There are 22 Major Arcana tarot cards in a deck, and each card provides you with insight on how your soul will move through life. Reading tarot cards can also tell you what difficulties you will face in life and how to handle them.
You can find out which card relates the most to you based on your birthday.
What is your tarot birth card?
A tarot bird card is used to describe characteristics and constants in your personality, rather than moods or life events that are subject to change.
Similar to zodiac signs, a tarot birth card represents your identity, which influences the paths you take and decisions you make throughout life.
Your tarot birth card is dependent upon your exact birth date, and determines the energy you carry with you as you approach your life purpose and challenges that await you.
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If you want to know what your tarot birth card is, there are three different methods you can choose from.
How To Find Your Tarot Birth Card
1. One birth card
The best part is that it only takes simple math to figure out which card you are.
First, add up the numbers of your birth date. If you get a number that is greater than 21, add these numbers to get a single-digit number. Your final number represents your card.
For example, if your birthday is February 21, 1995, add the digits: 2 + 1 + 0 + 2 + 1 + 9 + 9 + 5, which gives you an answer of 29. Since 29 is higher than 21, add 2 + 1 together, which equals 3.
With 3 as your answer, this would mean your birth card is The Empress.
2. Two birth cards
The process to find your second birth card is a little different, and you might get a different birth card than the first method.
First, add together your Day + Month + Year (separated into two double numbers), and then add together the two digits from the number you get. For example, using February 21, 1995 as a birth date, 21 + 02 + 19 + 95 = 137, and 13 + 7 = 20.
That last number is your first birth card, which would be Judgement. (If you ever get a sum of 22, your first birth card would be The Fool). Then, reduce this number to give you your second birth card: 2 + 0 = 2, so the High Priestess would be your second birth card.
3. Personality Card and Soul Card
Instead of saying birth cards, some choose to say your personality and soul card. Personality cards represent what we are meant to learn in this lifetime, while soul cards represent our soul purpose across multiple lifetimes.
To find your personality card, add together the day, month, and year of your birthdate: 21 + 2 + 1995 = 2018. Then, add the single digits of the year together to get your personality card: 2 + 0 + 1 + 8 = 11, which makes your personality card the Justice tarot card.
A soul card is found by adding together the digits of the personality card: 1 + 1 = 2, the High Priestess. If your personality card is in single digits, that number is also your soul card.
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How many birth cards can someone have?
Most people will have only two birth cards; however, the one number that is an exception is the number 19.
If your first birth card is 19, your second birth card will be 10, which still needs to be simplified to a single digit: 1 + 0 = 1, the Magician. This results in three birth cards.
Questions to Ask Yourself When Reading/Interpreting Your Tarot Birth Card
Keeping these questions in mind can help you fully interpret the cards you get and give you more answers to your questions:
1. What opportunities present themselves on this card and how can I make the most of them?
2. What parts of the card am I drawn to most — the characters, colors, symbols?
3. What does this card reveal about my life at the moment and what can I do to change anything?
4. What obstacles present themselves on this card and how do I overcome them to make my life better?
5. What can I learn from this card?
6. What deeper elements and qualities of this card can I use?
Tarot Birth Card Meanings
Here's what tarot card you are by birth date, and how it impacts your purpose.
0: The Fool
If your birth card is The Fool, get ready to endure a lot of highs and lows and incredible opportunities in life. Don’t be afraid to go for things even if you do not know how it will turn out, because the universe tends to have your back.
You might lead a life filled with travel and fun, but you might also lead a life where you are adventuring internally to focus on yourself and discover who you are at your core. However, you should try to monitor your impulsive and rash decisions that do not serve you, as it could come back to bite you later on.
Although, if you do make strong impulsive decisions to benefit yourself or your career, then those risks will come with a reward.
With the Fool card, you also tend to be wiser than you come off. You go through the world with a big heart and without judging others.
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1: The Magician
If your birth card is The Magician, you are in luck because you have the ability to manifest anything and make your dreams come true.
You work hard to make things go your way and usually end up getting what you aimed for. You have a fun time in life while also being able to work diligently when you have to. Like the Magician, you are very likable but should use that cautiously, as you have a tendency to persuade others using manipulation tactics.
