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Reading the cards to gain insight on your fertility or pregnancy
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There are so many questions surrounding pregnancy, and it’s only natural to turn to tarot cards for answers. Tarot is a great way to untangle your own hopes, expectations, and anxieties surrounding motherhood, whether you’re hoping to conceive or your baby bump is already taking shape. We’ll illuminate the 20 most relevant cards (and combinations) you might draw during a pregnancy reading, and offer helpful insight as to what they mean for your journey. Then, we’ll show you how to perform a special pregnancy spread so you can make the most of your cards.

Things You Should Know

  • The Empress and the Emperor are the most relevant cards for pregnancy, signifying motherhood and fatherhood, respectively.
  • The Fool represents the start of a new pregnancy journey, while the Sun represents your long-held hopes coming to fruition.
  • The Page of Cups represents good news on its way, and the Ace of Pentacles indicates a new addition to your life.
Section 1 of 3:

Tarot Cards that Indicate Pregnancy

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  1. The Empress is maybe the most significant card when performing a pregnancy tarot reading. Even when you’re not asking questions about pregnancy, the Empress signifies fertility, birth, and motherhood—she’s usually depicted as pregnant, after all. What’s more, she also represents acceptance, suggesting that you’ll be content and happy in your motherhood. [1]
    • The Empress also signifies the cycle of motherhood and alludes to your own mother. The Empress often comes as a reminder not to make your own mother’s mistakes, so keep that in mind as you proceed with your reading.
    • Similarly, The Emperor represents fatherhood, and may come up in readings for men or those with husbands to suggest that he may soon become a father.
    • Love tarot? Take this quiz to discover which tarot card truly matches your personality.
  2. The Fool is often depicted as a carefree youth setting off on a journey, accompanied by a dog and usually walking close to the edge of a cliff. [2] Despite its name and appearance, though, this is a favorable card to draw in a pregnancy reading. It suggests that you may have some anxieties about your current pregnancy or the prospect of motherhood, but your companions (your partner or friends) will help you every step of the way.
    • The Fool might also suggest that it’s time to set off on your adventure. If you’ve been waiting to conceive, now may be the right time.
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  3. The Sun doesn’t have direct ties to pregnancy, but it does signify that a hope or a dream you’ve had for a long time will soon come to fruition. [3] When you’re doing a pregnancy reading, then, it’s likely that your dream is conception, and here comes the Sun to shed light on that dream. Or, if you’re currently pregnant, drawing the Sun suggests that you’ll have a safe and healthy pregnancy.
    • The Sun also offers solace in infertility. If you’ve had trouble conceiving, this card may be asking you to find relief and joy in the other aspects of your life.
  4. The Moon governs the tides and the rhythms of life. [4] Often, we’re unaware of those rhythms until they show themselves in an obvious way. In a pregnancy spread, drawing the Moon might suggest that you may be pregnant already and not yet know it. Or, it might simply be that pregnancy is in your future, when you hadn’t previously expected it.
    • The Moon also represents healing, but only when you’re ready to receive it. If you’ve recently experienced a tragedy regarding pregnancy, this card might indicate good energies coming your way.
  5. The World indicates that things are coming to fruition or to their natural conclusion. [5] This card often appears for women who are already pretty far along in their pregnancy, and affirms that their pregnancy journey is about to come to a safe and sound conclusion.
    • If you’re not yet pregnant, the World may indicate the closing of one chapter of your life the start of the next—it could be that that next chapter includes pregnancy.
  6. This card represents the constant ups and downs of fate, as well as the unpredictability of luck. [6] For pregnancy, it indicates unexpected developments. This might mean an unexpected pregnancy, or certain bumps in the road on your pregnancy journey. In the end, though, this card reminds us that everything resolves as it should, even if that’s counter to our expectations.
  7. The Hanged Man is often associated with periods of suspension, waiting, or anticipation. [7] It’s often a somewhat ominous card, but in a pregnancy reading it may suggest the 9 months of waiting before a birth, which is a great sign.
    • The Hanged Man might also suggest emotional release or letting go. It might symbolize that you might need to wait a little longer for pregnancy, or reorient your expectations.
  8. This minor arcana card is a companion to the Empress. Like the Empress, the Queen of Cups is a mother and guiding figure who protects her family. [8] It’s often a clear indicator of a happy and healthy pregnancy, though one you might have to work or fight for.
    • This card is especially relevant for those who are already mothers. While there may be another little one coming, it reminds mothers not to neglect or overlook the children they already have.
