While astrology and tarot may seem like two separate disciplines, their connection runs deep. Astrology explores the influence of celestial bodies on our lives, while Tarot, through archetypal imagery and symbolism, helps us dive into our inner world. When combined—as in Tarot horoscopes—they offer a powerful framework for understanding how planetary energies and tarot archetypes interact.
Imagine this: the Strength card may reveal your resilience in overcoming challenges, while your Leo Sun sign explains how you express that strength in the world.
Astrology Through the Lens of Tarot
Reading the tarot from an astrological perspective means interpreting the cards based on zodiac signs. It involves intuitively drawing cards associated with a specific sign and interpreting their messages. Tarot can also be used to analyze your natal chart, blending symbolic language with celestial timing.
🌀 Explore your free birth chart here.
Both astrology and tarot are esoteric systems that share common elements. They interact through the four elements (Cups, Pentacles, Swords, Wands) and seven classical planets (Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn). Each zodiac sign is also linked to a Major Arcana card, and the numbered Minor Arcana cards (2–10) reflect astrological modalities: cardinal, fixed, or mutable. Even the Aces and Court Cards carry elemental and astrological resonance.
The Four Elements in Tarot and the Zodiac
Each tarot suit corresponds to one of the four classical elements and their associated zodiac signs:
- Cups = Water → Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces
Emotion, intuition, dreams, inner needs - Pentacles (Coins) = Earth → Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn
Material values, stability, growth, reliability - Swords = Air → Gemini, Libra, Aquarius
Thoughts, communication, logic, ideas - Wands = Fire → Aries, Leo, Sagittarius
Action, passion, ambition, spirit, energy
The Major Arcana and Zodiac Signs
Each of the 12 zodiac signs corresponds to a Major Arcana card based on shared qualities:
- Aries = The Emperor (authority, leadership)
- Taurus = The Hierophant (tradition, values)
- Gemini = The Lovers (duality, choices)
- Cancer = The Chariot (determination, direction)
- Leo = Strength (courage, confidence)
- Virgo = The Hermit (introspection, wisdom)
- Libra = Justice (balance, fairness)
- Scorpio = Death (transformation, rebirth)
- Sagittarius = Temperance (patience, moderation)
- Capricorn = The Devil (attachment, materialism)
- Aquarius = The Star (hope, vision)
- Pisces = The Moon (illusion, intuition)
The remaining ten Major Arcana cards are traditionally linked to planets, which also govern zodiac signs.
The Minor Arcana and Astrological Modalities
Each numbered card from 2 to 10 reflects one of three astrological qualities, based on where signs fall in their seasonal cycle:
- Cardinal signs (2, 3, 4): Aries, Cancer, Libra, Capricorn
Initiators, leaders, driven by fresh energy - Fixed signs (5, 6, 7): Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, Aquarius
Stable, loyal, consistent - Mutable signs (8, 9, 10): Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, Pisces
Adaptable, flexible, in tune with change
The Aces represent the pure essence of each element:
- Ace of Wands = Fire signs
- Ace of Cups = Water signs
- Ace of Swords = Air signs
- Ace of Pentacles = Earth signs
Planetary Influences in the Tarot
Each of the seven classical planets is also associated with a Major Arcana card:
- Mercury (Gemini, Virgo) → The Magician (manifestation, communication)
- Moon (Cancer) → The High Priestess (intuition, mystery)
- Venus (Taurus, Libra) → The Empress (nurturing, abundance)
- Jupiter (Sagittarius, Pisces) → Wheel of Fortune (luck, destiny)
- Mars (Aries, Scorpio) → The Tower (sudden change, power shifts)
- Sun (Leo) → The Sun (joy, clarity)
- Saturn (Capricorn, Aquarius) → The World (completion, responsibility)
These planetary traits can deepen your interpretation of each card, especially when combined with astrological timing and symbolism.
Why Astrological Correspondences Matter in Tarot
Astrology enriches tarot readings in powerful ways:
🔍 Deeper Symbolic Insight
Understanding which planet or sign rules a tarot card reveals subtle, hidden meanings that might be missed in a surface reading.
🧩 Structured Interpretation
Astrological links give the tarot deck an internal structure—revealing how cards interact with each other and forming a cohesive, symbolic system.
🧠 Zodiac Profiling
With tarot-astrology correspondences, you can identify a person’s zodiac sign, personality traits, or even their date of birth based on the cards drawn—adding depth to both character analysis and prediction.
🕰 Predicting Timing
Astrology provides a timeline for tarot readings. When a card is tied to a planet or zodiac sign, it can hint at when an event will occur—making readings more specific and practical.
🔎 Locating Lost Objects or People
In the hands of a skilled reader with a background in horary astrology, tarot can even be used to find missing items or people—through astrological timing and spatial symbolism.
Imagine the Possibilities
Just think how much more precise your readings could become—when you not only describe the people involved but also estimate when key events will unfold.
Astrological correspondences strengthen tarot readings by linking cards to the cosmic influences at play in that moment.
Astrological Tarot Spreads
The Tarot Horoscope Spread is a popular method for combining tarot and astrology. These layouts explore how planetary energies affect different aspects of your life.
🔮 Example: The Astrological Houses Spread
This 12-card spread aligns one card with each astrological house, offering a complete picture of your current life landscape:
Lay 12 cards in a circle (like a clock), starting with the 1st house and going clockwise:
- Self / Personality
- Money / Resources
- Communication / Siblings / Local life
- Home / Family / Roots
- Creativity / Children / Romance
- Health / Daily work
- Partnerships / Relationships
- Sex / Transformation / Inheritance
- Philosophy / Travel / Higher learning
- Career / Reputation
- Friends / Community / Dreams
- Spirituality / Karma / Secrets
Interpret each card based on the house it falls in. Notice how each one reflects what’s unfolding in that area of your life.
In Conclusion
Tarot and astrology are not separate paths, but intertwined systems—each enhancing the other’s depth and clarity. Whether you’re using the Wheel of Fortune to track Jupiter’s blessings or pulling the High Priestess during a New Moon, the more you understand their connection, the more powerful your readings become.
Explore this synergy, and let the stars and cards guide you toward greater wisdom, self-awareness, and spiritual insight.
