That satisfying feeling when you draw a tarot card and know exactly who it’s referring to. The bubbling up of butterflies and excitement in your belly, when your cards predict that perfectly compatible person entering your life. Pride warmly growing in the center of your chest as you finally realize, you truly like who you are. This is the magic of understanding how the zodiac relates to your tarot cards.
Grow your confidence, and explore exactly which card(s) represents your sun sign, and how that relates to you, on your path of self discovery. Gain knowledge, that will allow you to give extremely accurate tarot readings, that leave you and your friends dumbstruck with amazement.
This is your reference guide to astrology in tarot, including major and minor arcana cards.
How To use Astrological Interpretations in Your Readings
On your journey to learn tarot reading, you will begin to notice the relationship between astrology, and tarot cards. Some cards relate to a specific sign, while others are ruled by the planets. By understanding these relationships you add depth to how you interpret your tarot spreads.
For example when asking about a specific person and the Death card comes out, this can indicate someone who is deeply mysterious and secretive, like the correlated astrological sign, Scorpio. Or it can indicate an actual Scorpio, or that this sign is present in other areas of their astrology chart.
For beginners who appreciate the science of astrology, this can give you a quick and easy way to interpret the cards.
Major Arcana Cards
Starting with the major arcana cards, their zodiac sign and a brief description of what they mean in a reading.
Aries – The Emperor – Tower
Aries is the Emperor. The original symbolism of this major arcana contains the symbol of Aries, 4 ram heads, decorating the emperor’s throne. The emperor is powerful, fiercely independent and represents ultimate boss energy. Just like Aries.
The second major arcana associated with Aries is The Tower. The tower is ruled by the planet Mars, which is the same planet that rules over Aries and Scorpio. This is connected to the more aggressive and destructive sides of Aries. Just as Aries marks the beginning of spring and the changing of seasons, so the tower marks a drastic change in your own life. If you’re an Aries yourself, you may find the energy of the tower less daunting than other zodiac signs. The change it brings represents an exciting challenge to you.
Taurus – The Hierophant – The Empress
The most grounded and stable of the astrology signs. Taurus loves their comfort, which is why they are associated with the Heirophant, the major arcana representing tradition. The heirophant is a spiritual teacher, or religious figure with a holier-than- thou attitude (warning don’t argue with a taurus). The mind of a taurus contains a wealth of information, and unlike their secretive opposite (scorpio), they’re willing to share what they know with whoever will listen. There is a lot of value in what a Taurus knows, and they can give great insight into the physical world.
The Empress also relates to Taurus. She is all about self-care, luxury and being deeply connected to nature. Taurus is incredibly sensual, & loves to indulge in the best of everything, mouthwatering food, tantalizing scents, luxurious fabrics, and long relaxing baths. This what the empress is all about.
Taurus is deeply intertwined with the nature, and has a love for plants and animals that’s unrivaled in the zodiac. For more on the Empress and how she relates to nature, read this.
Gemini – The Lovers – The Magician
You’ve heard it so many times it’s starting to sound cliché, Gemini is two people. The twins of this astrology sign, are pictured as the Lover’s in rider waite’s tarot deck. The lover’s is an exciting card to draw in a tarot reading, because it represents harmony, relationships and choices. People light up when they see the lovers – similar to the way a Gemini is able to light up a room. By using the gift of gab and connecting with different people, they create harmony wherever they go.
Due to the magician’s tie to the planet mercury (Gemini’s ruler), the magician can also represent a Gemini, or Gemini energy when pulled in a tarot reading. The Magician is a master of manifestation, willpower and talents. Gemini has the ability to use its high level of intelligence, clear thinking, and unique skill to manifest great results in the physical realm.
Read this article if you’d like to understand this major arcana in depth.
Cancer – The Chariot – The High Priestess
The chariot is divine intervention, it’s going forward with the full momentum of your spirit team behind you. When it appears in your tarot reading it’s a sign of victory and divinely guided outcomes. So why does the chariot represent Cancer? Because Cancer is a force to be reckoned with, they can and will do it all. When a Cancer loves something they will go after it in a blaze of glory. They are deeply intuitive and know exactly how to follow the guidance of the universe.
Which brings us to the High Priestess. Ruled by the moon, the same planet as Cancer. The High Priestess is the feminine form of spirituality in your tarot deck, and Cancer is associated with mother energy. Regardless of gender, they are caring and nurturing souls, who people often go to for advice, and especially emotional support.
The mystery of the High Priestess, mirrors the mystery of Cancers, who often have to revert back into their shell for much needed time to themselves. Caring for others and knowing all the tragic stories of everyone around them, often leads them on search for meaning and deeper truth. They may become cynical, overwhelmed by the sadness of the cosmos, or emerge as warm hug for those in need.
Leo – The Strength – The Sun
This one is easy for tarot readers, Leo is the Strength. Simply peep the lion in the tarot card below, and you’ll know exactly who it’s referring to. Bold, proud, shining like the sun, Leos are courageous even when they don’t have all the answers. Which is exactly what Strength asks you to be.
