The Green Witch Tarot: All 78 Card Meanings Explained

Some tarot decks illustrate archetypes. This one grows them from the soil.

The Green Witch Tarot by Ann Moura, with artwork by Kiri Østergaard Leonard, is a 78-card deck built entirely on the foundations of green witchcraft — the earth-based practice of herbalism, nature spirits, seasonal cycles, and the magic that lives in every leaf, root, and stone. Ann Moura, widely known for her Green Witchcraft book series, didn’t simply re-skin traditional tarot with botanical imagery. She reimagined the entire system through the lens of a practicing green witch, renaming Major Arcana cards to reflect figures from earth-based spirituality: The Fool becomes The Green Man, The Magician becomes The Sorceress, Death becomes the Lord of Shadows, and The World becomes The World Tree.

The art by Kiri Østergaard Leonard brings this vision to life with lush, richly detailed illustrations that feel like stepping into a living forest. Every card is dense with herbal correspondences, animal guides, and seasonal symbolism that practitioners will recognize instantly. This is not a deck that borrows nature imagery for decoration — it lives and breathes it.

How the Deck Is Organized

The Green Witch Tarot follows the traditional 78-card structure with its own earth-rooted vocabulary:

• Major Arcana (0–XXI): 22 cards renamed to reflect green witchcraft archetypes — The Green Man, The Sorceress, the Horned God, the Lord of Shadows, the Wheel of the Year, and more. These are the soul-level lessons of a nature-based path.
• Wands: The suit of fire. Creativity, career, passion, and the vital energy that drives action and growth.
• Cups: The suit of water. Emotions, love, intuition, and the heart’s deepest currents.
• Swords: The suit of air. Intellect, conflict, truth, and the mental clarity needed to navigate challenges.
• Pentacles: The suit of earth. Material reality, finances, craftsmanship, and the patient work of building something lasting.

Each suit runs from Ace through Ten, followed by four court cards — Page, Knight, Queen, and King — for 14 cards per suit and 56 Minor Arcana total.

Major Arcana

The Fool

The Green Man embodies spring fertility and the awakening of the earth. He oversees his imitators, who bring his energy to the land through ancient rituals. Representing natural energy and the joy of life, the card warns against extremes and reminds one to be mindful of consequences. Symbols on the card include wormwood and a white dog, denoting new beginnings and support.

The Magician

The Sorceress card depicts a knowledgeable and confident woman practicing her craft with the help of elemental forces. She controls her destiny responsibly, honestly, and wisely, staying true to ethical norms. The card suggests confidence, communication, and practical application of skills to achieve goals.

The High Priestess

The High Priestess represents intuition, spiritual insight, and the connection to the divine. She embodies wisdom, secret knowledge, and spiritual enlightenment. Trusting one's intuition, uncovering hidden truths, and spiritual development are key themes. When reversed, it signals confusion, ignoring intuition, and lack of prudence.

The Empress

The Goddess-Mother card represents abundance, fertility, emotional fulfillment, and harmony with nature. It signifies growth, development, and projects nearing completion. She embodies benevolence, comfort, and love. Connected to the summer solstice, this card can indicate pregnancy, marriage, or the start of a creative project, symbolizing the flourishing cycle of life.

The Emperor

The Horned God is a symbol of power, wisdom, and fertility, representing leadership qualities and the natural life cycles. He embodies the role of a protector and benefactor, generously sharing his abundance. His authority extends over the forest, plants, and animals, teaching the unity of all life within the ecosystem. The presence of ravens around his head signifies messages, guardianship, growth, and management.

The Hierophant

The Hierophant symbolizes traditional and organized spiritual practice, emphasizing the importance of rituals, structure, and community cohesion. It represents a figure of authority within spiritual matters, guiding the flow of energy and maintaining order. This card conveys the value of established customs, safety, and the transmission of knowledge and blessings within the community.

The Lovers

The card symbolizes harmony between the divine masculine and feminine, reflecting a conscious partnership where intellect meets emotion. It emphasizes the importance of decision-making, trust, commitment, and the cooperation of opposites. The presence of the card highlights the necessity of clear priorities and making decisions to avoid having them made for you.

