot gives us is confidence in our own intuition.

Before reading any guidebook, ask yourself:

“What do I think this card means?”

Look at the image.

Notice how it makes you feel.

Pay attention to the first word, thought or emotion that comes into your mind.

You may be surprised by how often your first impression is exactly what you needed to hear.

Remember:

There are no perfect tarot readers.

There are simply readers who continue to practise, learn and trust themselves.

Your Week Three Tarot Spread

THE FOUR ELEMENTS SPREAD

This four-card spread helps you understand how the different energies of the Minor Arcana are currently working within your life.

CARD ONE – HEART | CUPS

How am I feeling emotionally?

What does my heart need right now?

CARD TWO – MIND | SWORDS

What thoughts or beliefs need my attention?

Where do I need greater clarity?

CARD THREE – PASSION | WANDS

Where should I focus my energy?

What am I being encouraged to pursue?

CARD FOUR – FOUNDATION | PENTACLES

What practical steps can I take?

What will help me feel more secure and grounded?

OVERALL MESSAGE

Place all four cards in front of you.

Look at them together.

How do these four energies work together?

Is one element particularly strong?

Is one missing?

What story do the four cards tell you about your life right now?

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Week Three Practice

During this week, I’d like you to:

✔ Explore one suit each day.

✔ Practise reading two or three cards together.

✔ Notice repeated numbers, colours and symbols.

✔ Complete the Four Elements Spread.

✔ Continue your Daily Card Journal.

✔ Trust your intuition before checking your guidebook.

And most importantly:

Don’t put pressure on yourself to memorise everything.

Tarot is a language.

The more you use it, the more naturally you’ll begin to understand it.

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Jayne’s Tip

“The Minor Arcana teaches us that every day offers an opportunity to learn. Don’t worry about remembering every meaning. Instead, look for the story. The more you practise reading cards together, the more naturally those stories will begin to unfold.”

Jayne Wallace

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Ocean Wisdom

Every wave is different.

Some arrive gently.

Others reshape the shoreline.

The Minor Arcana reminds us that it’s often the small moments, not the dramatic ones, that shape our lives.

Pay attention to the everyday.

That’s where some of our greatest wisdom can be found.

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WEEK 3 WORKBOOK

My Journey This Week

Which suit best reflects my life today?

 ☐ Cups

 ☐ Wands

 ☐ Swords

 ☐ Pentacles

Why?

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What area of my life needs the most attention?

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Getting to Know the Four Suits

Which suit do I feel most connected to?

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Why?

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Which suit feels the most challenging?⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻

Why?

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Meeting the Court Cards

Which Court Card reminds me of myself?

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Why?

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Which Court Card reminds me of someone I know?

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Why?

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My Four Elements Spread

HEART | CUPS

Card:

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My interpretation:

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MIND | SWORDS

Card:

⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻

My interpretation:

⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻

PASSION | WANDS

Card:

⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻

My interpretation:

⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻

FOUNDATION | PENTACLES

Card:

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My interpretation:

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Overall Message

What story do my four cards tell together?

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Reading the Story

Draw three random Minor Arcana cards and place them next to one another.

Before checking your guidebook, study them carefully.

Card One: ______________________________

Card Two: ______________________________

Card Three: ____________________________

What story do they tell together?

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Did any suits repeat?

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Did any numbers repeat?

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Which card felt the strongest?

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What was my first intuitive impression?

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My Daily Card Journal

Monday

Card Drawn: ⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻

My First Impression: ⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻

What Happened Today? ⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻

Tuesday

Card Drawn: ⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻

My First Impression: ⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻

What Happened Today? ⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻

Wednesday

Card Drawn: ⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻

My First Impression: ⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻

What Happened Today? ⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻

Thursday

Card Drawn: ⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻

My First Impression: ⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻

What Happened Today? ⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻

Friday

Card Drawn: ⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻

My First Impression: ⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻

What Happened Today? ⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻

Saturday

Card Drawn: ____________________________

My First Impression: ___________________

What Happened Today? __________________

Sunday

Card Drawn: ⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻

My First Impression: ⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻

What Happened Today? ⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻

Week Three Reflection

Which suit do I now understand best?

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Which suit would I like to explore further?

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What have I learned about reading cards together?

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How has my intuition grown this week?

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Confidence Check

How confident do you now feel reading the Minor Arcana?

⭐ ☐ 1

⭐⭐ ☐ 2

⭐⭐⭐ ☐ 3

⭐⭐⭐⭐ ☐ 4

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ☐ 5

Remember, confidence comes with practice.

You don’t need to know every card by heart. The aim is to begin seeing the story, feeling the energy and trusting your intuition.

See you in Week Four, where we’ll bring everything you’ve learned together and begin reading tarot with even greater confidence.

With love,

Jayne Wallace

Founder, Psychic Sisters