Tarot and Astrology: FREE CHEAT SHEET!

This post is about how tarot and astrology work together. How do tarot and the zodiac connect and what does that mean for your tarot readings?

Not only is a video included if you’d rather watch than read, but I have a FREE CHEAT SHEET to  help you remember these tarot and astrology correspondences as well!

This post will cover two ways astrology is present in the tarot:

1. Zodiac signs rule over specific Major Arcana cards; and
2. The four elements (Earth, Air, Fire, and Water) connect each suit of the Minor Arcana (Pentacles, Swords, Wands, and Cups) with certain zodiac signs.

And to keep it all straight? Get the FREE CHEAT SHEET at the end of this post!

(Related: What can your zodiac sign teach you?)

Rather watch than read?

I go over these tarot and zodiac correspondences in the YouTube video below. If you are loving this tarot content but haven’t yet subscribed to my YouTube channel, go ahead and do so! Just click to watch the below video on YouTube and hit that subscribe button!

1. Tarot and Astrology in the Major Arcana

The first way the zodiac shows up in tarot cards is through the Major Arcana. Each of the twelve zodiac signs,  from Aries to Pisces, rules over a specific Major Arcana card in the tarot.

Below are each of the twelve  associations. But before you read on to find your own zodiac and tarot correspondence, so what? How might this knowledge help you as a tarot reader? There are two ways to think about this.

First, the more you know about yourself, the better you can live a more authentic and intentional life and better understand your fears, desires, drives, and lessons you need to learn in life. So, if I’m an Aquarius and I learn that the Star is my tarot card for instance, I can find comfort in that card and know that the energy of the Star is one of my strengths and will serve me well in living my true and best life.

(Related: Zodiac-Inspired Gift Guide)

And second, it’s just further knowledge when you draw cards in your readings, especially if you’re reading for other people or to gain insight on an external situation or something coming up in the future. Let’s say you ask your cards where you can find help or support in a certain project. If the Strength card comes up, your intuition might tell you that a Leo might be a helpful partner in this specific context.

Below are the twelve tarot and astrology correspondences in the Major Arcana.

Aries rules over the Emperor

The Emperor is all about power, discipline, structure, and leadership. These are very common Aries characteristics. Aries is also the leader of the zodiac, so it makes sense that the Emperor would represent Aries in the tarot deck.

Pro tip: Aries is the ram, and the ram is all over the Emperor’s throne.

Taurus rules over the Hierophant

The Hierophant is a very traditional card steeped in custom, ancestry, and the orthodox way of doing things. And similarly, Taurus is into order, custom, and tradition, as well as enjoying the finer luxuries of life. The Hierophant is pretty freakin’ ornate and luxurious!

(Related: Use Tarot to Channel the Energy of Taurus Season)

Gemini rules over the Lovers

It makes sense that Gemini – the twins of the zodiac- would rule over a tarot card that depicts two people. The Lovers card, however, isn’t just about sex, romance, or passion. The Lovers are about openness, authenticity, and vulnerability, which are necessary to having a true connection with another person. And Gemini is all about this authentic connection.

Cancer rules over the Chariot

Cancers are known for their determination and tenacity. Perhaps most importantly, they trust their gut and aren’t afraid to forge ahead, even though conventional  wisdom or their peers might warn them against it.

And the Chariot is all about forging that path, making progress, and following dreams.

Leo rules over Strength

This one’s easy to remember – just look for Leo the lion. Leos are usually known as the superstars of the zodiac. The thing that makes Leo so powerful is their sense of self and conviction. This inner knowing and confidence is beautifully reflected in the graceful Strength card.

Virgo rules over the Hermit

The Hermit is all about experience and wisdom. Virgos, the perfectionists of the zodiac, definitely value intelligence and excellence as well. But on top of that, Virgo and the Hermit are exclusive and thoughtful in all that they do, so there comes an authenticity and loyalty with both.

(Related: 10 Ways to Overcome Perfectionism during Virgo Season)

Libra rules over Justice

Libra is the scales of the zodiac, and we see the Libra scales in the Justice card. Libras are the social justice advocates of the zodiac. They care about others’ wellbeing and notions of fairness, equality, and balance. All of these virtues comprise the Justice card.

Scorpio rules over Death

The Death card means change and transformation, and Scorpios are masters of transformation. They can be very mysterious and secretive, so it’s fitting that they have one of the darker, more mysterious Major Arcana cards.

Sagittarius rules over Temperance

Sagittarians are honest, idealistic, serious, and reliable. And the Temperance card is about reliability and balance – basically keeping everything in check. A perfect pair!

Capricorn rules over the Devil

For starters, the Capricorn is a large horned mountain goat, so the horned Devil correspondence makes sense aesthetically. But further, Capricorns are careful, methodical workers often accused of workaholism. This potential self-absorption or excess is certainly present in the shackled, addiction-tinged Devil card.

Aquarius rules over the Star

Aquarians are affectionately known as the “weirdos” of the zodiac. And the Star is all about flying your freak flag and marching to the beat of your own drum. And that’s exactly what artsy, creative, cooky Aquarius is all about.

Pisces rules over the Moon

Pisces are very emotional, sensitive, and intuitive creatures. That’s perfectly displayed in the Moon card, in which we are confronted with our animal instincts and our inner fears. Pisces also often feel like they don’t belong in this world, and that duality is depicted nicely in the Moon card as well.

2. Tarot and Astrology in the Minor Arcana

Now that we’re done discussing the Major Arcana, let’s move on to the Minor Arcana and its connection with astrology.

You probably already know that the Minor Arcana is divided into four different suits: Wands, Cups, Swords, and Pentacles. You may have also heard that there are four universal elements: Earth, Air, Fire, and Water.

Each suit in the tarot represents one of those four elements. After I tell you which suit pairs with which element, I’ll make the astrological connection for you as well. Plus, I’ll give you a link to download my FREE CHEAT SHEET to help you keep all this straight!

Pentacles represent the element Earth.

Pentacles represent earthly things – material things. Finances, money, career, and sometimes even health are ruled by the Pentacles. These are all tangible, physical things, so the element of Earth is present in this suit.

Swords represent the element Air.

Swords represent thoughts, words, and communication, which are all heady – or airy – things. So the element of Air is present in this suit.

Wands represent the element Fire.

Wands represents inspiration and action. In other words, wands represent fiery passion. Thus, the element of Fire is present in this suit.

Cups represent the element Water.

Cups represent emotions and relationships, which are pretty “flowy” and feeling-based concepts. This flowy, intuitive, and emotional energy is what connects this suit to Water.

Okay – so how do the four suits connect to the zodiac?

There are three zodiac signs assigned to each of the four elements. If you know which element rules over your zodiac sign, you know which suit in the Minor Arcana of the tarot is “your” suit.

For instance, I’m a Pisces, which is a Water sign.  This means that the suit of Cups is associated with me. If I were doing a reading for myself and I pulled a lot of cup cards, the tarot might be telling me that I’m in a very “Pisces” situation. And if I step back and analyze my feelings or situation from an astrological standpoint, I might gain some more insight or clarity on the topic.

Or, if you were reading for someone else, for example, and you get a bunch of Swords in a relationship spread,  your intuition might tell you that you’re dealing with an Air sign as a potential partner or lover for the person you’re reading for.

How to keep all of this straight? Here’s a FREE CHEAT SHEET!

 

How do you incorporate astrology into tarot, or vice versa? Let me know along with any other questions or comments below!