Marseille Tarot Card Meanings: Major and Minor Arcana

Made up of 22 major arcana, the cards most often used, the Marseille Tarot offers a whole cast of characters and highly imaginative scenes!
Here are the meanings that will help you with your readings.

Marseille Tarot Card Meanings: The Major Arcana

I. The Magician (Le Bateleur)

When it comes up in your reading, it means you’re on the verge of creating something: it’s the starting point of a work, a project, an idea… The person this reading concerns is young, intelligent, curious and open-minded. Any project is coming or about to come to fruition, and all the conditions it needs are in place.

But this card can also reveal its negative side. In that case, the person is confused, scattered, lacking initiative, willpower, honesty and frankness.

• Love reading: The Magician points to the arrival of a new love. He embodies youth and freshness.
• Career reading: a promotion may come through, and a project may be crowned with success thanks to the querent’s intelligence.

II. The Popess

The card of reflection, patience, a standstill, slowdowns. Don’t let it get you down. Use this time for reflection to turn to other projects you can move forward. This card can represent a mature, experienced, intelligent woman, a mother, a wife, a…

In its negative aspect, this card reveals resignation, passivity, letting things slide, boredom…

• Love reading: the person concerned is shy and reserved and doesn’t show their feelings openly. Feelings remain unspoken, which can hold back the growth of a couple. Or it may point to a hidden relationship, even an affair.
• Career reading: it’s time to step back and consolidate your projects, because this is a time of standstill and inactivity. You’ll have to wait to see your efforts rewarded.

III. The Empress

The card of charm, seduction, love, intelligence, fruitfulness and fertility. It can represent a woman around you. It announces the arrival of news, letters, messages.

• Love reading: nothing but happiness and love. All is well. You’ll meet people and widen your circle of friends. Friendships form, grow closer and last.
• Career reading: your intelligence brings you success and the completion of your projects. This phase brings a lot of activity and influence, and deals close quickly.

IV. The Emperor

The card of power, achievement and fighting spirit. It’s activity: this is no time to rest on your laurels. The time has come to get moving, keep up your efforts, persevere and work hard. It often represents a strong man around you or an intelligent man who will help you.

• Love reading: the relationship is firmly rooted, but not necessarily in the best way, since both people have strong personalities and may not always get along.
• Career reading: your character lets you size up the situation and focus on how it develops, so you can go further and hope to land a more important position. You have solid backing.

V. The Pope

The card of protection and kindness. It represents a mature man close to you, who wishes you well and on whom you can rely, and who may also pass on a right, a permission, a blessing.

• Love reading: it can point to a reconciliation with the one you love, or a marriage, a strong relationship with your partner that may last far into the future. The feelings you receive are serene, growing in a serene, calm, passionate setting. The future of the relationship looks positive. Your hopes will come true.
• Career reading: if the question is about passing an exam, then yes, success is waiting for you! Contracts are signed, partnerships are formed. Everything gets signed and brings more than positive results for the future.

VI. The Lover (L’Amoureux)

The card of choice, hesitation, a new love, a love that becomes real, but everything will happen with caution and hesitation. You’ll have to choose, weigh the pros and cons carefully, analyze the situation and not rush down a path that nonetheless seems attractive. It can represent the man you love, the arrival of a baby or children already born.

• Love reading: it can express a crisis in love, or a wish to find another partner. Or you may be upset with your partner: the current situation doesn’t please you, you’re disappointed, you expected something else. Or a third possibility: your partner’s love sends you to cloud nine, the bond runs deep and may lead all the way to marriage, a pure and sincere love.
• Career reading: the situation isn’t right for a decision, since you’re in a fog. Several paths open up before you, but you don’t know what to do. The project may be stalled because of this fog, or because of disagreements with management. Better to wait for a more favorable time to decide. Some days are just like that…

VII. The Chariot

The card of triumph, achievement and success! You’ve been brave and persevering, and your efforts are finally paying off. Everything is moving toward success. Go all the way, don’t hesitate: perseverance pays, and you’re on the right track. This is no time to rest on your laurels. Favorable winds are pushing you along. Luck is on your side. Expect movement: trips, travel, perhaps even a move. You won’t be sitting still, with plenty of movement ahead.

