The Bruja's Guide to Tarot

Tarot Resources

January 21, 2025

Below is a list of valuable tarot resources I’ve found supremely helpful and nourishing in my own tarot journey. It’s in no particular order, and I add to it as I delve deeper into the magic of the cards.

Books

Jessa Crispin’s The Creative Tarot: A Modern Guide to an Inspired Life
Bridgit Esselmont’s Intuitive Tarot
Eden Gray’s A Complete Guide to the Tarot
Jessica Hundley, Penny Slinger, Johannes Fiebig & Marcella Kroll’s Tarot: TASCHEN’s Library of Esoterica Book 5
Esther Joy Archer & Holly Adams Easley’s The History of Tarot Art: Demystifying the Art and Arcana, Deck by Deck
Michelle Tea’s Modern Tarot: Connecting with Your Higher Self through the Wisdom of the Cards
Benebell Wen’s Holistic Tarot: An Integrative Approach to Using Tarot for Personal Growth

Websites & Podcasts

Tarot resources on history, storytelling, symbolism, interpretation.

The Bruja’s Guide to Tarot is the divination sister to the scholarly The Bruja Professor, a witchy take on literature, the occult & pop culture, and Enchantment Learning & Living, an inspirational blog celebrating life’s simple pleasures, everyday mysticism, and delectable recipes that are guaranteed to stir the kitchen witch in you.

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Ace of Cups

January 20, 2025

Ace of Cups Upright

Starry night background with the words, “Bruja’s Guide to Tarot, Tarot Quickie.” A white wooden desktop has tarot cards, crystals, and candles.

The cups are all about feelings and intuition. The Ace of Cups is a gentle celebration of new relationships or the revelation of new feelings. As an Ace, this card points to the potential for a new relationship or a breakthrough in your relational energy. It can even signal an inner opening to self. Love is all around you when The Ace of Cups appears. As with all Cup cards, it is important to honor your feelings here.

You’re brimming with creativity! It should come as no surprise that emotions are deeply tied to our creative, generative selves. This card celebrates inspiration—it is everywhere, within and without. Keep nourishing it and see what magic comes from your openness.

Ace of Cups Reversed

The Ace of Cups Reversed is much like the Ace of Wands Reversed. It speaks of new possibilities emerging, this time in relational matters. You’re not quite ready to bring these feelings into the world yet. They need to be tended in the quiet of your own heart and nourished with your time and attention. Think of this as self-love and self-care time. You can’t bring love into your life if you don’t first love and tend to yourself.

Conversely, the reversal of this card can indicate that you are emotionally blocked. What emotions are you suppressing? What difficult feelings are you avoiding? Nothing good comes from ignoring your fears or anxieties. Be gentle with yourself as you explore and remove blockages.

Ace of Wands

January 20, 2025

Ace of Wands Upright

The Ace of Wands, in its upright form, is an energetic card as are all Wand cards. It speaks to a new influx of energy that feels exciting and a little wild. The best way to utilize this energy is to stay spontaneous and get moving. This card is all about building that momentum and taking advantage of this vital force encouraging you to make your dreams come true.

Nourish that spark of inspiration so the flame doesn’t go out. It matters less here where you go as long as you get moving. Don’t waste the potential of this Ace energy. Forward movement is more important than the destination. Pay special attention to the things that ignite your passions and excite your senses.

It’s time for a delicious transformation!

Ace of Wands Reversed

Reversed, The Ace of Wands is still energetic but signals a slower-moving transformation. New possibilities are emerging, but it is too soon to tell which direction you should move in. Protect this incubation period, as it will lead to a more fertile project when you are ready to bring it into the world.

Work slowly and quietly on these new developments. Talking about them right now would take away from your ability to conjure. Then, when it is time to take action, be loud, be bold, and don’t hesitate!

Ace of Swords

January 20, 2025

Ace of Swords Upright

The Ace of Swords celebrates new insights and great ideas. The Swords are about the intellect and a clear mind, so whatever you’re thinking about, you’ve got the right idea. A bright idea, in fact!

