The Court cards (Kings, Queens, Knights & Pages) can cause a lot of grief to new comers of the Tarot. Is it a person? Or is it an aspect of my personality? Court cards need a careful consideration when they appear in a spread, and to be honest I sometimes still to this day have troubles with them.
The Court cards can represent:
> The people in your life.
> Aspects of character and personality.
> Your sense of identity and knowledge of yourself.
> The roles you play.
> Events or situations coming into existence.
> Times or seasons of the year.
> Qualities you should cultivate to handle your situation.
> When reversed, they represent shadow aspects of the personality or people who are working against you.
Court cards have two fundamental interpretations. On the one hand, they represent curious aspects of yourself that are important in your current situation. On the other hand, Court cards represent other people. They suggest that you are asking about your dealings with others in your life. When many Court cards appear in a reading, there are involvements with many people regarding your question.
Each characteristic of a Court card can refer to different people. The Tarot's Court cards is a system of personalities represented by the 16 Court cards - Kings, Queens, Knights, and Pages. These are the keys to understanding the Court cards because the personality of each one is a combination of its suit and rank.
A Court card in a reading is showing you how a certain approach to life is (or could be) impacting your situation. A Court card can show you a side of yourself that is being expressed or seeking expression. It may be a side you value, or one you neglect. It may be an approach that you recognize, or one you deny. How you view it depends on your question, the other cards and the situation.
A Court card can also represent another person. If you look at a court card and say to yourself "I know how that is!" then it probably does represent that person. It may also indicate someone of whom you are not yet aware.
The Court cards have a human dimension that the other cards do not, so they can give you clear messages about who you are and what you want from life. The trick is to understand yourself and the situation so you can accept the messages when they come.
Each Court will also express its suit Quality in some form as well. Knights tend to take their suit to it's extreme, Queen's tend to express their suit in a motherly, or loving nature. King's will use their suit to help them achieve their fullest potential in life to get them ahead in the world. And Pages tend to use their suit for offering you a message in some form, they will inspire us to reach for their suit and enjoy what it can offer to us.
You can continue to read on about each Royal Court card below, to learn a little more about each Court card and how they can help you with your path.
Kings show mastery, ability, authority, leadership, and stature in the field represented by their suit. They represent experience, power, authority, and status. Kings are secure but rigid and limited by the rules they have established.
Kings reflect our force of will, initiative, principled action, and our ability to get things done. They are usually mature and able to give advice. They influence the situation in a way described by their position in a spread.
Kings can be your father, a boss, or someone in authority or to whom you look to for direction. "He" can also represent a woman, or a sense of self in a man.
The Regal King of Wands has the element of fire as his realm. He is a man of authority and personal power, confident in all he does. The King of Wands has enthusiasm for life and encourages growth and potential in others as well.
The King of wands is a proud, confident, enthusiastic and kind soul. He is also a proud father and eager to be of help always forth coming with advice when someone asks. The King of Wands is passionate about all that he believes, and he carries himself well. He has excellent leadership qualities and can delegate well. Think of him as a mentor or father figure, good at getting people to see their potential.
Reversed
When we turn the King of Wands upside down, we find the same power, but not the same enthusiasm. He has a tendency to let everything fall away because of pessimism or doubt. He's insecure and unsure of himself or others, and he may be temperamental and hurtful with his words. He can be arrogant and take an intolerant or unyielding stance. The King of Wands can scare people away with his big roar, but, like the Cowardly Lion, he's not as harsh as he seems.
Question you can consider when you receive the King of Wands
How are you expressing your sense of self?
How are you using your decision-making and leadership abilities?
Who is controlling your situation?
Who do you admire for their sense of self?
The King of Cups is a man of devotion, introspection, and kindness in all that he does. When he speaks it comes from the heart, and he has a quiet power. He can be a great leader in religion, at home, or as a counselor. Above all, he wishes to do humanitarian work or some kind of work with people. He can handle the rocky emotional side of humankind, and does so with compassion. The main concern with this King though, is to understand and share human feelings and sensitivity. He covers his emotional nature with a calm exterior and enjoys watching progress from behind the scenes.
