The Wild Unknown Tarot: All 78 Card Meanings Explained

The Wild Unknown Tarot: All 78 Card Meanings Explained

Some decks teach you tarot. The Wild Unknown Tarot teaches you to feel it.

Created by artist Kim Krans, this 78-card deck strips away the familiar human figures of traditional tarot and replaces them with animals, trees, landscapes, and raw geometric forms rendered in stark black ink with bursts of rainbow color. A small chick perches at the edge of a cliff for The Fool. A coiled snake radiates prismatic energy for The Magician. A lone tortoise carries the weight of ten heavy branches for the Ten of Wands. There are no smiling faces or medieval costumes here — only the primal language of the natural world, speaking truths that bypass the rational mind entirely.

Originally self-published in 2012 as a hand-drawn limited edition, The Wild Unknown became a grassroots phenomenon. Word spread through Instagram, tarot communities, and word of mouth until it became one of the best-selling indie tarot decks of all time, later picked up by HarperOne for wide distribution. Krans’s minimalist style launched a visual movement in modern tarot — dozens of decks have followed in its wake, but none have matched its raw, unfiltered power.

What makes this deck work is its refusal to explain too much. The imagery is sparse, evocative, and open. A card might show a single animal against a white background with a few bold lines of color — and that simplicity forces you to meet the card on intuitive ground. You cannot lean on memorized symbolism when there is no robed figure holding a familiar prop. You must feel your way in. That is the deck’s genius, and it is why readers who connect with The Wild Unknown tend to bond with it deeply.

How the Deck Is Organized

The Wild Unknown Tarot follows the traditional 78-card structure with a few distinctive choices:

  • Major Arcana (0–XXI): The 22 archetypal cards of the soul’s journey — depicted through animals and natural forces rather than human figures. Notably, this deck places Justice at VIII and Strength at XI, following the older Marseille ordering.
  • Wands: The suit of fire. Depicted as branches and twigs — sometimes budding, sometimes burning, sometimes tangled. Passion, creativity, willpower, and growth.
  • Cups: The suit of water. Shown as vessels, pools, and flowing water inhabited by creatures of emotion and intuition. Love, relationships, dreams, and the inner world.
  • Swords: The suit of air. Rendered as sharp, angular forms — blades, feathers, and piercing lines. Thought, conflict, truth, and mental clarity.
  • Pentacles: The suit of earth. Circular forms like coins, seeds, nests, and webs. Material reality, work, health, and the slow rewards of patience.

The court cards carry unique titles: Daughter (Page), Son (Knight), Mother (Queen), and Father (King) — connecting each card to the family structure of the natural world rather than medieval hierarchy.

Major Arcana

The Fool

The Fool — The Wild Unknown Tarot

The Fool symbolizes the beginning of a journey, characterized by spontaneity, innocence, and a leap into the unknown. It represents a part of you that is excited, naive, and inexperienced, ready to leave the comfort of the familiar behind. Despite potential doubts from others and the risk of failure, this card encourages embracing your path and the steps you are taking.

The Magician

The Magician — The Wild Unknown Tarot

The Magician signifies boundless energy and action. It implores you to harness the speed, grace, and abilities of a wild leopard, encouraging you not to hesitate in beginning your endeavors. With the power of all four elements at your disposal, it is time to utilize them.

The High Priestess

The High Priestess — The Wild Unknown Tarot

The High Priestess embodies mystery, spiritual wisdom, and the power of intuition. She sits still, able to access realms unnoticed by others, such as the enormous world of dreams and secrets. She utilizes silence and inaction to harness this power. This card might appear as a reminder to listen more closely to one's inner voice and to look beyond what is immediately visible, seeking what is hidden or kept secret in the situation.

The Empress

The Empress — The Wild Unknown Tarot

The Empress symbolizes creation, nature, and is considered the progenitor or goddess of Tarot. Her energy encompasses everything warm, fertile, creative, and sensual in the world. Her strength comes from her gentleness, compassion, and unconditional love. The appearance of this card suggests focusing on maternal relationships in life or nurturing one's capacity to love more. It also indicates a need to connect with nature, suggesting going outside at night to find the moon.

The Emperor

The Emperor — The Wild Unknown Tarot

The Emperor card symbolizes protection, stability, and a founding nature. It represents the decisive, resilient part of oneself that safeguards and brings clarity of mind, leading to action or resolution. It can also denote paternal relationships or suggest reuniting with one's inner strength and sense of direction, empowered by the sun's energy to foresee and plan.