• Love reading: going out may lead to surprising encounters. If there’s a conflict, steer around it so you don’t end up in a ditch.
• Career reading: just one word: bravo! You hold all the cards to hope for success. But to get there, you need to get to the bottom of things and not hesitate to knock on doors. Success is at the end of the road. Keep going.

VIII. Justice

A card pointing to the need to call on your intelligence, reasoning and logic. You need the truth, to get to the bottom of things. When it comes up, it announces the wish to find a point of balance and to get an immediate answer to an uncomfortable situation. You’ll be able to turn the page, move on to something else, hope for a new path that sets you on another course. Your case is going to be examined, and you hope the best solution will be found. Generally speaking, you reap what you sow.

• Love reading: keep an eye on your relationships and look at them closely. Do you like this situation? Where do things stand? Perhaps you’re too rigid, too strict in your relationships, and that may be one of the reasons for your current situation. Your emotional ties are unstable, and you’re asking yourself questions. Or Justice may come into play in a divorce, a lawsuit, an inheritance, a marriage…
• Career reading: professions linked to the law and public administration are favored. If you’re in an uncomfortable situation, expect a turnaround. You’ll regain your balance through a decision you may have to make. This decision will shape your future, but to make the right choice, you need to weigh the pros and cons and take a step back.

IX. The Hermit

A card pointing to the need to step away so you can judge a situation properly. It’s an awakening that isn’t always pleasant, but your eyes are opened. This is the moment to take time to question yourself: use the time you’re given for a pause, a retreat into yourself. Look at your life from a different point of view.

• Love reading: unfortunately, your love life isn’t at its best. Feelings are blocked, not yet revealed. Not everything has been said. The situation is stuck. If the question is about a coming commitment with someone you love, the answer is no.
• Career reading: for studies, this card is favorable. But in general, this card reveals slowness and blockages: time seems to slow down, and obstacles are there. For now, you need to arm yourself with patience and wait for a better day. Use this time to think and see what you really want.

X. The Wheel of Fortune

A card announcing, in a few simple words, that events are about to move: the wheel is turning! You’ll be able to grow and go further, and transformations are coming. Either events will move in a positive direction thanks to all the efforts you’ve made, an evolution driven by what you did before, and you’re now reaping the rewards. Or events can also turn negative: once again, you only reap what you deserve, and events will happen to you because of actions committed in the past.

• Love reading: encounters are favored, so move forward, because everything can come together quite quickly. You’ll widen your circle of friends, and all the circumstances are in place for it. You may also meet someone special quite soon, or, if you’re already in a relationship, you can hope for an improvement in your love life!
• Career reading: an unexpected helping hand from destiny is on its way. Exchanges are favored. Everything will speed up and change. You can hope to go further than planned. Chance will play its part.

XI. Strength

The card of fruitfulness and growth. You reach a favorable outcome thanks to your efforts.

• Love reading: the bonds are powerful, so don’t destroy them. If you’re longing for a baby, the card looks kindly on that wish. If you’re single, you’ll meet someone. In the end, you can hope the situation will evolve with the help of another person. You won’t be on your own.
• Career reading: you’ll succeed, and everything will develop quite quickly. Your charm carries you forward. You’re appealing, which can help you even more.

XII. The Hanged Man

A card emphasizing a time of waiting: you’re stuck, you can only wait, it’s the only solution. There’s nothing you can do, and events simply happen to you. Or, from a spiritual point of view, this withdrawal is a good thing: you manage to sort things out and to detach yourself from everything. For now, in general, you feel thwarted, more like a spectator of your own life. You have to give up and let things happen.

• Love reading: sacrifices lie ahead. You tried to focus only on your partner and, in doing so, forgot about yourself. You sacrifice yourself, but watch out for the backlash. This is a time of illusions: you only believe what you’re willing to see. It’s better to let someone go.
• Career reading: unfortunately, you’re reaching saturation point. You can’t take any more, and it even weighs on your morale. You feel dull, sad, disappointed, inactive. Projects are blocked, and you’re moving backward.

XIII. Death

A card that often makes people run, because they immediately think of physical death. Well, think again. It isn’t always about physical death, but about the death of one situation giving way to another, for example the end of single life for a love life… A card pointing to a change, a radical transition, positive or sometimes negative if you refuse to move forward.

