When we look at the Tarot, it’s easy to get lost in the images, stories, and archetypes of each card. But underneath the pictures, symbols, and personalities lies a beautifully simple structure: number.
In each suit — Wands, Cups, Swords, and Pentacles — the cards numbered One through Ten follow a consistent energetic progression. The suit shows where the energy is playing out (creativity, emotion, thought, or material life), and the number shows how that energy is unfolding.
So let’s run it by the numbers.
Below you’ll find the numerological meaning of the cards from Ace (One) through Ten, and how that meaning expresses itself across all four suits.
One (Ace): Beginnings, Seeds, Potential
Ones represent the spark.
They are beginnings, raw potential, the moment when something new is offered into your life.
Numerologically, One is unity, origin, and creative impulse — the first expression of energy.
In Tarot:
• Aces show opportunities.
• They don’t guarantee outcomes — they offer possibility.
Each Ace says: “Here is a seed. Will you plant it?”
Two: Balance, Choice, Polarity
Twos represent the moment when the One becomes aware of an “other.”
Numerologically, Two is duality, relationship, contrast, and choice.
In Tarot:
• Twos often show balance, tension, or decision.
• They ask you to relate — to a person, a feeling, a path, or a truth.
Twos say: “Now that something exists, how will you engage with it?”
Three: Growth, Expansion, Expression
Threes are the first moment of outward growth.
Numerologically, Three is creativity, expression, and development.
In Tarot:
• Threes show movement, growth, collaboration, and early results.
• Something is starting to take form.
Threes say: “This is beginning to live and move in the world.”
Four: Structure, Stability, Foundation
Fours bring form, boundaries, and stability.
Numerologically, Four is structure, order, and grounding.
In Tarot:
• Fours stabilize the energy of the suit.
• They create something solid enough to rest on — or sometimes something rigid enough to get stuck in.
Fours say: “Let’s make this real and sustainable.”
Five: Disruption, Challenge, Change
Fives introduce instability.
Numerologically, Five is movement, friction, and necessary disruption.
In Tarot:
• Fives often show conflict, loss, challenge, or tension.
• They shake what has become too fixed.
Fives say: “Something needs to change — even if it’s uncomfortable.”
Six: Harmony, Integration, Adjustment
Sixes restore balance after the disruption of Five.
Numerologically, Six is harmony, healing, and realignment.
In Tarot:
• Sixes often show cooperation, support, generosity, or healing.
• They smooth what was roughened.
Sixes say: “Let’s bring this back into balance.”
Seven: Assessment, Testing, Inner Work
Sevens are a pause for evaluation.
Numerologically, Seven is reflection, inner work, and spiritual testing.
In Tarot:
• Sevens often show challenges that are internal, subtle, or strategic.
• They ask you to examine your approach.
Sevens say: “Is this truly aligned — and is this worth continuing?”
Eight: Power, Mastery, Momentum
Eights represent focused energy and effective action.
Numerologically, Eight is power, movement, and manifestation.
In Tarot:
• Eights show work, effort, discipline, and progress.
• Things move quickly here, for better or worse.
Eights say: “Apply yourself. This can be accomplished.”
Nine: Fulfillment, Culmination, Near Completion
Nines bring things close to completion.
Numerologically, Nine is culmination, wisdom, and harvest.
In Tarot:
• Nines often show satisfaction, insight, or emotional/spiritual fullness.
• They can also show isolation, depending on the suit.
Nines say: “This cycle is almost complete — what have you learned?”
Ten: Completion, Overflow, Transition
Tens complete the cycle — and often overwhelm it.
Numerologically, Ten is completion that tips over into excess, leading back toward a new beginning.
In Tarot:
• Tens show endings, fulfillment, or overload.
• They signal that a cycle has run its course.
Tens say: “This is complete. It’s time to release and begin again.”
In Summary
Across every suit, the numbers tell a story:
1. Seed
2. Choice
3. Growth
4. Structure
5. Disruption
6. Harmony
7. Assessment
8. Effort
9. Fulfillment
10. Completion
When you read Tarot “by the numbers,” you gain a deeper sense of where you are in a process — not just what’s happening, but what stage it’s in.
And that can be incredibly clarifying.
Because sometimes the most important message isn’t what is happening…
…but where you are in the journey.
“Just the Tarot,” by Dan Adair – available on Amazon
Just the Tarot 