The Hierophant

The Hierophant — The Wild Unknown Tarot

The Hierophant represents a mentor or teacher guiding one towards practical or spiritual knowledge. The card signifies a thirst for knowledge and suggests the need for expanding one's skills through courses or workshops. It encourages embracing new experiences and indicates that an important teacher will soon enter one's life.

The Lovers

The Lovers — The Wild Unknown Tarot

The Lovers card symbolizes a union marked by desire and joy, suggesting the emergence of beautiful and strong relationships. It speaks to the romance and thrilling desires one experiences, alongside the commitment to building a solid partnership. This card is a sign of respect and adoration between partners, indicating that together, they can overcome anything. For those already in a relationship, it's a reminder to cherish and be grateful for this rare and exquisite treasure.

The Chariot

The Chariot — The Wild Unknown Tarot

The Chariot signifies your confidence, willpower, and inner strength. It symbolizes moments of achievement and triumph in your life, encouraging you to connect with this aspect of yourself. By focusing on and visualizing the Chariot within, you can harness its power to achieve your dreams with determination and a resolute step.

Strength

Strength — The Wild Unknown Tarot

The Justice card deals with decisions and karma. It symbolizes the challenge and weight of making choices, underscoring the importance of divine balance and the impact of our decisions on our present and future.

The Hermit

The Hermit — The Wild Unknown Tarot

The Hermit signifies solitude, meditation, and the importance of self-discovery. In the Tarot world, hermits are highly valued for bringing wisdom through meditation and quietude. When this card appears, it's time to withdraw from daily activities to focus on the internal self, encouraging the practice of meditation and time spent alone to ignite one's inner fire that will brightly shine for all to see.

Wheel of Fortune

Wheel of Fortune — The Wild Unknown Tarot

The Wheel of Fortune signifies destiny and the ever-changing direction of life. It symbolizes the constant movement of the wheel of destiny, be it day or night, reminding us that change is inevitable. While these changes might be unexpected, they invariably guide us closer to our life's purpose.

Justice

Justice — The Wild Unknown Tarot

The Strength tarot card symbolizes the power of inner strength and compassion over brute force. It teaches the importance of patience, restraint, and self-control. The lion represents our most resilient and composed side, highlighting that true courage and strength come from within.

The Hanged Man

The Hanged Man — The Wild Unknown Tarot

The Hanged Man represents the concept of sacrifice and the art of letting go. This card suggests that one might be facing a challenging or painful situation, requiring a sacrifice. It prompts the querent to adopt a stance of non-intervention, to calmly reassess their circumstances with an open mind, and to see things from a different perspective, emphasizing that there are no quick fixes.

Death

Death — The Wild Unknown Tarot

The Death tarot card signifies endings and transformation. Despite the initial fear or negativity it may evoke, the card suggests that something in your life needs to be concluded. Through this conclusion, even if involuntary, positive changes will follow after a period of grief and suffering.

Temperance

Temperance — The Wild Unknown Tarot

The Temperance card symbolizes healing, renewal, and the blend of opposing elements to achieve balance. It encourages moderation, restraint, cooperation, and compromise in one's life. In doing so, it brings about a sense of harmony and equilibrium.

The Devil

The Devil — The Wild Unknown Tarot

The Devil tarot card conveys a message of caution against addictions and negativity. It highlights dependencies, whether they relate to substance abuse or toxic relationships, and urges the individual to acknowledge and confront these to enable personal growth. The card emphasizes the importance of honesty and deliberate change to break free from the grips of the depicted vices.

The Tower

The Tower — The Wild Unknown Tarot

The Tower tarot card signifies unexpected upheaval and change. It represents moments when one's world seems to collapse without warning, leading to confusion and distress. However, it also implies that this challenging phase will eventually end, and in hindsight, one might feel gratitude and consider the experience a personal breakthrough.

The Star

The Star — The Wild Unknown Tarot

The Star tarot card symbolizes hope and tranquility. It represents the connection with the serene and hopeful part of yourself, capable of restoring light and positivity to your life. While it may not provide specific answers to life's many questions, its energy offers a sense of calm and renewal.

The Moon

The Moon — The Wild Unknown Tarot

The Moon card embodies the notion of the wild and unknown, representing a world of shadows where dreams, fears, and secrets are born. It warns of a potential period of anxiety and self-doubt if one is not careful, likening the experience to being lost in a hall of mirrors. The card also highlights the inner landscape explored by many great artists, where imagination and creativity flow freely under the cover of night.