The Chariot

The Chariot represents victory, recognition, and the ability to control opposing forces through willpower. It signifies leadership, self-discipline, and successful management of a team towards common goals. The card also suggests the importance of determined focus, balanced energy, and personal achievements in various aspects of life, be it business, career, or personal endeavors.

Strength

The Crone signifies internal strength, courage, resilience, and the ability to overcome obstacles. The card emphasizes the importance of self-confidence, self-control, and the power of inner energy to navigate life’s challenges. It also highlights the peaceful use of power and wisdom in guiding through difficulties.

The Hermit

This card symbolizes wisdom gained through time and experience, the importance of seeking one's own path, and the guidance of a wise mentor. It highlights the need for adaptation, self-reflection, and spiritual quest, symbolizing a transition akin to the changing of the year. The King of Holly encourages personal growth, introspection, and prudent sharing of knowledge, while its reversed meaning warns against impulsiveness and recklessness.

Wheel of Fortune

The Wheel of the Year signifies inevitable change influenced by the cycles of the seasons. When this card appears, it often indicates a period of good fortune that can last up to six months. Accept and enjoy luck as it comes, as it may eventually fade. This card suggests unexpected events and transformations that can lead to significant progress or the successful trial of new ideas.

Justice

The Standing Stone signifies authority, boundaries, and justice. It represents careful deliberation, balance, and the ethical principle of causing no harm. When this card appears, it calls for objectivity and thorough consideration, indicating that a trustworthy decision has been reached. The card also points to the natural law of karma and the necessity of fair retribution.

The Hanged Man

The King of Oak signifies a period of meditation and introspection, urging one to weigh options and let go of the old to make space for the new. It represents a harmonious interaction with the cycles of life, emphasizing the importance of balance and preparation before action. The card encourages understanding what truly matters and what has outlived its purpose.

Death

The 'Lord of Shadows' card signifies transformation and movement from darkness to light, symbolizing life's pivotal moments and new perspectives. It emphasizes the elimination of obstacles, the arrival of positive changes, and the embracing of progress. Resistance to change can lead to stagnation, while cleansing allows for optimism and growth.

Temperance

The Sidhe card symbolizes balance and connection between two worlds and consciousnesses. It involves the transformative power of spirits and natural entities, combining intelligence and intuition. The card signifies the importance of patience, diplomacy, and harmonious collaboration. It encourages trust in intuition, leading to inspiration and successful realization of goals.

The Devil

The Nature card focuses on choices and their inevitable consequences. It symbolizes the balance between freedom and dangers seen or unseen, emphasizing the importance of making conscious decisions and overcoming self-imposed limitations. The message is about seeking joy in life by aligning with one's natural inclinations while maintaining control over one's destiny.

The Tower

The Wild Hunt card symbolizes sudden changes, shocking events, and the end of illusions. It represents the abrupt revelation of truth, leading to liberation and new opportunities. This powerful energy encourages individuals to embrace transformation and self-discovery, breaking free from oppressive burdens and false beliefs.

The Star

The Star card signifies a significant energetic potential for unexpected opportunities that can make dreams come true. It embodies harmony, inspiration, and positive transformation. It promises excellent prospects for life changes in a desired direction, but the querent must decide to seize the opportunity. Surrounding cards in a spread can influence the likelihood of utilizing these chances.

The Moon

The Moon card advises trusting your instincts and examining hidden aspects before making decisions. It signifies illusions, subconscious imagery, dreams, and the potential for dishonesty or betrayal. The card highlights the importance of intuition, transformation, and the powerful energy of the full moon for manifesting change and engaging in magical practices.

The Sun

The Sun card represents success, security, and happiness, reflecting joy in material and physical well-being. Its energy brings prosperity and satisfaction through well-executed efforts. Even in a reversed position, it encourages hard work to achieve one's goals. It symbolizes support, self-expression, and positive achievements.

Judgement

The Harvest card symbolizes reaping the rewards of past efforts and the feeling of renewal. It shows that collaboration with nature and hard work lead to abundant fruits. This card encourages reevaluation of past decisions and the potential for rebirth and transformation. The energy of renewal flows through insights and realizations.

The World

The World Tree card symbolizes the joy of achievements and successful efforts, marking the end of one cycle and the beginning of another. It signifies fulfillment, integration, and the realization of goals, while also highlighting the cyclic nature of life. The card carries a message of hope and optimism in the face of inevitable changes.

