Tarot cards as feelings: how they feel about you

The short answer

Most of the deck sits between these: warm but careful, drawn but quiet. That is why the exact line matters more than the pile a card falls in.

The Major Arcana as feelings

The big cards. When one of these answers, the feeling is not a small one.

• The FoolThey feel excited and a little unguarded around you, curious about where this goes, without a fixed plan for it yet.
• The MagicianThey're drawn to you and intrigued, and they're thinking about how to make a move.
• The High PriestessThey feel a quiet, intense pull toward you, but they're keeping it to themselves for now.
• The EmpressThey feel tender and protective toward you, and comfortable in your company.
• The EmperorThey feel protective of you and serious about you, even if they don't say it softly.
• The HierophantThey see you as someone serious, someone to build something lasting with.
• The LoversThey feel a strong pull toward you, both physical and emotional, and they think the two of you fit.
• The ChariotThey're determined about you and ready to pursue this, though they may be guarded about showing softness.
• StrengthThey feel deeply for you and are patient about it, with a passion they keep gently in check.
• The HermitThey're thinking about you seriously, privately, and may need time before they share it.
• Wheel of FortuneThey feel this connection was meant to happen, and that things between you are shifting.
• JusticeThey feel balanced and thoughtful about you, weighing this carefully and wanting it to be fair.
• The Hanged ManThey feel uncertain and in limbo about this, unsure what step to take.
• DeathThey feel something changing between you, an old way of relating ending, whether that's moving on or moving deeper.
• TemperanceThey feel calm, peaceful and balanced with you, and they want to take this steadily.
• The DevilThey feel a strong, almost magnetic desire for you, which may be more about passion than about the long term.
• The TowerThey feel shaken up by you, intensely and suddenly, as if their world just changed.
• The StarThey feel hopeful about you, inspired by you, and at peace in your company.
• The MoonTheir feelings are real but confused, and they may not fully understand them yet.
• The SunThey feel happy around you and proud of what the two of you share.
• JudgementThey're reflecting deeply on what you mean to them, and may be ready to make a real decision.
• The WorldThey feel complete with you, as if you fit their life.

The Suit of Cups as feelings

The suit of the heart. These speak about feeling most directly.

• Ace of CupsThey feel something new and tender toward you, and they may not have found the words for it yet.
• Two of CupsThey feel drawn to you and see you as an equal, someone they want to build something with.
• Three of CupsThey feel happy and at ease with you, and they enjoy the way you fit into their world.
• Four of CupsThey feel withdrawn or unsure right now, more caught up in their own thoughts than closed to you.
• Five of CupsThey feel regret or sadness about what happened between you, and they may be focused on what went wrong.
• Six of CupsThey feel affectionate and nostalgic about you, with a soft, protective kind of care.
• Seven of CupsThey're intrigued by you but unsure, perhaps imagining many versions of what you could be together.
• Eight of CupsThey feel something is missing and are pulling back, searching for something they can't yet name.
• Nine of CupsThey are content and satisfied with you, and they enjoy the pleasure of your company.
• Ten of CupsThey feel deep contentment with you and can imagine building a long-term life together.
• Page of CupsThey feel curious, shy and quietly hopeful about you, and they may express it in small, sweet ways.
• Knight of CupsThey feel romantic and inspired by you, and they want to show it.
• Queen of CupsThey feel deep tenderness and empathy toward you, and they feel emotionally safe with you.
• King of CupsThey care for you deeply and steadily, even if they show it quietly.

The Suit of Swords as feelings

The suit of the mind. Here feeling shows up as thinking, guarding and hurting.

