You’ve probably seen those colorful tarot cards before and were wondering what’s up with all the colors. I used to look at them and think “What does a red heart or blue moon even mean?” Well, it turns out the colors are actually important for figuring out what the cards are trying to tell you. Just like with other spiritual practices, each color in tarot has its own special significance. For instance, if you pull three cards that have a lot of yellow popping out, pay attention because the colors are sending you a message, too.
Red
The color red in the tarot symbolizes passion, desire, energy, and creativity. It represents the most primal and powerful forces in life, like love, sex, anger, and aggression. For example, the suit of Wands is usually associated with the color red. I think that’s because wands represent a really fiery and creative energy, so red fits perfectly to symbolize that passion and drive.
When a red card like the Ace of Wands appears in a tarot spread, it indicates a surge of creative power and new potential. It suggests that now is a good time to start a new creative project, launch an enterprise, or pursue a passion. The red color acts as a call to action and a reminder to tap into your inner fire and motivation.
Other red cards, like the Devil, also relate to primal desires and passions. However, the Devil represents these forces becoming imbalanced or unhealthy obsessions. Red can point to issues of jealousy, rage, and unhealthy attachments. The color alone does not tell the full story – it depends on the specific card and its context within the spread.
When red appears prominently in a tarot reading it signifies that powerful desires and passions are at play. It can indicate themes of attraction, lust, ambition, motivation, and creative energy. However, red can also warn of potential issues if these forces are not properly channeled.
Green
The color green in the tarot symbolizes growth, renewal, abundance, healing, prosperity, fertility, and nature. Green is associated with the suit of Pentacles, which represents material wealth, finances, and the physical world.
Green often signifies things are developing and progressing in a positive direction. Green can indicate that a period of stagnation or difficulty is ending and new opportunities for advancement are emerging. Green light may signify that it’s safe to move forward with a project or plan and proceed with confidence.
Regarding health and well-being, green can represent healing energy working to restore balance and wholeness. Green tarot cards may indicate that a period of recovery or rehabilitation is underway after an illness or injury. Green can also symbolize emotional healing and the renewal of hope.
In terms of finances and career, green tarot often portends an increase in income, professional growth, and new job prospects on the horizon. Green may signify that efforts you’ve made to improve your financial situation are starting to bear fruit.
When it comes to relationships, green can indicate that a partnership is growing stronger through understanding, compromise and nurturing each other. Green may also represent the prospect of meeting a new romantic partner who will play a positive role in your life.
Blue
The color blue symbolizes wisdom, intuition, spirituality and the subconscious mind. Blue represents the realm of ideas, imagination, and higher knowledge. Blue also signifies the state of the soul and inner peace.
Many of the major arcana cards containing blue symbolism point to deep self-reflection and introspection. The High Priestess card, often depicted wearing a blue robe, represents the wisdom that comes from listening to your inner voice and intuition. The Hermit card, which shows a figure retreating into a cave or mountain, encourages looking within for answers.
In the minor arcana, the suit of cups – representing emotions, relationships and the subconscious – is often associated with blue. The blue cups symbolize the need to listen to and trust your feelings. The blue water in the cups signifies the flow of emotions and the unconscious mind.
Dreams and visions, which provide access to intuitive knowledge and spiritual wisdom, are also linked to the color blue. Blue lights, mists and shadows are often used to depict the dreamlike or visionary state in tarot illustrations.
When blue shows up prominently in a tarot spread, it often points to a need for spiritual nourishment, intuitive wisdom and inner peace that comes from looking within. Blue encourages connecting to your higher self and the realm of ideas beyond the physical world.
Yellow
Yellow in tarot cards has a wide range of meanings and associations. Yellow often represents intellect, wisdom, and the power of the mind. The color yellow symbolizes a high degree of mental activity and illumination. It’s the color of the intellect and the ability to think logically and rationally.
Yellow also signifies optimism, positivity, and happiness. Yellow tarot cards are often a sign of cheerfulness, joy, and good spirits. Yellow symbolizes hope, inspiration, and an abundance of new ideas. It’s a color that promotes motivation, enthusiasm, and a desire to move forward.
In some decks, yellow tarot cards can indicate a need for caution or advice. Yellow may signify a need for mental clarity and insight to avoid potential dangers or pitfalls. This cautionary aspect of yellow often arises when it appears with more negative cards.
Yellow tarot cards can also represent balance and moderation. Yellow is a middle-of-the-road color that signifies a balanced mindset and avoidance of extremes. Yellow suggests tempering one’s emotions with reason and logic.
Other Colors
Here are a few common colors that may show up in your tarot reading:
Purple: Spirituality, wisdom, and intuition. It is often associated with the third eye chakra, which deals with intuition and psychic abilities. Major arcana cards like the High Priestess and Hierophant often feature purple to signify their spiritual wisdom and connection to the divine.
Black: Mystery, the unknown, and things hidden from view. It suggests themes of darkness, death, and rebirth. Black can also signify wisdom gained through experience and introspection.
Gray: Balance, neutrality, and objectivity. It represents a middle ground between the light and dark, good and bad. Gray serves as a transition between the extremes of black and white.
White: Purity, innocence, new beginnings, and spiritual enlightenment. White is often seen as a blank slate and a chance for renewal. White tarot cards can signify an opportunity for growth and self-discovery.
Orange: Creativity, warmth, enthusiasm, and intellectual stimulation. It represents the balance between the red suit of Wands and the yellow suit of Pentacles.
Pink: Love, caring, and nurturing energies. Pink cards often represent relationships, emotions, and inner healing.
Brown: Brown points to a need for stability, structure, and security. They suggest focusing on the here-and-now and material concerns. Brown is a neutral color in tarot, so brown cards usually do not signify major changes or upheavals. Rather, they urge you to be practical and sensible in your approach.
Listen To Your Gut
Even if the colors don’t really match up with where you’re at right now, go with your gut feeling. For example, while green might mean money matters to me, for you it could be more about health issues. Pay attention to those intuitive vibes.
