Court Cards – Tarot Training

Knight of Swords

In this card we have the aspects of fiery air. So hurricanes and storms, forces of passion built in the mind. This knight is the knight of ideas, goals and plans. He is able to focus and follow his inspired ideas. The ideas come inspirationally, but once there acquire a force of their own. The knight sets about doing what is needed to carry them out.

This knight rules the decan from 21st degree of Taurus to 20th degree of Gemini – so we have the energy of the mind in Gemini with the influence of the stability and determination of Taurus. Ideas are solid and committed to without wavering.

The birds flying alongside represent the inspirational source of the ideas, and the knights ability to hear and listen to their guidance as he moves forward, making micro-adjustments as he needs to to overcome potential blocks and set backs. Knights are connected with Chokmah on the Kabbalah and so are also linked to neptune through this association, so knights all have a wisdom about them and this knight of Swords shows his wisdom in the form of his thoughts and ideas. He is a good problem solver through the aha moments in the bath or whilst on the move.

There is a feeling of speed and travel with this card- particularly flight, so on the mundane level trips abroad and anything connected with swift movement through air is indicated here.

A person represented by this card is someone who is clever, skilful, subtle and also follows their own inspired thoughts for good of bad – there is a sense of attack in some situations – whether it is attacking a problem for the good or a more forceful manner than is actually needed. The side it falls on can be told from surrounding cards or intuition. This person does think things through and gathers data to back up his plans, but everything is done very quickly and with great focus. There is not the slow deliberation that is associated with more earthy characters. With this speed there is also the possibility of changes in direction – not in a scattered way so much as the ability to be flexible when the need arises.

Queen Disks

I apologise for missing a few blog posts over recent months – things have been busy with me. I am here this month though and we are going to take a look at one of the court cards – Queen of Disks..

She sits amongst the richness of an aspidistra plant looking back over a winding path with little vegetation. So often this card indicates in practice that someone is reflecting over the past – which has been an arduous journey. There has been little sustenance on the way and little support as well as the feeling that the direction or destination is either unknown or constantly changing – just when you think you have an idea whats coming then life takes a whole new turn. However in this card it is over – that journey is now being reflected upon and the path can be seen as a whole and how everything was really for the best as it has brought you to your current place of abundance of nourishment and a deep trust in yourself. You got through it, supported yourself and were able to overcome challenges. As you recognise this consciously now you find future challenges less onerous as you know you can believe in yourself and in the natural unfolding of the way forward – even as it twists and turns unexpectedly.

The shield is a natural protection you have won for yourself, the goat a symbol of being able to move easily in otherwise difficult terrain, and also of creativity and the support of nature. The headdress a connection to higher realms as your guiding impulse and the septre of power you have earned. All is well – though there may be tears shed of sadness, or relief, of release of holding it all together. This passes easily and the strength in you remains. You have learned going with the flow of life as a step of power.

These are my initial feelings about this card, and very often how it shows in a reading – if we look at the technical aspects and correspondences we can see how these add or fit to this initial viewpoint and experience of the card.

So the wand has a hexagram inside a cube on its tip – this is representing the sun in the earth and as such the fertility of the land – we have come to a firtile place. a place of confidence and self esteem (Sun) in practical matters (Earth). The goat on the orb is Sun in Capricorn – part of the decan this card covers, and as such represents the hard work, creative energy, and determined focus of Capricorn. We traveled the path, working hard to move along all the way and now have honed our ability to work at our creative pursuits on an inner and outer level. She is the watery part of earth and so uses intuitive understanding to help manifest things in their material form. She is also a nurturer, as the planet earth nurtures and provides for us so she represents being nourished physically – with food, exercise and healthy living, though can also indicate unhealthy consumption of food or natural drugs if positioned in a difficult place in a reading. She does generally represent the idea of surrender to the flow of things being a power. As Crowley said “She represents passivity, usually in its highest aspect”

Queen of Swords

This month’s card to explore is the Queen of Swords.

