Modern Witch Tarot: All 78 Card Meanings Explained

The Modern Witch Tarot by Lisa Sterle is one of the most iconic contemporary tarot decks to emerge in recent years. With bold, comic-book-inspired illustrations featuring diverse women navigating modern life, it takes the classic Rider-Waite-Smith blueprint and drops it straight into the 21st century. Selfies replace traditional poses, city skylines stand in for pastoral landscapes, and every card feels like a page from a graphic novel you can’t put down.

Whether you just unboxed this deck or you’ve been reading with it for years, this guide breaks down the meaning of every single card — all 22 Major Arcana and 56 Minor Arcana — so you can read with confidence and depth.

How the Deck Is Organized

The Modern Witch Tarot follows the standard 78-card structure:

• Major Arcana (0–XXI): 22 cards tracing the Fool’s Journey from innocent leaps of faith through worldly completion
• Wands: Fire energy — passion, ambition, creativity, drive
• Cups: Water energy — emotions, relationships, intuition, the heart
• Swords: Air energy — thought, conflict, truth, mental clarity
• Pentacles: Earth energy — money, work, health, material reality

Lisa Sterle follows the Rider-Waite-Smith tradition faithfully, which means any standard tarot reference works alongside this deck. The difference is entirely visual: her characters are modern, diverse, and unapologetically themselves.

Major Arcana

The Fool

The Fool signifies the beginning of an adventure, filled with optimism and a carefree attitude towards the future. It embodies passion, spontaneity, and trust in one's instincts, encouraging a leap of faith and freedom from the constraints of structured society.

The Magician

The Magician tarot card signifies the manifestation of ambition into reality, encompassing the confidence, inspiration, and resources necessary for achieving goals. It represents a call to action and the use of intellect, emotional connections, and life experiences to bring dreams into tangible form. The Magician encourages self-belief and the initiation of creative endeavors.

The High Priestess

The High Priestess card symbolizes the pursuit of hidden knowledge, self-reflection, and the awakening of the unconscious. This card encourages a stillness and openness to the mysteries of life, suggesting that it might not be the time for decisive action but rather for introspection and seeking deeper understanding through various means like meditation and study.

The Empress

The Empress tarot card symbolizes a deep connection with our femininity. Femininity translates in many ways—elegance, sensuality, fertility, creative expression, nurturing—and is necessary for creating balance in both men and women. The Empress calls on you to connect with your feminine energy. Create beauty in your life and give to others freely and with love.

The Emperor

The Emperor represents authority, structure, and control, imposing order on chaos. This card emphasizes the importance of logic and reason, and the ability to take charge and enforce rules. It also warns against becoming too rigid or losing compassion in the pursuit of stability.

The Hierophant

The Hierophant signifies the pursuit of knowledge and education, urging us to learn from the past and others. She represents wise guidance, promising the unlocking of potential through study. This card suggests finding diverse communities to enrich learning and consider different perspectives, leading to personal growth and discovery of new pathways.

The Lovers

The Lovers card symbolizes deep connection and unity in love, highlighting the powerful merging of hearts, minds, and bodies. It signifies a paradise of respect and adoration with no barriers, where mutual support and trust amplify strengths. This card may also point to an important choice to be made in love, urging trust in one's heart and desires. It embodies the magic and fortune in love that inspires us to achieve the seemingly impossible.

The Chariot

The Chariot signifies taking control and harnessing one's own power to achieve victory. It symbolizes a battle-ready approach to challenges, using mental strength and confidence to persevere. With preparation and balance, victory is assured, emphasizing the need to act decisively and be assertive.

Strength

Strength symbolizes the need for resolve and willpower in facing challenges and internal struggles. It involves taming fears and emotions with grace and acceptance, acknowledging the importance of those parts of the self without letting them take control. The card encourages finding courage and compassion to integrate all aspects of oneself, which leads to true inner peace and the ability to manage difficult problems maturely.

