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by Beth Owl's Daughter
In my previous article, I discussed the Tarot suit of Wands, representing the element of Fire. Full of the summer sun's energy, the Wands shine with creativity, passion, action, growth, and change.
But what about the Court cards? Neither as dramatic and spiritual as the Major Arcana's big life lessons, nor as pragmatic as the actions, moods, and energies represented in the Pips (Ace through Ten cards), there are usually four "people cards" for each of the four suits.
Court cards may represent aspects of the querent's own personality, other people who may be affecting the situation in question, or the activities or energies being portrayed in the cards (such as questing, or contemplation). Which of these is the correct interpretation can be a subtle art that depends on the other cards in the reading as well as personal experience and practice.
Here are some ideas to help you get started.
Traditionally, the four court cards are the Kings, Queens , Knights and Pages. However, just as Wands may be called Staves or Staffs or Rods, the court cards are sometimes named differently from one deck to another. They may be called Fathers, Mothers, Sons and Daughters; or Child, Seeker, Guardian, Guide. The Knights may be Princes and the Pages Princesses. Or they may be Man/Woman/Child/Sage - just to name a few variations. They may also be all the same sex or gender-neutral. For the sake of simplicity, I will use the traditional Waite-Smith deck naming convention, but bear in mind that many decks intentionally shun what they deem a hierarchical/patriarchal system.
In the earliest days of the Tarot, the court cards related to literal, physical characteristics of the people in question. Wands usually were interpreted as fair-skinned and blond or red-haired. The Kings and Queens were considered mature adults, in traditional male and female roles, Knights were thought of as adolescent males, and Pages were young boys or sometimes girls. Those traditional physical attributes, however, were basically European, as that was where the Tarot was first popularized. Today in our culturally diverse society, such physical attributes and sexual stereotypes are largely disregarded.
Instead, most Tarotists today feel that the court cards represent other kinds of attributes of the people involved. The Kings usually represent the pinnacle of the suit's power, success, responsibility and mastery. The Queens often represent the suit's deep wisdom, nurturing aspects, and boundaries. Knights are about action, movement, change, and initiation,while the Pages are generally messengers, the innocent side of the suit, hopefulness, and beginnings.
For instance, if the Wands are about Fire, will, and action, then we would have to assume that the King of Wands is a charismatic person indeed!
Whether the King represents an actual male or female, the person in question is someone who deeply feels their power and responsibility to act in the world. Yet this is no stodgy, gloomy stick-in-the-mud. This is someone who loves to get involved, the boss who still gets his hands dirty, the leader who never asks anyone to do something he would not. Incredibly positive, he is able to influence people by sheer willpower and setting a masterful example. He is gifted with extraordinary creativity and abundant energy. Unfailingly upbeat, he can't understand why anyone would have a negative attitude. In some interpretations, the Kings correspond to the fixed signs, so the corresponding astrological energy of the King of Wands would be Leo.
The Queen of Wands, on the other hand, shows the receptive, nurturing side of Wands' bright, fiery energy. She (again, not necessarily a woman) is not the edgy King, who itches to jump off his throne into the next adventure. But she is not passive or shy. Instead, she brings hospitality, warmth, and sincerity to those in her influence. She is passionate, open, and loving. Her power is used for the greatest good of all, as she, like the King, is well aware of her charisma and influence. Inventive, creative and usually full of laughter, she deeply appreciates life in all its forms. In some systems, the Queens are said to correspond with the cardinal signs of the zodiac, so she would be Aries.
If Knights are the court cards that represent how the suit manifests in action, and Wands are about action, then you know the Knight of Wands is a force to be reckoned with! Restless and intense as fire itself, he acts before he thinks every time. He is in constant motion; multi-tasking is the only way he knows how to perform. However, he has a tendency to leave some of his many projects incomplete. Until he learns how to channel his boundless energy and enthusiasm, he runs the risk of dissipating his intentions, flying in all directions at once. The Knight of Wands can be represented by Sagittarius.
What a joyous, light-hearted energy the Page of Wands offers! Whether he is an actual child, or simply the child-like innocence that comes when we truly celebrate life, the sunny Page of Wands brings a sense of liberation and hope. He could be the bright, bold beginning of a project; or the eager playfulness when we are with a dear friend or lover. The Page of Wands is completely unconcerned with plans, strategies, or consequences, but is the dancing spark of potential and magic and daring.
May all the Wands people in your life bring you warmth and light and happiness. And may you find your own Wands power that will manifest your desires with sparkle and creativity! |