The Sun

The Sun — The Wild Unknown Tarot

The Sun tarot card is a symbol of vitality, healing, and abundance. It invites you to bask in the warmth of its rays, suggesting that immersing yourself in sunlight can bring healing, energy, and a dissolution of pain and suffering. It represents a bounty of health and life energy, confidence, and clarity in all of one's endeavors.

Judgement

Judgement — The Wild Unknown Tarot

The Judgment card is commonly associated with feelings of guilt and fear. However, its true essence lies in the search for truth, urging a cessation of self-blame and justifications, inviting forgiveness and personal liberation. It encourages one to rise above pettiness, leave fears behind, and embrace a rebirth.

The World

The World — The Wild Unknown Tarot

The World card signifies completion, harmony, and satisfaction, marking the end of the journey through the Major Arcana. It invites self-reflection on life's completeness and encourages an inner exploration of one's sense of fulfillment, questioning what prevents this feeling on a daily basis.

Wands

Ace of Wands

Ace of Wands — The Wild Unknown Tarot

The Ace of Wands signifies a high energy level and surrounds you with growth and development. Your ideas are promising and expanding, while your creative abilities seem limitless. This period of abundance could also mean literal growth like pregnancy or a birth. However, despite the temptation to embark on this new journey, prudence is more necessary than ever. Decisions should not be made in haste.

Two of Wands

Two of Wands — The Wild Unknown Tarot

The Two of Wands symbolizes determination and a clear sense of direction towards success. It emphasizes the importance of concentration on goals and courageous efforts towards them, highlighting the vital role of consciousness and self-reflection, especially in evaluating one's thoughts and self-treatment on the journey to achieve one's deepest dreams.

Three of Wands

Three of Wands — The Wild Unknown Tarot

The Three of Wands symbolizes the support you have from those around you, such as family or close friends, which has helped shape your identity, morals, and values. It suggests that it's now time to rely on oneself, clarify personal goals, and set aside the opinions and desires of others to embrace the vast potential of your future, which only you can fully explore.

Four of Wands

Four of Wands — The Wild Unknown Tarot

The Four of Wands represents completion and celebration. This card signifies that after diligent and persistent work, the time to reap the rewards has come. It suggests a moment of joy, possibly marking a special event like graduation, wedding, or another kind of celebration, encouraging one to enjoy this exciting and favorable time with loved ones.

Five of Wands

Five of Wands — The Wild Unknown Tarot

The Five of Wands symbolizes conflict, bewilderment, and disorganization. It reflects a state of being scattered, with efforts not yielding meaningful results. This card is a warning to calm oneself and focus the mind to avoid escalating problems. It highlights that conflicts may originate from within and emphasizes the importance of internal alignment to achieve one's dreams and goals.

Six of Wands

Six of Wands — The Wild Unknown Tarot

The Six of Wands symbolizes victory, success, and elevation. Like a butterfly emerging from dark, tangled branches, this card symbolizes a rise in life and a coming success if it's not already being enjoyed. Overcome obstacles signify the past as the focus shifts to the potential and directions your newfound wings will carry you.

Seven of Wands

Seven of Wands — The Wild Unknown Tarot

The Seven of Wands signifies standing alone and relying solely on one's inner strength to overcome adversity. It emphasizes the importance of courage and defending one's beliefs, even in the face of doubt and fear. The card suggests a period where external support is absent, urging the need for self-reliance and determination.

Eight of Wands

Eight of Wands — The Wild Unknown Tarot

The Eight of Wands symbolizes sudden movement or change, representing news, changes, or the clarification of unresolved situations. It suggests the possibility of an unexpected reunion with an old friend or receiving news that can alter one's course. Sometimes, it literally signifies relocation or travel, indicating readiness for an upcoming journey.

Nine of Wands

Nine of Wands — The Wild Unknown Tarot

The Nine of Wands signifies approaching the journey's end, feeling weary, doubtful, and fearful. It encourages perseverance, recognizing one's progress, and making a final effort, promising that hard work will soon bear fruit.

Ten of Wands

Ten of Wands — The Wild Unknown Tarot

The Ten of Wands symbolizes burdens, obstacles, and difficulties. Encountering this card suggests facing psychological or real-life struggles that may lead to feelings of hopelessness and depression. It indicates being overwhelmed and unable to achieve your desires or see a way forward. The card advises against engaging with problematic situations or people, but frequent appearances might highlight a predisposition towards negativity and choosing challenging paths.