The Hermit

The Hermit signifies the importance of solitude for personal development and self-care. It suggests taking a break from external distractions to focus within, using silence and meditation to explore inner consciousness. The card serves as a reminder that seeking guidance from others during this process is acceptable and that prioritizing mental well-being is essential.

Wheel of Fortune

The Wheel of Fortune represents life's constant motion, encompassing the cycles of good and bad times. It signifies change, cycles, and fate, with the symbols of Leo, Scorpio, Aquarius, and Taurus reflecting the elements and the alchemical nature of the universe. The card emphasizes the importance of riding out the highs and lows, acknowledging that neither the fortunate nor the difficult times will last forever.

Justice

Justice, depicted in a red robe-like coat holding a sword, symbolizes the weight of our choices and the pursuit of moral and ethical truths. She embodies the responsibility one must take for their actions and the importance of self-awareness, honesty, and fairness. This card implies there may be pressing issues or social responsibilities that require attention and rightful action.

The Hanged Man

The Hanged One symbolizes finding inner peace and relaxation after overcoming challenges. Represented by a figure hanging from the Tree of Life, this card encourages meditation, slowing down, and nurturing oneself. It emphasizes the importance of self-care, even if it might require sacrifices or seem strange to others, and letting go of external expectations to truly embrace one's individuality.

Death

The Death card symbolizes the inevitability of change and the end of something, leading to rebirth and transformation. It suggests the importance of letting go of past hurts or beliefs to embrace a new phase of life. The card portrays various reactions to death, from fear to acceptance, encapsulating the duality of death as both a dark and an integral part of life.

Temperance

The Temperance card represents the importance of balance and moderation in all aspects of one's life. This card suggests creating equilibrium between work and relaxation, order and chaos. A symbol of harmony, the card depicts an angel balancing elements with optimism, signifying the joy in balancing one's life with positivity.

The Devil

The Devil tarot card symbolizes the lure of materialism and the entrapment by one's own unhealthy habits and desires, such as the pursuit of money, power, and pleasure. It serves as a reminder of the consequences of letting these vices control one's actions, potentially leading to harm to oneself and to others.

The Tower

The Tower signifies a time of great turmoil and destruction. It suggests a cataclysmic change or upheaval, often unexpected and dramatic. Despite the pain it brings, such events can lead to personal transformation, growth, and the recognition of what's truly important in life.

The Star

The Star represents a transformative period from darkness to light, symbolizing peace, contentment, and rejuvenation. The card suggests freedom from burdens, a time for healing and inspiration, and an encouragement to dream big. The presence of the ibis signifies creativity and hope, emphasizing a period of serenity and the pouring out of life, energy, and love into the world.

The Moon

The Moon card suggests awakening your wild side and embracing the strange, untamed energies within. It emphasizes the importance of imagination, spontaneity, and trusting your instincts, while also cautioning about the dangers of venturing too far into the unknown, where ancient fears lie.

The Sun

The Sun represents a period of radiant joy, enlightenment, and new discoveries. Signifying the end of winter, it invites one to bask in the warmth of life, embrace new perspectives, and celebrate personal achievements with childlike wonder and optimism.

Judgement

The Judgement tarot card symbolizes a pivotal moment calling for change, self-assessment, and the pursuit of self-actualization. With the guidance of a benevolent angel, we are urged to make choices that enrich both ourselves and those around us. To become truly alive, one must respond to this call, not by judging others, but by evaluating oneself rigorously to foster important personal changes.

The World

The World signifies a successful completion of a journey or cycle, signifying ultimate fulfillment, unity, and harmony. It suggests a perfect balance of all elements, enlightenment, and a profound connection with oneself and the universe. The card encourages celebration of achievements and recognition of one's own magic and greatness.

Wands

Ace of Wands

The Ace of Wands symbolizes a spark of inspiration or a burst of creative, fiery energy within you, ready to be harnessed. It encourages you to embrace your passion, take initiative, and boldly embark on a new journey full of excitement and potential.