• Ace of SwordsThey are thinking about you clearly and seriously, and they may be ready to say something direct.
• Two of SwordsThey are holding back, guarded and undecided, and protecting themselves from being hurt.
• Three of SwordsThey are hurting, possibly over you, and the sadness is real even if they hide it.
• Four of SwordsThey need distance and quiet right now, which is not the same as not caring.
• Five of SwordsThey feel defensive, stung or competitive, and pride may be louder than affection right now.
• Six of SwordsThey are trying to move past something, and they may be quieter than usual while they do.
• Seven of SwordsThey are holding something back, unsure whether to show you their true hand.
• Eight of SwordsThey feel stuck or powerless, unsure how to reach you without getting hurt.
• Nine of SwordsThey are anxious and overthinking, possibly about where they stand with you.
• Ten of SwordsThey feel worn out or defeated, and may see the situation as finished.
• Page of SwordsThey are curious about you, studying you, and not yet sure what to say.
• Knight of SwordsThey feel driven and intense about you, and they may act before they think.
• Queen of SwordsThey see you clearly and respect you, though they may be reserved about showing it.
• King of SwordsThey respect you and think seriously about you, even if they express it with reason rather than passion.

The Suit of Wands as feelings

The suit of wanting. Here feeling shows up as heat and the urge to act.

• Ace of WandsYou've lit something in them: excitement, attraction and an itch to act on it.
• Two of WandsThey are thinking about a future with you, though they are still weighing it carefully.
• Three of WandsThey feel hopeful and forward-looking about you, and are imagining where this could go.
• Four of WandsThey feel happy, settled and proud to be with you, and want others to know it.
• Five of WandsThey feel restless or frustrated, and may be arguing because they care rather than in spite of it.
• Six of WandsThey admire you and are proud of you, and want to be seen at your side.
• Seven of WandsThey feel protective, perhaps a little defensive, and determined not to lose ground with you.
• Eight of WandsTheir feelings for you are moving fast, and they may reach out soon.
• Nine of WandsThey care, but feel wary and protective, and are waiting to feel safe before opening up.
• Ten of WandsThey feel weighed down and stretched thin, and may not have room to show how much they care.
• Page of WandsThey are excited and curious about you, playful and eager, though not yet sure where it leads.
• Knight of WandsThey feel a strong, fiery attraction to you and want to act on it now.
• Queen of WandsThey find you magnetic, admire your confidence, and feel warmly devoted.
• King of WandsThey feel strongly committed and want to build something real with you.

The Suit of Pentacles as feelings

The suit of the steady things. Here feeling shows up as care, effort and plans.

• Ace of PentaclesThey feel secure with you and are thinking about something lasting, though they may show it in deeds rather than words.
• Two of PentaclesThey like you but feel stretched thin, unsure how to fit one more thing into a busy life.
• Three of PentaclesThey respect you and see you as someone worth building a life with, step by careful step.
• Four of PentaclesThey care, but they are protective of their heart and afraid of losing what they already have.
• Five of PentaclesThey feel insecure, unworthy or worried, and they may be hiding how hard things are for them.
• Six of PentaclesThey want to take care of you, or they're grateful for how you've taken care of them.
• Seven of PentaclesThey are thinking carefully about you and weighing whether this is worth their long-term effort.
• Eight of PentaclesThey are serious about you and willing to put in the work, even if they aren't flashy about it.
• Nine of PentaclesThey admire your independence and self-possession, perhaps a little in awe of it.
• Ten of PentaclesThey see a future with you and may already picture you as part of their family.
• Page of PentaclesThey're interested in you and curious, though cautious, wanting to take things one step at a time.
• Knight of PentaclesThey are committed and steady toward you, even if they rarely say it out loud.
• Queen of PentaclesThey feel protective and nurturing toward you, and want you comfortable and safe.
• King of PentaclesThey want to provide for you and see themselves as your steady protector.

How to read a feelings card

A feeling is not a plan. The card shows what is in them, not what they will do. Someone can feel a great deal and still not call.

It is a picture of now. Feelings move. A card drawn tonight speaks to tonight. It is not a verdict on the two of you.

Draw once. If you pull again because the first card stung, you have stopped asking about them. You are asking for comfort, and you deserve to get it somewhere kinder than a second card.

Reversed, read it as held back. The same feeling, blocked or hidden or not yet admitted. The full reversed meaning is on each card's page.

Then look under the question. "How do they feel about me?" is very often "Is it safe for me to hope?" The card can speak to the first. Only you can answer the second, and you are allowed to answer it slowly.

Questions about tarot cards as feelings

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