Page of Wands

Page of Wands — The Wild Unknown Tarot

The Daughter of Wands represents a free spirit and a genuinely mystical being. This card characterizes someone deeply immersed in a career and personal advancements who might delay familial and domestic commitments due to these pursuits. It symbolizes a person who, despite appearing mild, possesses strong determination and can be formidable when provoked. The card often represents a woman undergoing a significant transformation or spiritual breakthrough.

Knight of Wands

Knight of Wands — The Wild Unknown Tarot

The Son of Wands is depicted as a true charmer and a brave soul, often referred to as the 'white knight' of the Tarot. He is attractive and appears to say all the right things. However, a realization may dawn that he is not as familiar as one thought. In dealing with him, trusting one's instincts is advised, as his perceived perfection may be an illusion.

Queen of Wands

Queen of Wands — The Wild Unknown Tarot

The Mother of Wands represents a vibrant, protective, and domestic woman who puts her family first and often takes the lead at home. Despite her proud and resolute nature, she possesses enough kindness and tact to conceal her strong will. The card may also indicate a woman who has undergone significant pain or trauma. It’s advisable to avoid upsetting her when she's in a bad mood.

King of Wands

King of Wands — The Wild Unknown Tarot

The Father of Wands is a charismatic and mysterious man, naturally drawing others towards himself with his open and loving heart. He might be involved in the healing arts due to his deep empathy and connection with nature and life. He maintains composure and steadiness in conflict situations.

Cups

Ace of Cups

Ace of Cups — The Wild Unknown Tarot

The Ace of Cups symbolizes the beginning of new and thrilling phases in life, especially regarding love and relationships. You stand on the brink of experiencing a period full of health, joy, and friendship. A new romance may even be on the horizon, along with a rejuvenating sense that you are ready to start afresh. Embrace these feelings and let them revive your spirit.

Two of Cups

Two of Cups — The Wild Unknown Tarot

The Two of Cups is a harbinger of new love or the beginning of a deep, enduring friendship. The relationships it speaks of are characterized by purity, honesty, and strength. It is a sign to open your heart and be ready for deep connections.

Three of Cups

Three of Cups — The Wild Unknown Tarot

The Three of Cups symbolizes deep friendship, joy, and receiving a generous gift. It indicates the presence of significant friendships where true self-expression and a sense of unity are experienced. The card foretells celebrations and suggests an abundance of love.

Four of Cups

Four of Cups — The Wild Unknown Tarot

The Four of Cups symbolizes greed, dissatisfaction, and a lack of appreciation for what one has. It suggests a life that may seem filled with trust, pleasure, and luxury to an outsider, but is experienced as unsatisfying, apathetic, and greedy by the individual. This card serves as a reminder to not take one's situation or supportive people for granted and to reassess one's true desires.

Five of Cups

Five of Cups — The Wild Unknown Tarot

The Five of Cups symbolizes a period of deep sorrow and regret. It hints at broken relationships or ended friendships, alongside feelings of disappointment. It advises against making hasty decisions during such times, suggesting instead to reevaluate one's expectations of others, perhaps acknowledging that these expectations may have been unrealistic.

Six of Cups

Six of Cups — The Wild Unknown Tarot

The Six of Cups embodies the magic and innocence of childhood, emphasizing the importance of happy memories and past connections. It suggests looking back and immersing oneself in nostalgia, the possible reconnection with old friends, and finding joy in simple pleasures and the small wonders of life.

Seven of Cups

Seven of Cups — The Wild Unknown Tarot

The Seven of Cups represents encountering temptations in various areas of your life, leading to confusion and a loss of clarity in your goals. It highlights the allure of illusions and advises stepping back to gain perspective before making decisions.

Eight of Cups

Eight of Cups — The Wild Unknown Tarot

The Eight of Cups symbolizes a time for change, urging the individual to leave behind the old and embrace a new beginning. It represents stagnation, poor health, and the realization that there is no hope in trying to recapture what has been lost. The card advises looking forward and moving on, as there is nothing beneficial left in the current situation.

Nine of Cups

Nine of Cups — The Wild Unknown Tarot

The Nine of Cups symbolizes the fulfillment of desires, bringing with it happiness, harmony, and a period of peace. It signifies a time when fears and worries fade away, potentially leading to good health, happiness, and material benefits. It invites the recipient to savor and enjoy this harmonious phase.