Expect a creative breakthrough, a chance to turn a bright idea into a reality, or an unexpected insight that changes your perspective on a tricky situation. This card is all about mental clarity—trust what your mind is telling you here, not your heart.

Lastly, The Ace of Swords Upright asks you to have faith in your abilities. You might not feel quite confident yet, but an Ace is always a promise to trust your ideas as they will bear fruit. It’s easy to second-guess yourself or overthink a situation to death. Trust yourself.

Ace of Swords Reversed

When this card appears reversed, it invites you to take a step back and clear your head. You might be too close to a situation to see it clearly or your emotions are clouding your judgement. Take your time and be deliberate about your next step. If something about this situation makes you feel rushed, walk away.

Another way to read this reversal is that you have new ideas percolating. You might not be ready to voice them yet or birth them into the world, but they’re definitely worth looking at. Nurture and protect them during this gestation period. You’ll know when it’s time to take action.

Ace of Pentacles

January 20, 2025

Ace of Pentacles Upright

Ace of Pentacles

The Ace of Pentacles is an invitation to begin again. The clouds have parted, the sun—here, a golden pentacle—is shining, and a whole new world beckons to you just beyond the verdant archway. Opportunities abound!

Pentacles often represent financial situations and worldly concerns, so this card is always a good omen when it comes to career opportunities or anything else that nourishes an abundant life.

The potential for abundance is there, but, as with all Ace cards, you need to act on that energy, or it will dissipate. Aces invite you to strike while inspiration is there,e and you will succeed. Trust this influx of creative energy and invest in your vision. It will bear fruit.

Ace of Pentacles Reversed

When this card is reversed, it cautions against impulsive financial investments or risky career moves. Even if something seems like a sound idea, the chances are that it is too good to be true. Ask yourself: Do you have all the facts? What are the drawbacks to this venture? What’s the fine print here? Take a step back and examine the situation from all perspectives, including the vibes. If a picture-perfect scenario is giving you the creeps, listen to that feeling.

Similarly, this is a call to get organized and serious about the work you want to do. Are you putting in the work to make this successful? Have you planned and prepared sufficiently? What do you need to do to make this work? Slow down and examine the viability of your vision. You might need to focus your ideas or redirect your energy entirely.

This card can also signal setbacks. If you keep hitting roadblocks, pause to listen to what the setbacks are telling you. You might be on the wrong road entirely.

The Tens

September 23, 2024

The Tens represent the official end of a cycle. You’ve gone from the early potential of the Aces to the full fruition of your current storyline. This is a card that ushers in strong emotions. They’re either heavy emotions or ones of cleansing and abundance.

These last cards in the number series can signal the end of a major life event or the beginning of a new one. It can also reflect something as simple and profound as a fundamental shift in perspective. As with all things, the close of one chapter is also the start of a new one. As such, the Aces and the Tens often work hand in hand.

In the end, the Tens offer space to reflect on lessons learned, wisdom gained, and a broader perspective of the world as you close out this cycle.

Ten of Pentacles

Ten of Swords

Ten of Wands

Ten of Cups

*Image Description: Starry background with the words, “The Bruja’s Guide to Tarot: The Tens: Journey’s End, Broader Perspectives, New Beginnings.”*

The Nines

September 23, 2024

The Nines usher in a final chapter. Things are coming full circle, and you’re about to complete an important stage in your life, but you’re not quite there yet. These cards might also reflect a need for closure or a sense of resolution before you can move on to the next chapter of your life.

While the Eights are about reflecting on what you’ve accomplished and perhaps what you’re missing in your life, the Nines invite you to metabolize your life experiences as a way to find closure. It’s time to reflect on how your actions have shaped your present state in both good and bad ways.