If your card is the Magician, you have great potential and should put your focus on unlocking this potential and using it for good.
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2: The High Priestess
If your birth card is the High Priestess, you are incredibly intuitive, knowledgeable, and have a strong grasp on the subconscious mind. Get ready for a life that will lead you toward mystery and unique experiences.
Many people usually trust you because you are great at keeping secrets. In your life, you must learn to have a firm grasp on your intuition, know when to make your voice heard, and take action as opposed to maintaining silence and stillness.
It is strongly advised that you start meditating if you do not already because it will give you focus and clarity on where you want your life to go and how to get there. It is most important that you always trust your gut.
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3: The Empress
If your birth card is the Empress, you give off "mom vibes" because of how caring and nurturing you are. You tend to be creative and love to take care of others.
You are extra caring when it comes to relationships, but also in other aspects of your life. You also have a wonderful gift of being able to show your creative side with your career endeavors and artistic pursuits.
The Empress is also known for being incredibly seductive, enjoying nature, and being connected to pleasure. However, be aware that not everyone will treat you as the goddess you are, so it is important that you keep a good head on your shoulders.
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4: The Emperor
If your birth card is the Emperor, you are very efficient and a natural-born leader.
The Emperor is known as being powerful, authoritative, strong, and masculine. With your ambition and precision, you usually get what you want.
You possess self-discipline and can use that to reach your goals. However, be mindful of stepping on others that may seem weaker, because you have a tendency to slip into that habit.
You came into this life a very powerful person and your life’s purpose is to master how to use your power to be an empathetic leader.
RELATED: What Does The Emperor Tarot Card Mean?
5: The Hierophant
The Hierophant tarot card signifies power structures and order, and the foundation they are built upon. If your birth card is the Hierophant, you might notice that you like to use your time to reflect on the meaning of life, different philosophies, and opposing worldviews.
In your life, you will find that you often come to a crossroads where you have to decide if you should play it safe and blend in with others, or travel on your own path towards your dreams.
Those around you will view you as always being dependable and firm. However, you should work on loosening up and breaking the rules at times.
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6: The Lovers
The Lovers tarot card signifies love as well as choice. If your birth card is the Lovers, get ready for an exciting adventure because there are so many opportunities and directions available to you.
The male and female in the card represent the opposition between masculinity and femininity. Your life’s path will teach you how to blend opposing things to build something completely.
This tarot card also depicts an angel, which signifies that you have access to great safety and innovation if you are ever caught in a problematic situation.
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7: The Chariot
The Chariot tarot card is all about gaining momentum and picking up speed.
If your birth card is The Chariot, in your life you will be taught how to keep your feelings and needs in check. You have the special gift of being able to find your path while staying in control, even during trying times.
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8: Strength
The Strength tarot card is centered around joining masculine and feminine, yin and yang power.
If your birth card is Strength, you have the ability to get through anything due to the immense inner-strength you possess.
Your path in life will help you discover how to be in a stable and peaceful state. In addition to this, you are also a natural-born healer.
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9: The Hermit
If your birth card is the Hermit, you will notice that sometimes you are put in a position where you have to make the decision to be by yourself.
Like the Hermit, your life journey is centered on finding your wisdom from within yourself. You also might often feel tempted to go on a solo trip or adventure so you can think and connect to yourself.
The focus of your life is to discover and follow your own path. You will also notice that many people look to you for knowledge, advice, and wisdom. However, you will find inspirational people that will lead you to where you are supposed to be.
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10: The Wheel of Fortune
The Wheel of Fortune tarot card stands for a reversal of fortune, most often for the best. If your birth card is the Wheel of Fortune, then tons of possibilities and exciting options will randomly arise for you.
The Wheel of Fortune tarot card is the card that means luck, and you will have a lucky streak throughout life. It might catch you off guard, but don’t be too surprised when you get offered your dream job or run into the right person at the right time.
Opportunities tend to just fall into place for you, but you should focus on how to use these opportunities to your advantage.
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11: Justice
It is no surprise that the Justice tarot card represents justice of all kinds. If Justice is your birth card, your path in life revolves around finding fairness and doing what is right.
However, it is important that you consider all aspects and options before jumping into something without thinking it through. You also have to be aware that things will not always go your way, so trust the higher power and know that everything happens for a reason.