The queens in the Thoth are connected with Binah and so a mature feminine force. Binah is often considered restrictive, as the womb is restrictive it is also a place for growth and the new – but with boundaries. The queen here is also very boundaried and in the realm of the swords we see the mastery of thoughts, used in a way to nurture the self and others. We see her removing a mask, it is as if she is able to remove the mask she herself may have worn once, the thoughts she used to conceal her naked vulnerability from herself and the world. Now she can be seen in full and is facing both her own truth and sees the truth in those before her too. She weld the sword of discernment and will cut away all the superfluous untruths and allow the raw core of things to be seen unfettered with apology or judgement.

As such often she represents someone working in the field of counselling or psychotherapy with the ability to cut to the core of things, the ability to be genuine, yet boundaried, with clients and the insight to understand and help change thought patterns that are unhelpful on the path to ones own truth and Self. She nurtures the birth of the true self in our thoughts. She is the watery aspect of air so emotional logic which connects well with the field of psychotherapy and other emotional therapies.

She also represents a trustworthy honest friend who can witness our journey without casting judgement or needing us to do things their way.

her openness and vulnerability are her strengths and allow her to step outside of a situation and view it dispassionately whilst also holding her own person response. Her position on the clouds in the image reflects this perspective well also.

As court cards are also parts of us and not just who we find ourself attracting, though the process is the same – we attract people who show us parts of ourselves. in the same way in a reading this card can be both someone in the life of the querant as well as the querant themselves.

So the querant will have all these qualities coming from within themselves and using them to navigate the world. There is a need to drop masks to allow the vulnerability to be their strength. To get to the truth of the matter and to see their own thoughts truthfully, discerning what is mental chatter and discomfort and what is actually at the core.

It may well be that the querant has to use their ability to hold their own thoughts and perceptions in one hand and listen clearly to another with empathy through the other before making any response. And when a response is made it is not to be judgemental but discerning, having compassion and seeing that the others perception is likely to be spot on from their point of view, but your own point of view might tell a different story for you and you follow your own perceptions allowing the other theirs. Conflict is sorted by owning one’s feelings and acting for oneself, listening well and ensuring that what you have heard it is communicated back – even if it is something you actually disagree with. you don’t have to go along with someone’s ideas to listen to them fully.

She is the master of intention and able to think clearly about what is best in a situation. Insight and discernment working together well. She often is seen in service to others as she is one who, having seen, wants to take action to help another’s position.

Some may see her as cutting if she speaks a truth that is not ready to be heard, though it doesn’t bother her that someone has a negative opinion of her, she is more concerned with having the truth out, knowing the truth sets us free even if it is a painful birth sometimes.

Prince of Disks

This months card to explore is the Prince of Disks.

We see here earthy colours of the disks suit and a sense of determination in the ox’s motion forward. There is the idea of nothing will stop this man – even if the terrain gets difficult obstacles will be overcome. The prince himself is naked and has the innocence of youth with him. He has no need to make pretenses or to cover his motivations he is open and honest about what he is doing – very much what you see is what you get. he has charge of the ox but is not controlling so much that he won’t allow the ox to move as needed to overcome difficulties. Thus he trusts the path before him and is allowing his instincts and animal nature to inform him of what needs to be done when. I always see a strong connection to nature with this card and sometimes herbalism too with the plants and flowers in the background. Sometimes appearing as if they are diagrams in medical books . There is the idea of seeds being ready to germinate and life about to be set in motion after a time of stillness. He is associated with meditation and also with having done the inner work needed to create what he needs for his spirit in the physical world.

The Sceptre with the ball and cross represents the alchemical idea of the Great Work; the inner journey we all have to go on to find our true spirit. He contacted his true self and now has the ability to navigate forward in full trust of himself and his spirit. He is a very practical man though – one who plans well and is practical in all aspects, he works hard and is down to earth about things. Generally not emotional he is in touch with the nature of the world though. His spirituality shows through practical action rather than esoteric ideas. The orb in his left hand can be seen like the Earth and he has in his mind the good of all rather than personal goals with his plans and can often represent someone who works in positions concerned for the environment of the natural world in some way.

