Thank you for your kind words

In Tarot, different systems are often over-laid one on top of the other to add different perspectives to a Tarot reading. For instance, numerology, astrology, the Kabbalah, Jungian Psychology and so on, are often layered upon the Tarot. People do this for several reasons, but one of them is to provide an overall framework of the Universe (I’m thinking of the Golden Dawn when I say that). The other reason, is to add different interpretations to the 78 Tarot cards (many of these interpretations often conflict with each other).

For example, the Queen of Cups is usually seen as a Water sign by certain people who overlay the Tarot with astrology. However, the Golden Dawn would attribute the Queen of Cups as belonging to both Gemini and Cancer. Some famous Queen of Cups (using the Golden Dawn system) would be, Paul McCartney, George Orwell, John D.Rockerfeller and so on.

Likewise, the Court cards have also been assigned certain physical characteristics – brown hair, blue eyes and so forth. This is a rather old theory and it isn’t very accurate. It comes from a time when the majority of Tarot readers were European.

Basically, there’s so many conflicting systems out there that the best approach, from a divination perspective, is to simply trust your intuition. If you feel it represents you (‘for some irrational, cannot explain why I feel this through logic or reference to certain books … then it’s probably the most accurate’). The Tarot is a very irrational system. It tries to justify itself through logic, but fails.

With regards to the Knights, then in my experience they can represent both.

Next time the Knights appear in a Tarot reading, try this simple but powerful technique – reinterpret using both methods.

For instance, lets say the knight of Cups appears in your Tarot reading. Interpret this card using both methods.

Knight of Cups:

1st. Romance will enter your life!
2nd. This man’s personality is…(insert whatever you think the personality of this card is). For me, I would describe him as inconsistent and has difficulty with self-discipline and commitment.

Although this way of practicing using the Knights in your Tarot readings seems simple, it will actually remove a lot of the confusion you’re feeling at the moment. Very quickly, you’ll come to realise that both interpretations apply (they don’t necessarily cancel each other out).

I hope this rather long answer has been useful. If you have any more questions, then please feel free to ask

I, for one, have had a rather difficult time disciphering Queens in particular. I have always felt myself associated closely with the Queen of Cups, mainly because of my emotive nature and water sign, but many tell me it is usually a fair haired woman, which I’m not.

When the Queen of Cups comes out in my daily 3-card spread, I can hardly tell if it’s me or someone else. Different books say different things, and leads of confusion.

Another thing is that several books I’ve read actually state blatantly that Knights very rarely mean people, and are mostly actions and events.

What is your take on those two things?

Many thanks! I am new to your blog but a quick fan.
Kat

Thanks for your sharing all this great information.

This is a great perspective to take on the Court cards. The link you make with the first four Trump cards is very interesting and something, I’m sure will add a great deal of depth to a reading.

It seem to me that you’ve taken the Trump cards, and their influence, to really inform (along with Elemental Dignities), the combinations and interactions of the other Tarot cards. This is a great system, and I’m looking forward to exploring this further

I used Yahoos Babelfish to translate your article. Awesome stuff

I recommend to everyone that they go check out this excellent article.

Thanks for sharing

I agree, this article doesn’t cover any of the important points you’ve raised in your comment. Court card do represent far more than just other people – as you’ve pointed out, they can represent events, different aspects of ourselves, blockages and Qabbalistic principles.

I’ll be writing articles on each one of these topics in due course

No problems

You do have a great system working for you, but I have a little slant that might add some depth I would like to share. I mentioned it briefly in the comment I made on your last post, ‘Stop reading about it and do it,’ but it really seems to fit well here too. So, here it goes.

When considering the court cards, I can’t help but be reminded of the creative principles inherent in the the first four keys that echo through all four echelelons within the major arcana. These are the people affected by them, and the elements color their circumstance.

The Page, full of potential, is met by inspiration and bears a message. The knight seeks the answer to the riddle of the priestess. For power, knowledge, chivalry or wealth, his quest will take him to the ends of the earth. The queen holds the power of the empress, the feminine principle is receptive and nurturing. She carefully takes stock of all that comprises her domain, and sees it to fruition. The King sees his lot, all that has come to pass, his family, his wealth, his army, and his power. Then, with the wave of his hand, he sets the wheel in motion.

(V) Did he do the right thing? (VI) What will happen next? (VII) How will the world respond? (VIII) What will he need to overcome? (IX) What fate did he manifest? Oh… and then it’s the Gods’ turn! (X)<—-Greater cycle!
Again, the greater cycle is very complicated and doesn't really fit this post.
Great thread Douglas. Always looking forward to more…

Love and Light,
Bulal