Tarot Cards & Zodiac Signs: Earth, Air, Fire, Water Elements & Meanings

Zodiac signs and tarot cards, when put together make for an interesting and diverse reading. Traditionally, reading tarot cards is an intuitive interpretation, while they cards hold meaning, they will be unique to each one of us. Astrology, on the other hand, is structured and set in empirical interpretation. The vast differences between the two is what marries them so well together.

Tarot is full of symbolism and is one of the most vast esoteric reading systems. If you are seeking wisdom, having your cards read is one surefire way to find it. When partnered with astrology,  every Major Arcana card has a correspondence with the planets, stars and the moon within each zodiac.

Coupled together, these are two extremely powerful oracles and they can provide insight and wisdom in profound ways. Far more informative than any regular horoscope or regular astrological reading could ever give you. Combing the tarot deck with the stars!

Tarot cards and zodiac signs

In the later parts of the 19th century into the earlier parts of the 20th century, there was an esoteric order formed in Great Britain. This order was called the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn. The cards we use today were created by this spiritual order. There are four tarot card decks that were formed, namely The Waite Smith Tarot; The Thoth Tarot; The Golden Dawn Tarot and the BOTA tarot. 

Each of these four decks were created by by four men,  Dr. Arthur Edward Waite; Mr. Aleister Crowley; Samuel Liddell MacGregor Mathers and Paul Foster Case.

Recently a new zodiac sign has popped up on the scene called Ophiuchus!

Element tarot cards meanings

One of the fastest and easiest ways to learn and understand tarot is by understanding the four elements that shape each suit of the Major Arcana. 

Each of the classic elements brings its own meaning and symbolism. The four elements are, as with the zodiac signs,  water, fire, earth and air.

Earth: materiality; strength, endurance, growth; reliability; practicality; accumulation

Air: thought; spoken and written communication; strife and conflict; expressions of the mind

Water: the action of the emotions; love and affection, dreams, desires, fantasies; pleasure, friendship, social activity, romance, receptivity

Golden Dawn Astrological Correspondences In The Major Arcana are:

Elemental Fire – Judgement

Elemental Earth – World

Elemental Air – Fool

Elemental Water – Hanged Man

Zodiac tarot card meanings

By understanding and knowing which tarot card represents your zodiac sign, you are able to understand not only more about yourself, but the transits and themes you will go through in your lifetime. These cards can also present themselves during a tarot card reading can also help us to acknowledge and embody the archetype the card represents. We may be needing the guidance from that specific card at that point in our lives. Think of it in a similar way as knowing your sun sign or moon sign, your corresponding tarot card can help guide you and help you along your life journey.

Tarot cards are put into different groups, There are 22 Major Arcana cards and 56 cards remaining are divided by their element.

Earth element tarot cards by zodiac sign

Taurus tarot cards & meanings

The Hierophant – Major Arcana Card

Meaning Of The Hierophant

This card represents a love for learning and constant searching for truth. 

Minor Arcana Cards:  Five of Pentacles,  Six of Pentacles,  Seven of Pentacles

Meaning of Five of Pentacles

Loss, feeling alienated, struggle, hardship,  deprivation

Meaning of Six of Pentacles

Sharing, gratitude, giving, liberality, abundance, support

Meaning of Seven of Pentacles

Honor, growth, patience, reward

Virgo tarot cards & meanings

The Hermit – Major Arcana

Meaning Of The Hermit

Virgos enjoy solitude as life can be rather exhausting for them. This card represents the Virgos need to find their peace and wisdom alone.

Minor Arcana Cards:  Eight of Pentacles,  Nine of Pentacles,  Ten of Pentacles

Meaning of Eight of Pentacles

Accomplishment, technique, expertise, excellency, skill

Meaning of Nine of Pentacles

Successfulness, Independence, attainment, self-sustenance

Meaning of Ten of Pentacles

Benefaction, Legacy

Capricorn tarot cards & meanings

The Devil – Major Arcana

Meaning Of The Devil Card

This card represents the dark or shadow self that Capricorns want to hide. They are self conscious signs of the zodiac who never want to appear to be out of place.

Minor Arcana Cards:  Two of Pentacles,  Three of Pentacles,  Four of Pentacles

Meaning of Two of Pentacles

Adaptive, balance, priorities

Meaning of Three of Pentacles

Cooperation, teamwork, collaboration

Meaning of Four of Pentacles

Preservation, Frugality, certainty

Air element tarot cards by zodiac sign

Gemini tarot cards & meanings

The Lovers – Major Arcana

Meaning Of The Lovers Card

Gemini is the sign of duality and making difficult choices, which is obviously well reflected in this tarot card, too.