This is a very ‘worky’ card generally, talking of tasks and actions to be taken if not someone’s actual employment in life. This card is also connected with the movement into Taurus from Aries and you can see the Taurean bull on his headdress. Taurus is a fixed sign and reliable in nature. You can depend upon this person. They are likely to be interested in food in some way and may sometimes be overly stubborn, though usually this is a positive staying power rather than obstructive in nature. They are also concerned with sensuality and are very in touch with their physical body and perhaps like to do some form of exercise that is connected with strength (as opposed to dynamic movement)

As this is a prince card it is seated at Tiphareth on the Kabbalah and as such represents the meeting of the physical world with spirit. He is the physical conduit for spirit – the messenger in a physical way. This physicality can include beauty, sensuality, food, shelter as well as the material needs of life in terms of money and work.

Queen of Cups

She is watery water, so is a strong emotional character. The queen here is mirrored in a pool beneath her – what you see is what you get, as above so below, she is a woman who will not hide her feelings but expresses herself as she is in the moment and then is is gone – She has a maturity about her when it comes to emotions and knows that emotions held in are only going to fester – rather than this she expresses herself and lets it go. Yet despite this it can be hard to fathom this woman she is shrouded in mystery and you can only just make out her face, she is a woman of deep intuitive understanding and has known her own depths – because of this she may be a mystery to many people – yet her understanding and empathy for others is very high. She is a mother type and nurtures all those around her, instinctively knowing what is needed when.

Her power comes from her self awareness and self acceptance and she is comfortable in emotional territory – nothing phasing or scaring her as she knows all she sees in another is also within her. Using her own map she can help others charter theirs.

She reflects others in her behaviour and presents people often with a mirror for their own selves. As she does so she offers an opportunity to others to be as aware as she is herself. Many do not take it. But their response does to affect her – she may therefore be seen as a master of illusions, and sometimes you may not know who she really is in herself she reflects you so well. But none of this matters to the Queen – for she knows herself and that is all that is required – to those who know who they are they can understand and see of the queen too. As both their own reflection and also the truth that she is deep down.

She is someone who is psychic, mediumistic, and understands the symbols of the other planes. She can be lost in them if she has not healed her own psychology. She is receptive and feminine, loving and patient. There is no rush to action only being and experiencing the world as it unfolds. Whatever that may hold.

Prince of Swords

This month I am going to look and chat about the card – Prince of Swords. This card has many different aspects and as a court card can both represent a person with certain qualities as well as the querants own self, qualities they are expressing and also events around the querant.

As an event this card is talking about cutting off from someone or some people. The idea being that you need to be following your own path and not be influenced by others who are not actually in your shoes. It is time to break patterns of behaviour that leave you feel trapped and either unable to move forward or any movement made is difficult as you are pulled in many directions. This aspect can be seen easily through the figures that are trying to pull the chariot – each in a different direction the chariot not moving very much at all. You are in charge though and have the sword of discernment to cut those free who are going in a different direction to you – so you can put all your energy into your own goals and thus move forward much faster.

On an internal level these diverse pulls can be coming from different aspects of oneself each wanting a different thing and when this card comes up it is time to make some clear decisions about what your direction really is and to heal voices or decisions from the past that may be trying to stop you.

In relationships if this card comes up it is very likely that the relationship it refers to is needing to split as each is pulling in a different direction, sometimes there is hope of resolution if both parties can speak openly about their direction and agree to differ and not hinder the other from their pathway, however more often than not it has come to a point where each person has learned what they needed to from the other and it is time to go separate ways.

This is a swords card and in a person of youthful age, so represents someone who is logical and clear thinking – who will find solutions to problems and no longer allow blocks to get in the way of their progress. Obstacles can be removed by applying logic and will to the issue. However this is the healing power of the card, often when first active in your life there will be a sense of jumping about from one goal to the next – one place to the next not quite committing to anything and dissipating your energies – however what is called for is to not please everyone and to get clear about what of the myriad of possibilities really speaks to your heart. Usually it is actually quite clear what way is the way to go, but it is the fear of cutting off options that prevents that decision from taking place. This card suggests it is time and you will lose nothing by letting go of the paths you know are not the right ones right now.