• Love reading: if you’re single, expect to meet someone who will turn your usual routine upside down. And if you’re already in a relationship, you can expect the worst as well as the best: a birth, moving in together, or a separation, the end of one story and the start of another, a break with a friend or with family.
• Career reading: you have a new project that brings a change, a major transformation. You turn the page to write a new one. It can also point to a layoff, a resignation or retirement. It’s the end of one project for another that’s harder but brings you more satisfaction. The cards around it in the spread will tell you more about this change.

XIV. Temperance

A card pointing to a happy transformation, a positive renewal that brings joy. Everything has happened rather slowly, and it took long, patient work, but now you can consider it time to reap all that you undertook: success was hard-won, and a long road has been traveled. You can expect news. Temperance brings news and dialogue, and it reassures you if you’re worried right now. A short time for reflection may still lie ahead, but in the end, success is there.

• Love reading: exchanges are favored. New friendships can form over time, and these relationships will carry on long into the future. You connect with others.
• Career reading: social life is favored, as are transactions and negotiations. You can hope for an improvement in your working life, but the project will move slowly. You still have to wait.

XV. The Devil

The card of violence, abuse, mystery, excess, desire, impulses, of wanting everything to reach your goals, even unfairly. The path of desire and of many temptations.

• Love reading: love bonds are all-consuming, passionate, intense. Everything is excessive. There’s no loving by halves. Encounters are only one-night stands. Within a couple, it can also describe violent arguments, fits of jealousy, excessive jealousy.
• Career reading: you’ll be able to establish your authority and your dominance over others. Thanks to this, you’ll succeed in your career. With help from others, obstacles will fall away on their own: there’s strength in unity. Everything is calculated in advance. You size up the difficulties the better to crush them.

XVI. The Tower (La Maison Dieu)

A card announcing shocks, upheavals, destruction in general. You tear down in order to rebuild. It’s a sudden, unexpected change toward a different setting. But perhaps this destruction will be beneficial, in the sense that your current situation isn’t good: dull and full of all kinds of problems.

• Love reading: the forecast calls for rain in the couple, and in relationships in general: conflicts, disagreements that may lead to the end of a friendship or a love. It’s then the end of that relationship, which is hard for the querent to accept.
• Career reading: better cover yourself. The time has come to protect yourself, since nothing at work is going as planned: quarrels, conflicts, disagreements with management that may lead to a layoff.

XVII. The Star

A card bringing hope and fulfillment… Your dreams can come true. That says it all! It brings the fulfillment of every hope, if you give yourself the means.

• Love reading: the feelings expressed are strong, deep, sincere, full of love and hope. Even in your friendships, all is well: you love and you’re loved. Your friends bring you serenity, happiness and calm. Nothing bad ahead… Only good things!
• Career reading: whatever your profession, you can hope for success and a profound improvement in your situation. Some lines of work are favored: publishing, the arts in general, graphic design, creative fields…

XVIII. The Moon

A card representing a receptive, sensitive, intelligent person, but also a nostalgic one who refuses to move forward, living only in a world of illusions, a dreamer always in their own little world: someone apart. When this card comes up, it reveals your present position: difficulties, conflicts, but all of it simply caused by your errors of judgment.

• Love reading: you withdraw into the family circle, your home. You shut yourself away. You need to get out and not stay in this state. Important events may explain it: a pregnancy, a difficult period… To understand this card better, look at the cards around it.
• Career reading: you become popular, and people take an interest in you. Your success is visible. People talk about you everywhere. An improvement will come thanks to this sudden popularity.

XIX. The Sun

A card symbolizing happiness, fulfillment, radiance, joy… Make the most of this delightful moment…

• Love reading: nothing but happiness ahead… love, joy, happiness brought by different events: a pregnancy, life as a couple, a marriage, a reconciliation with the one you love…
• Career reading: dazzling success ahead. Everything comes true, just as in a fairy tale. You get everything you want. Success is within reach. You touch it and seize it with both hands… What more could you ask for?

XX. Judgement

The card of sudden movements and unexpected changes. You’ve understood everything you needed to, and you hold the keys to understanding. You’ll be rewarded. You’re reborn, you move forward, you go further.