  9. The Page of Cups is the bearer of good news. [9] If you’ve been waiting for pregnancy, it could be that you’ll receive your good news soon. This card also often represents a new emotional phase, one that’s often a bit turbulent. But pregnancy is a huge step, so some choppy emotional waters are totally natural.
    • Ultimately, the Page of Cups suggests that your struggles will be rewarded, so keep on fighting.
  10. This card is often associated with new beginnings and new love, but more specifically it represents fertility and conception. [10] If you’re asking the cards about a pregnancy in your near future, this card’s answer is pretty clear: It’ll come! That said, there’s a chance the pregnancy may belong to someone close to you, rather than yourself.
  11. This page represents manifestation through careful planning. [11] If you’ve been anticipating and working toward a pregnancy, it may signify that your goals are about to be achieved. If you haven’t yet, this card might suggest that first you need to carefully plan your pregnancy or get your affairs in order before you can move forward with motherhood.
    • Pregnancy is a big deal, but ultimately the Page of Cups is an optimistic card. It tell us that our goals are achievable, we simply need to approach them carefully and methodically.
  12. Ace cards in general represent new beginnings, which is a good sign for a pregnancy reading. The Ace of Pentacles, though, represents a new physical beginning, not just emotional or spiritual. [12] This new physical beginning may come in the form of an infant, making this a great card to look for.
  13. This card often signifies ancestry or the family tree. [13] When you pull it in a pregnancy reading, it might suggest that your family tree is about to put out new shoots, perhaps in the form of a child. It also suggests that your family unit is strong enough to support the new member.
    • Pentacles in general are ruled by the element of earth, which bodes well for fertility and stability.
  14. The Ace of Wands is notable for the high energy and enthusiasm it brings to a spread, which can alter the reading. When it shows up, it might suggest that your pregnancy will be an exciting or energetic one, or that your child will be full of life and spirit. [14]
    • The Ace of Wands is also a sobering reminder that motherhood can be hectic or draining, but that in the end, the chaos is well worth the adventure.
  15. The Four of Wands is known for signifying triumph or victory. [15] When drawn in a pregnancy spread, it may mean that what you’ve been working hard for has been or will soon be achieved—most likely conception or pregnancy. In addition, the flames on the card represent vitality and spirit, suggesting your own perseverance and fortitude.
    • The Four of Wands also has a secondary meaning. If you’re facing trouble or frustration, this card may be urging you to reorient your goals in order to find victory. For example, it could mean that you’re not yet ready for pregnancy, and that you might need to focus on building a stable home before you have a child.
  16. This card represents the arrival of an important message, or a revelation, as well as a successful resolution to your efforts. [16] This might indicate the results of a pregnancy test, or physical changes associated with pregnancy.
    • Of course, that new information might not always be what we want to hear, but the Eight of Wands reminds us that it’s what we need to hear in order to move forward. Keep an open mind and heart in order to find your way.
  17. The Three of Cups is all about celebration and festivity. [17] It might suggest a celebration like a baby shower, or just the joy that comes with conceiving or giving birth. Whatever it is, you and your loved ones will be united by a shared joy, or a shared love, possibly in the form of a new member of the family.
    • The Three of Cups also tends to signify gaining something, or a new addition, which bodes well for a pregnancy reading.
  18. This card represents a deep and profound bond between 2 souls. [18] While it’s often read as a romance card, in a pregnancy context it might symbolize the bond between a mother and her child. Alternatively, it might suggest that those 2 souls are, in fact, twins!
    • Generally, the Two of Cups suggests good health, so long as you surround yourself with loved ones. Keep your family close during this period of waiting.
  19. The Six of Cups is associated with intense joy and your inner child. [19] Often, this is meant in a figurative way to represent your younger self, but in a pregnancy reading it might be taken literally—your “inner child” may literally mean a child growing within you, which is a positive sign for a pregnancy reading.
    • This card also reminds us that exhaustion is remedied with rest, which may point to the exhaustion that comes with pregnancy. If you’re already pregnant, remember to get off your feet now and then.
  20. This cards concerns that which is familiar or shared, or things that occur within a tribe or a family. [20] While it may not indicate pregnancy specifically, it points to new developments in your family unit, and that those developments will reach satisfying conclusions as long as you work together to foster them.
    • If you draw this card, have an open mind about what your family unit looks like. It might not develop through pregnancy (though it could), but there are other ways to add to a family, like adoption.
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Section 2 of 3:

Interpreting Card Combinations

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  1. These cards represent new beginnings and fruition. [21] When they appear in a spread together, they’re a potent and very positive signifier of new life and pregnancy. The Page of Pentacles is also often depicted as a princess, which could signify that a pregnancy will result in a girl.
  2. Like the Ace/Page of Pentacles combo, these cards also represent manifestation and new beginnings. [22] The Page of Swords, however, is often depicted as a young man, which might suggest that a pregnancy will result in a baby boy. In addition, the sword might represent a cesarean section.
  3. The Wheel of Fortune represents the unexpected and unpredictable nature of luck. [23] When paired with the Empress, who symbolizes fertility and motherhood, these cards suggest an unexpected pregnancy, but one that’s ultimately joyful and welcome.
  4. The Lovers represent a firm and unwavering partnership. [24] Together with the Ace of Pentacles, which represents a new physical beginning, these cards suggest that you and your partner will work together to raise a new life in a loving and stable home.
  5. The Sun signifies a hope or a dream that will soon manifest. [25] When combined with the Queen of Cups, together these cards predict a comfortable and relatively easy pregnancy full of hope and joy. That doesn’t mean everything will go according to plan, but it does suggest that everything will work out as it should.
  6. The Hanged Man sometimes represents a major shift in viewpoint, or turning your world on its head. [26] The Two of Cups sometimes suggests twins when performing a pregnancy reading. When combined, these 2 cards may indicate that unexpected twins are on their way, and that it will require a major shift in expectations or strategy in order to raise them. With a little hard work and extra love, though, everything will turn out for the best.
  7. These cards are all potent signifiers of motherhood. [27] Not just that, but they represent passionate and devoted motherhood, as well. It’s fairly uncommon to get all 3 in the same reading, so if you do, it’s a sure sign that pregnancy is in the near future, or that you’ll be a loving and compassionate mom who’d do anything for her kids.
  8. The Tower often indicates uncertainty, destruction, or a falling apart. [28] The High Priestess represents inner guidance or your subconscious. When combined, they suggest that you have an acute fear of miscarriage, or that you worry you won’t be a good mother. But the High Priestess advises you to reconsider your capabilities and find courage in your own strengths. You’ll be a better mom than you could imagine.
  9. The Sun represents your hopes and desires surrounding pregnancy. [29] The Nine of Swords, though, often represents darker thoughts. When combined, they may suggest a battle with pregnancy anxiety or postpartum depression, which is a common and natural condition for new mothers. But the Sun tells you that, with time and effort, your hopes about your motherhood will be fulfilled.
  10. The Chariot represents strong will or determination. [30] Together with the Sun, these cards represent your fierce longing for motherhood, and your willingness to make sacrifices for your children. But they also encourage a softer side and remind you that you must temper your expectations and accept your pregnancy or your children as they are.
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Section 3 of 3:

Performing a Tarot Spread for Pregnancy

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  1. Whether you’re reading for yourself or another person, it’s important to have a fresh deck with clean energies so you can get an accurate and helpful reading. To cleanse your deck , place it in full moonlight or sunlight for an hour or two. Then, arrange your space so that it’s comfortable.
    • For example, surround the reading surface with crystals or other mementos that bring you comfort. Open a window for some fresh air, or light a candle or some incense to put you in the mood.
  2. Shuffle the cards however you feel comfortable doing so. Then, draw 3 cards and lay them face-down in a line on the table. Each of the 3 cards will correspond to a particular question in the reading. At this stage, relax your mind by picturing 3 blank cards, which helps you be open and receptive to the results of the drawing.
    • Take a moment to also visualize a positive reading. The universe responds to your energy, so put good energy out to get good energy in.
  3. Flip over the leftmost card while you or your client think on the question, “Am I ready for pregnancy?” [31] It’s a yes or no question, but the card you draw will offer more complex insight. Often, the card will suggest ways to become ready, if you’re not already.
    • Example: If you draw the Fool, which indicates setting off on a journey, the answer is most likely that you’re ready. If you draw the Moon, which signifies hidden emotions, you may be having doubts or need some time to embrace the idea of motherhood.
  4. This second card answers the question, “How can I take care of my emotions during pregnancy?” [32] It addresses the personal journey that occurs while trying to conceive, or during the 9 months that you’re pregnant. Pay special attention to this card, as it offers valuable insight into the ups and downs of a pregnancy journey.
    • Example: If you draw the Queen of Cups, you may have to work hard during your pregnancy, so persevere and keep your eye on the goal. If you draw the Hanged Man, pregnancy might not look how you expect, or you might need to shift your expectations for becoming pregnant.
  5. This third card answers the question, “What will my future look like?” or, “What will be the result of my pregnancy journey?” [33] This can be a sensitive question, so remember to keep your mind open and approach it with positivity and optimism. Remember that your cards are never working against you or revealing a certain future, only illuminating your own thoughts and spiritual state.
    • Example: If you draw the Page of Pentacles, it suggests that your careful preparation will result in a fruitful outcome. If your draw the Two of Cups, your pregnancy journey will bring your closer to another soul, whether that’s a child, a partner, or a friend.
    • Note: If you draw the Death card at any point, don’t panic! It’s an ominous card, we know, but it has more to do with transformation and change than actual death. The Death card likely represents the significant lifestyle change that comes with being a mother.
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      Tips

      • Tarot is great for examining our own mental states, but consult a pregnancy test or a doctor for any medical-related questions or concerns surrounding fertility or pregnancy.
      • Reversed cards are generally negative spins on the card’s interpretation, but that doesn’t make a negative experience certain. Most often, they come as warnings or advice, cautioning us to change our ways of thinking or approach to a situation.
      • If you’re reading for a client, you might choose to ignore reversed cards for the sake of positivity—it doesn’t make the reading any less accurate, so long as you give your client the advice the cards are offering.
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