Here are the most basic meanings for Minor Arcana. These are derived from the base meanings as given by A.E.Waite. The Rider-Waite deck first appeared in 1909. Waites "Pictorial Key to the Tarot" was published in 1911. Rider is the name of the publishing house for the deck and books. It is also called the Waite/Smith deck Or the Rider/Waite/Smith deck. Pamela Colman Smith was the illustrator of the deck and worked closely with A.E. Waite. 

The Rider-Waite Tarot is the single most popular deck and is considered a proper place to begin the study of Tarot.

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Two points should be made:

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A.E. Waite was well versed in metaphysics. The interpretations given here reflect his understanding of correspondences. These meanings are not based in fantasy or artistic expression. Here is an example:

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2 of Wands - Dominion. The 2 of Wands is placed in the first 10 degrees of the sign of Aries. The energy is that of Mars in Aries. Wands represent the element of Fire as well as both Mars and Aries. The suit of Wands indicates the energies playing upon the spirit of the person getting the reading. Wands will show the attitude at work, the energy that animates. So we have Mars influencing Aries in the suit of Wands = Dominion.

The same principle is applied to each and every card in the entire deck. The real point is that these interpretations on based on acknowledged correspondences, in this case Planet/Sign and Element. The meanings are by not perfect in all instances, but they are an incredible tool for establishing a base understanding and advancement in the Art.

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Secondly the work and contribution of Pamela Colman Smith can  not be underestimated. Her story is truly fascinating as she worked with such people as William Butler Yeats and Bram Stoker. In fact it was Yeats that introduced her to the Golden Dawn. Her contribution to the development of the deck must certainly equal the contributions of Waite. Prior to this deck the Minor Arcana was never illustrated. With very few exceptions the decks available only illustrated the Major arcana. Pamela Colman Smith painted all 78 images as we have them today.

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