Learning about basic numerology in Tarot will help you understand the cards better, and will provide more depth to the underlaying energies in a reading. The numbers on the cards represent the card´s own unique position in the journey and all have a specific characteristic (such as choice, structure or conflict).
I really love how helpful this is, and how much easier it becomes to vibe with the cards and understand the journey through the suits.
Have a look at the cards in the Rider Waite deck (which is the deck that this interpretation is based on) to get a good idea of how these energies are expressed in the traditional Tarot cards.
Numerology In Tarot: What Do The Numbers Mean?
Let’s have a look at the numbers 0 to 10 and their meanings in the Tarot.
Meaning Of The Number 0 In Tarot
The only card with the number 0 in the Tarot is The Fool. The 0 represents both the beginning as well as the end of the journey, and is present anywhere in between (hence the reason The Fool card has no real number).
The Fool comes into the world without any knowledge. He has blind faith, doesn’t see any danger and is ready to throw himself into the next great adventure without holding back.
We all have this fool living inside of us, and we need that energy to get excited about new adventures, while actually learning the lessons that life throws at us.
The number 0 is also the number of infinity and unlimited potential. It represents both nothingness as well as limitlessness and complete freedom.
Meaning Of The Number 1 In Tarot
The number 1 in Tarot is all about new beginnings and potential. The cards with 1 as their number are The Magician, The Ace of Swords, The Ace of Wands, The Ace of Cups and The Ace of Pentacles.
The Magician represents the beginning of all manifestations. He has all the tools that he needs to manifest whatever he wants in the physical world, but understands that ‘As above, so below’: everything starts with a thought, an idea, and an clear expression of what you want.
The Aces represent a new idea, a spark of inspiration, a new business opportunity, or a new connection coming into your life. Each Ace represents one of the four elements, which decides in which area this applies:
- Pentacles: business, possessions, money
- Cups: love, connections, emotional fulfillment
- Swords: ideas, the mind, communication
- Wands: passion, creativity, action
Meaning Of The Number 2 In Tarot
The number 2 in Tarot is all about duality and making choices. It is about the mind vs the heart. The cards with number 2 are The High Priestess, The Two of Swords, The Two of Wands, The Two of Cups and The Two of Pentacles.
The High Priestess is all about creating awareness to your intuition and your inner wisdom. She nudges you to pay attention to what your heart wants. She introduces duality and now you need to make difficult decisions: how will you balance your head and heart in your decision making?
The Two cards in each of the four suits also represent this duality and are showing you the need to:
- Make a choice and take action (Two of Wands);
- Find your balance between head and heart (Two of Swords);
- Find the balance in being financially secure and enjoying life (Two of Pentacles);
- Find union and love with another person (Two of Cups)
Meaning Of The Number 3 In Tarot
The number 3 in Tarot is all about creativity, abundance and playfulness. In this phase of the journey, something has already been initiated and has the potential to grow into something great.
The cards with number 3 are The Empress, The Three of Swords, The Three of Wands, The Three of Cups and The Three of Pentacles.
The Empress shows great abundance, potential and creativity. She is mother nature and is an infinite source of joy, birth and rebirth (the cycle of life). She knows how to get into the flow of life.
The Three cards in each of the four suits represent the stage where you have decided to take action on an idea and are ready for the next phase of creation. You are ready to go out into the world and work with others by:
- Committing to your plan and deciding to go full-steam ahead (Three of Wands);
- Not letting your pain or limiting beliefs hold you back (Three of Swords);
- Looking for others to collaborate with (Three of Pentacles);
- Connecting with others, finding a community (Three of Cups)
Meaning Of The Number 4 In Tarot
The number 4 in Tarot is all about structure, foundation and stagnation. At this point in the journey, you have reached an initial state of success that you want to hold on to, but the energy flow has come to a halt.
The Emperor is all about achievement, but in an orderly and structured way. It is his way or the highway, there is no free flow of creative energy, but a certain sternness and one-track mind toward a goal.
