The Complete Guide to Tarot Signs: Find Your Major & Minor Arcana (2026 Update)

The 12 Zodiac Tarot Signs: Major Arcana Mapping

To understand your tarot signs is to hold the architectural blueprints of your personality in your hands. This guide provides the definitive mapping between your sun sign and its corresponding cards to help you navigate your inner world with more clarity and grace.

• Aries: The Emperor (Major Arcana) + 2, 3, 4 of Wands
• Taurus: The Hierophant (Major Arcana) + 5, 6, 7 of Pentacles
• Gemini: The Lovers (Major Arcana) + 8, 9, 10 of Swords
• Cancer: The Chariot (Major Arcana) + 2, 3, 4 of Cups
• Leo: Strength (Major Arcana) + 5, 6, 7 of Wands
• Virgo: The Hermit (Major Arcana) + 8, 9, 10 of Pentacles
• Libra: Justice (Major Arcana) + 2, 3, 4 of Swords
• Scorpio: Death (Major Arcana) + 5, 6, 7 of Cups
• Sagittarius: Temperance (Major Arcana) + 8, 9, 10 of Wands
• Capricorn: The Devil (Major Arcana) + 2, 3, 4 of Pentacles
• Aquarius: The Star (Major Arcana) + 5, 6, 7 of Swords
• Pisces: The Moon (Major Arcana) + 8, 9, 10 of Cups

The room is quiet, the only sound the soft friction of cardstock against cardstock. You trace the golden edges of your deck, the scent of lavender oil lingering on your fingertips as you wonder which of these seventy-eight archetypes holds the mirror to your soul. This isn’t just about labels; it’s about finding the cosmic architecture of your life. When you find your tarot sign, you aren't just looking at a picture on a card; you are seeing a snapshot of your destiny's rhythm.

The Major Arcana represents the 'Big Picture' lessons of your life—the soul's evolution that remains constant as you grow. These cards act as your spiritual anchor, reflecting the core essence of your sun sign. For instance, an Aries resonates with the authority of The Emperor because both share a fundamental drive for leadership and structured ambition. By identifying this link, you can lean into the positive traits of your archetype when you feel lost, or recognize the shadow sides when you feel stuck.

Elemental Tarot Groups: Fire, Earth, Air, and Water

The relationship between tarot signs and the four classical elements—Fire, Earth, Air, and Water—creates a psychological framework for understanding your emotional and professional life. By grouping these correspondences, we can see how your sign's energy interacts with the suits of the Minor Arcana.

• Fire Signs (Aries, Leo, Sagittarius): Associated with the Suit of Wands, representing passion, intuition, and creative fire.
• Earth Signs (Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn): Associated with the Suit of Pentacles, representing stability, physical manifestation, and grounded reality.
• Air Signs (Gemini, Libra, Aquarius): Associated with the Suit of Swords, representing intellect, communication, and the power of the mind.
• Water Signs (Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces): Associated with the Suit of Cups, representing emotion, subconscious depths, and spiritual flow.

Psychologically, this elemental grouping helps to explain the 'flavor' of your motivations. If you are an Air sign, your tarot journey often involves mastering the Suit of Swords, which represents the double-edged nature of logic and clarity. You may find that your path involves cutting through illusion to reach a truth that others might miss. On the other hand, Earth signs find their solace in the Pentacles, where the slow, rhythmic growth of a garden mirrors their own need for tangible results and sensory security.

Understanding your element in the context of tarot allows for a 'bottom-up' approach to self-awareness. When you are feeling overwhelmed, looking at the cards of your element can provide a stabilizing influence. A Water sign struggling with emotional burnout might find guidance in the Cups, learning to move with the tide rather than fighting against it. This elemental synergy ensures that your tarot sign is not a static definition, but a living, breathing part of your daily psychological hygiene.

Minor Arcana Decans: The Granular Tarot Signs

To truly master the nuances of your cosmic profile, we must look beyond the Major Arcana and into the 'Decan Walk.' This system divides each zodiac sign into three 10-degree segments, linking specific Minor Arcana cards to your exact birth date. This provides a granular look at the tarot signs that rule your specific time of year.