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12: The Hanged Man
The Hanged Man can be misleading at times, but if this is your birth card, it might seem as if nothing is going on the exterior, yet there is a lot going on underneath the surface.
The Hanged Man is deeper than you think and portrays a man suspended upside down. Like the Hanged Man, you tend to be imaginative and have a different perspective on things.
However, it is crucial that you take things slow and analyze situations before jumping right into it. You might also have a tendency to distance yourself from your personal goals in order to work towards a greater purpose.
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13: Death
Don’t be alarmed if your birth card is Death, because the Death tarot card stands for rebirth and change. Your journey in life is focused on separating yourself from your past and what is holding you back.
You might feel that you have faced a lot of endings and goodbyes in life; however, you should push the past away to make room for new and fresh opportunities coming your way.
You sometimes are forced to begin again, but good things come to you when you are able to start fresh. Keep the past in the past, stay in the present, and look forward to what is next.
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14: Temperance
The Temperance tarot card signifies harmony and balance in life. If your birth card is Temperance, your life journey involves you learning how to juggle a lot at one time.
You will be aware when you feel off-balance because you will work so hard that your personal life will suffer. On the other hand, you might end up goofing off and going out late too much, which will cause you to get sick.
Either way, you will always get a signal when you are not living a balanced life. If everything is balanced, you will be influential and inspirational to those near you.
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15: The Devil
The Devil tarot card is the king of the physical world. If this is your birth card, sometimes in life you feel like you are living in a carnival, with tons of amusement and celebration surrounding you.
The Devil is often trying to lure you into a life of addiction, impulse, and temptation. However, your life path is all about discovering and using your inner strength and power to look past these temptations.
You will be much stronger when you are able to do what serves you best.
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16: The Tower
The Tower tarot card represents unexpected changes. If your birth card is the Tower, you might sense that your life is always getting flipped upside down and are curious about when everything will settle into place.
It could appear like you are constantly switching jobs or relocating. The Tower can bring about a lot of drama, but it will not stay for a long time.
You must learn that whatever leaves your life is for the best, and you should learn to enjoy the rollercoaster. You might not find yourself having a lot of peaceful moments, but you will have exciting moments.
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17: The Star
If your birth card is the Star tarot card, you will be kept safe and be steered in the right direction. Like the Star, you have a lot of imagination and positivity.
In your life, you should focus on being led by inspiration and peace. Even in the darkest times, you will always be shown the light.
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18: The Moon
The Moon tarot card represents intense emotions and intuitiveness. If your birth card is the Moon, your life’s purpose is to discover your inner knowledge and use it to separate fantasy from real life.
You must work on trusting your gut and being able to consider things carefully.
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19: The Sun
The Sun tarot card carries a lot of excitement and liveliness. If your birth card is the Sun, you are in for a joyous and lucky life.
In your life, you must learn how to take advantage of the vigor and passion you have been blessed with. You carry a lot of confidence as well and will be able to come out on top in any situation you go into.
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20: Judgement
The Judgement tarot card signifies finding higher ground.
If your birth card is Judgement, you must work towards improving and rising. It is important that you leave the past in the past and keep journeying ahead towards your fate.
When you confidently follow your route, you will be taken to your true calling. You must demonstrate your strength and resilience in order to welcome all the opportunities that are coming your way. You will be kept safe as long as you walk to the beat of your own drum.
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21: The World
The World tarot card signifies the achievement of dreams and finding an answer to your questions. If your birth card is the World, you will gain success in the face of your hurdles.
This card will lead you to find your happily ever after moment. However, you might notice that you tend to get engulfed by the bigger picture and it causes you to take on too many projects, some of which you will have trouble starting.
Know that you have the ability to finish what you begin and find success and happiness.
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Jaycee Levin is the creator, founder, and editor of her lifestyle blog. She's also a writer who covers astrology, tarot, spirituality, pop culture, and relationships.
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FAQs
How do you know what Tarot card represents you? ›
The easiest way to find your tarot card is to "let your intuition be your guide," says Alvarez. "Randomly pull a card from a shuffled deck, faced down. Doing this each morning or evening will give you some guidance for the day."