Nine of Pentacles

Nine of Swords

Nine of Wands

Nine of Cups

*Image Description: Starry background with the words, “The Bruja’s Guide to Tarot: The Nines: Coming Full Circle, Seeing Closure, Moving On.”*

The Eights

September 23, 2024

The Eights ushers in a time of contemplation. These cards often depict a more mature figure who has to let things go or see their situation differently to move forward. These cards ask you to face some hard realities without utilizing the craftiness of the Sevens.

Interestingly, the Eights also feature the only card in the tarot deck that does not include a human figure or a part of a human figure. The Eight of Wands is about pure energy and movement, as depicted by the eight wands flying through the air.

As such, the Eights are about action but with more gravitas than the energy of the Aces. They invite the reader to consider how their mindset and habits shape their reality. You will enjoy abundant good energy if you can release your self-limiting beliefs. It’s up to you to decide where you want to focus your time and attention.

Eight of Pentacles

Eight of Swords

Eight of Wands

Eight of Cups

*Image Description: Starry background with the words, “The Bruja’s Guide to Tarot: The Eights: Contemplation, Maturation, Change in Perspective.”*

The Sevens

September 23, 2024

The Sevens are about conflict and challenges, although they are less topsy-turvy than the Fives. There’s also quite a bit of Trickster energy to these cards, as they ask us to be clever about things. Work smarter, not harder!

With experience comes wisdom and, ideally, better judgment. You have to choose where to apply your energy. You might feel like you have many options, but if you’re honest with yourself, you know where you want to focus your energy. Likewise, there are things you know need to be left in the past. You’ve been through enough to know what works and what doesn’t, and honoring that knowledge prevents unnecessary conflict.

Seven of Pentacles

Seven of Swords

Seven of Wands

Seven of Cups

*Image Description: Starry background with the words, “The Bruja’s Guide to Tarot: The Sevens: Cunning, Trickery, Conflict.”*

The Sixes

September 23, 2024

The Sixes usher in a time of harmony and peace after the chaos of the Fives. Like the Fours, they represent security and unity, although the Sixes are often about searching for that sense of peace, rather than having it.

The Sixes serve as a reminder to nurture yourself and others, reflect on your past, and honor the lessons learned as you journey onward. As the halfway point in the numbered cards, they carry the weight of what has come before them and the uncertainty of what lies ahead.

When these cards appear, they are always asking you to reflect on where you have been and where you are going so that you can best find the harmony of which you are in search.

Six of Pentacles

Six of Swords

Six of Wands

Six of Cups

*Image Description: Starry background with the words, “The Bruja’s Guide to Tarot: The Sixes: Security, Unity, Reflection.”*

The Fives

July 10, 2024

The Fives are the disrupters of the numbered cards, turning everything topsy-turvy, where the upright version of the cards is negative and the reversed is positive. After the tranquility of the Fours, the Fives want to shake things up again!

But have no fear. Even though they are often framed in a negative light, the Fives are really just trying to keep you from stagnation. The stability of the Fours is great and all, but it’s too tempting to want to stay in that comfort zone.

While these cards might feel like chaos and instability at first, they are pointing out things that need to be addressed—feelings, conflicts, old ways of being—before you can find peace again.

Five of Pentacles

Five of Swords

Five of Wands

Five of Cups

Image Description: Starry background with the words, “The Bruja’s Guide to Tarot: The Fives: Conflict, Instability, Topsy-Turvy Energy.”

The Fours

July 10, 2024

After the excitement of the first three cards in the Minor Arcana, the Fours offer a welcome respite. You’ve completed a cycle and can now enjoy some stability. In fact, the Fours love stability so much that they focus on developing a strong foundation, laying the groundwork for future joy, and appreciating closure, calmness, and connection.

The Fours also represent the search for unity and cohesion. These cards, after so much growing in the Aces, Twos, and Threes, offer time to reflect and metabolize our experiences so as to move forward in a more grounded way. They serve as the necessary pause before moving forward.

Four of Pentacles

Four of Swords

Four of Wands

Four of Cups

Image Description: Starry background with the words, “The Bruja’s Guide to Tarot: The Fours: Stability, Connection, Calmness.”