• Aries: 2 of Wands (Mar 21-30), 3 of Wands (Mar 31-Apr 10), 4 of Wands (Apr 11-19)
• Taurus: 5 of Pentacles (Apr 20-30), 6 of Pentacles (May 1-10), 7 of Pentacles (May 11-20)
• Gemini: 8 of Swords (May 21-31), 9 of Swords (Jun 1-10), 10 of Swords (Jun 11-20)
• Cancer: 2 of Cups (Jun 21-Jul 1), 3 of Cups (Jul 2-11), 4 of Cups (Jul 12-22)
• Leo: 5 of Wands (Jul 23-Aug 1), 6 of Wands (Aug 2-11), 7 of Wands (Aug 12-22)
• Virgo: 8 of Pentacles (Aug 23-Sep 1), 9 of Pentacles (Sep 2-11), 10 of Pentacles (Sep 12-22)
• Libra: 2 of Swords (Sep 23-Oct 2), 3 of Swords (Oct 3-12), 4 of Swords (Oct 13-22)
• Scorpio: 5 of Cups (Oct 23-Nov 1), 6 of Cups (Nov 2-12), 7 of Cups (Nov 13-22)
• Sagittarius: 8 of Wands (Nov 23-Dec 2), 9 of Wands (Dec 3-12), 10 of Wands (Dec 13-21)
• Capricorn: 2 of Pentacles (Dec 22-31), 3 of Pentacles (Jan 1-10), 4 of Pentacles (Jan 11-19)
• Aquarius: 5 of Swords (Jan 20-29), 6 of Swords (Jan 30-Feb 8), 7 of Swords (Feb 9-18)
• Pisces: 8 of Cups (Feb 19-28), 9 of Cups (Mar 1-10), 10 of Cups (Mar 11-20)

This decan-specific approach resolves the confusion many feel when they don't perfectly identify with their Major Arcana card. A 'late' Scorpio, for example, may feel a stronger resonance with the Seven of Cups (illusion/choice) than the standard 'Death' card association. It adds a layer of 'shadow side' nuance that surface-level guides often miss. These Minor Arcana associations represent the day-to-day challenges and lessons you are likely to face.

By following the 'Decan Walk,' you begin to see your life as a series of 10-day cycles, each governed by a specific tarot energy. This methodology links your birth chart directly to the 36 numbered cards of the Minor Arcana, excluding the Aces and Page/Knight/Queen/King cards. It is the gold standard for anyone looking to use tarot for timing, planning, or deep-dive personal inventories.

Tarot Signs Matrix: The Ultimate Correspondence Table

For those who need a high-level view of how these cosmic forces interact, this comparison matrix serves as your primary reference for tarot signs. It combines the Major Arcana, the Elemental Suit, and the core psychological mechanism behind each correspondence.

This table helps visualize the 'Fixed Sign' connections mentioned in the reference materials. You can see how the fixed signs (Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, Aquarius) anchor their respective elements. In the tarot, these signs are often depicted in the four corners of cards like The Wheel of Fortune and The World, representing the stability of the cosmic order. Understanding this allows you to see how your sign contributes to the universal balance.

When using this matrix, notice the 'Core Mechanism' column. This is the psychological bridge between the archetype and your lived experience. For example, if your sign is Scorpio, your mechanism is 'Deep Transformation.' This means your life path will frequently involve endings that lead to powerful new beginnings. This isn't something to fear; it is the natural expression of your tarot sign's energy working through you.

Disambiguation: Tarot Birth Cards vs. Zodiac Signs

A common point of confusion in the spiritual community is the difference between your 'Zodiac Tarot Card' and your 'Tarot Birth Card.' While both are technically tarot signs, they are calculated through entirely different methods and serve unique roles in your self-discovery toolkit.

• Zodiac Tarot Card: This is fixed based on your Sun Sign (e.g., if you are a Leo, your card is Strength). It represents your personality and how you interact with the world.
• Tarot Birth Card: This is calculated using your birth date numbers (MM+DD+YYYY) and reduced to a single or double-digit number corresponding to the Major Arcana.
• Relationship: Your Birth Card often acts as your 'Soul Purpose,' while your Zodiac Card is your 'Personality Style.'

Think of your Zodiac card as the 'how' and your Birth Card as the 'why.' If your zodiac card is The Emperor (Aries) but your birth card is The Hermit (calculated from your birthday), you might be a leader who requires significant periods of solitude and introspection to lead effectively. Without knowing both, you might feel a constant tug-of-war between your need to be in charge and your need to be alone.

