navigate romantic relationships

Navigating Romantic Relationships with the Tarot Minor Arcana

navigate romantic relationships

In this blog post, we will explore how to navigate romantic relationships with the Tarot Minor Arcana. We look into how the four suits offer valuable insights and guidance to enhance our relationships. Romantic relationships play a significant role in our lives.

Leveraging the wisdom and symbolism of the Tarot Minor Arcana can provide valuable perspectives and empower individuals to navigate their relationships with greater understanding and harmony. You may also wish to check this comprehensive guide on the Major Arcana in Love Tarot Readings.

Check out the Angelorum Love and Relationship Tarot Spreads!

Understanding the Tarot Minor Arcana Suit Elements

Understanding the Tarot Suit Elements is one of the keys to being able to read the Tarot successfully. Once you are able to grasp the dominant Minor Arcana theme and get a feel for that energy, you’re on your way to mastering love, relationship and soul mate Tarot readings. And if you have a grasp of the Elements and the fundamentals of Numerology, you can pretty much read the Tarot even without the images. Each of the four Minor Arcana suits is related to one of the Elements:

WandsFire (sexuality, creativity)
CupsWater (emotions, intuition)
SwordsAir (communication, problem resolution)
PentaclesEarth (money, work, physical health)

1. Deepening Emotional Connections: The Role of Cups

Tarot cards from the Cups suit harbour the energies of emotions, love, and relationships. So for romantic relationships, you usually look for Cups cards to see if there is an emotional connection. One of the first things I notice when looking at a love Tarot reading is if there is a complete absence of Cups. I then take that to be a sign that while the Seeker may think the relationship is about love, some other reason for the connection is more relevant.

Individual Card Meanings – Suit of Cups

Of course, the quality of the connection is also determined by which of the Cups cards are present. Ideally, you want to see the Ace of Cups, 2 of Cups, 6 of Cups, 9 of Cups and 10 of Cups.

The Ace of Cups is for new love but can also indicate a heart opening that leads to commitment or a renewal of interest in making the relationship blossom.

2 of Cups is the ideal relationship card. If it’s upright and not badly aspected/ill-dignified, it usually indicates reciprocity as well as the depth of feeling.

6 of Cups can denote a soul mate relationship.

9 of Cups usually represents joy in a relationship but can also signify wishful thinking (depending on surrounding cards).

10 of Cups is the happy family card and should be present in a reading where the Seeker wants to know if the one they are with is willing to commit and start a family.

Problematic Cups cards

The more problematic Cups cards are 4 of Cups (boredom/apathy), 5 of Cups (regret, emotional disappointment) or the 7 of Cups (addiction/illusion). With the 8 of Cups, you or your lover is about to jump ship.

What about the 3 of Cups?

You may have noted that I didn’t include the 3 of Cups among the Minors I like to see in a love and relationship reading. That’s because it quite often seems to address a situation where one or both parties are cheating. On the upside, of course, it can also indicate a celebration of love such as an engagement party or a wedding. It depends on surrounding cards though.

What about the Court Cards?

As for the Cups Court cards, while they can indicate individuals, the Knight of Cups can also signify a highly romantic connection. The Queen of Cups is the partner you simply cannot lie to; she knows what you are thinking anyway. The Page of Cups can signify the very early days of falling in love, as well as crushing on someone from afar and being too shy to make the first move.

The King of Cups is often seen as the ideal partner by many, as this King is the most caring and emotionally mature/available of all the courtiers. The best way to draw this type of lover into our lives is obviously by being such a lover.

2. Balancing Energy and Passion: Insights from Wands

Wands cards embody creative energy, inspiration, and passion. Discover how the Suit of Wands can provide guidance in balancing the intensity of energy within romantic relationships. Gain a deeper understanding of how these cards can inspire and guide you in harnessing passion, stating intentions, and fostering healthy levels of energy within your relationships.