Two of Wands

The Two of Wands signifies a period of success and possession of considerable power, alongside the uncertainty of next steps. The individual is advised to maintain focus on their goals and not become distracted, even though they may feel the urge to question their next move.

Three of Wands

The Three of Wands represents solid planning and the readiness to put strategies into action. It indicates a period of hard work and preparation, with an emphasis on standing firm and the support of your abilities or resources represented by the wands.

Four of Wands

The Four of Wands signifies a time of joy and a break from stress, hinting at good times ahead. It encourages taking a break from hard work to indulge in fun and self-care.

Five of Wands

The Five of Wands symbolizes conflict, competition, and obstacles that individuals may face. It suggests a struggle that might be either a friendly rivalry or a more serious and exhausting battle, indicating persistent challenges that require defense and effort.

Six of Wands

The Six of Wands signifies a major victory and success, recognizing one's accomplishments with celebration and praise from admirers. It's a moment to savor triumph and allow oneself a boost in confidence.

Seven of Wands

The Seven of Wands signifies a situation where you've attained a level of success or status but are facing challenges from others as a result. Despite feelings of strength and willpower that have helped you achieve your position, you may encounter jealousy and competitive behavior aimed at shaking your confidence. The card encourages you to stand your ground and defend your accomplishments.

Eight of Wands

The Eight of Wands signifies the urgency to take action. It's a message to stop procrastinating and start moving quickly towards your goals. With the image of wands speeding across the sky, it urges one to rev the engine of their endeavors and embrace the swift pace of developments.

Nine of Wands

The Nine of Wands tarot card symbolizes preparation and defense. It suggests being ready for a battle, armed with courage and strength to protect one's achievements. The card implies a readiness to confront challenges without compromise.

Ten of Wands

The Ten of Wands symbolizes being overburdened, with the imagery of a person hunched over in pain from carrying a heavy load. It advises taking a closer look at one's time and energy management to prevent burnout and suggests that seeking support may be necessary.

Page of Wands

The Page of Wands symbolizes being full of new ideas and passions. There is a strong desire to experience and learn new things, with a sense of excitement about the possibilities. However, there may be a lack of maturity to see these passions through to completion. It suggests being in an experimental stage where exploration is key.

Knight of Wands

The Knight of Wands embodies an unstoppable force of action, passion, and confidence, encouraging boldness in seizing opportunities. However, it warns against acting too impulsively, as this may lead to unforeseen consequences.

Queen of Wands

The Queen of Wands represents a life brimming with energy, confidence, and action. When this card appears, it suggests a time of good fortune, creativity, and the ability to achieve your goals. The presence of the Queen signifies empowerment and the drive to succeed in whatever endeavor you undertake.

King of Wands

The King of Wands symbolizes a powerful leader who is filled with confidence and charisma, often seen as an inspiring role model or a respected boss. Being represented by this card can be a call to embrace your abilities and take a leading role with confidence, assuring you of your capabilities to handle responsibilities with fervor and talent.

Cups

Ace of Cups

The Ace of Cups symbolizes the beginning of love, overflowing emotions, and overwhelming happiness. It encourages one to be open and receptive to the love and new experiences that life offers.

Two of Cups

The Two of Cups indicates the presence or imminent arrival of a deeply fulfilling connection with someone in your life. This relationship is full of joy and love, making time spent together feel celebratory. It encourages you to embrace this love, enjoy their company, and allow this bond to enrich your life.

Three of Cups

The Three of Cups is a card of celebration, friendship, and joy. It signifies a time of raising glasses in cheer due to an accomplishment or simply an appreciation of strong bonds with friends. It indicates that either the querent or someone close to them has achieved something noteworthy, warranting a shared festive moment.

