Tarot is one of the oldest and most mysterious divination methods in the West. It has strong accuracy and diversity, and it is still widely used as a method of divination around the world today. Would you like to try using the Rider-Waite Tarot for divination? Then come to Huayi Divination Network and check out the relevant content about the Rider-Waite Tarot section!

Tarot Cards — The Four Elements

Tarot cards can be divided into Major Arcana, four card groups, court cards, and also categorized by the four elements — fire, water, air, and earth. People believe that the world is composed of these four elements, and the four card groups in the Minor Arcana correspond exactly to these four elements:
Wands card group corresponds to fire element;
Cups card group corresponds water element;
Swords card group corresponds air element;
Pentacles card group corresponds earth element.
The element represented by each card is not necessarily singular, but only focus on the main element (the impact of non-main elements is smaller). For example, the court (portrait) cards are also related to the four elements, so the King card in the Cups (Water) card group contains both water and air elements. Because the court cards represent "people" in divination, the personality of the divination subject will also be related to the elements:
King card corresponds air element;
Queen card corresponds water element;
Knight card corresponds fire element;
Servant card corresponds earth element.

The Meaning of the Four Elements

Fire Element: Hot and dry, positive, yang of yang, upper element, active, very fast, unstable;
It gives heat and energy, any needed action, movement, war, argument, sex, self-motivation, passion, inspiration, power struggle, strength, free expression, facing challenges, high spiritual level.

Water Element: Cold and wet, negative, yin of yin, upper element, passive, slower, more stable;
The power of the subconscious, enlightening life, may appear calm on the surface but with hidden currents, interpersonal relationships, love, healing, protection of emotions, spiritual groups, psychological phenomena.

Air Element: Hot and wet, positive, yang of yin, lower element, active, fast, very unstable;
Specific ideas, theories, logic, abstract thoughts, artistic expressions, research, writing, publishing, travel, illness, death, problems, disputes, arguments, which manifest in the earth element.

Earth Element: Cold and dry, negative, yin of yang, lower element, passive, slow, very stable;
The specific manifestation of events starting from the fire element, buildings, land, agriculture, physical body, major matters, repetition, stability, entertainment, property, wealth, poverty, and greed.

The Representative Cards and Their Meanings of the Four Elements

Fire Element

04th　The Emperor: Leadership ability, influence, strong, authority.
08th　Strength: Pride, royal behavior, courage. 
14th　Temperance: Self-reliance, optimism, cooperation.
16th　The Tower: Energy, action, anger, power, reconstruction.
19th　The Sun: Growth, generosity, prosperity, happiness, clear goals. 

Water Element

02nd　The High Priestess: Intuition, spiritual sensitivity, acceptance, insight.
07th　The Chariot: Concern, nurturing, pregnancy.
10th　Wheel Of Fortune: Rise and fall, flow, abundance. 
12th　The Hanged Man: Water, self-sacrifice, trust.
13th　Death: Rebirth, attachment, sexuality, change.
18th　The Moon: Sensitive, responsive, uncertain.

Air Element

00th　The Fool: Originality, adventure, impulse, unexpected.
01st　The Magician: Communication, research, learning, wisdom
06th　The Lovers: Duality, teamwork, decision-making
11th　Justice: Balance, cause and effect, controlling fate.
17th　The Stars: Love, objectivity, emotional stability, optimism. 

Earth Element

03rd　The Empress: Motherhood, fertility, human analysis, love, marriage, harmony.
05th　The Pope: Teacher, spiritual guide, stability, wisdom, tradition.
09th　The Hermit: Criticism, analysis, patience, caution.
15th　The Devil: Success, direction, achievement, wealth.
21st　The World: Responsibility, learning, satisfaction. 

Minor Arcana Corresponding to the Four Elements

Wands — Fire Element

Card Group Name: Wands
Corresponding Element: Fire
Representative Color: Red
Symbol: Work (vitality, energy)
Meaning: Spirit
Hint: Thought, Action
The Wands card group represents creation, action, and movement. They are associated with virtues such as enthusiasm, exploration, adventure, and confidence. The associated element is fire, and a flickering flame is the perfect symbol of the power of the wand. This energy radiates outward, making people passionately involved in action.

Cups — Water Element

Card Group Name: Cups
Corresponding Element: Water
Representative Color: Blue
Symbol: Feelings, Love (emotions, sensibility)
Meaning: Emotion
Hint: Emotion, Feeling
This card group represents feelings, emotions, and spiritual experiences. They describe the inner state, feelings, and relationships of a person. This energy is inwardly concentrated. The associated element of the Cups is water — water can flow, fill gaps, endure, yet be fickle, making it an ideal symbolic image for the Cups.

Swords — Air Element

Card Group Name: Swords
Corresponding Element: Air
Representative Color: Yellow
Symbol: Power, Struggle (ambition, destruction)
Meaning: Knowledge
Hint: Speech, Communication
This card group represents intellect, thought, and reason. They are related to justice, sincerity, and morality. The associated element of the Swords is air — clear sky, open and cloudless, everywhere bright, symbolizing a clear and lucid inner spirit. At the same time, this group of cards may lead to discord and unfortunate results. Our mind is a valuable asset, but if it is not guided by wisdom from the heart, it may lead us astray, so the Swords also represent knowledge.

Pentacles — Earth Element

Card Group Name: Pentacles
Corresponding Element: Earth
Representative Color: Green
Symbol: Status, Money (material, physical body)
Meaning: Material
Hint: Real things, money
This card group represents practicality, security, and material aspects. They are related to specific needs when dealing with issues. The associated element of the Pentacles is earth, which has the characteristics of praising the beauty of nature, interacting with plants and animals, and physiological sensations of the body. The Pentacles also represent various forms of prosperity, success, and wealth. In the real world and material society, the Pentacles are necessary for exchanging goods and enjoying services, so naturally, they also represent material money and status.

• What does the 0th Fool (The Fool) of the Rider-Waite Tarot mean?
• What does the 2nd High Priestess (The High Priestess) card of the Rider-Waite Tarot represent?
• Interpretation of the 7th Chariot (The Chariot) card of the Rider-Waite Tarot