Rational thinking can be a curse as well as a gift, You can dream ideas and plans but do nothing with any of them, get stuck in analysis whilst never getting to the emotional core of the situation. The application of what has heart and meaning to you is needed to fully use the discrimination and mental activity of this card and character. Often whether this is available can be seen from the surrounding cards.

The yellow suggests mental powers and possibly self-esteem coming from recognition of intelligence, the green is the desire – the drive – the feeling of loving each idea that arises, and also the idea of using love as a force to decide between pathways which each bring their positive qualities to you. As you immerse yourself in a deep love for who you are your decision becomes clearer.

Princess of Cups

This month I picked a card to see what would be of use to talk about with you all…

Princess of Cups

This is a beautiful card of self-worth and value. Princesses as we have seen before correspond to the position 10 on the Kabbalah – Malkuth, this is the point of manifestation of the suit. The princesses are the manifestation of the potential we find in an ace. So here we have an emotional new start, where much work has been done in the emotional realm and can now be put into practice on the physical plane.

So in relationships, this is a card of emotional freedom, there is no need for jealousy, manipulation, power games etc. These things have been explored and now are no longer needed. There is trust and freedom and also joy. The swan of her head is a symbol of freedom but also a symbol of monogamy and trust between people. She holds the lotus upright and high and is able to see love everywhere and through everyone.

She offers her talents and skills to everyone without wish for reward, yet also without pushing herself on anyone – she quietly helps out and moves on, she needs no recognition and is able to protect herself through her own innocence and comfort with her vulnerability. She seems to sidestep power games that others offer her invites to play, effortlessly. She is pure and capable, receptive and free.

The dolphin symbolises love and trust as well as the idea of loving guardianship of this world and all that is in it.

This card is earth of water and so is the physical practical application of emotional knowledge and understanding. So she is empathic, understanding and loving in all she does.

As a card representing a person she can also represent a sensitive young child – or someone older with the apparent innocence of someone very young. With this youth or youthfulness comes simple wisdom and ways of seeing the world which cut through the complexities we often have learnt to use as resistance to doing what is in our heart. The answer and the truth is often so much more simple, but almost too hard to see for our doubts. The princess can see through these things and get to the core by trusting her own views on the world and trusting what is in her heart. She lives by the truth that all is love ultimately.

Queen of Swords

This months card for you all is the Queen of Swords, a card I have a great fondness for.

She is a woman who can stand back from the situation – her naked top shows she is open and her heart connection with others is unhindered and at the same time she is able to stand back emotionally from any situation and use her sword of discernment to see whether the situation is for her higher good. She makes an excellent counsellor – someone who you can go to with your troubles assured that she will not get over involved or attached to whatever decision to decide to make and will support you throughout your journey on the path ahead. She is depicted as in the clouds and higher giving her a higher perspective too which also helps her give good advice and support as well as understand the bigger picture. She has removed her own masks yet still has the ability to use them when needed. She can relate to others need for privacy and masks to. Her favourite mask is one of silence and withheld behaviour – helping her stay detached – at times overly so. but in the main she is someone to trust. The clouds are of air and she is rational in her approach though knows her heart she will not act upon it without a rational knowing alongside. It can be that at times she rationalises her emotions too much and keeps the talking and thinking about it going without grounding this with action or actual feeling the situation she is involved with.

As with all court cards these qualities can be seen as part of the persons development who the reading is for, their need to take this position or their need to let go of it. As well as representing someone in the life of the querant who is important in the situation for some reason. Often both can be true and applicable as we often attract people to us who mirror elements of ourselves we are needing to study further to either increase their action on our life – bringing the counsellor out in us for instance, or that we need to let go of, the actual person in life perhaps bringing conflict to show the inner conflict when an extreme use of the Queen of Swords is not helpful in life and that more balance is needed. As the tarot reflects our position in life so to those around us, and we can do a reading for ourselves by looking at who are attracting at any one time to see what elements of ourselves we are working with. Bringing more love to those parts of ourselves we dislike and also balancing those parts we over do.

