Tarot Glossary

Essential cartomancy terms explained simply

29 terms

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Arcanum: From Latin 'arcanus' (secret). Designates each card of the Tarot. The 22 major arcana represent great archetypal forces, the 56 minor arcana describe everyday events. See

Blade: An older synonym for arcanum, still used by some practitioners. 'Blade XIII' refers to the Nameless Arcanum (often mistakenly called 'Death').

Cartomancy: Divinatory art using cards (tarot, oracle, 32-card deck) to illuminate a situation, explore tendencies, or foster introspection.
Cups: One of the four minor arcana suits, associated with the element of Water. Represents emotions, relationships, intuition, and the inner world.
Celtic Cross: Complex 10-card spread, the most complete of traditional spreads. Explores all aspects of a situation: central question, obstacles, influences, past, future, environment, and outcome. See
Cross Spread: A 4-card spread arranged in a cross: Past, Present, Future, and Advice. The go-to spread for a specific question. See

Divination: Practice aimed at obtaining information about the future or hidden aspects of the present through non-rational means: tarot, astrology, runes, etc.

Elements: The four classical elements (Fire, Water, Air, Earth) are associated with Tarot suits and temperaments. Each major arcanum is also linked to a dominant element.

Fisher-Yates: Shuffle algorithm used by Zodiia to ensure a uniform random draw. It's the industry standard for generating truly fair randomness.

Interpretation: The art of reading and explaining the meaning of drawn cards based on their position, orientation, and combinations.

Lemniscate: Symbol of infinity (∞) present on certain Tarot cards (The Magician, Strength). Represents infinite energy and cyclical mastery.

Major Arcana: One of the 22 main Tarot cards (from The Fool to The World). Each major arcanum embodies a universal archetype and carries deep spiritual or psychological teaching. See
Minor Arcana: One of the 56 complementary Tarot cards, divided into 4 suits (Wands, Cups, Swords, Pentacles). Used in full 78-card readings.

Numerology: Symbolic study of numbers, often combined with Tarot. Each arcanum carries a number that enriches its interpretation (1 for beginning, 7 for quest, 21 for accomplishment).

Oracle: A divinatory card deck distinct from Tarot, with a variable number of cards and varied themes (angels, animals, chakras). Less structured than Tarot but freer in interpretation.

Pentacles: One of the four minor arcana suits, associated with the element of Earth. Represents the material world, finances, work, and health.
Position: A card's placement in a spread, which modifies its reading. For example, the same card will have different meanings in a 'past' position versus an 'advice' position. See

Querent: The person requesting a card reading. The cards are drawn and interpreted for them. Also called 'consultant' in French tradition.

Reading: The act of drawing and laying out cards in a predefined pattern. Each type of reading (daily, cross, yes/no) has its own rules and positions. See
Reversed: A card drawn upside down. Its meaning is modified: the energy is muted, blocked, or internalized. Reversals are optional depending on tradition. See
Rider-Waite-Smith: Tarot deck created in 1909 by A.E. Waite and illustrated by P.C. Smith. An alternative to the Tarot de Marseille with narrative illustrations on each card. See

Swords: One of the four minor arcana suits, associated with the element of Air. Represents thought, communication, conflict, and truth.
Significator: A card chosen to represent the querent in certain spreads. Selected based on age, astrological sign, or the practitioner's intuition.
Spread: The arrangement of cards in a predefined pattern (cross, line, fan, etc.). Each spread type has specific positions with distinct meanings. See
Suit: Each of the four minor arcana families: Wands (Fire), Cups (Water), Swords (Air), Pentacles (Earth). Each suit contains 14 cards.
Symbolism: The study of symbols present on Tarot cards: colors, objects, characters, gaze directions, architectural elements. Every detail carries meaning.

Tarot de Marseille: Tarot style standardized between the 17th and 18th centuries in France. Nicolas Conver's version (1760) is the reference. It's the deck used by Zodiia. See

Upright: Normal position of a card (right-side up). The upright meaning represents the direct and full expression of the card's energy.

Wands: One of the four minor arcana suits, associated with the element of Fire. Represents energy, creativity, ambition, and action.