Wands

Ace of Wands

The Ace of Wands signifies powerful energy for a new career, creative endeavors, and success in work. It represents the element of fire, encompassing solar energy, creativity, growth, and enthusiasm. The card urges action, ingenuity, and the pursuit of new opportunities, while also indicating physical energy and passion needed for new beginnings.

Two of Wands

The Two of Wands indicates the beginning of a new venture with promising prospects. It involves anticipation and interim uncertainty before profits materialize, requiring ambition, talent, and determination to achieve success. Symbolically, it represents planning, creative energy, and readiness for new endeavors.

Three of Wands

The Three of Wands represents receiving more than expected in a career or business endeavor. Harmonious collaboration ensures success and good profit. The card emphasizes planning, teamwork, and the importance of practical skills and knowledge. Even in investments, the expertise of others is crucial for success.

Four of Wands

The Four of Wands signifies a triumphant conclusion to career, work, or creative endeavors. It is a time to take joy in the results of one’s labor, often celebrated with loved ones through events like weddings or gatherings. This card embodies a sense of order, pleasure from work, and the end of a period of hard labor. It also points to romantic relationships, career advancements, and a foundation for stability.

Five of Wands

The Five of Wands card signifies the need for organization and teamwork in creative or work endeavors. It highlights the initial stages of a group project where roles and expectations are being understood. The card also suggests potential changes and conflicts that could arise within the team, requiring leadership and cooperation to overcome challenges and achieve goals.

Six of Wands

The Six of Wands signifies career achievements and public recognition. It indicates potential rewards such as awards, promotions, or financial gains reflecting acknowledgment of hard work. The card also highlights overcoming significant challenges to attain success and respect.

Seven of Wands

The Seven of Wands represents the ability to face and respond to challenges in careers or creativity. It suggests maintaining one's principles amidst obstacles, showcasing inventive approaches, and ultimately achieving one's goals. The card emphasizes courage, self-confidence, and resilience in defending one's position and ideas.

Eight of Wands

The Eight of Wands is a card of swift news related to career, rapid progress, unexpected breakthroughs, and quick problem resolutions. It symbolizes a period of increased activity and optimism for the future, warning against rash decisions that don't provide long-term benefits.

Nine of Wands

The Nine of Wands signifies protection in the workplace, even when the querent doubts it. It highlights a defensive position and readiness to overcome challenges due to past difficulties. The card suggests a strong foundation built on skills and energy, a readiness to take responsibility, and potential career growth amidst cautious interactions with colleagues.

Ten of Wands

The Ten of Wands represents bearing a heavy burden and the pride of achieving a goal. It suggests the necessity of delegating responsibilities and highlights determination in reaching objectives. There are pressures associated with work and potential negative consequences on performance evaluations.

Page of Wands

The Page of Wands represents restless career activities and exploring new territories. It suggests the potential for new responsibilities and preparation for future changes. The card signifies the reception of important news and the desire to express oneself creatively. It encourages long-term planning, ambition, and resourcefulness.

Knight of Wands

The Knight of Wands indicates a new career beginning full of energy and enthusiasm. It speaks of optimistic and confident development of talents and creative skills. The card also suggests the likelihood of a journey or relocation in pursuit of ambitious goals. Overall, it points to career and creative opportunities that are about to emerge.

Queen of Wands

The Queen of Wands is a card of practicality and energy. It calls for eliminating negativity to not obstruct work, creativity, and personal relationships. Representing kindness, reliability, and loyalty coupled with self-confidence and a composed demeanor, it conveys optimism and a creative approach in life. This card also denotes a supportive friend and a person with a vivid imagination and sharp intellect.

King of Wands

The King of Wands represents a wise mentor or advisor, often a respected leader or professional in scientific, academic, or medical fields. This individual has good intentions, wishing to share knowledge for the benefit of others. The card suggests that professional collaboration will lead to optimal results and encourages sincerity and confidence in presenting ideas.

Cups

Ace of Cups

The Ace of Cups signifies love, joy, happiness, and prosperity. It represents emotional fulfillment and positive energy. This card indicates productivity, the realization of desires, and may point to fertility or pregnancy. It also highlights the importance of intuition and warns against exaggerated emotional displays.

