The Meaning of the Numbers on Tarot

ACES - signify singularity and purity, they represent the basic quality of the suit, it's "root".  They come t us as a gift from life, moments of special energy - the quality of that energy depending on each particular suit.
TWO'S - indicate duality, connections, dialogue.  The various two's deal with issues of communication and relationship, where the Aces inspire, the two's act to develop and extend the original impulse.  When you go through the deck you will see that the character of a particular suit may work against the quality of the number.   Cups symbolize love, while Swords represent conflict and tension.  In the Rider Waite deck image, the Two of Cups fulfills the number in the image of two people pledging themselves to each other.  By contrast, the Two of Swords works against the number that it bears, with it's picture of a woman who deliberately keeps everyone away from her.  The central issue remains communication but in the Two of Swords we see it's direction changed. (see images depicted on the left)
THREE'S - By combining 1 & 2, the three's embody an early fulfillment of the suit.  The basic impulse int he Ace, which is developed in the Two, becomes established in the Three. The suit changes the "quality" of the number, for pentacles this can mean mastery at work, for Swords it can mean heartbreak, for Wands success and for Cups harmony.
FOUR'S - symbolize structure.  We use the energy to build something, or dwell within a safe place or hold onto what we have or resist structure when it becomes confinement.
FIVE'S - show loss and struggle.  Five introduces time, with all it's limitations, including sickness and death. Five brings us into physical reality and so opens us all to the problems life can bring us.SIX'S - allow a fresh beginning after the five's.  They express issues of communication and the sharing of power and wealth.
SEVEN'S - here we find the them "victory", the person plays with possibilities and seeks victory over challenges through strength of will or through schemes and fantasies.
EIGHT'S - There is a theme of movement in the eight's, either toward consolidation or leaving what is already established.  Eight is another number that can conflict with the energy of the suit, such as in Swords where the suit represents trouble and conflict, so when the Swords come up against the idea of movement the result becomes obstacles, they way in which we can feel controlled by others and unable to move to free ourselves.
NINE'S - the last single digit number, it can represent a tension before the "end". Something is established but not without a price, the various cards show different compromises we make with life in order to create a place for ourselves in the world.
TEN'S - they complete the suits.  We see the most complete expression qualities as they establish us in the real world.  However, not all the suits translate completion into happiness.  For Wands with their impulse to take on responsibilities and burdens, with the ten this becomes oppressive.  Swords show us the extreme of conflict.  Pentacles, the suit of money and physical reality, we get a sense of security and wealth, but somehow this is empty of emotion. Only in Cups do we find true joy apparent.