Ten of Cups

Ten of Cups — The Wild Unknown Tarot

The Ten of Cups is all about the powerful surge of positive energy, the successful realization of your goals, and the magnetic allure your enthusiasm generates among those around you. It encourages you to openly and joyously experience the vivid colors and vibrancy of life without doubting the strength of your feelings.

Page of Cups

Page of Cups — The Wild Unknown Tarot

The Daughter of Cups is enveloped in a wealth of creative energy, being romantic, talented, and easily inspired by those around her. A true dreamer, she makes significant efforts to stay grounded or to cope with harsh realities that come her way. This gentle being struggles greatly with any form of conflict.

Knight of Cups

Knight of Cups — The Wild Unknown Tarot

The Son of Cups excels in artistic fields such as music, acting, or visual arts, often finding success due to his knack for self-reflection. While his reserved and secretive nature might make him seem harmless to others, he harbors a potent dark energy deep within.

Queen of Cups

Queen of Cups — The Wild Unknown Tarot

The Mother of Cups is a card that symbolizes deep intuition, emotional understanding, and the nurturing aspect of femininity. She possesses extraordinary extrasensory abilities that rival even the High Priestess. She thrives in the midst of family, music, art, or anything beautiful and becomes protective when threatened. However, she may also see herself as a victim when in dire straits.

King of Cups

King of Cups — The Wild Unknown Tarot

The Father of Cups is a distinct and dynamic presence, embodying the most feminine essence among the Tarot's Court of Cups. Highly esteemed for his patronage of the arts and creativity, he actively supports his family and community projects. Despite his external confidence and diplomatic views, he is held back by deep-seated insecurities and unpredictable fears that significantly impact his persona.

Swords

Ace of Swords

Ace of Swords — The Wild Unknown Tarot

The Ace of Swords symbolizes truth and mental clarity. It suggests a moment of enlightenment akin to a lightning strike illuminating everything around despite the storm, making it an optimal time for decision-making and bringing forth the sharpness of mind and clarity of thought.

Two of Swords

Two of Swords — The Wild Unknown Tarot

The Two of Swords represents a situation of deadlock, where opposing forces have reached an impasse. It suggests an inability to move forward, either in relationships or making a significant life decision. Often, it implies that the solution is being ignored or avoided, with a refusal to face the truth.

Three of Swords

Three of Swords — The Wild Unknown Tarot

The Three of Swords represents betrayal, heartbreak, and turmoil. It is a complex and dark card that signifies lying, betrayal, deceit, or severe disappointment. It suggests a state of confusion and highly tangled emotions and advises against making decisions until clarity and calm are restored.

Four of Swords

Four of Swords — The Wild Unknown Tarot

The Four of Swords suggests a period of rest and introspection is needed to gather strength to face looming challenges. Despite the threatening swords overhead, there is an opportunity to remain calm and centered, finding peace through meditation or reading. It's a time to recharge before facing the inevitable difficulties ahead.

Five of Swords

Five of Swords — The Wild Unknown Tarot

The Five of Swords symbolizes the path to self-destruction, cautioning against engaging in needless conflicts and letting ego and a thirst for power lead to defeat, pain, and disharmony.

Six of Swords

Six of Swords — The Wild Unknown Tarot

The Six of Swords signifies the end of hardships, introducing a period of recovery and renewed hope. It emphasizes the importance of rest, recuperation among cheerful friends, and planning a journey, short or long, to uplift one's spirits.

Seven of Swords

Seven of Swords — The Wild Unknown Tarot

The Seven of Swords symbolizes secrecy and personal gain, indicating a time to uncover hidden secrets and understand the reasons behind deceptions. The card suggests a scenario of hidden motives, with the potential for isolation if the truth is not sought.

Eight of Swords

Eight of Swords — The Wild Unknown Tarot

The Eight of Swords signifies a situation of being trapped and powerless, surrounded by threats and obstacles, making you feel like there is no escape or choice. Focusing on the internal and external factors that keep you in this position, the card urges you to reflect on whether it's your own mindset or external circumstances that hinder your progress.

Nine of Swords

Nine of Swords — The Wild Unknown Tarot

The Nine of Swords is a card symbolizing deep-seated problems, such as insomnia, nightmares, fears, guilt, despair, or depression. It highlights the need to face these issues, advising the seeker to seek help and find joy to overcome this state.