Minor Arcana Cards: Eight of Swords,  Nine of Swords,  Ten of Swords

Meaning of Eight of Swords

Imprisonment, Confinement, Self loathing

Meaning of Nine of Swords

Unsettled feelings, trauma,  melancholy

Meaning of Ten of Swords

Non-fulfillment, defeat, emptiness

Libra tarot cards & meanings

Justice – Major Arcana

Meaning Of Justice Card

Libra is often depicted as a holder of rigid ideas when it comes to what is right and what is not. This card represents the need to obtain balance, not everything will be perfect or go the way we want it to.

Minor Arcana Cards:  Two of Swords, Three of Swords, Four of Swords

Meaning of Two of Swords

Hard decisions,  irresolution, stagnant

Meaning of Three of Swords

heartbreak, suffering, grief

Meaning of Four of Swords

rest, restoration, contemplation

Aquarius tarot cards & meanings

The Star – Major Arcana 

Meaning Of The Star Card

Just like it’s zodiac sign, the star is optimistic and bright, always standing out and shining brighter than anyone else, when given the opportunity.

Minor Arcana Cards:  Five of Swords, Six of Swords, Seven of Swords

Meaning of Five of Swords

Being sneaky, sore loser, ambition

Meaning of Six of Swords

Evolve, moving on, forward

Meaning of Seven of Swords

Lying, trickery, to plan

Fire element tarot cards by zodiac sign

Leo tarot cards & meanings

Strength – Major Arcana

Meaning Of The Strength Card

Just like a lion, strength represents the challenges this zodiac sign must face with bravery and gusto.

Minor Arcana Cards: Five of Wands, Six of Wands, Seven of Wands

Meaning of Five of Wands

Competitiveness, fights, quarrel, disagreement

Meaning of Six of Wands

Winning, power, reward, success

Meaning of Seven of Wands

Being in control Guarded, perseverance 

Aries tarot cards & meanings

The Emperor – Major Arcana

Meaning Of The Emperor Card

Aries corresponding card represents strong leadership, charisma and the ability to take action.

Minor Arcana Cards:  Two of Wands,  Three of Wands,  Four of Wands

Meaning of Two of Wands

Structure, decision making, leaving the nest, independence

Meaning of Three of Wands

Thinking ahead, Growth

Meaning of Four of Wands

Welcoming, celebration, coming together and community

Sagittarius tarot cards & meanings

Temperance – Major Arcana

Meaning Of Temperance Card

This card represents moderation and learning to accept your flaws so that you may overcome any problems.

Minor Arcana Cards: Eight of Wands, Nine of Wands, Ten of Wands

Meaning of Eight of Wands

hasty decisions, swift action

Meaning of Nine of Wands

Strength, durability, resilience

Meaning of Ten of Wands

Being accomplished, leadership, responsibility, being burdened

Water element tarot cards by zodiac sign

Cancer tarot cards & meanings

The Chariot – Major Arcana

Meaning of The Chariot Card

The Chariot card represents strength, ambition and willpower, but it can also be a warning to not be reckless.  

Minor Arcana Cards:  Two of Cups,  Three of Cups, Four of Cups

Meaning of Two of Cups

Trust, togetherness, relationship and connection

Meaning of Three of Cups

Bonds, Friendship, togetherness, happiness

Meaning of Four of Cups

Lack of feeling, numb, contemplation

Scorpio tarot cards & meanings

Death – Major Arcana

Meaning Of The Death Card

Often thought of as a bad omen, this card represents the opposite –  Death represents transformation and moving forward in life, something Scorpios are pretty good at.

Minor Arcana Cards: Five of Cups, Six of Cups, Seven of Cups

Meaning of Five of Cups

Sadness, self loathing and pity

Meaning of Six of Cups

Knowing, Good thoughts of the past, wellness and healing

Meaning of Seven of Cups

Seeking purpose, Looking inward, Imagination

Pisces tarot cards & meanings

The Moon – Major Arcana

Meaning Of The Moon Card

Just like the zodiac sign attached to it, this card represents moodiness and idealism. This card asks you to let go of the small things and to stop overthinking.

Minor Arcana Cards:  Eight of Cups, Nine of Cups, Ten of Cups’

Meaning of Eight of Cups

Moving on, Walking away, Removing oneself

Meaning of Nine of Cups

 Emotional structure and stability

Meaning of Ten of Cups

 Happiness within, being fulfilled, realizing dreams

Tarot card reading and Astrology are esoteric tools which both seem to work using the same energy. When paired together, there is an undeniable harmony between them. There is so much more to see and find when it comes to Tarot and Zodiac that can be mentioned here, however, we hope that this has opened up that world for you to continue to delve into as you unlock and discover more about yourself and your life purpose and path. Another great option for opening up to these energies would be dna activation which we talk about on another blog post. 

Written by:
Jade Small