Individual Card Meanings – Suit of Wands

An abundance of Wands in a relationship Tarot reading can indicate a lot of energy but it can also show a clash of strong wills. The two main Wands cards I like to see in a love Tarot reading are the Ace of Wands and the 4 of Wands.

The Ace of Wands is a sign of a healthy libido and the 4 of Wands shows intent to settle down and start a family, especially together with the aforementioned 10 of Cups.

Three neutral Wands cards that can be for good or bad are the 2 of Wands, 6 of Wands and 8 of Wands. The 2 of Wands can represent either a healthy, dynamic relationship or a relationship where lovers are also competing against each other in some way. The 6 of Wands can be a sign of either magnanimity and generosity or one party being utterly selfish. The 8 of Wands is often about messages going back and forth. Surrounding cards tell you more about the nature of those messages.

Problematic Wands cards

However, most of the other Wands can be problematic in the relationship.

3 of Wands can indicate triangulation, especially with the 3 of Cups and/or The Devil.

5 of Wands is usually a sign of conflict, either internal or between partners. Either way, it is never a good sign for the relationship.

7 of Wands can also indicate conflict and one person needing to stand their ground to not be dominated by the will of the other.

9 of Wands often shows that one of the parties is feeling defensive and/or is constantly expecting the worst.

10 of Wands can mean that the relationship is at breaking point or over – With the 10 of Swords, it is definitely over.

The Wands courtiers aren’t usually known to want to settle down until they have satisfied their lust for freedom and adventure but the King and Queen can make loyal partners. The Knight of Wands is the Player card. The Page of Wands stands for unbridled lust and having a crush.

3. Communication and Conflict Resolution: The Power of Swords

Swords cards symbolise intellect, communication, and conflict resolution. Communication breakdowns and conflicts are common hurdles in romantic relationships. It is through the Suit of Swords we gain valuable insights into effective communication techniques and strategies for resolving conflicts. Usually, an abundance of Swords indicates problems.

So while the Swords cards can be helpful, most people don’t like to see Swords show up in their love and romance readings. However, many relationship problems are just literally in our minds so it can be very helpful when Swords cards show up to let us know that this is the case.

Individual Card Meanings – Suit of Swords

The two main ‘It’s just in your head’ cards are the 8 of Swords and 9 of Swords. The 8 of Swords signifies an overactive mind and indecision because of either wanting to keep all options open or not seeing any of them as totally viable (though one or more probably are). The 9 of Swords is about high anxiety levels and a tendency to catastrophise.

Internet dating

However, the Swords can provide useful information for Seekers who are single and looking. If asking about where to find new love, the Swords (Air/Intellect/Communication) typically indicate internet dating. If you get the Ace of Swords, now is a good time to put a profile on one of those online dating sites.

Problematic Swords Cards

The Swords cards people least of all want to see in relationship Tarot readings are the 3, 5, 7 and 10 of Swords.

3 of Swords is usually the end of a relationship and the pain that comes with that.

5 of Swords is about a big rift and harsh words/arguments. It’s one of the worst cards when it shows up for romantic relationships.

7 of Swords can involve deceit, the nature of which is shown by surrounding cards.

10 of Swords also usually speaks of the end of romantic relationships.

The more positive Swords cards are the Ace of Swords and the 6 of Swords. The Ace of Swords can show significant improvement in communication and the 6 of Swords is a card of friendship as well as leaving past troubles behind.

Neutral Swords Cards

4 of Swords usually doesn’t usually mean good news for the relationship. It could be fizzling out completely or it could be time for a break. One or both parties have stopped caring about making it work. The spark could have gone out of the relationship. You could easily see the energy of this card kick in for sleep-deprived parents with young children, for instance. This couple needs to find a way of regenerating and getting their spark back!

As for the Swords courtiers, they are both some of the most entertaining because of their excellent communication skills but they can also be the most argumentative and emotionally distant/aloof. The Page of Swords is usually about staying in touch via text messages rather than meeting up. This Page can show up with The World in a long-distance relationship, for instance.