Two of Cups

The Two of Cups represents pleasant companionship, love, partnership, and harmonious relationships. It signifies mutual understanding, emotional balance, and sometimes a pleasant surprise or reconciliation. This card highlights trust, reliability, harmony, and shared creative ideas.

Three of Cups

The Three of Cups is a card of celebration and joyful occasions, symbolizing unity and good relationships. It predicts recovery from illness, success, and happy news, often associated with significant events such as weddings or births. The card brings a message of optimism and the resolution of conflicts.

Four of Cups

The Four of Cups signifies dissatisfaction despite success. This card often indicates a yearning for something more, driven by a sense that everything is too perfect. It suggests the need for reassessment and the possibility of greater fulfillment through effort. It also signifies the importance of introspection and the desire for new emotional expressions.

Five of Cups

The Five of Cups represents lingering emotional wounds, disappointments, and sorrows. It's time to let go of the past and embrace the present with hope and optimism. Focus should shift from emotional losses to recognizing the support and advantages still present. The card often signifies temporary suffering, heralding future hope and better prospects.

Six of Cups

The Six of Cups represents nostalgia and pleasant memories. It signifies possible reunions with past connections and the desire to relive enjoyable moments, either personally or through one's children. While this card can bring warmth and joy, it may also result in disappointment if the past is not embraced with enthusiasm in the present. Ultimately, it encourages balancing fond memories with the realities of the present.

Seven of Cups

The Seven of Cups highlights a plethora of choices available to an individual, cautioning against illusions and the influence of others. It advises a careful examination of options, guided by intuition and intellect, to make a decision rooted in reality. This card signifies the importance of finding the true path amidst tempting but potentially misleading alternatives.

Eight of Cups

The Eight of Cups describes scenarios of leaving familiar surroundings and people. It signifies a pivotal moment in life that often involves a journey for personal or professional growth, transitioning to a higher level, or seeking emotional fulfillment in new settings. It advocates for recognizing lessons learned, letting go of futile efforts, and moving forward.

Nine of Cups

The Nine of Cups is a card of wish fulfillment, indicating that dreams will become reality and bring happiness. It suggests trusting intuition and manifests desires. This card signals good health, success, and improving situations. When reversed, it represents poor choices and selfish desires.

Ten of Cups

The Ten of Cups represents familial happiness, love, and abundance. It signifies emotional fulfillment and stability shared with loved ones, as well as a meaningful and purposeful life. It emphasizes social recognition, a stable social position, and a good reputation. Overall, this card is about sustained happiness based on spiritual values and strong family connections.

Page of Cups

The Page of Cups indicates creative talent and the desire to find the best way to utilize it. It suggests inspiration and artistic, musical, literary, or psychic pursuits. The card may reflect the beginning of new relationships or new phases in existing ones and offers the promise of new social connections and opportunities for growth and creative expression.

Knight of Cups

The Knight of Cups signifies proposals, invitations, social interactions, and new contacts. It often represents creative or romantic proposals, pleasant events, and the potential for social advancement. Conversely, it warns of insincerity, manipulation, and emotional instability.

Queen of Cups

The Queen of Cups represents a person of high empathy and sensitivity, deeply attuned to the emotional currents around them. They may become energetically drained by constantly providing support and risk being taken advantage of. This card advises maintaining boundaries and being cautious with personal information. It highlights themes of emotional care, sensitivity, and the need for self-protection.

King of Cups

The King of Cups represents competence, professional advice, and confidence built through success. This card can reflect scientific work, interest in the arts, and beneficial social interactions. It warns against misuse during networking opportunities, as this could hinder taking full advantage of the situation.

Swords

Ace of Swords

The Ace of Swords signifies victory, determination, and the use of intellect to overcome obstacles. It suggests clarity of thought and careful planning for triumphant achievements. The card also touches on physical strength and successful health outcomes.

Two of Swords

The Two of Swords represents negotiations, compromises, and mutual concessions. It highlights the importance of diplomacy, patience, and making vital decisions for the greater good. Hidden tensions may underlie apparent calm, indicating the need for tactical communications to resolve issues and maintain harmony.