Reversed
When the King of Cups is reversed he still has his feelings, but they're being tossed around, causing emotional upheaval or unsteady conditions. There may be stormy weather with his emotions, as there is no control over what is going on around him. This King cannot handle deep-seated emotion and sensitivity, and instead he will stay detached, not tell the truth about an issue, or become reclusive, almost Hermit-like.
Question you can consider when you receive the King of Cups
What feelings are you keeping under control?
In what ways are you a caregiver or counselor?
Who cares for you deeply?
How have you established yourself creatively?
This is a stern King, and he is looking right at you, as if he is studying or analyzing you. The King of Swords is well educated, understands the human mind, and deals well with logic and reason. He has the right authority for his ability to counsel, and he can give good logical advice. He can represent a judge in government or law. The King of Swords has the power to command because he always knows what's at the crux of a situation. Good counsel and good advice help him come to a fair and rational decision. He is just and honorable in all he does, making him a firm friend. He has a good memory and can be sharp as a tack when it comes to statistics, analysis, and recall of an event. He is direct in all he does, but because he's upright, he is also flexible, as long as the arguments logical.
Reversed
This King isn't too happy when he is reversed, and can certainly have a bad attitude. He feels mentally exhausted, unable to handle the stress of a situation. He is critical, cool, and aloof, as well as obstinate, and he can be cruel, especially in his words. The King of Swords will not be sensitive to the needs of others. He is preoccupied with his own thoughts and ideas and become obsessed with his own intentions and actions. In addition, he can be severe in his judgment, make unfair assessments, and just be downright opinionated about everything.
Question you can consider when you receive the King of Swords
Who is laying down the law?
How are you using your ability to be rational, logical & analytical?
Who is judging or criticizing you?
The King of Pentacles has an easygoing exterior and is friendly, kind, generous, thoughtful, and industrious. He can represent a father of kind disposition, a businessman of prosperity, or a reliable married man with his main focus on the security of his family. This King has tremendous ability to make decisions about financial issues, and he is logical, thoughtful, methodical, responsible, and very solid and steady with everyone he meets. The King of Pentacles truly believes that everyone can have security on the material plane, and he wants his family and friends to attain material success to ensure their future security. He is accomplished at math, sciences, banking, and real estate. If you ever need financial advice, this is your King!
Reversed
The King of Pentacles reversed still desires financial security and prosperity, but he has an ulterior motive: he does not want to work too hard for it. The reversed King of Pentacles wants all the good things in life, but is not able or willing to do what it takes to get them. He is stubborn, materialistic, slow to move on things, unaware of his spending habits, and makes unwise choices about money matters. Because he is not focused he can be a man who is crude, mean, bigoted, dishonest, vulgar, or miserly.
Question you can consider when you receive the King of Pentacles
How are you using your ability to manage your material affairs?
Who is trustworthy yet stubborn?
How are being practical and down-to-earth, or who do know that is?
Queens recognize their power and display self-confidence, generosity, channels her feelings, emotions, dreams and visions through thought and she is able to make her points well with sensory information and practical knowledge.
Queens are the mother figures of the Tarot and often symbolize mature women with some kind of authority or personal power. Queens represent creativity, love of nature, caring, fondness for children, a new level of understanding, or awareness. They tend to offer good advice and are good listeners.
Queens influence the situation in a way described by their position in a spread. Several Queens in a reading may signify meeting or gatherings of many women. "She" can also represent a man or a sense of self in a man.
