A Look at the Tarot Court Cards - an overview of reading the Court cards
The Court cards of the Tarot Deck consist of the King, Queen, Knight, and Page. There are other names the court cards go by, such as Master or Visionary for King. The Queen, in some decks, goes by Lady or Mother. The Knight can be seen as the Seeker or the Artist in other decks. The Page can be seen as the Student or Child.
The Court cards can be referred to as the face cards, people, or human cards. There are tarot deck creators who give different names to the Court cards to give a non-binary and non-royal hierarchy feel to the Tarot face cards. Some card creators don't like the word "Court" and will refer to these cards as human, face, or personality cards. Some alternate names for Court cards include:
As a professional Tarot Reader, I appreciate all of these names and the creativity behind them. Over the past couple of decades, I have learned that the traditional court names of Queen, King, Knight, and Page can sometimes be off-putting to clients, so I make sure to explain how I read these cards. Like the pip cards (number cards), the energy is important. The Queen's energy is not necessarily an actual female person; however, it can be. Not only is your intuition and knowledge of the cards important in reading for others, but the conversation between you and your client is important. When reading the court cards in a spread, I read the energy of the card, and I ask my clients how they feel about the card. For instance, I ask, "What or who does this card remind you of?"
The Court cards can bring up the following in a reading:
Court cards can be helpful to the client in recognizing their emotions or feelings regarding a situation. I find the court cards are very helpful in helping a client with self-reflection and using the cards to give "permission" to feel what you're feeling. Where the pip/numbered cards let us recognize the day-to-day events in our lives, the Court cards help us recognize:
When reading the court cards in tarot, here is an overview:
The Page/Valet
Rank: Initial or Start of a phase, process, or beginning
Energy: Hesitation, uncertainty and humility
Element: Earth
The Page in Tarot is represented by a young person. In many cards, we are not sure if this is a male or a female. There are many sweet and tender qualities of this figure, such as flowing hair, wide eyes, and a sweet smile. Looking at the posture of the figure, we get a sense that there is hesitation and uncertainty. The figure looks "innocent' and needThere is also a bit of awkwardness to these figures: advice or guidance, and maybe a little help. The Page figure is someone who doesn't own a lot, is dressed very modestly, and is still dependent.
There is also a bit of awkwardness to these figures:
The cup is heavy, and the figure seems to struggle with holding the Cup and looking into it.
The club or wand is often large in comparison to the Page figure, and they cannot hold it.
The sword is also big for the Page figure, and it is held very awkwardly against the shoulder.
The coins or pentacles - the Page figure seems to be able to handle one of the two.
When we look at the suit symbol of the card, the symbol appears big and difficult to handle. We can interpret this to mean that the Page is at a learning stage. They are learning to handle money, a project, a skill, or becoming aware of their feelings. There is also an appearance of a lack of control and a need for guidance. For instance:
The Page of Cups (Earth & Water): The suit of cups has indications of the water element (emotions, intuition, feelings, relationships, love); the Page has indications of the earth element (need for grounding, growth, and maturity as well as mentorship)
- Awareness of feelings after a brief encounter
- beginnings of a new romance
- hesitation to show feelings
- sincerity
- good intentions
- discovering one's desires
- playfulness, light-heartedness
- artisticness
- dreams, intuition
On the other hand:
Page of Swords (Earth & Air): The suit of Swords has indications of the air element (communication, education, institutions, learning, conflicts, intellect, and legal issues); the Page has indications of the earth element (need for grounding, growth, and maturity as well as mentorship)
On the other hand
Page of Wands (Earth & Fire): The suit of wands has indications of the fire elements (ambition, career, creativity, sexuality, competition, rivalry); the Page has indications of the earth element (need for grounding, growth, and maturity as well as mentorship):
On the other hand:
Page of Coins/Pentacles (Earth & Earth): suit of coins/pentacles has indications of the earth element (grounding, skills, resources, home, physical health, mental health, healing, finances, family, social status); the Page has indications of the earth element (need for grounding, growth, and maturity as well as mentorship)
On the other hand:
The Knight
Rank: Moving towards the goal, Committed to service -older than pages; teenage, younger adult
Energy: Advancement, commitment, action. movement
Element: Fire
Knights in the tarot are mounted on horses that are usually in motion, symbolizing advancement towards a goal or achieving results. Knights are dedicated to a vision or service. They are honourable, brave, and can be viewed as risk-takers. The motion that is depicted in most Knights' cards is fast, with the knight appearing to control their horse and may indicate travel. They can be seen as messengers who take risks to make sure the truth is heard. The horse is the card that can be seen as a representation of people and family that a person uses to achieve a goal. How fast the horse appears to be going is how fast and fiercely the person is willing to work to achieve their goals. Knights can be seen as romantic and an individual who can sweep you off your feet.
