Tarot Cards in Order: The Complete 78-Card Sequence & Meaning

The Anatomy of 78 Tarot Cards in Order

To understand the 78 tarot cards in order, we must first view the deck as a map of the human psyche. It is not a random collection of images; it is a rigid, two-part architecture designed to reflect both our cosmic evolution and our daily struggles. The foundation consists of 22 Major Arcana cards (the big life lessons) and 56 Minor Arcana cards (the situational details). Organizing your deck isn't just about tidiness; it’s about grounding your subconscious in a predictable structure before you dive into the chaotic world of intuition.

Here is the essential breakdown of a standard 78-card deck:

• The Major Arcana: 22 cards (numbered 0 to 21).
• The Minor Arcana: 56 cards (divided into four suits).
• The Suits: 14 cards each (Ace through 10, plus 4 Court Cards).
• The Court Cards: Page, Knight, Queen, and King.

You are standing in your living room, the smell of a new deck's cardstock filling the air. You’ve just unwrapped a beautiful set, but as the cards spill out, a wave of anxiety hits. They’re out of order. You feel like a fraud—how can you possibly interpret the 'future' if you can't even find where the Magician belongs? This 'Shadow Pain' is common among seekers. We crave order because order provides safety. By mastering the sequence of tarot cards in order, you are not just learning a list; you are internalizing a psychological framework that tells you: 'Everything has its place, and every phase has a purpose.' This structural mastery acts as a cognitive anchor, allowing your intuition to fly without the fear of getting lost in the technicalities.

The Major Arcana: The Fool's Journey in Numerical Order

The Major Arcana represents the 'Fool’s Journey,' a narrative arc that traces our path from spiritual innocence to worldly completion. In the Rider-Waite-Smith tradition, which is the gold standard for modern readers, the sequence is non-negotiable for understanding the story. Starting with the Fool (0), the cards move through physical mastery, emotional growth, and eventually, spiritual enlightenment. Each card acts as a milestone in our development. If you are ever confused about where a card sits, remember that they are numbered to reflect this evolution. Below is the definitive table of the Major Arcana for your reference.

Why does the sequence of the Major Arcana matter so much? Because it mirrors the process of individuation. The first seven cards deal with our development in the external world (society, parents, education). The next seven (8-14) deal with our internal struggle and moral compass. The final seven (15-21) deal with our connection to the divine and the cosmos. When you learn tarot cards in order, you aren't just memorizing numbers; you are learning the three stages of human life. This historical sequence ensures that you never miss the 'why' behind the 'what.'

The Minor Arcana: Suits and Elemental Logic

While the Major Arcana handles the big 'whys,' the Minor Arcana manages the daily 'whats.' These 56 cards are divided into four suits, and their order is dictated by the progression from the 'spark' of an idea to its physical manifestation. Most decks follow a specific elemental sequence: Wands (Fire), Cups (Water), Swords (Air), and Pentacles (Earth). Each suit contains 10 numbered 'pip' cards and 4 'court' cards. The sequence within each suit is a mini-story of how that element matures.

Here is the standard order of the Four Suits:

• Suit of Wands: Represents passion, inspiration, and willpower. It’s the 'Fire' element, starting with the Ace’s raw energy and ending with the Ten’s burnout.
• Suit of Cups: Represents emotions, relationships, and healing. It’s the 'Water' element, flowing from the Ace’s new love to the Ten’s domestic bliss.
• Suit of Swords: Represents intellect, conflict, and truth. It’s the 'Air' element, cutting from the Ace’s clarity to the Ten’s total mental defeat.
• Suit of Pentacles: Represents work, money, and the physical body. It’s the 'Earth' element, building from the Ace’s seed to the Ten’s legacy.

From a psychological perspective, this order is brilliant. It follows the path of creation. First, we have an idea (Wands). Then, we feel an emotional connection to it (Cups). Next, we think through the logic and potential conflicts (Swords). Finally, we build it in the real world (Pentacles). Understanding this sequence allows you to see where a client or yourself might be 'stuck' in a cycle. Are you all Wands and no Pentacles? That’s a person with a thousand ideas but no finished projects. This is why learning the elemental sequence is a game-changer for your readings.