The Regal Queen of Wands faces us and has strong features. These show us her power of command and her power to create new directions. Action and movement will take place when she is around. Ambition, growth, and development of any idea or plan are the name of the game here. The Queen of Wands is honorable and respectable and can be a strong leader in business or at home. "Dominant" is a good word to describe her presence, and in fact you can sense her presence in a room. She is affable, cordial, sometimes just a little aggressive, but above all enthusiastic and motivated. The Queen of Wands is kind to animals and children and enjoys growing and/or developing anything into something greater. She has an outgoing personality, and overall is agreeable and strong.
Reversed
Reversed the Queen of Wands is almost too forceful with her ideas, words, and actions. She can be pushy and overly temperamental and easily agitated. The Queen of Wands reversed can be quite strict and domineering. Sometimes immature emotions come through and she seems bossy, pushy, or arrogant. The kind of fire that comes from both the King & Queen of Wands reversed can be hurtful.
Questions you can consider when you receive the Queen of Wands
How are you expressing your creative energies?
Who is giving you lots of good ideas and energy?
When do you feel powerful and passionate?
Who is strong-willed and protective?
This sensitive Queen devotes herself to matter of the heart. Her attachment to others is strong and her desire to nourish and help others is evident as well. She is usually a good wife, a loving mother, and devoted to whatever she is committed herself to. The Queen of Cups is willing to be of help and concerned with the welfare of others. Poetic and dreamy, the Queen of Cups is sensitive and relies on her intuition more than logic and reason. She feels everything, and wants to know what is going on at a deeper emotional level. Usually soft-spoken and good-natured, she wishes to please above all.
Reversed
When reversed the Queen of Cups has developed an overworked imagination. She is always worrying and concerned about things over which she has no control. The Queen of Cups can exaggerate the conditions around her by her emotional outbursts. She means well and wants to be of help, but she is out of balance emotionally and cannot see clearly through the turbulent conditions.
Questions you can consider when you receive the Queen of Cups
Who wants to protect you and shower you with affection?
How are you working or expressing your unconscious?
How are you expressing your emotions?
Who is inspiring you with their dreams and openness?
The Queen of Swords holds her sword upright to represent spirit penetrating matter and informing us with knowledge, and like the King of Swords, this Queen can be an excellent teacher, lawyer, or counselor. She has a sharp mind, is a keen observer of people, and a good listener who, with her sound logic and reasoning, will analyze all conditions. The Queen of Swords has got great leadership qualities and can handle a crowd quite well. She is thoughtful and able to keep her emotions in check.
The Queen of Swords indicates a woman of strong character, but also one who has seen many hardships, and often goes through life alone. Because of her character, she bears her sorrow well, and she is adept at handling loss, and knows how to deal with the most difficult of human conditions. She can often signify a divorced woman. And, with her clear and direct way of speaking and addressing issues, the Queen of Swords is a good psychologist.
Reversed
When the Queen of Swords is reversed she can barely keep her calm exterior and is easily angered, unable to discipline herself as when she was upright. The Queen of Swords still has her keen observations, but can use them in a narrow-minded way. She is not so open to listening, but will instead tell us what to do. Often when she is reversed, she will be misunderstood, which is why she will have difficulty with others. But she can also cause her own downfall by being too judgmental or dogmatic.
The Queen of Swords reversed is, as in her upright position, both strong and stern, but she needs to use more self-control when she is reversed. Her perception of a situation will now be colored by her one-sided view, and she may have a tendency to gossip and embellish matters to force others to share her opinion, or do things her way. She can be vindictive and domineering, and have little regard for others rights or feelings. She can be sharp with her words, cutting through you with her sword.
Questions you can consider when you receive the Queen of Swords
How are you utilizing your mental and communicative abilities?
Who is helping you see the alternatives by pointing things out to you in rational, perhaps critical ways?
How are you being discriminating and analytical?
The Queen of Pentacles is the Queen of fertility and abundance. This Queen is a creative woman who knows how to raise a family and take care of the financial conditions in life. She is good at business careers, taking care of children and gardens, and is not afraid to work hard. The Queen of Pentacles is a productive individual and enjoys seeing things or people grow. She is charitable and generous with what she has and wishes to share it with others. The Queen of Pentacles has a quiet personality, is responsive to others, easygoing, and kind of the Earth Mother type. Because she is responsible, she always fulfills her duties well.
