The Four Suits of the Tarot & the Court Cards

Cups loosely we can describe the cups as representing emotions, and all things connected to the heart centre. Emotional connections and commitments also indicated by this suit, as connections to the past and the future.

This suit of cups is for the most part a benign suit, and those cards that are inclined to be at the negative disposition are usually take all of being overcome or changed in some way.  These cards are also very prevalent when we are about to or have learned a very important life lesson and need to move on.

Rods/Wands for the most part this suit represents work, whether it be what you do free-living, or what you consider your ‘ life's work’ to be. They often indicate movement in this way, and can often indicate changes connected to our home, where we live, the sort of place we are in whether temporarily or permanent, and information about our ‘ spiritual home’ they also suggest the things that you can acquire on your life path, and your level of accomplishment.

Swords are perhaps the most difficult of the four suits, they indicate ‘thought’ rather than emotions, intellect rather than intuition, although they can also indicate a person who is highly intuitive and psychic to some degree.  A predominance of swords in a reading always signals challenges!  And should be read with great care and optimism, as often there are solutions and new pathways implicit in the reading that it would be easy to miss for an inexperienced reader.

Pentacles for the most part indicate wealth, goods, and the ability to create this in your life. When people are represented by pentacles they are usually grounded and have many of the attributes of the ‘ earth signs’ of the Zodiac.  Pentacles often indicate balance and structure in your life or the ability to draw this into your life in the future.  Wealthy people appear to draw pentacles in a reading for obvious reasons.

So these are at the four suits of the sacred tarot and their most basic meanings. These suits can also in some readings indicate areas of the body (the chakra’s) or seasons of the year.  But this reason I have coloured them in their most relevant colours so that you may see the connection.

THE COURT CARDS. KEY WORDS.

ALL COURT CARDS CAN REPRESENT EITHER A PERSON OR A SITUATION which makes them the most difficult area of the Tarot to interperate, I find it best to read the Court Cards intuitively, this area will be dealt with intensively in TAROT ADVANCED.

King of Cups as a person;- imaginative—emotional—charismatic.

As a situation;- cultural and spiritual experiences.

Queen of Cups as a person;- feminine—artistic—spiritual.

As a situation;- can mean fantasy of some kind, and in a positive way.

Knight of Cups as a person;- young—loving creative person (sometime a lover)

As a situation the search for the Grail.

Page of Cups as a person;-increasing intuition and awareness in a young person.

As a situation;- awareness & emotion.

SWORDS

King of Swords as a person;- logical—clever—very quick-witted.

As a situation;- can mean clear and logical advice.

Queen of Swords as a person;- cool—charming—intelligent—(often a witch)

As a situation;-a battle of wits.

Knight of Swords as a person;-young—quick thinking—new ideas—whirlwind.

As a situation;-speed and change.

Page of words as a person;- the young awakening mind.

As a situation;-news—contracts—gossip.

PENTACLES

King of Pentacles as a person;- sensual sound and secure.

As a situation;- gradual material improvement.

Queen of Pentacles as a person;- supportive—practical—kind.

As a situation;- rewards & treats.

Knight of Pentacles as a person;- young—ambitious and determined.

As a situation;- taking steps towards security.

Page of Pentacles a person;-young—happy—good natured—grounded.

As a situation;- small gains and loses, on the whole stability.

WANDS

King of Wands as a person;—energetic with drive and integrity.

As a situation;—negotiations and agreements.

 Queen of Wands as a person;—warm-light—loyal—vital.

As a situation;—rural pleasures—success for woman.

Knight of Wands as a person;—young—intelligent—impetuous—friendly.

As a situation;—much activity.

Page of Wands as a person;—lively young person—clever—quick.

As a situation;—opening up—creativity.

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