Hierarchy of the Court: Page to King

The Court Cards—Page, Knight, Queen, and King—are often the trickiest part of the deck to master. They sit between the 10 of a suit and the Major Arcana, acting as the 'personalities' of each element. Their order represents levels of maturity and mastery over the suit’s domain. Think of them as a hierarchy of growth. The Page is the student, the Knight is the soldier, the Queen is the master of the internal world, and the King is the master of the external world.

Here is the hierarchy of Court tarot cards in order:

• The Page: The child or student. They represent the initial curiosity and message-bearing stage of the suit.
• The Knight: The teenager or young adult. They represent action, movement, and sometimes the extremes or 'hotheadedness' of the suit.
• The Queen: The mature feminine energy. She represents internal mastery, emotional intelligence, and nurturing the suit’s energy.
• The King: The mature masculine energy. He represents external mastery, leadership, and the authority of the suit’s domain.

When these appear in a reading, the sequence tells you the 'rank' of the influence. A Page suggests a new, developing energy, while a King suggests that the situation is being handled by a person of significant power or that the querent has reached the peak of that element's lesson. This structured anatomy is what separates a professional reader from a beginner. You aren't just guessing; you're measuring the maturity of the energy based on its position in the hierarchy.

Strength vs. Justice: The Great Sequence Debate

One of the most common points of confusion for new students is the switch between Strength and Justice. If you look at older decks like the Tarot de Marseille, Justice is card VIII and Strength is XI. However, in the Rider-Waite-Smith deck—the one most of us use—Strength is VIII and Justice is XI. This change was made by A.E. Waite to better align the cards with the astrological signs of Leo and Libra. This isn't just a technicality; it’s a 'selection decision' you have to make as a reader.

Here are the two main traditions for tarot cards in order:

• Rider-Waite-Smith (RWS): Strength is 8, Justice is 11. Most modern decks follow this because it fits the 'Leo before Libra' astrological logic.
• Tarot de Marseille: Justice is 8, Strength is 11. This is the historical European standard.
• Thoth Tarot: Aleister Crowley kept the Justice (Adjustment) as 8 and Strength (Lust) as 11, similar to the Marseille tradition but with drastically different meanings.

Why does this matter to you? Because the sequence changes the 'The Fool's Journey' narrative. In the RWS system, Strength (internal fortitude) is required before we can achieve Justice (karmic balance). Psychologically, this suggests that we must master our inner beasts before we can truly be fair to the world. If you find your deck has these swapped, don't panic. Simply recognize which tradition your deck is speaking from and adjust your narrative accordingly.

How to Organize Your Tarot Deck: A Step-by-Step Protocol

If you’ve just bought a new deck or your old one is a mess, a ritualistic sorting is the best way to bond with your cards. It allows you to check for missing cards (don't let that 77-card anxiety win!) and resets the energy. Following a logical protocol for organizing your tarot cards in order ensures that you are ready for a clean, unbiased reading the next time you pick them up.

Follow this Step-by-Step Deck Organization Protocol:

1. Clear the Space: Find a flat surface. Take a deep breath. Separate the Major Arcana from the Minor Arcana.
2. Major Arcana First: Place the Fool (0) at the top. Layer the cards 1 through 21 in a single stack. Ensure Justice and Strength are in the position your specific deck intended.
3. Sort by Suit: Create four separate piles for Wands, Cups, Swords, and Pentacles.
4. Numerical Sequence: In each suit pile, place the Ace on top, followed by 2 through 10.
5. Place the Court: Put the Page on top of the 10, then the Knight, Queen, and finally the King.
6. The Final Stack: Place the Major Arcana stack on top, followed by Wands, then Cups, then Swords, and finally Pentacles.

This maintenance routine isn't just for 'OCD' readers. It’s a psychological 'reset' button. By putting the tarot cards in order, you are telling your brain that you are moving from chaos to clarity. It’s a meditative act that honors the tool you’re using. Plus, if you’re doing a reading for someone else, pulling a perfectly sorted deck out of its box conveys a level of professionalism and respect for the craft that instantly builds trust.