• Love reading: new friendships, a new love, a surprise ahead: a baby may arrive even if it wasn’t planned. You get out of a difficult situation easily.
• Career reading: changes will happen quickly, and unexpectedly too. You don’t see it coming, and yet… Nothing but good things ahead. Quite simply, you’re reborn.

XXI. The World

The strongest card, the best in the tarot. It’s nirvana! Everything is perfect. You reach a rare moment in your life: everything runs like clockwork, and there’s nothing bad on the horizon. It’s success, glory, radiance, brilliance, pure and total fulfillment. You reach complete and total happiness, and everything you wished for is within your grasp.

• Love reading: a harmonious, perfect, radiant understanding with your partner. It’s crazy love. You’re swimming in happiness, in a feeling of peace. Nothing more to say.
• Career reading: all your projects will come to fruition, every effort will be rewarded, and you’re supported. Everything is perfect…

XXII. The Fool (Le Mat)

A card announcing a departure, movement ahead, a journey, a trip, a stage to get through, one more goal to reach on the way to success.

• Love reading: you’re disappointed by relationships that are too unstable. Or nothing is working with your partner anymore: they run from their responsibilities and want their freedom, causing arguments in the couple. Don’t be so impulsive, and think about your actions before you take them.
• Career reading: projects are on hold. You’re stuck in a routine and need to step back. You’re fed up, and you’re not getting everything you wanted. What you’ve produced doesn’t live up to what you had in mind. Better to take some time for yourself, catch your breath and start again afterward.

Marseille Tarot Card Meanings: The Minor Arcana

The minor arcana of the Marseille Tarot are divided into four suits:

1. Wands (Batons)
2. Cups
3. Coins
4. Swords

For each suit, let’s look at the meaning of every card.

I. Wands

They symbolize movements to come, projects taking shape, action: everything is getting started.

• Ace: an opportunity to seize
• Two: a decision to make, rivalry
• Three: a short trip, a business letter
• Four: retirement, the idea of building
• Five: expansion into a new venture
• Six: difficulties at work
• Seven: a possible partnership
• Eight: steps taken, transformation
• Nine: travel, money abroad, delay
• Ten: major success, contracts

• Page: the mail carrier, news soon
• Knight: news of a change
• Queen: a foreign woman
• King: boss, employer, landlord

II. Cups

Linked to feelings, the heart, intuition, passion.

• Ace: represents the heart, love, passions
• Two: rivalry in love
• Three: a romantic encounter
• Four: remarriage, stability
• Five: a birth, a new love
• Six: waiting, a crisis in love
• Seven: marriage, union
• Eight: the end of a love
• Nine: a foreign woman
• Ten: a major achievement in love

• Page: for a woman, it represents the lover, the fiancé, and for a man, the friend
• Knight: a new love
• Queen: a devoted, loving woman
• King: a kind, older man

III. Coins

They represent the result of action: the material world, stability in family life, financial matters.

• Ace: fortune, a large sum of money
• Two: financial rivalry
• Three: movements of funds, precautions to take with your finances
• Four: gains for the family, wealth to come
• Five: a new financial venture
• Six: work with little profit, crisis, difficulties
• Seven: incoming money, success
• Eight: debts, crises, a possible inheritance
• Nine: money from abroad or a lawsuit won
• Ten: major financial success

• Page: wealth through merit and the work done
• Knight: money coming in, a happy change
• Queen: a wealthy, self-interested woman
• King: bankers, a wealthy man

IV. Swords

They represent the struggle for success. Transformation to come in thought and communication.

• • Ace: the start of a venture
  • Two: rivalry
  • Three: an urgent letter, a debate
  • Four: the end of your troubles
  • Five: a new activity, a period of fatigue, progress
  • Six: difficulties, a slight unease
  • Seven: opposition, a chance to win

• Eight: difficulties, hard blows, unease
• Nine: politics, justice
• Ten: a major achievement

• Page: legal worries, bailiff, lawyer
• Knight: news for a woman, military support
• Queen: a widowed or divorced woman
• King: judge, lawyer

There’s a spread called “the encounters,” but going through the results of a Marseille Tarot reading with it takes a very long time…
So if you’d like me to go into it, I’ll do it anyway.

Recommended Marseille Tarot Deck and Book