Reversed
When reversed, the Queen of Pentacles has a lot of insecurity about finances and her ability to make ends meet. She can appear moody and melancholy, and that's because she is having a hard time with the material world. This Queen can become too dependent on others for her well-being, or she might neglect her duties or responsibilities because of her insecurity or fear. She can show a mistrust of others as well, and is suspicious by nature.
Fear of failing makes the Queen of Pentacles quite vulnerable to changeable moods. She can appear needy and can manipulate funds to acquire things other than life's basic needs. She has seen some hard financial times in her life, and she may see more.
Questions you can consider when you receive the Queen of Pentacles
How are you channeling your physical resources?
Who inspires your need for practical skills and nurtures your desire for knowledge?
Who is reliable and trustworthy?
How are you grounded in Mother Earth?
Like Kings and Queens they can represent people or aspects of your own personality but they can also represent a situation in your life as well. Knights represent restlessness, energy, courage, strength, constructive force, changeability, movement, drive, action, haste, energetic young people, mature adolescents, and young men from late teens to mid-thirties and seekers. They can also represent situations involving schools, collages, universities and a quest for knowledge.
The brave young Knight of Wands is going off on his own journey, and lucky him! He has a strong and gallant horse to carry him through all sorts of territory. And his armor will protect him as he goes on his journey. This Knight is hasty in all that he does, and takes action where others would not. The Knight of Wands carries his wand, which gives him the power to manifest his goals. While he is sudden and impatient in all he does, the Knight of Wands is nonetheless strong and always enthusiastic. We might call him the "hyper" these days, but he just wants to get on with it and get going, he does not like to dilly-dally!
The Knight of Wands can be a generous friend or lover, and always does everything in a big way. He brings with him in his furry journeys, new adventures, change of residence, or that major change in your life in which you will want to be ready for.
Reversed
When the Knight of Wands is reversed everything is falling away, the horse is upside down, and the wand of fire falls away meaning that is power has left him. The Knight of Wands can be narrow-minded, argumentative, pushy, domineering, irresponsible and down right ornery as well. This Knight still holds his hastiness, but because he has lost his power to control the fast life, he will instead experience delays, frustration, chaos, and lack of follow through causing him problems.
Question you can consider with the Knight of Wands
How are you growing and developing?
How are you taking risks?
Who is radiating creative or sexual energy in your life?
Who's enthusiastically wants to get going on something?
The Knight of Cups is a man of genuine character who is offering an invitation or proposal, and this Knight can represent the beginning of romance and falling in love. Skilled in the arts and music and with good understanding of human needs, this is one Knight who knows how to romance! The Horse is a symbol of bringing an issue or condition closer to you, and, for this young Knight, this means an issue of the heart, or learning to develop relationships of heart-centered nature. Action in the heart and emotions are being brought to the fore when this Knight comes galloping into your life. Also considered a romantic dreamer, the Knight of Cups is full of ideas that can open your heart and make you look at your deepest feelings.
Reversed
When reversed the Knight of Cups has fallen off his horse, and that will postpone the offer or proposal. The Knight of Cups does not relate well with others around him when he is reversed. The horse cannot carry him across the water of his subconscious, and so there is a fear of getting involved with others or a fear of commitment. All these fears and overworked emotions have left this Knight tired and weary of relationships. The Knight of Cups may hesitate or not tell the whole truth about what he or she feels.
Question you can consider with the Knight of Cups
What dream, ideal, vision, or love are you following?
Who is inviting you on a journey of emotional significance?
The young Knight of Swords is off on a journey on his beautiful thoroughbred racehorse. With his speed, this Knight brings with him messages of caution and the need to stay alert. The Knight of Swords has a great need to inform us of something important. He represents urgency to get things moving in your life ~ NOW! He does not dilly-dally along; he is a mover and a shaker. While this Knight's courteous and kind and has good intentions, he is also quick-witted and sharp, and, as he expects the same of others, he can seem a little pushy at times.