Three of Swords

The Three of Swords calls for detachment from painful choices, requiring personal decisions and acceptance. It symbolizes the courage needed to take action and the importance of not stressing over made decisions. This card frequently appears for people facing significant transitions, such as leaving home or moving to a new place.

Four of Swords

The Four of Swords signifies a period of rest and recuperation. It suggests a pause from life's stresses, a moment to gather energy and collect one's thoughts. It encourages stepping back to evaluate situations calmly and prepare for future actions. This card underscores the importance of taking a break for physical or mental recovery.

Five of Swords

This card signifies a struggle or conflict dealing with self-worth, pride, or adjusting to new ideas. It suggests overcoming anxiety, reevaluating priorities, and asserting oneself despite opposition. It's about facing limitations and standing firm on one's beliefs to succeed.

Six of Swords

The Six of Swords signifies stable progress and the realization that tough times are passing. It's a card of moving towards calmer waters, leaving behind worries and troubles. The card suggests successful journeys and relief from past conflicts, bringing hope for a better future.

Seven of Swords

The Seven of Swords signifies the importance of careful planning and strategic thinking to achieve success despite obstacles. It represents the use of intelligence, self-confidence, and tactful diplomacy. The card emphasizes that cleverness and creativity can help overcome challenges and outwit opponents.

Eight of Swords

The Eight of Swords indicates a period of indecision or confusion where action is not recommended. You should gather more information and wait for clarity to emerge. The card advises patience and attention to detail, signifying that the right path will become clear eventually.

Nine of Swords

The Nine of Swords represents stress, unnecessary worries, and unfounded fears. It advises relaxation and distinguishing real problems from imagined ones. Overcoming fears through positive action is emphasized.

Ten of Swords

This card signifies the end of hardships and suggests it's time to move on from past sorrows. It encourages letting go of painful memories, recognizing the lessons learned, and embracing a new stage of life with wisdom and courage.

Page of Swords

The Page of Swords signifies a diligent student eager to test their acquired knowledge. This card speaks of utilizing linguistic talents and assertiveness. It marks the beginning of independent thinking, which may develop into audacity and presumptuousness. It emphasizes the importance of vigilance and quick learning, especially in competitive situations.

Knight of Swords

The Knight of Swords represents swift and decisive actions, possibly taken in an aggressive manner. It emphasizes the need for careful thought before acting to avoid reckless decisions driven by enthusiasm for new ventures. The card reflects a smart, energetic, brave, and goal-oriented individual capable of achieving success quickly and decisively, but warns against impulsiveness and impatience.

Queen of Swords

The Queen of Swords represents a person with an analytical, clear-sighted, and insightful mind, who plans meticulously and prefers order. Intelligence and independence can lead to isolation and indicate self-reliant endeavors. It emphasizes the importance of balance to not lose the main idea among details and suggests appreciating nature's beauty while maintaining emotional control.

King of Swords

This card represents dealing with legal matters, official documents, and authoritative actions. It emphasizes intelligence, creativity, and professionalism but warns against tyranny and authoritarianism. Success relies on innovation, strategic planning, and controlled emotions.

Pentacles

Ace of Pentacles

The Ace of Pentacles is a card of prosperity in the material world. It signifies commercial success, financial achievements, physical well-being, and steady income. It also symbolizes efforts and productivity that bring fruitful results and spiritual well-being.

Two of Pentacles

The Two of Pentacles card signifies the ability to manage finances and acquire new skills simultaneously. It symbolizes adaptability, energy, and decisiveness in dealing with work or personal security matters. The card often points to combining jobs or training for career advancement. It underscores the importance of maintaining financial balance and readiness to face challenges.

Three of Pentacles

The Three of Pentacles represents mastery of a craft, recognition from mentors, colleagues, and potential employers. It signifies the transition from learning to applying skills in the workforce, contracts, official documents, and possible advancement or rewards. The card highlights the importance of acquired skills for respect, prestige, and adequate compensation.

Four of Pentacles

The Four of Pentacles reflects concerns with financial and domestic security. It emphasizes a cautious approach to friendships and social contacts, financial conservatism, and control over personal access. The card often signifies a person who is reserved and prudent, striving to maintain their material gains.