Ten of Swords

Ten of Swords — The Wild Unknown Tarot

The Ten of Swords symbolizes a point of ultimate downfall, where you have hit rock bottom. It suggests that you might be playing the victim, allowing others to walk over you, possibly because you are stuck in a cycle of melodrama and backstabbing. The card invites you to reflect on how you got to this point and encourages you to start the journey upwards.

Page of Swords

Page of Swords — The Wild Unknown Tarot

The Daughter of Swords represents a young woman whose honesty and intuition are her guiding forces. She is highly valued for her sincerity and learns by keen observation. However, her attentiveness to details can become overwhelming, leading to potential criticism if not tempered.

Knight of Swords

Knight of Swords — The Wild Unknown Tarot

The Son of Swords signifies a determined and assertive individual, typically a man of action rather than patience. His education and forceful nature make him a formidable presence. Often seeking approval from a figure represented as the Father of Swords, his assertiveness can prove challenging in collaborative endeavors.

Queen of Swords

Queen of Swords — The Wild Unknown Tarot

The Mother of Swords symbolizes keen perception and mastery in one's field, often seen in professions like a psychologist, doctor, or teacher. She is experienced and knowledgeable, sometimes seen as all-knowing. This card can also represent a woman facing challenging times, possibly undergoing divorce or widowhood, typically childless, and may become highly critical in her judgments during such periods.

King of Swords

King of Swords — The Wild Unknown Tarot

The Father of Swords is known for his analytical thinking, perceptiveness, and ability to emotionally detach from situations to view them from different perspectives. His fairness and adherence to rules earn him respect from others. He is also described as a responsible man with a deep attachment to his family.

Pentacles

Ace of Pentacles

Ace of Pentacles — The Wild Unknown Tarot

The Ace of Pentacles symbolizes the seed from which the roots of your future will grow, indicating the starting point of a successful venture. It suggests the importance of restraint and taking time to connect with nature, hinting at the potential of unexpected financial gain.

Two of Pentacles

Two of Pentacles — The Wild Unknown Tarot

The Two of Pentacles symbolizes inevitable changes, often related to material possessions or financial status, such as a new job, change in financial circumstances, or relocation. Despite potential fears about these changes, they are likely to bring joy and should be embraced gracefully like a nascent butterfly, suggesting a world of possibilities balanced on delicate wings.

Three of Pentacles

Three of Pentacles — The Wild Unknown Tarot

The Three of Pentacles represents immense tasks usually related to one's work or career, emphasizing the need for concentrated effort in this area. It stresses the importance of discipline, strategy, and hard work. When feeling weary or lost, it encourages relying on teamwork, suggesting that the support of others is crucial for overcoming challenges.

Four of Pentacles

Four of Pentacles — The Wild Unknown Tarot

The Four of Pentacles primarily signals material gains and stability, promising good news for one's home and bank account. However, it also serves as a caution against becoming too fixated on possession or control over others. An excessive focus on material things can lead to becoming rigid, inflexible, and unpleasant to others. Wealth should be seen as a means, not an end.

Five of Pentacles

Five of Pentacles — The Wild Unknown Tarot

The Five of Pentacles signifies a challenging period marked by illness, job loss, financial struggles, or rejections. This card emphasizes the heightened anxiety accompanying such difficulties, which can be counterproductive and harmful. It advises finding calm through meditation or self-suggestion during these turbulent times.

Six of Pentacles

Six of Pentacles — The Wild Unknown Tarot

The Six of Pentacles symbolizes a period of prosperity and growth that exceeds expectations, suggesting a time to harvest long-awaited rewards. It encourages generosity, indicating that giving or receiving help during this bountiful time should be embraced with gratitude. The card highlights the importance of using resources wisely whether they are given or received.

Seven of Pentacles

Seven of Pentacles — The Wild Unknown Tarot

The Seven of Pentacles signifies a period of reflection and uncertainty. It represents looking back at the hard work done and wondering about potential success or failure. It highlights the dilemma of whether you have received enough benefits for your efforts and suggests that your reward may be waiting to be acknowledged, highlighting that rewards are not always material.

Eight of Pentacles

Eight of Pentacles — The Wild Unknown Tarot

The Eight of Pentacles symbolizes mastery, skill, and the importance of paying attention to detail to achieve excellence in your field. It encourages the pursuit of perfection in your skills, suggesting you're close to becoming a master in your craft. Additionally, it may indicate the need to find a new hobby or passion project that brings you joy and success.