Below, you’ll see interesting symbols, such as the infinity symbol, and a figure holding the jaws of the lion. These indicate the ability to tame the beast within and use it for your benefit. While the infinity shows the limitless possibilities available to you when you approach difficulties with strength and fortitude.
Leo is ruled by the Sun, so it’s a no-brainer that The Sun major arcana is also associated with this fierce astrological sign. The Sun speaks to the fun and vibrant nature of Leos. An extroverted sign that delights in being the center of attention. The child in the center of the sun mirrors the idea that Leo is the eternal child, playful and forever young at heart.
Virgo – The Hermit – The Magician
Grounded and practical, as an earth sign, many forget about Virgo’s spiritual side. As the opposing force to dreamy Pisces, Virgo is actually one of the most psychic signs in the entire zodiac.
Virgo is The Hermit, a card of deep wisdom and mystical insight. He represents the profound knowledge that comes from within. As a Virgo, you have a sharp intelligence and a keen eye for quality. Others may come to you when they seek advice, be open with the sharing of guidance. The hermit is a master teacher, after all.
Because of Virgo’s connection to the planet Mercury, this astrology sign is also linked to the Magician. Who perfectly uses the divine realm and material realm together for manifestation. Virgo can draw upon the clarity of mind, and practical skills required to create amazing things.
To understand the magician in detail, checkout this article.
Libra – Justice – The Empress
Fair and exquisite Libra is depicted by the Justice. Libra’s have a balanced mind that allows them to clearly weigh different perspectives. While sometimes this can leave them trapped in indecision (check out your minor arcana cards), Libra’s have a gift for dispensing fair and valuable advice.
Laying down the law with tact is what this trump card is all about.
Libra, ruled by Venus, is also linked to the empress, ruled by Venus. The Empress is a youthful goddess, surrounded by luxury, abundance and nature. She reminds you of the importance of self-care, and nourishing your creative spirit.
What is often forgotten about Libra is that this astrology sign used to be considered all about trade and commerce. The scales aren’t only the weighing of justice, they are also the weights used for ancient money counting and accepting payment for goods / services. Libra is highly skilled in the realm of money – just look at all the Libra billionaires for confirmation. This is where the opulence and wealth of the empress comes into play.
Read this article for more on the Empress.
Scorpio – Death – The Tower
The two scariest cards in the entire deck represent Scorpio. Let’s face it, Scorpios are intimidating, and though I know all too well about the soft squishy center they possess, (Scorpio sun here) they’re notoriously misunderstood. Exactly like these two cards.
Beginning with The Death. The insights death has to offer are profound. Death signals a transformation, a period of personal growth that completely ends a worn out way of being. The transitions one experiences when dealing with the Death, are not always easy. Change almost never is. However you can rest assured, the changes this card signifies are leading you down the path to your highest good, and your heart’s innermost desires.
Like the pheonix you will rise from this transition completely new, and full of the wisdom of endings. Scorpio’s are tasked with evolving over and over again. If they can get onboard with this purpose, they become spiritually wise, and a pillar of strength for those around them. If not they’re often bitter recluses, withdrawn and tormented by their past.
The other card for Scorpio is the Tower. Both ruled by Mars, the Tower is linked with the more destructive side of Scorpio energy. A drastic and sweeping change, that is more abrupt and chaotic than the Death. The Tower moves you, immediately. Out of a situation that may of been slowly crushing your spirit, or standing directly in the way of what you want.
Like the Tower of Babel, the Tower is representive of something in your life that has gotten too powerful and that needs to come down – for you to be free to live the life truly meant for you.
Sagittarius – Temperance
With Sagittarius, most people focus on their lively nature, their adventurous spirit, and how they bring the party wherever they go. However, the truth of Sagittarius, just under the surface, is that they’re natural-born sages. With their ability to laugh and connect with many different people, and their worldly interests, they gain incredible insight that might shock or surprise you.
Jupiter, the planet that rules them, is known as the Guru. Jupiter is the biggest of the planets, and a Guru is considered ‘heavy with spiritual knowledge’. Sagittarius is blessed with luck! Abundance and experience follows them as they travel, gaining and sharing wisdom. Their wisdom is not showy or pretentious, instead it’s ingrained within their stories, their laughter and the way they live.
They dispense an answer to the meaning of existence, simply and easily – to enjoy its wild ride.
This ties us back to their major arcana, Temperance. Temperance is entirely philosophical, shown by an angel, pouring liquid from one cup to another. This is tempering, the alchemical process of changing a substance into something else. Like seeing the hidden postive in a negative experience. Sagitarius takes the extremes of life and uses them to gain insight.
This card shows us that whatever is happening, there’s a deeper purpose behind it, and things may have a way of working out better than you imagined.