Four of Cups

The Four of Cups represents feelings of discontent, cynicism, and negativity. It warns against wallowing in self-pity and emphasizes the importance of adopting a positive outlook, suggesting that saying yes to opportunities can lead to a realization of the support and beauty that life offers.

Five of Cups

The Five of Cups signifies a period of mourning and despair over a significant loss. It may relate to the end of a relationship, job, or the destruction of one's vision of an ideal future. This card allows for the acknowledgment of sadness, emphasizing that it is a part of the healing process and suggesting that hope and love will return in time.

Six of Cups

The Six of Cups suggests a phase of kindness, compassion, and nurturing within personal connections, possibly with family and friends. It also touches upon nostalgic feelings, potentially pointing to unresolved childhood memories that require attention and self-compassion.

Seven of Cups

The Seven of Cups symbolizes an abundance of desires, ranging from love and spiritual wisdom to money, success, and power. However, it warns of becoming trapped in unrealistic fantasies. It advises grounding oneself and undertaking the necessary hard work to realize one's dreams healthily and realistically.

Eight of Cups

The Eight of Cups signifies the challenging decision to leave behind a situation that is no longer serving one's emotional needs. It acknowledges the difficulty in walking away from something into which a lot of love and effort has been invested. The card encourages wisdom in recognizing when to let go, learn, and move forward for personal growth.

Nine of Cups

The Nine of Cups represents the themes of self-indulgence, rewards, and self-love. It encourages celebrating your achievements and successes by treating yourself to a reward. It's a sign to enjoy the fruits of your labor and to show gratitude towards yourself through acts of self-care and pleasure.

Ten of Cups

The Ten of Cups denotes a period of emotional fulfillment and bliss in family and relationships. It signifies a harmonious home life, the end of a rough phase, and the enjoyment of quality time with loved ones under the auspices of peace and balance.

Page of Cups

The Page of Cups signifies the arrival of an unexpected emotional encounter or inspiration. It suggests being open to new experiences that evoke strong feelings, whether they are creative inspirations or new friendships, and advises embracing the emotional journey ahead.

Knight of Cups

The Knight of Cups represents a charismatic and charming individual who captivates those around him, yet is primarily focused on his own emotional pursuits. His quest for new experiences in love and passion suggests transient relationships. If you identify with this Knight, it may be time to focus on deepening current connections instead of seeking new emotional highs.

Queen of Cups

The Queen of Cups represents a figure deeply attuned to the emotional realm and the unconscious, reflecting empathy and creativity. This card signifies an intuitive guide, encouraging trust in one’s feelings and instincts, especially in creative pursuits. Possessing a therapeutic presence, this queen can sometimes seem ungrounded due to her deep connection with the inner worlds.

King of Cups

The King of Cups represents calmness, overflowing love, and compassion. This card signifies emotional stability and the warmth of a person who provides comfort and acceptance. In relationships, it symbolizes a deep connection where both parties can be vulnerable and feel cherished.

Swords

Ace of Swords

The Ace of Swords symbolizes a sudden rush of clarity and inspiration at the beginning of a journey. It suggests that one's thoughts may be racing towards a revelation, indicating the start of a challenging path that will require sharp wits and reason to navigate successfully.

Two of Swords

The Two of Swords suggests that you have put up defenses and are refusing to face a difficult situation. You might be shutting off emotions or overanalyzing things without resolution. It's a call to remove the blindfold and confront the issue directly and honestly.

Three of Swords

The Three of Swords symbolizes deep emotional pain, betrayal, and heartbreak. It represents a period of grief caused by someone close. The card encourages acknowledging the pain instead of repressing it. It also suggests reflecting on one's own actions to ensure one is not inflicting similar pain on others.

Four of Swords

The Four of Swords indicates a period of rest and recovery after a time of challenge. It emphasizes the need for self-care and a break from life's battles. It's an encouragement to recharge through relaxation, meditation, or sleep, recognizing that time spent on personal well-being is necessary.