How do I calculate my year card? ›Your month and day of birth is added together for one sum. Then separately, add the digits for the given year, whether that's your year of birth or a transiting year for a Tarot Year Card calculation.
How do you read a tarot deck? ›There are four basic steps when you're reading Tarot cards: First, consider your question, then select a Tarot spread with positions that relate to that question. Next, you'll shuffle the cards and lay them out in that spread, and finally, interpret the cards to answer your question.
What do the cards mean in tarot? ›Typically, wands symbolize creativity and passion, swords symbolize intellect, pentacles symbolize work and money, and cups symbolize emotion. There are other groupings here, too; each suit is also aligned with a grouping of astrological signs, such that wands = fire, swords = air, pentacles = Earth, and cups = water.
Can you read your own tarot cards? ›Is it possible to do Tarot spreads on yourself, even if you're a beginner? Yes! It absolutely is. Tarot is a modality that helps us gain greater insight into our current situations, honor our intuition and forecast potential outcomes.
What Tarot card represents your birthday? ›How to determine your tarot birth card. Using a similar process to that used in numerology, a tarot birth card is determined by adding the numbers of the month, day, and year you were born. “With that number, you will find the corresponding Major Arcana tarot card as your birth card,” says Trinh.
What does death mean in tarot? ›DEATH. —End, mortality, destruction, corruption; also, for a man, the loss of a benefactor; for a woman, many contrarieties; for a maid, failure of marriage projects. Reversed: Inertia, sleep, lethargy, petrifaction, somnambulism; hope destroyed.
What is the 7th card in tarot? ›7. THE CHARIOT. —Succour, providence; also war, triumph, presumption, vengeance, trouble. Reversed: Riot, quarrel, dispute, litigation, defeat.
What is the most powerful tarot card? ›In almost all tarot games, the Fool is one of the most valuable cards.
How do you throw away tarot cards? ›Among the most ancient and pure methods is to burn them. Fire is a powerful element, so this process should be carried out with the intention of cleansing the energy within the tarot cards. Alternatively, you can place them in the trash or recycling bin, or feed them into a shredder.
What is the happiest card in tarot? ›
The Sun: The happiest card in the tarot deck, this represents positivity and optimism. Without a shadow of a doubt, a bright future lies ahead when this card is pulled.
How do you place Tarot cards? ›Drawing from the top of the deck, place the first card in front of you (a card will be added on each of its four sides). This card will represent the present. The second card goes to the left of the first, and represents the past and its effect on the present. The third will go to the right, and represents the future.
How many tarot cards do you pull? ›You can pull one or three cards at a time. I prefer to pull three to tell a whole story. Being that we all have different relationships with each card, the connection you feel with it will best explain the information being shown to you. Think of yourself as a painter, using your knowledge as the brushstrokes.
When should you not do a tarot reading? ›If your entire line of questioning is about another person and their thoughts and behaviors (like what your ex is up to), then a tarot reading is not the answer. Tarot is supposed to give you insight about *yourself*, not other people.
How long does it take to learn to read tarot cards? ›How long does it take to learn the meanings of the cards? It takes about a month to 6 months to just learn the meanings by heart subjective to your practice. The more you practise, the quicker you memorise.
How often can you use tarot cards? ›For many people, once a year is enough for a “general outlook”. Others enjoy a reading every six months or every quarter.
How can I learn tarot fast? ›- Read From The Heart, Not the Book. The book is a helpful tool, but memorising Tarot card meanings will only take you so far. ...
- Learn The Basic Systems Behind the Tarot. ...
- Learn To Interpret The Card. ...
- Make It Real. ...
- Start Reading Tarot.
Just like crystals can be charged under the light of the moon, so can your deck! Vanderveldt recommends placing yours right by a window on the evening of the next full moon and letting the sky do its thing overnight.
What is your birth number? ›Look at the date you were born to find your birthday number. If you were born on the 5th of the month, then your birthday number is 5. If you were born on the 28th (a double-digit number), then you add up the two numbers together (2 + 8 = 10) to find your birthday number.
What is Tarot card number 8? ›8. FORTITUDE. —Power, energy, action, courage, magnanimity; also complete success and honours. Reversed: Despotism, abuse of power, weakness, discord, sometimes even disgrace.