This is a courageous, skillful Knight, who with his good mind can be a helpful advisor. He will always defend the underdog and is concerned with getting to the truth of the matter out in the open. His desire to warn us makes us alert and ready action. "Forewarned is forearmed" says the Knight of Swords.
Reversed
When reversed, the Knight of Swords mighty horse is upside down and can no longer move in the direction he was going. There may be difficulty maintaining stamina, strength, or mental attitude, and this Knight is not able to cope with conditions because he is just mentally worn out. This Knight may also be unable to help or warn others of an impending trauma.
Because the Knight of Swords is worn out mentally he often becomes argumentative or a troublemaker, always willing to start a fight or a war. He will experience struggles and delays that can seem never-ending, resulting in a short fuse and a lack of concern for others, and may be dishonest, hiding something and not telling the truth.
Question you can consider with the Knight of Swords
Why are you charging and why so fast?
What point do you feel committed to make?
Who has been impatient or careless of your feelings?
The Knight of Pentacles sits on his dark draft horse that plods along the fields of life, cultivating and developing new horizons. This young Knight is thorough and will take his time in doing a good job. Trustworthy and honest, he will get the job done they way you would like it. The Knight of Pentacles has an easygoing nature, is compassionate, loves animals, enjoys children, and loves the gifts he can give others. His focus is one of helping others get ahead, and he can represent the coming of an event to go with a sale, business deal, or investing in something solid and stable.
Solid and stable himself, the Knight of Pentacles can bring good news concerning a pay increase, new job offer, an investment that will increase in value or a loan that has been approved. He can be a good broker, financial investor, veterinarian, or farmer.
Reversed
When reversed, the Knight of Pentacles can be irresponsible, because he is scattered and cannot focus on the job at hand. He cannot follow through on things and is slow and laborious in his actions. His upside horse means progress is impeded. This Knight needs a lot of encouragement to get through this difficult time. He seems to wish to avoid any confrontations and is moody and withdrawn, wishing to be far from the crowds.
The Knight of Pentacles reversed could be called the loner of the Tarot, or worse, the malcontent. He has probably received his share of hard knocks and cannot seem to get his life going on track the way he would like to. He neglects his duties and is unable to follow through on the commitments he originally made.
Question you can consider with the Knight of Pentacles
Who is stable and reliably there for you?
Who is committed to security and conventions?
How is it going at work or on a project?
What needs of your body or of Mother Earth are you sensitive to?
Pages tend to bring you messages and new ideas. They often refer to the receipt of some form of communication. They suggest the need for more information to make a mature decision, a need to look into a matter and warn against going off half-cocked. Pages suggest for you to study matters and be open to messages or new ways and ideas. The communications take the form of a phone call, fax, email, regular mail, or just good old fashion communication. They act as catalysts for change in your life, indicating an opportunity present. They take risks and are open to new possibilities.
Each Page shows a happy child holding the token of his suit. They inspire us to enjoy their interests with them. Pages also encourage you to "Go for it!" If you want what the Page is offering, do not be afraid to reach for it.
The Page of Wands seems to be studying his wand, possibly reading a message he has just received. The Page of Wands is often contemplating and studying messages and information, and that is because he brings you good news. The Page of Wands is represented as a child or young person who is still considered dependent on family and friends. This could be a grandchild, a new baby coming into the family, or your own child, who is a good communicator.
The Page of Wands has great enthusiasm for life. He loves adventure and is often interested in travel to foreign lands. With his strong and dynamic personality, she can prove to be a good friend, one who will always tell it the way it is.
Reversed
When the Page of Wands is reversed, the messenger is not able to deliver her news correctly. This could mean delays in receiving the message, or that contacts are not made. The reversed Page of Wands usually brings you a message you do not want to hear. This message may not arrive in time, and warnings are often being given when the Page of Wands is reversed.
