Tarot and the Zodiac
I’m often asked how tarot and astrology fit together, and at first glance they can feel like two completely different things. One is a deck of cards, the other is based on the stars, so it’s easy to assume they sit in separate worlds.
But when you spend a little time with both, you start to notice they’re actually speaking a very similar language. Not in a rigid or fixed way, but in patterns. Patterns in personality, in behaviour, and in the way we move through different phases of life.
And just like tarot, astrology isn’t something I follow in a strict or defining way. I don’t see it as something that tells you exactly who you are. It feels much more like a guide. A way of understanding energy, rather than labelling it.
That’s where the connection between the two begins to feel quite natural.
Where this connection comes from
If you’re wondering where this link between tarot and astrology actually comes from, it hasn’t always been there, and that often surprises people.
Tarot itself goes back much further and originally had nothing to do with astrology at all. It began as a card game, and it wasn’t until much later that people started to look at it in a more symbolic and intuitive way. Over time, different thinkers added their own layers to it, each seeing connections between tarot and other systems.
One of the earliest was Etteilla, who began using tarot for divination rather than play. Then came Éliphas Lévi, who started linking tarot to wider symbolic traditions, including astrology, seeing it as part of something much bigger rather than a standalone tool.
But it was really the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn in the late nineteenth century that brought everything together in a more structured way. They created a framework that linked tarot, astrology, the elements, and other symbolic systems, looking at how the same patterns appeared across each one.
Later, when Arthur Edward Waite developed the Rider-Waite tarot deck with Pamela Colman Smith, those ideas were carried through into the imagery. That’s why so many of us still recognise these connections today, even if we’re not consciously thinking about where they came from.
Writers like Eden Gray then made tarot much more accessible, focusing on how the cards could be understood and used in everyday readings, rather than teaching the full structure behind it. So for many people, these correspondences have always been there quietly in the background, rather than something you were expected to learn in detail.
How the correspondences work
In simple terms, each of the Major Arcana cards was linked to a zodiac sign, a planet, or an element, so instead of tarot and astrology sitting separately, they began to reflect each other.
When you look at it this way, it doesn’t feel like something you have to memorise. It feels more like something you begin to recognise over time. The qualities of the sign and the energy of the card start to overlap in a way that makes intuitive sense.
Aries aligns with The Emperor, that sense of direction and leadership. Leo with Strength, that quiet confidence and warmth. Pisces with The Moon, intuitive, reflective, and not always completely clear on the surface.
You may find that some of these pairings resonate instantly, while others feel less clear, and that’s completely natural. Tarot has evolved through different traditions, and not every layer will feel equally relevant to everyone.
And really, that’s all this is.
Another layer you can draw on when it feels helpful, and leave to one side when it doesn’t.
A quick note before we begin
These correspondences aren’t rules, and they’re certainly not there to box you in.
You might read your sign and think, “That’s exactly me,” or you might feel more drawn to something completely different.
And that’s fine.
Tarot, just like astrology, works best when you allow it to guide rather than define.
The signs and their cards
Aries and The Emperor
Aries has a strong, forward moving energy. There’s a natural sense of leadership there, a desire to take action and get things moving.
The Emperor reflects that beautifully, bringing structure, direction, and a sense of control that creates stability rather than restriction.
Taurus and The Hierophant
Taurus is grounded and steady, valuing comfort, stability, and meaning.
The Hierophant mirrors that through tradition and belief, encouraging you to trust what feels right for you rather than constantly looking outside for answers.
Gemini and The Lovers
Gemini is often associated with duality, communication, and choice.
The Lovers goes far beyond relationships, reflecting alignment and the decisions that shape your path.
Cancer and The Chariot
Cancer has a deep emotional world, but also a quiet strength that isn’t always obvious on the surface.
The Chariot reflects that in a slightly different way than you might expect. It’s not about force or pushing ahead, but about holding things together, managing emotion, and moving forward with a sense of inner control.
Leo and Strength
Leo’s warmth and confidence are reflected in Strength, though in a quieter way.
This is not forceful power, but patience, compassion, and inner resilience. The kind of strength that doesn’t need to prove itself.
Virgo and The Hermit
Virgo seeks understanding and clarity.
The Hermit mirrors that need to step back, reflect, and find your own answers rather than relying on outside noise.
Libra and Justice
Libra is all about balance and fairness.
Justice reflects that perfectly, bringing clarity, truth, and a sense of alignment.
Scorpio and Death
This pairing can sound dramatic, but it’s one of the most powerful.
Scorpio is deeply connected to transformation, and the Death card reflects endings that make space for something new.
Sagittarius and Temperance
Sagittarius brings expansion and curiosity.
Temperance adds balance, blending different experiences and allowing things to come together naturally over time.
Capricorn and The Devil
Capricorn is focused and connected to the material world.
The Devil reflects that connection in a grounded way, encouraging awareness of what drives you and what might be holding you in place.
Aquarius and The Star
Aquarius carries vision and individuality.
The Star reflects hope, inspiration, and a sense of possibility, particularly after a more difficult period.
Pisces and The Moon
Pisces is intuitive and deeply reflective.
The Moon mirrors that, guiding you to trust your instincts and move through uncertainty without needing everything to be completely clear.
Where this fits into your readings
You don’t need to memorise these pairings or use them in a strict way. They’re simply there as another layer, something you can draw on when it feels helpful rather than something you have to apply every time.
In a real reading, it tends to show up much more naturally than that. You might lay the cards out and immediately notice something that feels familiar, a card that carries a certain energy that reminds you of a particular sign, or a quality you recognise. Other times, you’ll do a full reading and not think about astrology at all, and that’s just as valid.
I think this is where people sometimes put a bit too much pressure on themselves, feeling as though they should be using everything they’ve learned all at once. Tarot, astrology, numerology, all layered together perfectly. But in practice, readings are rarely that structured. They’re much more fluid than that.
What usually happens is much simpler. You sit with the cards, you take a moment, and something stands out. If the astrological connection supports that, then it can add a little extra depth. If it doesn’t, then you leave it to one side and trust what you’re already seeing.
You might, for example, turn over The Emperor and immediately feel that Aries energy, that sense of direction, confidence, and forward movement. On another day, the very same card might feel more like a person, a situation, or a need for structure, and the zodiac link doesn’t really come into it at all. Both readings are completely valid.
That’s really the key with all of this. These correspondences are not there to replace your intuition, they’re there to sit alongside it. Something you can lean into when it feels right, but never something you have to force.
Over time, you’ll probably find that certain connections begin to feel more natural than others. Some will click straight away, others may never quite land, and that’s perfectly normal. Tarot has evolved through different traditions, and not every layer will resonate in the same way for everyone.
So rather than trying to hold everything in your head, it’s often easier to come back to the basics. Lay the cards out, see what you notice, and trust that first impression. If the astrology fits alongside that, then let it gently add to the story, rather than leading it.
A gentle closing thought
Tarot and astrology aren’t there to define you. They’re there to help you understand yourself a little more clearly, to notice patterns, and to move forward with a bit more awareness. And like everything in tarot, the real value comes not from the system itself… but from how you choose to work with it.