Nine of Pentacles

Nine of Pentacles — The Wild Unknown Tarot

The Nine of Pentacles signifies a time to enjoy the fruits of your hard work and dedication. It may indicate a promotion at work or newfound stability and happiness at home. The card often comes with an aura of luxury and refinement, suggesting the enjoyment of exclusive items.

Ten of Pentacles

Ten of Pentacles — The Wild Unknown Tarot

The Ten of Pentacles represents both material and spiritual wealth across virtually all areas of your life, signaling a completion worth striving for. It encourages generosity not just in financial aspects but in sharing wisdom, promising tenfold rewards for mentorship and support to others on their path to success.

Page of Pentacles

Page of Pentacles — The Wild Unknown Tarot

The Daughter of Pentacles symbolizes someone responsible, kind, and supportive. Often working behind the scenes, she is hardworking and shy but incredibly reliable and detail-oriented. People can depend on her and she has considerable inner strength. Like her family, she thrives in nature.

Knight of Pentacles

Knight of Pentacles — The Wild Unknown Tarot

The Son of Pentacles is known for his dedication and goal-oriented nature. He is inventive and trustworthy, making him a reliable figure. However, his stubbornness and intolerance towards defeat, along with his introverted character, sometimes lead to social challenges and difficulties in forming close relationships. Typically, he has one or two close friends rather than a wide circle of acquaintances.

Queen of Pentacles

Queen of Pentacles — The Wild Unknown Tarot

The Mother of Pentacles epitomizes the quintessence of a nurturing, loving, and patient homemaker. Excelling in domestic responsibilities, she knows how to raise children and handle daily tasks with adeptness. However, her devotion to home and family can become a trap, leading to emotional dependency and loss of autonomy. Her intrinsic healing abilities and close connection to nature are notable traits.

King of Pentacles

King of Pentacles — The Wild Unknown Tarot

The Father of Pentacles symbolizes a reliable and entrepreneurial spirit. This card suggests a person who may appear dull at first due to their extremely calm demeanor, but in reality, they are passionate, prioritizing stability in work, family, and home. They are industrious and take pleasure in their endeavors, making acquaintance with them a true delight.

Reading Tips for The Wild Unknown Tarot

Kim Krans designed this deck to bypass the thinking mind and speak directly to instinct. The sparse, powerful imagery rewards readers who trust their gut before reaching for a guidebook.

Let the animals teach you. Each creature in the Major Arcana was chosen with extraordinary care. Before you read a single word of interpretation, sit with the animal and notice what it stirs in you. The chick, the leopard, the tortoise, the swan — they carry archetypal energy that your body recognizes before your mind does.

Embrace the white space. Unlike decks crowded with symbols, The Wild Unknown uses negative space as a storytelling device. What is absent from the card is as important as what is present. A single branch against an empty background is not “minimal” — it is focused. Let the simplicity sharpen your reading rather than confuse it.

Work with the color. Krans uses color sparingly and deliberately. When rainbow hues burst from a card, pay attention to where they appear and what they surround. When a card is rendered in stark black and white, notice the severity. Color in this deck is not decoration — it is information about energy, vitality, and emotional temperature.

Do not force RWS meanings onto this deck. The Wild Unknown draws from the Rider-Waite-Smith tradition but intentionally departs from it. Trying to map every standard keyword onto these animal images will frustrate you. Let the deck teach you its own language. The meanings will come — but they will come through feeling, not memorization.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many cards are in The Wild Unknown Tarot?

The Wild Unknown Tarot contains 78 cards: 22 Major Arcana and 56 Minor Arcana. The suits use nature imagery — Wands are branches, Cups are vessels, Swords are sharp forms, and Pentacles are circular patterns.

Who created The Wild Unknown Tarot?

The deck was created by artist Kim Krans. Originally self-published in 2012, it became one of the best-selling indie tarot decks of all time and later published by HarperOne.

What makes The Wild Unknown Tarot special?

Its minimalist, nature-based artwork strips tarot to its essence. Animals, plants, and geometric shapes replace human figures, making the deck feel primal and universal. The art style launched a movement in modern indie tarot.

Is The Wild Unknown good for beginners?

It depends. The imagery is intuitive but different from traditional RWS. Beginners who connect with nature and minimalism love it. Those who need clear human figures may find it abstract at first.