The Psychology of Sequence: Why Order Matters

We’ve covered the technical 'how,' but the 'why' is where the magic happens. The reason we care about tarot cards in order is because our brains are hardwired for story. We don't just see a collection of 78 images; we see a sequence of events. When you know the order, you can see the 'shadows' of the cards that come before and after a draw. For example, if you pull the Three of Swords (heartbreak), knowing that the Four of Swords (rest) follows it gives you immediate hope. You know that the pain is a temporary phase in a larger, logical sequence.

This is the 'Ego Pleasure' of mastery. You move from being a confused novice to an intuitive expert who sees the 'The Fool's Journey' everywhere—in movies, in your career, and in your relationships. You begin to understand that life isn't just happening to you; it’s moving through a series of archetypal stages. Now that your deck is in order, are you ready to see what the cards have to say about your current path? The map is ready; it's time to start the journey.

FAQ

1. How many cards are in a standard tarot deck?

A standard tarot deck consists of 78 cards. This includes 22 Major Arcana cards, which represent major life themes and spiritual lessons, and 56 Minor Arcana cards, which focus on daily events and challenges. Some modern decks may include one or two 'extra' cards for artist commentary, but the traditional count remains 78.

2. What is the numerical order of the Major Arcana?

The Major Arcana is always numbered starting from 0 to 21. The Fool is card 0, representing the beginning of the journey. It is followed by The Magician (I), The High Priestess (II), and so on, ending with The World (XXI). Keeping tarot cards in order by their Roman numerals helps you track the 'The Fool's Journey.'

3. What order do the suits go in tarot?

The standard order for the four suits is Wands, Cups, Swords, and Pentacles. This progression follows the elemental path of creation: Fire (Wands/Idea), Water (Cups/Emotion), Air (Swords/Intellect), and Earth (Pentacles/Physicality). This sequence of tarot cards in order ensures a logical flow of energy.

4. Should The Fool be 0 or 22 in the sequence?

In modern tarot, The Fool is almost always numbered 0 and placed at the beginning of the deck. However, in some historical traditions, it was unnumbered or placed between Judgement (20) and The World (21). For most readers, placing it at 0 is the correct way to keep tarot cards in order for the 'The Fool's Journey.'

5. How are the Minor Arcana cards numbered?

The Minor Arcana cards are numbered from Ace (1) to Ten. Following the Ten, there are four Court Cards: the Page, Knight, Queen, and King. This sequence is repeated for all four suits (Wands, Cups, Swords, and Pentacles), totaling 14 cards per suit.

6. What is the hierarchy of the tarot court cards?

The hierarchy of the court cards goes from the most 'junior' to the most 'senior' energy: Page, Knight, Queen, and finally King. This order represents the maturation of the element they represent, moving from a student-like curiosity (Page) to total external mastery (King).

7. Do tarot cards have to be in a specific order?

While you shuffle cards for a reading to allow for randomness, many readers prefer to keep their tarot cards in order when not in use. Organizing the deck helps you ensure no cards are missing and allows you to 'reset' the deck's energy between sessions.

8. What is the difference between Major and Minor Arcana order?

The Major Arcana represents significant, overarching life lessons and archetypes (The Trumps), while the Minor Arcana represents the 'pips' or daily situational details. The Major Arcana is a single sequence of 22 cards, whereas the Minor Arcana is divided into four distinct suits of 14 cards each.

9. What is the Fool's Journey order?

The 'The Fool's Journey' is the narrative sequence of the 22 Major Arcana cards. It starts with the innocence of The Fool (0) and proceeds through various stages of worldly and spiritual growth, culminating in the total fulfillment of The World (21).

10. How to organize a tarot deck for the first time?

The best way to organize a deck for the first time is to separate the Major and Minor Arcana. Sort the Major Arcana from 0 to 21. Then, sort the Minor Arcana into four piles by suit, arranging each suit from Ace to 10, followed by the Page, Knight, Queen, and King. Finally, stack the suits and place the Major Arcana on top.

References

en.wikipedia.org — Major Arcana - Wikipedia

tarot.com — Major Arcana Tarot Card Meanings

cratejoy.com — Anatomy of a Tarot Deck: How Many Cards Are There?

taroticallyspeaking.com — The Sequence of the Four Suits in a Tarot Deck