Tarot Card Combinations and Meanings – a comprehensive list

Are Tarot card combinations confusing you? With a total of 3,003 total possible combinations, that’s not hard to imagine.

Honestly, I cringe at having to spit out “tarot card definitions” and creating a list of tarot card combination meanings. But you came to this page looking for guidance and I am more than happy to give it to you.

These combinations are a few thoughts in the moment on the combination. They are certainly not the be all end all, but they may help you get in motion thinking about the cards that lay in front of you.

This page is to explore specific Tarot card combinations. I also create a Tarot card elements page to explore how the 4 elements or Tarot suits combine to yield advice and meaning.

Major Arcana Tarot Combinations

The Major Arcana represents life’s most profound lessons and spiritual themes. When these powerful cards appear together in a reading, their combined energy creates deep, transformative messages.

When interpreting Major Arcana combinations, consider their numerological ties (e.g., The Magician is 1, The High Priestess 2) and how their archetypal energies interact. These pairings often reveal karmic lessons or pivotal life shifts, making them some of the most impactful messages in a Tarot reading.

Key Questions the Major Arcana ask you:

  • What life lesson is the universe highlighting for me right now?
  • What old pattern or fear is holding me back?
  • Am I resisting a transformation this card represents?
  • What karmic cycle is completing or beginning? 

Click on any Major Arcana card below to read about the specific Tarot card combinations.


The Fool

The Magician

The High Priestess

The Empress

The Emperor

The Hierophant

The Lovers

The Chariot

Strength

The Hermit

The Wheel of Fortune

Justice

The Hanged Man

Death

Temperance

The Devil

The Tower

The Star

The Sun

The Moon

Judgement

The World

the empress card tarot card combinations

Wands Tarot Combinations

In Tarot readings, the Wands suit represents fire energy—symbolizing passion, inspiration, ambition, and action.

Wands signal new ideas, artistic pursuits, or a surge of motivation. If you’ve been feeling stuck, their presence suggests it’s time to ignite your passions and pursue what excites you.

This suit is all about movement—whether starting a project, taking risks, or pushing forward despite obstacles. Reversed Wands, however, may warn of burnout or scattered efforts.

Key Questions Wands Ask You:

  • What sets your soul on fire?
  • Are you acting on your ideas or just dreaming?
  • Do you need more confidence or less impulsivity?

Click on any Wands card below to read about the specific Tarot card combinations.


Ace of Wands

2 of Wands

3 of Wands

4 of Wands

5 of Wands

6 of Wands

7 of Wands

8 of Wands

9 of Wands

10 of Wands

Page of Wands

Knight of Wands

Queen of Wands

King of Wands


Cups Tarot Combinations

In Tarot readings, the Cups suit embodies water energy—representing emotions, relationships, intuition, and the subconscious. When Cups appear frequently in a spread, they highlight themes of feelings, connections, and inner fulfillment.

Cups remind you: Emotions are your compass.

Key Questions Cups Ask You:

  • What is your heart truly longing for?
  • Are you nurturing—or neglecting—your emotional needs?
  • Do you need to forgive, let go, or open up to love?

Click on any Cups card below to read about the specific Tarot card combinations.


Ace of Cups

Two of Cups

Three of Cups

Four of Cups

5 of Cups

6 of Cups

7 of Cups

8 of Cups

9 of Cups

10 of Cups

Page of Cups

Knight of Cups

Queen of Cups

King of Cups


Swords Tarot Combinations

In Tarot readings, the Swords suit embodies air energy—representing intellect, communication, conflict, and truth. When Swords dominate a spread, they reveal sharp, often challenging themes tied to the mind, words, and decisive action.

Swords cut through confusion, urging logic and analysis.

This suit exposes tension—whether internal (self-doubt) or external (arguments).

Swords remind you: “The truth will set you free—but first, it will cut.”

Key Questions Swords Ask You:

  • Are you overthinking instead of acting?
  • Is your honesty helping or harming?
  • What truth are you avoiding?

Click on any Swords card below to read about the specific Tarot card combinations.


Ace of Swords

2 of Swords

3 of Swords

4 of Swords

5 of Swords

6 of Swords

7 of Swords

8 of Swords

9 of Swords

10 of Swords

Page of Swords

Knight of Swords

Queen of Swords

King of Swords


Pentacles Card Combinations

In Tarot readings, the Pentacles suit (or Coins) embodies earth energy—representing the tangible, practical, and material aspects of life. When Pentacles appear frequently, they ground the reading in themes of wealth, health, stability, and the physical world.

Pentacles govern the physical self—health routines, diet, and wellness.

Earth energy is patient. Pentacles remind you to “build your dreams brick by brick.” 

Key Questions Pentacles Ask You:

  • Are you investing in your future or living paycheck to paycheck?
  • Is your work aligned with your values?
  • How can you create more security—financially, physically, or emotionally?

Click on any Pentacles card below to read about the specific Tarot card combinations.


Ace of Pentacles

2 of Pentacles

3 of Pentacles

4 of Pentacles

5 of Pentacles

6 of Pentacles

7 of Pentacles

8 of Pentacles

9 of Pentacles

10 of Pentacles

Page of Pentacles

Knight of Pentacles

Queen of Pentacles

King of Pentacles

Common Questions about Tarot Card Combinations

What combination of Tarot cards mean death?

Well, obviously the Death card is part of the Tarot deck. The 10 of swords can be about endings. The Tower can bring destruction. Many Tarot cards or Tarot card combinations can indicate death or endings. It’s best to look at the reading as a whole and intuit what the cards are trying to say. I don’t ask the Tarot about death, and generally speaking, you probably shouldn’t either.

What Tarot card combination means fidelity?

Pentacles cards in general are grounded and reliable. Tarot card combinations including pentacle cards are generally a good sign of longevity and fidelity. The King and Queen of Pentacles are good indicators that someone is reliable. No doubt the 10 of cups is an indication of a long and happy relationship.

What are some lucky Tarot cards?

Lucky Tarot cards can be highly personal. If you deem a particular card good luck, then so it is! Outside of that, the Wheel of Fortune can indicate good luck or bad luck. The Sun is a card that lights up a reading, maybe not luck per se, but it shines light and warmth. The 9 of cups might be considered lucky, or my choice is the 3 of pentacles.