What does she say to you now? Are you in need of a listening, impartial ear to help you right now? Do you sometimes withdraw and intellectualise to avoid feeling your feelings?

Prince of Cups

Prince of Cups
This month I am going to muse upon the Prince of Cups the card drawn for you all this time…
This card is particularly powerful in the Thoth deck I feel. It talks of emotional exploration and the connection with another both emotionally and very often sexually too. A time for open exploration in a relationship, of all the desires and fantasies each partner has, nothing censored and all shared with the view to love and connect on a deeper level. Though as a court card, this card can represent a person who is youthful in outlook, free and prepared to try anything once, he also follows his passion and desire wherever it may lead and so often may indicate that the relationship – though very passionate, open and caring may not last forever, and when the exchange of ideas and feelings has been done then each person moves on with greater integration in their lives. Of course in a committed long-term relationship, the freedom aspect of this card can indicate that the two partners are able to be freer than perhaps they once were – to both express and experience feelings and desires with each other – even if some of the fantasies involve others, without jealousy or discomfort. It is like all the truth is set free for the possibility of transformation of each person.

The building of love is less the focus than personal discovery honesty and truth coloured with spiritual clarity. It is like the love is there and assumed – no long needs to be the focus to grow – but grows through the open acceptance of each other and each persons respective growth path.

This card can also represent travel to foreign lands – by air in particular for the purposes of self-development and growth – rather than just a holiday, a sense of wanting to be changed by the experience and this being the main goal.

This card is also about allowing yourself to face what your true desires are in life – not just in the relationship realm but also in career, family and spiritually – it asks us to look at what is it we really are inspired by – what would give us the greatest pleasure. As we acknowledge the deepest desires in ourselves we come to see that perhaps our dreams are not so impossible and perhaps we can indeed create our world in the image of our desires and all will be well. In fact it turns out it is what we are here to do. Great insight into the self can be attained by allowing our unconscious to have more free rein on our lives and showing us where we are going and how that differs or not from what we truly want in this life. All is allowed, once acknowledging that our wants and needs are as important as others we can express ourselves and often our assumptions about others responses is incorrect and there is more space to move then we have allowed ourselves. Set yourself free! Embrace it all and allow yourself to be changed by the truth within you.

My Associations with the simple image forms:
blue – communication
purple – spiritual force
flower – love and the attainment of spiritual love
snake – transformation, sexuality
cup – emotional being
naked prince – open and honesty
bird – freedom, strength, power, over view of the world and emotional being, accepting all seen
wind – freedom, making a difference, allowing movement to cause change outside oneself too
chariot – secure base within the freedom, vehicle for movement forward
water – flow, change, emotion, depths of unconscious
Prince – Tiphareth on the Qabbala – connection between spirit and earth, tantric sex, transformation of spiritual self through the connection with another human in an open way channelling the Source energy of all that is by finding all that is within the self, the dark and the light, particularly accepting all emotional forms within the self.

The Princesses

The Princesses
This month we are going to take a brief look at the princesses in the Thoth deck. These cards are rather special they represent not only people – young children or a youthful person, but also the energy of the card as part of yourself and in the Thoth also are connected with new opportunities. On the Qabbala they are associated with Malkuth, the 10th Node which is all about the physical manifestation of spirit in which ever realm you are dealing with (wands, cups, swords or disks).

They are associated with beginnings … a new start. Things have been prepared for internally and can now become manifest. The Princess of Disks is in particular a very good card to represent building up something new in a perfected way. Being the princess (new beginnings) and being a disks card it really is a perfect manifestation in the physical world. The princess of cups is more the perfection of a new emotional beginning, full of trust love and self value. Whereas the Princess of swords is more about new ideas and ways of thinking about the world being expressed and shaking the status quo. The Princess of Wands shows a rebirth of the self with its focus on spiritual matters and that no longer are the old ways going to restrict and hold back progress of the spirit. She has been set free and is now about to follow her passion wherever that may lead.