The Threes

July 10, 2024

After the potential of the Aces and the balancing act of the Twos, the Threes invite creativity and expansiveness. Now is the time to explore the world, innovate, and dream big. As with all cards, however, the key is to stay focused on what you want the energy of the Threes to do, otherwise you might be prone to distraction.

These cards are always asking you to lean into whatever it is you need to do, feel, or manifest, even if it feels difficult or scary. As an uneven number, it has not yet reached wholeness but has the strong foundation to help you achieve what you need.

Three of Pentacles

Three of Swords

Three of Wands

Three of Cups

Image Description: Starry background with the words, “The Bruja’s Guide to Tarot: The Threes: Creativity, Expansiveness, Exploration.”

The Twos

July 10, 2024

The Twos in the tarot are all about balance, decision-making, and, sometimes, feeling stuck in limbo. These cards represent duality, especially when a choice or situation seems unclear.

Likewise, the Twos emphasize partnership and connection, asking us to expand beyond the solo journey of the Aces. Sometimes that means honoring the plurality within ourselves, and other times, it means finding kindred spirits to share our world with.

Regardless, the Twos are always about finding your equilibrium and a sense of peace, even when life gets hectic. The trick? Balance!

Two of Pentacles

Two of Swords

Two of Wands

Two of Cups

Image Description: Starry background with the words, “The Bruja’s Guide to Tarot: The Twos: Balance, Liminality, Decision-Making.”

The Aces

July 10, 2024

The Aces are the first in the number series of the Minor Arcana. They can be read as number one in the tarot. As such, the Aces represent raw potential and possibility. They are the new beginning, the open road, the promise of a new story.

Yet, with most possibilities, it is about taking action once you know the energy for something is there. If you don’t nourish it or make the move, the potential will dissipate. So when the Aces appear in a reading, it is always a positive sign, so long as you’re willing to act on that energy.

The Kings

June 12, 2024

The Kings represent the full maturation of the Knights and rule alongside the Queens as equals of their different realms. Where the Queens reign over the inner world, the Kings rule over the outer world. They represent maturity and authority, a strong leader who protects and supports those under his care. The Kings are the epitome of healthy masculinity (again, regardless of gender, as we all have masculine aspects to our nature).

Their dark side would include being overly authoritarian or, like the Swords, so logical that they ignore important wisdom of the imaginative or emotional realms, which is what makes the Queens a good balance force for them (and vice versa).

In general, however, these court cards more often represent the quiet assurance of someone who had learned their life lessons the hard way: through experience, aging, and making mistakes. As a result, they have the impenetrable confidence of someone who doesn’t need to explain themselves or prove anything—an admirable quality, especially if imposter syndrome is something you struggle with.

The Kings are all about owning your power and learning to use it wisely.

The King of Pentacles

The King of Swords

The King of Wands

The King of Cups

Image Description: Starry background with the words, “The Bruja’s Guide to Tarot: The Kings: Leaders, Authority, Intellect, Outer World.”

The Queens

June 12, 2024

The Queens are the rulers of the imaginative realms. They embody empowerment through creativity, the dream world, and honoring your intuition. Although the Queens embody deeply feminine attributes, they can speak to all genders (as can all court cards, regardless of the gender of the figures in the images).

The Queens are the court cards that are at one with the Universe because they operate from the inside out. They embody the old occult saying, “As Within, So Without.” In other words, they manifest by energetic alignment, nurturing their internal life, and being in harmony with themselves.

They are the nurturers and the mother figures of the tarot, inviting us to slow down and reconnect with our inner world. They know that abundance and happiness come from being true to our natures.

Like the Cups, it’s important not to get completely lost in the realm of emotions with the Queens, although they are generally positive cards. On the whole, these are gentle cards celebrating the wisdom that comes with age and experience.