4. Building Trust and Boundaries: Exploring Pentacles

Pentacles cards signify the material world, stability, and practicality. Within the context of romantic relationships, trust, physical attraction and healthy boundaries play vital roles. Look to learn from the Suit of Pentacles when it comes to cultivating trust, strengthening relationships, and establishing essential boundaries. Unearth the ways the Pentacles can assist in navigating challenges that may arise when trust is tested or boundaries are blurred.

Individual Card Meanings – Suit of Pentacles

When you see an abundance of Pentacles in a relationship Tarot reading, you also know that work and money issues are impacting heavily on the overall health of the relationship. Alternatively, health issues could be an area of concern. However, conception is also often shown through the Pentacles. Both the Ace and the 3 of Pentacles speak of fertility and possible pregnancy. The Ace of Cups together with the 3 of Pentacles can be an indication that the Seeker may be pregnant. (Please note that I do not recommend using Tarot cards in place of a pregnancy test.)

The main card indicating that health problems are causing an issue would be the 5 of Pentacles. The best way to approach this card in a relationship reading is to see it as a lesson about deepening support for each other.

2 of Pentacles can indicate that stress at work is part of the problem the couple is experiencing. This is about learning to not take stress out on our significant other.

I often see the 4 of Pentacles show up when one person in the relationship is stonewalling the other. It could also mean that one person is transgressing (or trying to transgress) the boundaries of the other in the relationship. It can indicate an overall lack of trust.

The 6 of Pentacles can indicate inequality and one party being a taker while the other is the giver.

7 of Pentacles is almost never a good sign for the relationship. It shows delays and blockages. However, sometimes it just indicates that we need to be patient and the situation will resolve itself. Remember, nobody likes to be told to be patient!

8 of Pentacles is often an indication of a person who is very dedicated to their work. It could indicate that not enough attention is given to the relationship or that one party is being overly critical of the other.

9 of Pentacles shows a person who is self-sufficient and who has such high standards in love that they simply will not ‘settle.’

The Happiest of Pentacles

The happiest of all cards in the Suit of Pentacles for romantic relationships is usually the 10 of Pentacles. It is a card that indicates long-term, settling down and enjoying grandchildren together.

The 3 of Pentacles can also be lucky in the sense that it indicates strong chemistry, as well as pulling together to achieve long-term goals. But beware of a tendency for one or both of you to be workaholics.

The Pentacle Court cards are usually known as dependable partners. They often have a pragmatic approach to life and love. They care for their partners in practical ways. Their love language is either the giving and receiving of gifts or touch.

Conclusion

By delving into these various Minor Arcana Tarot themes and their insightful interpretations, you have taken the initial steps on a journey towards enhancing your romantic relationships. Remember, the Tarot serves as a guide, offering powerful tools for self-reflection, communication improvement, conflict resolution, and fostering meaningful connections. Embrace the opportunity to explore the wisdom of the Tarot, and allow it to empower you and your romantic relationships.

Please note: The practice of tarot is subjective, open to personal interpretation, and should not be considered a substitute for professional advice. Tarot readings are best approached with an open mind and used as a tool for self-reflection.

Enhance your romantic relationships with the Tarot Minor Arcana. Gain insights from the four suits and navigate love with wisdom and harmony. Empower your connections with the Tarot!

love raven liora

Comments 4

  1. Love the article (pun intended ). But I wish you’d elaborate on the courtiers, specially the Swords’ ones, which I find somewhat hard to grasp. Thanks.

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      Author
  2. Excellent article. For me personally when I do readings, the 6 of cups indicates past life relationships also. Excellent guidelines to follow. Thank you so much!

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      Author

      Thanks Tara, yes – for me – by definition, ‘soul mate’ lovers are people who have shared past lives together, i.e. are from the same soul group. I don’t define ‘soul mates’ as ideal partners but simply as people from the same soul group, often coming together for important lessons and only sometimes as lovers.

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