Five of Swords

The Five of Swords indicates that you are feeling a strong sense of determination, anger, or frustration and are ready to confront a challenging situation. While you are likely to win the conflict, there may be unexpected repercussions. It's advised to pause and contemplate the long-term effects before taking action that may lead to regret.

Six of Swords

The Six of Swords signifies a challenging decision ahead that is necessary for progress. Despite the emotional turmoil, logical reasoning should guide you towards making a pivotal and difficult choice. Steady yourself as you navigate through the tough times towards the unknown.

Seven of Swords

The Seven of Swords suggests that a situation may require you to be less than completely transparent, possibly keeping secrets or telling a white lie, to navigate through a challenging situation safely. It prompts caution, advising that this deceit should not harm you or others and should only be used if it's the best course of action.

Eight of Swords

The EIGHT OF SWORDS signifies a situation where one feels trapped and helpless, unable to take action due to perceived difficulties. However, the card suggests that the restraints are not as tight as they seem and can be overcome with a bit of struggle. It is a reminder not to surrender to negative thoughts and to use one's skills to escape from the difficult situation.

Nine of Swords

The Nine of Swords signifies a time filled with anxiety, despair, and an overpowering sense of doom. It reflects sleepless nights and the tendency to exaggerate problems. The card advises seeking support and expressing one's fears as a way to cope and provides a reminder to remain hopeful and look forward to the future.

Ten of Swords

The Ten of Swords represents a situation that is soul-crushing and may give the impression that your world is ending. It suggests a profound struggle where every move is painful, yet it offers hope in the idea that the pain will pass and you will emerge stronger having endured it.

Page of Swords

The Page of Swords signifies an individual with boundless energy and a relentless drive for action. This card is emblematic of youthful idealism, exuberance, and the tendency to engage in numerous activities. It also encourages embracing one's innovative plans and seeking supporters who appreciate these sometimes radical ideas.

Knight of Swords

The Knight of Swords represents the arrival of a confident and fervent energy. This card is characterized by impulsiveness, a lack of compassion, and an imbalance due to overconfidence and an avoidance of vulnerability, which can lead to poor preparation for future challenges.

Queen of Swords

The Queen of Swords represents unflinching perception and the ability to discern the truth quickly. While she may appear blunt and brutally honest, she retains compassion and a sense of humor. She understands the full breadth of a situation and advises setting emotions aside to view things with clarity and honesty.

King of Swords

The King of Swords symbolizes intellect, truth, and moral integrity. This card represents a wise figure of authority who prioritizes knowledge, justice, and fairness in decision-making. As a leader, the King may sometimes lack softness and compassion, focusing instead on efficient problem-solving and leadership.

Pentacles

Ace of Pentacles

The Ace of Pentacles represents the presence of new opportunities and promises around you. It encourages engagement with the world through sensual experiences such as riding a bike, taking a bath, making tea, or gardening, emphasizing the importance of living fully and inviting positivity into your life.

Two of Pentacles

The Two of Pentacles symbolizes the dynamic and graceful handling of life's everyday challenges. It suggests that one is in harmony with life's rhythms, making decisions with ease as if performing a well-orchestrated dance. Success is attributed to the ability to be adaptable and flexible.

Three of Pentacles

The Three of Pentacles symbolizes the positive outcomes of commitment, hard work, and talent in learning or career ventures. It suggests that dedication is being noticed by superiors and a reward is forthcoming, affirming the individual is on the path to achieving their goals.

Four of Pentacles

The Four of Pentacles suggests a focus on financial security and stability. However, it warns of the stress that arises from clinging too tightly to material possessions and wealth. It advises loosening control over financial matters in order to find happiness and reduce anxiety.

Five of Pentacles

The Five of Pentacles suggests a time of hardship and insecurity, emphasizing the need to seek help and support. It suggests that despite feelings of isolation or abandonment, there is assistance available through loved ones or the community, offering emotional support to endure difficult times.