The Page of Wands attitude when reversed tends to theatrical, overzealous, superficial, or image-conscious. The Page of Wands reversed is trying to let you know that you should be alert for some delays or disappointing news.
Question you can consider when receiving the Page of Wands
What new territories and ideas are you checking out?
Who is calling you?
Who is enthusiastic about your endeavors or looks up to you as a mature adult?
What risky actions are you taking?
What are you all fired up about?
This Page holds a cup outward to us, from which a mischievous fish, a symbol of the emotions and imagination, peeks out. The Page of Cups brings attention to love and feelings in our lives. The Page of Cups offers gentleness, sweetness, kindness, and the desire to make you happy. There may be romantic or encouraging letters coming in the mail, and music, the arts, and poetry come with this young Page as well.
The Page of Cups can bring us news of a child or happiness in family conditions, with a young person bringing the good news. This young Page wants to offer help and cooperation and he has a gentle and good nature. When he appears in a spread, he can bring joys, happiness, and a good omen that your life is changing for the better.
Reversed
When the Page of Cups is reversed, the fish and water run to the ground. Messages either do not arrive or a happy message is delayed. This Page tends to be too emotional, moody, brooding, or detached, because he is feeling sorry for her/himself.
There is not much action with when the Page of Cups is reversed, and instead he withdraws from people, preferring to be alone. If this is a child in your life, try to get them to talk about their feelings. The Page of Cups reversed tends to not want to communicate right now, and can represent an over sensitive child or situation that calls for calm and introspection.
Questions you can consider when receiving the Page of Cups
Who depends on you emotionally?
What does your intuition say to do?
How can you serve others?
Who offers unqualified, nonjudgmental love?
This Page holds his sword with both hands, ever vigilant and intent on the message she is carrying. The Page of Swords is very intelligent and a quick thinker able to handle any emergency situation. The Page of Swords is a messenger who urges us to look deeper into the meaning of a situation; there is more than meets the eye.
The Page of Swords has the qualities of grace, dexterity, and inquisitiveness. There is a desire to communicate and help others by giving added information. The Page of Swords can also signify a delay in your plans, or some disappointing news. Courage may be needed to deal with the problem.
Reversed
When the Page of Swords is reversed, he has a lot to do with information that will reveal the whole truth about issues. The Page of Swords can show unpredictable behavior or sudden events, or those strange twists of fate coming into your life. The Page of Swords reversed represents a young person or dealings you are having or will have with teenagers. Great communication comes from the Page of Swords whether he is upright or reversed, because truths eventually come forth.
Questions you can consider when receiving the Page of Swords
What do you have to say?
What fears must you face?
What of significance have you just learned through the media?
Who is trying to communicate with you?
The Page of Pentacles brings to the forefront the need to study the pentacle before his. He loves to study and learn practical things, and is diligent about his life. The Page of Pentacles brings us hope and the promise of good luck in the material world.
The Page of Pentacles can be a young, persevering scholar, generous and kind to all he meets. He is enthusiastic about education, progress, and the material rewards that come with them. Careful and cautious, he studies everything before making a decision.
Reversed
The Page of Pentacles reversed suggests there are delays in receiving good messages about finances, job offers, or scholarships. This Page reversed is someone who cannot follow through on directions. He will be the one to follow her young peer group, refusing to listen to good, logical counsel from adults. Rebelliousness and frustration are hallmarks of the Page of Pentacles reversed.
When reversed the Page of Pentacles is often quite moody and withdraws from or sabotage events. He has a love of luxury and material goods, but not much desire to work for them. We could call her lazy, with her procrastination and lack of motivation.
Questions you can consider when receiving the Page of Pentacles
What new information are you gathering?
What new possibilities do you contain within yourself?
Who is bringing you financial information?
Are you listening to the earth?
