The Minor Arcana Suites

In the Minor Arcana there are 4 suites, just the same as ordinary playing cards, but each suite has 1 extra card in it, giving each suite 14 cards.

• Wands
  

• Coins
  

• Cups
  

• Swords
  

Each suite has a total of 14 cards associated to it, and these are :-

From Ace to 10, these are just the same as ordinary playing cards, but instead of 3 court cards, the suits in Tarot all have 4 court cards consisting of the following -The Page or Princess, The Knight or Prince, The Queen and The King

WANDS
The suit of Wands represents the element of fire and the astrological signs of Aries, Leo, and Sagittarius. Fire brings life, love, romance, and creativity into our lives. Cards in the suit of Wands tend to represent enterprise and distinction. There is generally a lot of activity and excitement in this suit by the very nature of its element. Traditionally, Wands represent energy, growth, animation, enterprise, and glory. Because of the creative attributes of this suit, many readers Give Wands psychic and spiritual connotations as well.

COINS
The suit of Coins represents the element of earth and the astrological signs of Taurus, Virgo, and Capricorn. Earth brings practicality, materialism, and a sense of service to our lives. Cards in the suit of Coins represent work, accomplishment, and the acquisition of wealth, materials, and possessions. It also governs sensuous pleasures in life, such as good food, drink, and sensual indulgences. Traditionally, Coins represents money, material gain, and industry. This suit is totally necessary for a fulfilling spiritual life. Many assert that we must sacrifice our possessions in order to obtain spirituality. If our physical necessities are not taken care of, however, we will as a rule direct our attentions to satisfying those needs before we can even begin to ponder the more meaningful spiritual questions in this life

CUPS
The suit of Cups represents the element of water and the astrological signs of Cancer, Scorpio, and Pisces. Water brings pure love, sensitivity, and intuition into our lives. Cards in the suit of Cups tend to depict love, happiness, family, celebration, partnerships, and commitment. This suit also represents intuition, emotion, fantasy, and surrealism. Traditionally, Cups represent love, happiness, emotion, fertility, and beauty.

SWORDS
The suit of Swords represents the element of air and the astrological signs of Gemini, Libra, and Aquarius. Air brings mental activity and intellect into our lives. Cards in the suit of Swords tend to depict thinking, communications, messages, and making short trips. Because air is a communicative element it can often lead to arguments, gossip, and strife. Because of its propensity for conflict, the suit of Swords is generally regarded as being unsettled, as there subsequently seem to be latent struggles and animosity present in many of the cards in this suit. Traditionally, Swords represent aggression, force, ambition, courage, strife, and misfortune, but maintaining a positive attitude can lessen the negative aspects of the cards in the suit.

So this gives us a total of 56 in the Minor Arcana, so add 56 to 22 (Total of Major Arcana), a complete set or deck of Tarot cards, would have a total of 78 cards.

SUMMARY
When a card appears in the outcome position of the layout, it may be necessary to perform another reading concentrating specifically on the card that was pulled. The new reading should reflect how this person will affect the outcome and what role he or she will play. That is why I developed the "Focus Area ." More on that later in the Spreads Forum.