The Queens offer messages of unity and authority through creativity and receptivity. Their power is one of openness, curiosity, and awareness, proving that softness and gentleness can be just as powerful energetically as the more masculine energy of the Knights or the Kings.

The Queen of Pentacles

The Queen of Swords

The Queen of Wands

The Queen of Cups

Image Description: Starry background with the words, “The Bruja’s Guide to Tarot: The Queens: Nurturers, Abundance, Intuition, Inner World.”

The Knights

June 12, 2024

If the Pages are the messengers of the court cards, inviting new energy and change, then the Knights are the action-oriented cards telling you to get moving! It’s one thing to heed the call or the message of the Pages and quite another to go head-long into the direction they want you to move in.

The Knights are more mature than the Pages, as they are no longer youths and have more experience under their belts. That said, they can still be rash, and their dark side is rushing into things or pushing too hard to get things done. They are so action-oriented that they sometimes forget to slow down, read the signs, and see stillness as a necessary part of moving forward. They have yet to grow into the wisdom and maturity of the Queens and the Kings.

The Knights know how to get stuff done, and they won’t wait around for life to happen. That’s great energy to have if you’ve been feeling stagnant or stuck. Just temper it with the knowledge that sheer force won’t always win the day.

The Knights, at their best, are guardians of the open road, encouraging you to get moving, even if you don't have all the answers. You can learn as you go, and ultimately, there’s something to be said for just going for it! How often would we take a risk or try something new if we had all the facts before us? And, knowing what we now know, what wonderful things would we also miss out on if we didn’t do the thing we weren’t quite prepared for?

The Knight of Pentacles

The Knight of Swords

The Knight of Wands

The Knight of Cups

Image Description: Starry background with the words, “The Bruja’s Guide to Tarot: The Knights: Adventurers, Warriors, Take Action, Get Moving.”

The Pages

June 12, 2024

The Pages are the young messengers of the court cards. They often come bearing messages of growth, opportunities, and exciting new directions. Of course, like the Aces, the Pages offer only the potential or the knowledge that the energy for growth is there. You still have to act on it to make it happen.

Like an exuberant youth, this card is full of energy and excitement, so much so that its potential downside is tons of inspiration with no follow-through. The page can be immature or unfocused, but more often than not is seen as representative of your inner child. The best way to get the most out of this card is to take action and utilize the potential of this card without over thinking things.

On the flip side, a more positive reading of the Page is someone who is young at heart and sees the world as a place filled with wonder and opportunity. Every setback is a message from the Universe, redirecting your focus and putting you on the right path with the Pages. Every day welcomes a new adventure that can take you wherever you want to go. In this way, the Pages are much like the Fool.

Consider the Pages as the messengers, inviting you to put your energy toward conjuring good things. This card is brimming with excitement, so have fun imagining new ways of being for yourself, and then get to work making it happen!

The Page of Pentacles

The Page of Swords

The Page of Wands

The Page of Cups

Image Description: Starry background with the words, “The Bruja’s Guide to Tarot: The Pages: Youthful Exuberance, New Opportunities, Messengers, Receptivity.”

The Court Cards

June 12, 2024

The court cards are part of the Minor Arcana represent personalities, people, and ways of being in the world. They can also represent levels of maturity or stages of life, the Pages being the least mature and most youthful, and the Kings representing maturity and the gravitas that comes with experience.

Although these cards often represent people, they aren’t necessarily gender specific. For example, you might run into someone who has big Knight of Cups energy, but that person could be of any gender.

That said, sometimes they represent parts of ourselves or times in our lives and show up when we need to invoke the energy of their specific court card medicine. The Pages typically show up when you need to look at the world through the eyes of a novice or innocent, much like The Fool. The Knights show up when you need to be assertive and action-oriented, like a young warrior. The Queens usher in abundance and nurturing energy. The Kings reflect authority, discipline, and strength.

Follow your intuition when you draw the cards as it will tell you if you should read these cards as people in your life, aspects of yourself, or an energy you need to tap into.