Tarot cards in everyday life: Swords, Wands and Pentacles

People often think of tarot as the dramatic cards: Death, The Tower, The Lovers. But most of a tarot deck is about ordinary life. The 56 cards of the Minor Arcana describe the everyday: what we think, what we work for, what we feel and what we own.

They are divided into four suits, each linked to an element:

• Swords (air): thoughts, words, decisions and conflict.
• Wands (fire): energy, ambition, passion and work.
• Cups (water): emotions and relationships.
• Pentacles (earth): money, the body, home and material life.

Here are some of the cards I have worked with recently, what they mean, and how you can use their energy in your own day.

Three of Swords and The Magician: repairing a friendship

The Three of Swords shows hurt feelings, heartbreak, betrayal or emotional distance: misunderstandings, harsh words or unmet expectations. Sometimes it points to outside influences creating conflict between friends. It asks for truth rather than avoidance.

The Magician, a Major Arcana card, is the power to create a new reality through communication, initiative and taking responsibility instead of waiting for things to change.

Together, in a reading about a friendship, they say: a painful situation can become a turning point if it is approached with honesty. The friendship can be repaired, but not automatically. As I like to put it: don't let pain write the ending. Use wisdom and communication to write the next chapter.

There is a shadow side to watch for. The Magician can also mean someone using words cleverly to manipulate rather than heal. Charisma isn't always sincerity, so look for actions that match words.

My advice with this pair: speak your truth with compassion, don't assume the other person knows how you feel, and heal first before deciding whether to rebuild.

Eight of Swords: freeing your thoughts with breath

The Eight of Swords shows someone bound and blindfolded, surrounded by swords, yet the bindings are loose. It is the card of feeling trapped by our own thoughts and old beliefs. Because Swords belong to air, I work with this card through breath.

1. Breathe in through your nose for a count of four.
2. Hold for a count of two.
3. Breathe out through your mouth for a count of six, as if gently blowing out a candle.
4. Repeat for a few rounds, then say these affirmations:

"I empower myself to let go of everything that has bound me. I choose to heal myself and open myself to learn and unlearn."
"I trust myself."
"I open and connect my heart, and release my old belief system."

Ten of Wands: putting the load down

The Ten of Wands is someone carrying far too many sticks, head bowed. It is overwork, over-responsibility and the belief that you must carry everything alone. Its lesson is boundaries. Affirmations for this card:

"I know to draw healthy boundaries."
"I am unstoppable and my consistency is my guard."
"I know to let loose and be a happy version of myself."

Queen of Wands: owning your worth

The Queen of Wands is warm, confident, magnetic and sure of herself. When she appears, it is time to stop shrinking. To claim her energy, affirm:

"I am worth it. I believe in myself."

I shared this card for a weekend that fell around Amavasya, the new moon, which is a traditional time for releasing rituals: letting go of what holds you back so there is room for what you want to grow.

Six of Pentacles and Nine of Wands: a card of the day pairing

The Six of Pentacles stands for generosity and abundance. Six is linked with the abundant energy of Venus, and Pentacles with earth. It says you have enough, of money, skill, love or experience, to share. Its theme is balance in giving and receiving, and work-life balance. Its blockages are over-giving, over-receiving, or getting caught up in get-rich-quick schemes. Notice whether you relate more to the person receiving help, or the one ready to give back.

The Nine of Wands is resilience and persistence. Nine is linked with the fire of Mars and the threshold of completion. You are close to success; stand firm, choose what is closest to your heart, and let the old go to make space for the new. Its blockages are over-ambition, anxiety about the future, refusing support and getting tangled in perfectionism.

How to use a card of the day

Pull one card in the morning, or use one I share. Read its meaning, choose one action it suggests, and notice its shadow side as well as its gift. In the evening, ask yourself where you saw that energy during the day. Over a few weeks this becomes a lovely way to learn the cards and to know yourself better.

What tarot is not

Tarot shows energies and choices. It doesn't decide for you, and it does not replace advice from a doctor, lawyer, counsellor or financial professional. If you are not sure whether tarot or astrology suits your question, I have written about choosing between tarot and astrology.

If you'd like a reading

If a situation in your life feels tangled, a one-to-one tarot reading can help you see it more clearly, and you are always welcome to send me a message first.