Capricorn – The Devil
Many Capricorns have asked why they’re the devil, this tarot card has nothing to do with that mean streak you may of went through. It’s about power, power over the material realm, and temptation. Let’s face it, Capricorns are full of power, with daddy Saturn ruling their sign, they possess the uncanny ability to create wealth and career success. They’re the final, and most mature form of the earth signs. Often compared to a general who can ruthlessly lead troops to battle, or a formidable CEO.
The symbols of the Devil that connect to their astrology are of course the goat man, (we all know they’re the G.O.A.T.), and the chained up slaves at his feet. Showcasing Capricorn’s restrictive nature. Capricorns know how to put their emotions aside, and can sometimes even struggle to bring them to the surface.
With all that earthy energy, they like to indulge in physical pleasures. This tendency connects them to the hedonistic, pleasure seeking nature of the Devil. At the end of the day, they always remain in control of their vices, of which they secretly have many.
Aquarius – The Star
Looking to the future, with hope and purpose. The Star is the symbol of renewal, and the major arcana card for Aquarius.
As you can see above, the symbolism of the star is extremely similar to Aquarius’, the great water bearer. Innovative and community orientated, Aquarius is the original rebel for a good cause. As you practice moving forward, the star reminds you to let purpose lead the way to a beautifully bright future.
Take stock in what you can do to serve the people around you. Aquarius carries the greater good close to their heart, and provides their unique creativity to make something not easily forgoten. Be it art, music, literature, a business or experience, anything formed by Aquarius, or under the energy of the star, is deeply meaningful and enjoyable to witness.
Pisces – The Moon
Sensitive, dreamy, emotional, it’s no wonder Pisces is represented by The Moon. It symbolizes what’s hidden in the night, or perhaps under the surface of a vast ocean. This card is all about intuition, emotions, and the subconscious mind. Pisces tends to receive spiritual messages in dreams, and the moon represents psychic awareness.
As open and vulnerable as Pisces is, there’s always so much more going on under the surface. They could bear their entire soul to you, and it would be just the tip of the iceberg. When this major arcana card appears it indicates that there is more than meets the eye, in the situation at hand. Something is hidden from your conscious awareness. Fantasy, illusion, or straight up lies, what is not as it seems?
The Astrology Signs of the Minor Arcana
It can be helpful for your tarot readings to have a quick reference of which minor arcana is associated with each zodiac sign. For the numbered cards there is a simple formula to remember this relationship.
Aces are associated with their entire element, and thus represent the zodiac signs for each; Pentacles – Earth, Cups – Water, Wands – Fire, and Swords – Air.
Cards 2, 3, and 4 : Linked to the cardinal signs (Aries, Cancer, Libra, Capricorn) they’re considered the leaders of the zodiac and correlate to the start of their respective seasons. They’re depicted by the early cards of initiation.
Cards 5, 6, and 7 : Correlate to the fixed signs (Taurus, Scorpio, Aquarius, Leo), they are at the middle of the number cards because they are stable, and represent the follow through that is needed to get to the later cards.
Cards 8, 9 and 10 : Linked to the mutable signs (Gemini, Virgo, Sagitarius, Pisces), they are adaptable and changeable, they are situated at the end of each of their seasons and serve as the end numbers in your tarot deck.
For example if you pull the 2 of swords, 2 is a cardinal sign, and swords embodies the air element. Therefore 2 of swords is Libra, the cardinal air sign.
The writing from the hermetic order of the golden dawn, has given the original interperations for the court cards and their astrological association. However depending on the deck you’re using, you may intuitively feel a court card is related to a certain sign. Trust your instincts, remember tarot and divination always speak your language, and the best readings come from your personal inuition.
Pages : The page cards have been left out of astrological interpertations. So if you do draw a page in a reading, be creative and use your intuition or look to other cards for clarification.
Knights : Determined and sometimes stubborn the knights are linked to the fixed signs.
Queens : Decisive and sometimes aggressive, the queens are represented by the cardinals as the intiators. Consider the quote “behind every great man, stands a woman.” Queens often influence the King behind the scenes and are sometimes thought as the true leaders.
Kings : Kings are considered the mastery of their respective element, and finality. They are the mutable signs, just as the final sequence of numbered cards are the mutable signs.
The World, The Wheel of Fortune & The Fixed Zodiac Signs
Above is the wheel of fortune, the power card of fate, destiny and luck. Surrounding the wheel are four figures representing the four fixed signs of the zodiac.
Below you’ll find the World, meaning completion, end of cycle, results, and accomplishment. This arcana features the exact same four fixed signs surrounding the card.
So why are the fixed signs present on these two trump cards? Having alll the fixed signs refers to the fixed nature of fate and destiny. Whatever we do or experience will eventually come to an end, this is the natural cycle. The stability of these signs therefore relates deeply to the certainty of these cards. Take stock in what you have now, because eventually the wheel of fortune will spin and things will change.
For better or for worse, the cycle always completes and new beginnings come again.
Bottom Left Bull – Taurus, Bottom Right Lion – Leo, Top Left Man – Aquarius, Top Right Pheonix – Scorpio
The Empress Tarot 