The Four cards in each of the four suits show this energy by:
- Celebrating a success, a new found structure. This however is only an initial success early on in the journey, it is not yet the end of the journey (Four of Wands);
- Holding on too tightly to the money (symbolically) that you have gained after your first success instead of using it as a currency (Four of Pentacles);
- Showing the need for rest and recuperation (Four of Swords);
- Fixating too much on what is in front of you, while not being open to new opportunities (Four of Cups)
Meaning Of The Number 5 In Tarot
The number 5 in Tarot is about shaking up the structure that you thought was fixed and settled. The number 5 will create a sense of instability which will bring change to a situation.
The Hierophant interestingly represents ´the system´. At this point in the journey, the fool learns that he cannot always just adhere to his own structure as society urges him to fit into another external system.
Because The Hierophant card has number 5, it has an energy of instability and conflict, which can express itself in a sense of extreme rigidity, or rebelliousness and wanting to break free from a system.
The Five cards in the suits show this energy by:
- Conflict, fighting with others (Five of Wands);
- Losing your wealth, a lack of abundance (Five of Pentacles);
- The ego winning a battle, lack of compassion (Five of Swords);
- Mourning a loss, self-pity, not seeing the good things (Five of Cups)
Meaning Of The Number 6 In Tarot
The number 6 is about finding love with and for others, working together, and victory after conflict.
The Lovers card represents learning what it is like to have a relationship with another person, and what it takes to have a relationship. It comes with the understanding that relationships are the only way we can learn in life. It can also be about choosing who you want.
The Six cards in the suits show this energy by:
- Making peace with the past, remembrance (Six of Cups)
- Sharing with others, reciprocity (Six of Pentacles);
- A victory, getting recognition with others (Six of Wands);
- Moving to a better place (Six of Swords)
Meaning Of The Number 7 In Tarot
The number 7 in Tarot represents instability. It is that stage where the initial victory comes with an inflated ego, and shows to be short-lived. You thought you reached the top, but now learn that success comes with enemies.
The Chariot is about pursuing your dream, not giving up while finding your own balance (by controlling your ego). You feel unstoppable in the face of adversity and want to win. This is a battle between the ego vs faith.
The Seven cards in the suits show this energy by:
- Fighting (invisible) enemies, protecting your success (Seven of Wands);
- Not fully appreciating your growth and wanting more (Seven of Pentacles);
- Self sabotage or sabotage by others, lack of connection (Seven of Swords);
- Not wanting to choose, lack of faith (Seven of Cups)
Meaning Of The Number 8 In Tarot
The number 8 is the infinity symbol. It represents finding your inner strength and becoming whole as a person.
The Strength card is showing someone that has tamed a lion (i.e. the ego) and has made peace with all parts of herself. It is about being in touch with your intuition and female strength (yin and yang in balance).
The Eight cards in the suits show this energy by:
- Creativity is flowing which will make things move faster (Eight of Wands);
- Being calm and dedicated, working diligently on a passion (Eight of Pentacles);
- Feeling trapped by thoughts, finding inner strength (Eight of Swords);
- Walking away from a situation and choosing yourself (Eight of Cups)
Meaning Of The Number 9 In Tarot
The number 9 in Tarot is all about getting to the end of a cycle, completion, learning to be alone.
The Hermit card represents the need to go on an inner journey. You have now reached the end of a cycle of finding inner strenght and need to figure out the next step on your path. You can do this by turning inward (no one else can do this for you).
The Nine cards in the suits show this energy by:
- Being alone and tired after hard work and fighting off enemies (Nine of Wands);
- Hard work coming to fruition (Nine of Pentacles);
- Being haunted by negative thoughts, dark night of the soul (Nine of Swords);
- Finding emotional fulfillment while being alone (Nine of Cups)
Meaning Of The Number 10 In Tarot
The number 10 in Tarot marks the end of a cycle, a new beginning, evaluation, shedding old beliefs, getting ready for renewal.
The Wheel of Fortune announces a big change and your destiny playing out.
The Ten cards in the suits show this energy by:
- Carrying a big burden, exhaustion, needing change (Ten of Wands);
- Having achieved full success in business, wealth (Ten of Pentacles);
- Feeling victimized, the ego finding success but needing more (Ten of Swords);
- Finding full emotional fulfillment (Ten of Cups)
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