Five of Pentacles

The Five of Pentacles represents poverty, loneliness, and isolation, contrasted with widespread prosperity. It suggests unforeseen expenses and financial worries, requiring caution and preparedness. This card warns of potential hardships and advises prudence in financial matters. However, these challenges are temporary and will eventually pass.

Six of Pentacles

The Six of Pentacles symbolizes generosity and the distribution of resources to those who deserve them. It addresses personal donations, increases in salary, bonuses, or promotions. This card can indicate charitable donations or small gifts for special occasions, suggesting that kindness is crucial in difficult times. In reverse, it can indicate debt, greed, and materialism.

Seven of Pentacles

The Seven of Pentacles signifies the steady development of a long-term project requiring continued hard work without distraction. It warns against impatience and shortcuts, as these can negatively impact the final outcome. Success is achieved through thoughtful, persistent effort.

Eight of Pentacles

The Eight of Pentacles signifies a deep love for one's job with long-term goals including retirement benefits. It emphasizes the joy of using one's skills and talents at work, showing a dedication to detail and the ability to make careful decisions. This card suggests that hard work and craftsmanship can lead to commercial profit and rewards. It also highlights the importance of individual skills and the desire for a fulfilling career and comfortable retirement.

Nine of Pentacles

The Nine of Pentacles represents joy, satisfaction from life's efforts, and high self-esteem. It indicates financial security, comfort, and the ability to provide a good life. This card also highlights wisdom, prudent use of talents, and a sense of self-sufficiency. In reverse, it signifies dissatisfaction, insecurity, and fear of loss.

Ten of Pentacles

The Ten of Pentacles represents prosperity and family happiness. It highlights emotional and financial security provided by family support, and reflects family heritage, traditions, and the transfer of wealth. The card also indicates accumulated wealth providing stability, favorable investments, and familial satisfaction. In reverse, it signifies destruction, family disputes, and inheritance issues.

Page of Pentacles

The Page of Pentacles indicates the beginning of practical learning or training that can lead to a profitable career. It emphasizes transforming interest into a profession through diligence and enthusiasm. This card often signifies the development of new skills, financial independence, and educational pursuits. It may also represent children, new studies, and applying acquired knowledge.

Knight of Pentacles

The Knight of Pentacles signifies new career ventures or opportunities with energy and enthusiasm for new projects or work. It marks progress from an apprentice to a master level and represents capable, reliable, and methodical individuals. The card also symbolizes steadiness, diligence, and self-reliance.

Queen of Pentacles

The Queen of Pentacles indicates the manifestation of financial plans and security, offering a sense of peace and stability. It represents practical goals, independence, and wise management of resources. This card encourages planning and realizing financial goals with calm wisdom, aiming for prosperity and self-sufficiency.

King of Pentacles

The King of Pentacles signifies economic power and the ability to achieve ambitions. It denotes a person with business talent, consulting interest, and practical wisdom aimed at substantial profit. The card represents a responsible leader or manager who combines creative approaches with social responsibility, ensuring clear goals and well-thought-out plans.

Reading Tips for The Green Witch Tarot

Ann Moura designed this deck for practitioners whose spiritual life is rooted in the natural world, and reading it rewards those who bring that connection to every session.

Work with the seasons. The Wheel of the Year is not just a card — it is the organizing principle of the entire deck. Pay attention to where you are in the seasonal cycle when you draw cards. A card pulled during Beltane may speak differently than the same card drawn at Samhain. Let the turning year inform your readings.

Notice the plant and animal correspondences. Every card in this deck carries herbal, botanical, and animal symbolism specific to green witchcraft. If wormwood appears, consider its associations with protection and new beginnings. If a raven circles the Horned God, think about messages, guardianship, and cycles of growth. The more you know about the natural world, the deeper your readings become.

Honor the renamed archetypes. The Green Man is not simply The Fool wearing leaves. The Lord of Shadows is not Death with a different face. Ann Moura chose these names deliberately to align each card with the cosmology of green witchcraft. Read the cards through her framework rather than defaulting to generic tarot meanings — the deck rewards practitioners who engage with its specific tradition.

Let the earth ground your readings. Before pulling cards, step outside if you can. Touch soil, smell herbs, listen to wind. This deck was created by someone who lives her practice, and it responds to readers who do the same. The more connected you are to the natural world, the more clearly The Green Witch Tarot speaks.