What does the star and strength tarot card mean? ›
The Star and Strength share a root in the creative motherhood of The Empress. The women in all three cards are one divine form in different costumes, with different tasks. To The Empress, all her children are beloved, and seen and treated equally. The Star sees benign beauty and goodness in nature and herself.
What can you not ask tarot cards? ›- Questions you don't really want answered. ...
- Questions that already have answers. ...
- When you're going to die. ...
- Questions about other people. ...
- Medical-type questions. ...
- The same question, over and over again. ...
- Yes-or-no questions. ...
- Future-predicting questions.
The Hierophant (V) is the fifth card of the Major Arcana in occult Tarot decks. It is derived from the historical card known as the Pope in playing card decks. It is used in divination.
What is the 9th tarot card? ›The Hermit (IX) is the ninth trump or Major Arcana card in most traditional tarot decks.
What does tower mean in tarot? ›The Tower is sometimes interpreted as meaning danger, crisis, sudden change, destruction, higher learning, and liberation. In the Rider–Waite deck, the top of The Tower is a crown, which symbolizes materialistic thought being bought cheap. The Tower is associated with the planet Mars.
How many different types of Tarot cards are there? ›It consists of 78 cards divided into two groups: the major arcana, which has 22 cards, also known as trumps, and the minor arcana, which has 56 cards. The cards of the major arcana have pictures representing various forces, characters, virtues, and vices.
What Tarot card represents Taurus? ›Taurus: The Hierophant (April 20-May 20)
The card associated with Taurus is The Hierophant, also known as The Pope or The High Priest.
What is a shadow tarot deck? ›
The Shadow deck gives you insight into your inner world, your subconscious, your instinct and what is not yet in the light of consciousness, while the Light deck reflects the the outer world, the rational and what is already known about an issue.
What is the most powerful tarot card? ›In almost all tarot games, the Fool is one of the most valuable cards.
How do you organize tarot cards? ›Drawing from the top of the deck, place the first card in front of you (a card will be added on each of its four sides). This card will represent the present. The second card goes to the left of the first, and represents the past and its effect on the present. The third will go to the right, and represents the future.
How many tarot cards do you pull? ›You can pull one or three cards at a time. I prefer to pull three to tell a whole story. Being that we all have different relationships with each card, the connection you feel with it will best explain the information being shown to you. Think of yourself as a painter, using your knowledge as the brushstrokes.
Is it hard to read tarot cards? ›Reading tarot cards at first can seem time consuming or overwhelming, but Banicki said you have to remember to have fun while learning. "Have a little fun with friends," she told INSIDER. "Before going out one night, pull three cards with the intention of the cards giving you some forewarning about the evening.
Who is Taurus God? ›Taurus - Hestia
Taurus is aligned with the Greek goddess Hestia. People born with this zodiac sign are practical individuals who crave peace, stability, and comfort. Hestia is the perfect goddess to represent Taurus, since she is known as the humble protectress of homes.
How to determine your tarot birth card. Using a similar process to that used in numerology, a tarot birth card is determined by adding the numbers of the month, day, and year you were born. “With that number, you will find the corresponding Major Arcana tarot card as your birth card,” says Trinh.
What does the Sun card mean? › What does it mean when you keep pulling the Lovers card? ›Blaire Porter and Britt June with tarot company Threads of Fate add, "The Lovers card represents relationships and choice—and though not exclusively, it is typically about romantic relationships." When we pull this card, it indicates we may feel like external circumstances and relationships give us value.
What does the star card mean? ›What does it mean when a tarot card falls on the floor? ›
There is an old tarot saying: If it falls on the floor, it's at the door. We usually take that to mean, if a card comes out of the deck, it represents something that will happen very soon.
What does the bottom of the deck mean? ›For some, it's a way to begin a tarot reading, setting the tone or establishing the focus of the reading. For others, the card on the bottom of the deck provides a 'secret message', an additional and invaluable piece of advice, often something that is hidden.
What does a shadow card do? ›What is a Shadow Card? A shadow card is the card at the bottom of your tarot deck. The shadow card represents your innermost emotions and fears. So, it would correlate to the tarot card in the 9th position in the Celtic Cross spread – which is traditionally known as the card of “your hopes and fears.”