Tarot and astrology are separate systems, but they share a common language of elements, archetypes, and symbolism. Understanding how they connect enriches both practices, allowing you to read tarot with astrological depth and interpret birth charts with tarot's narrative insight.
The Elemental Connection
Both systems organize energy through the four classical elements, and this is the most fundamental point of connection:
Fire — In astrology: Aries, Leo, Sagittarius. In tarot: the suit of Wands. Fire energy drives action, passion, creativity, and ambition.
Earth — In astrology: Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn. In tarot: the suit of Pentacles. Earth energy governs material reality, finances, health, and practical matters.
Air — In astrology: Gemini, Libra, Aquarius. In tarot: the suit of Swords. Air energy governs thought, communication, conflict, and intellectual processes.
Water — In astrology: Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces. In tarot: the suit of Cups. Water energy governs emotion, intuition, relationships, and the subconscious.
When a tarot reading is dominated by one suit, the reading's elemental emphasis corresponds to the same energy in astrology. A reading full of Cups is a reading about emotional and relational themes — the same terrain as the water signs.
Major Arcana and Zodiac Signs
Each of the twelve zodiac signs corresponds to a specific Major Arcana card:
- ✦Aries → The Emperor (4) — authority, structure, leadership
- ✦Taurus → The Hierophant (5) — tradition, material wisdom, values
- ✦Gemini → The Lovers (6) — choice, duality, communication
- ✦Cancer → The Chariot (7) — emotional determination, protective movement
- ✦Leo → Strength (8) — inner courage, heart-centered power
- ✦Virgo → The Hermit (9) — analysis, solitude, discernment
- ✦Libra → Justice (11) — balance, fairness, decision-making
- ✦Scorpio → Death (13) — transformation, endings, rebirth
- ✦Sagittarius → Temperance (14) — moderation, philosophical blending
- ✦Capricorn → The Devil (15) — material bonds, shadow work, ambition
- ✦Aquarius → The Star (17) — hope, innovation, humanitarian vision
- ✦Pisces → The Moon (18) — intuition, illusion, the subconscious
Major Arcana and Planets
The remaining Major Arcana cards correspond to planets:
- ✦The Fool → Uranus — sudden inspiration, unconventional leaps
- ✦The Magician → Mercury — communication, skill, versatility
- ✦The High Priestess → The Moon — intuition, mystery, the subconscious
- ✦The Empress → Venus — love, beauty, abundance
- ✦Wheel of Fortune → Jupiter — expansion, luck, cycles
- ✦The Tower → Mars — sudden disruption, force, conflict
- ✦The Sun → The Sun — vitality, joy, conscious identity
- ✦Judgement → Pluto — transformation, rebirth, reckoning
- ✦The World → Saturn — completion, mastery, earned achievement
Using Both Systems Together
When reading tarot, knowing the astrological correspondences adds interpretive depth. Drawing Death in a reading connects to Scorpio energy — transformation, emotional intensity, power dynamics. Drawing The Emperor connects to Aries energy — initiative, authority, independence.
In astrological readings, tarot can provide narrative context. If someone is experiencing a difficult Saturn transit, pulling tarot cards about the transit can illuminate specific themes and practical guidance that the chart alone does not provide.
Some readers use both systems in a single session — starting with the birth chart to identify current themes, then using tarot to explore those themes in greater detail and receive practical guidance.
The Court Cards and Astrological Signs
The court cards (Page, Knight, Queen, King) can represent people of specific astrological profiles. The King of Wands might represent a fire sign person in your life. The Queen of Cups might represent a water sign influence. These associations help identify who or what energy a court card represents in a reading.
Timing with Tarot and Astrology
Combining both systems improves timing accuracy. Wands suggest spring or weeks. Cups suggest summer or months. Swords suggest autumn or days. Pentacles suggest winter or years. Cross-referencing these with astrological timing (planetary hours, Moon phases, sign ingresses) provides a multi-layered approach to the perennial question of when something will happen.