To find your birth card, you add the day, month, and year of your birth. If the total is higher than 22, you add those digits together until you get a number between 1 and 22. For example, if you were born on March 21, 1990, you would add 3 + 21 + 1990 = 2014. Then, 2 + 0 + 1 + 4 = 7. Your birth card would be The Chariot. Combining this with your Aries 'Emperor' energy creates a profile of someone who is both a natural authority and a master of self-discipline.

Practical Guidance: How to Live Your Tarot Sign

Once you’ve identified your tarot signs, the question becomes: how do you actually use this information to improve your life? Integrating these archetypes isn't just about knowledge; it’s about application and rhythmic alignment with your cosmic profile.

One of the most effective ways to use your tarot sign is through 'Archetypal Meditation.' Spend five minutes each morning looking at your Major Arcana card. Instead of looking for a future prediction, ask yourself: 'How can I embody the best traits of this card today?' If your card is Justice (Libra), you might look for ways to be more objective in your workplace conversations. If it’s The Star (Aquarius), you might focus on staying hopeful even when a project feels daunting.

Another practical application is 'Shadow Mapping.' Every card has a reverse or shadow side. The Hierophant (Taurus) can become dogmatic; The Moon (Pisces) can become lost in delusion. By knowing your tarot sign, you can spot these patterns early. When you feel yourself becoming overly controlling, you can recognize it as the 'Emperor' energy out of balance and take steps to soften your approach.

Your zodiac sign tells you who you are, but the cards tell you what to do. They provide a dynamic language for the static truths of your birth chart. If you're feeling a pull toward a deeper understanding, a personalized reading can help you bridge the gap between these ancient archetypes and your current situation. Your tarot sign is a starting point, a warm invitation to explore the vast, beautiful landscape of your own soul.

FAQ

1. What is my tarot sign?

Your tarot sign is determined by your sun sign in astrology. Each of the 12 zodiac signs corresponds to a specific Major Arcana card that reflects its core energy and personality traits (e.g., Leo is represented by the Strength card).

2. What is the tarot card for Aries?

Aries is represented by The Emperor card in the Major Arcana. This connection highlights Aries' natural leadership, authority, and desire for structure and conquest in their personal and professional lives.

3. What is the tarot card for Leo?

Leo is associated with the Strength card. This card represents the internal courage, compassion, and resilience that Leos use to manage their passions and influence others without using force.

4. What tarot card is Scorpio?

Scorpio is linked to the Death card. Contrary to popular belief, this represents the sign's capacity for deep transformation, rebirth, and the ability to let go of the old to make room for the new.

5. How do tarot and astrology connect?

Astrology and tarot are connected through a system of correspondences where zodiac signs, planets, and elements are mapped to specific cards. This provides a multi-dimensional tool for psychological and spiritual self-discovery.

6. What are the 4 fixed signs in tarot?

The four fixed signs—Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, and Aquarius—are represented in tarot by The Hierophant, Strength, Death, and The Star. They also appear as the four 'living creatures' on the corners of The Wheel of Fortune and The World cards.

7. What are the Minor Arcana zodiac associations?

Minor Arcana zodiac associations are found in the 'Decan Walk,' where each 10-degree segment of a sign is ruled by a specific numbered card (e.g., the first 10 days of Cancer are ruled by the 2 of Cups).

8. How do I find my tarot birth card?

Your tarot birth card is calculated using your birth date (MM+DD+YYYY), whereas your zodiac tarot card is simply based on your sun sign. They often complement each other, with one representing soul purpose and the other representing personality.

9. Does every zodiac sign have a tarot card?

Yes, every zodiac sign has a primary Major Arcana correspondence and three Minor Arcana decan correspondences. This ensures that every individual has a unique 'tarot profile' based on their birth date.

10. What is the Pisces tarot card?

Pisces is associated with The Moon card. This reflects the sign's deep connection to the subconscious, intuition, and the fluid, sometimes confusing nature of the emotional and spiritual realms.

References

en.wikipedia.org — Major Arcana - Wikipedia

spiralseatarot.com — Exploring the Fixed Signs in Tarot

taroticallyspeaking.com — Decan Walk - Connecting Astrology and Tarot