Six of Pentacles

The Six of Pentacles highlights financial balance, generosity, and wealth. A period of good luck and new-found wealth may be indicated, suggesting a call to generosity, with caution against bad spending habits. For those struggling, there's a message of impending financial assistance—yet, one is advised to spend it wisely and maintain a healthy attitude towards money.

Seven of Pentacles

The Seven of Pentacles symbolizes a break and contemplation period, emphasizing the importance of stepping back from a project for rest and gaining a new perspective. It's relevant whether progress is smooth and nearing fruition, or if there's uncertainty about the next steps to take.

Eight of Pentacles

The Eight of Pentacles symbolizes the importance of hard work and diligence. It is a call to focus on important tasks, projects, or improvements in your situation. The dedication to the task may be challenging, but the sense of pride and accomplishment after completion promises to be rewarding.

Nine of Pentacles

The Nine of Pentacles signifies a period of comfort, leisure, and prosperity. After making intelligent choices and effectively managing resources, you are now in a position to savor the rewards of your hard work. It is time to indulge and treat yourself to luxury as a result of your dedication. Enjoy this moment of stability and achievement.

Ten of Pentacles

The Ten of Pentacles signifies a period where everything in life aligns perfectly, especially in areas concerning financial stability and domestic bliss. Stress over monetary issues fades as the hard work put into creating a stable environment pays off. The presence of love and comfort in the home suggests a peaceful state that should be welcomed and embraced.

Page of Pentacles

The Page of Pentacles symbolizes dedication, focus, and the drive to achieve one's goals. Despite potential youth or inexperience, this card suggests talent and potential for significant achievement. It encourages taking concrete steps towards realizing dreams and aspirations.

Knight of Pentacles

The Knight of Pentacles symbolizes dedication, diligence, and a strong work ethic. This card reflects the perseverance required to achieve success through hard work and attention to detail. It encourages you to toil away diligently, with the promise of fulfillment and satisfaction derived from the process.

Queen of Pentacles

The Queen of Pentacles symbolizes a life of abundance, stability, and joy. She represents nurturing, generosity, and the creation of a loving sanctuary. She encourages those who identify with her to embrace kindness and care for others through simple, nurturing acts.

King of Pentacles

The King of Pentacles signifies wealth, material success, and generosity. This card suggests that having achieved much, the King remains benevolent and willing to assist others in their success. It encourages the sharing of resources, wisdom, and skills to help others, implying fulfillment from such acts.

Tips for Reading with the Modern Witch Tarot

Lean Into the Modern Imagery

Don’t ignore the contemporary details Sterle wove into every card. If a character is scrolling a phone, taking a selfie, or standing on a rooftop — those details are part of the message. This deck rewards readers who engage with the art as much as the traditional meaning.

Pair It with Any RWS Guide

Because the Modern Witch Tarot follows Rider-Waite-Smith structure so faithfully, any classic tarot book works as a companion. If you’re a beginner, grab a standard guidebook and use it alongside the deck — the modern images will make the old meanings click instantly.

Let the Diversity Speak

One of this deck’s greatest strengths is its inclusive representation. When a court card or figure shows up in your reading, notice who they are — their energy, their presence, the way they carry themselves. Sterle’s characters feel like people you actually know, which makes readings deeply personal.

Trust Your First Reaction

The comic-book art style creates immediate emotional responses. That gut feeling when you flip a card? Trust it. The Modern Witch Tarot was designed to be instinctive. Your first reaction is usually right.

Explore the Modern Witch Tarot in Elvi

You can read with the complete Modern Witch Tarot inside the Elvi Tarot app on Telegram. Every card comes with detailed meanings and personalized AI interpretations tailored to your specific question. Whether you’re pulling a daily card, exploring a Celtic Cross, or diving into a custom spread, Elvi walks you through each card’s energy with context that’s unique to your reading.

Try your first reading now — search for @ElviTarotBot on Telegram and choose the Modern Witch Tarot as your deck.