The cup is presented as if there were a proposal or romantic gesture of devotion
The club or wand is held in the Knight's gaze to indicate a fixation on desires
The sword is held in such a way as to force energy in a desired direction.
The coins or pentacles - the coin appears in front of the knight to indicate the awareness of one's goal
The Knight of Cups (Fire & Water): Cups is the suit of the water element (emotions, intuition, feelings, relationships, love); the Knight represents the fire element (relationships, love, partnership, devotion, romance, emotions).
On the other hand:
The Knight of Swords (Fire & Air): The suit of swords is of the air element (communication, education, institutions, learning, conflicts, intellect, and legal issues); the Knight represents the fire element (relationships, love, partnership, devotion, romance, emotions)
On the other hand:
Knight of Wands (Fire & Fire): The Wands is the suit that has indications of the fire element (ambition, career, creativity, sexuality, competition, rivalry); the Knight represents the fire element (relationships, love, partnership, devotion, romance, emotions)
On the other hand:
Knight of Coins/Pentacles (Fire & Earth): The suit of coins/pentacles has indications of the earth element (grounding, skills, resources, home, physical health, mental health, healing, finances, family, social status); the Knight represents the fire element (relationships, love, partnership, devotion, romance, emotions)
On the other hand:
The Queen
Rank: Achievement and protector, and has nurtured projects to realize the product/goal
Energy: maintaining status, nurturing, defensive, cautious, suspicious, serious, stable, conscious, bearing fruit, achievement, preservation, conservative, maternal instinct
Element: Water
The Queen in each suit is seated on a throne with her crown. In one hand, she holds the symbol of the suit she is representing, and in the other, a sceptre is held against her upper body, or a hand is placed on her belly, or a hand is placed firmly on the armrest as she sits on her throne. The suit symbol (coin, wand, sword, or cup) is held in one hand, indicating that the Queen intends to hold onto her status and achievements. If she is holding a sceptre, she means to remind you of her status. If a hand is on her belly reminds us of her nurturing ways, and on the other hand, her suffocating ways. She is someone to be reckoned with, whether she represents a person in our life or represents an aspect of our personality. The Queen is often kind and polite, but that doesn't mean you can mess with her!
The cup is covered in many decks to suggest that the Queen keeps her feelings to herself and is guarded
The club or wand is quite large and appears to be made just for her. The bottom tip is held at the pelvis to indicate she knows how to use her sexual appeal. She is also protective of what is hers.
The sword is held in such a way that she will use it at a moment's notice, and this indicates her sharpness and wit
The coins or pentacles - the coin that appears is held in front of her to remind us that she is a woman of accomplishments
The Queen of Cups (Water & Water): The Suit of Cups is of the water element (emotions, intuitions, feelings, relationships, love); the Queen indicates the water element (relationships, love, partnership, devotion, romance, emotions)
On the other hand
The Queen of Swords (Water & Air): The suit of swords is of the air element (communication, education, institutions, learning, conflicts, intellect, and legal issues); the Queen has indications of the water element (relationships, love, partnership, devotion, romance, emotions)
On the other hand
The Queen of Wands (Fire & Air): the Wands is the suit that has indications of the fire element (ambition, career, creativity, sexuality, competition, rivalry); the Queen has indications of the water element (relationships, love, partnership, devotion, romance, emotions).
On the other hand
The Queen of Coins/Pentacles (Water & Earth): The suit of coins/pentacles has indications of the earth element (grounding, skills, resources, home, physical health, mental health, healing, finances, family, social status); the Queen has indications of the water element (relationships, love, partnership, devotion, romance, emotions)
On the other hand:
The King
Rank: the wisdom and experience. The advisor in work, family or a project. A time for a change in direction when the "old ways" no longer work
Energy:Â leadership, advisor, controller, wise, sternness, order, authority
Element: Air
The King in each suit sits on a throne. He wears a crown or a wide-brimmed hat that shows his status. In one hand, he holds the symbol that he represents, and the other hand rests firmly on the armrest of the throne or is held firmly on his waist. His eyes are focused, and his face is calm, but his body shows that he is ready to get out of his chair. His pose is dynamic, and his upper body gives the energy of calm and ready to listen to whatever the situation is at hand, but the lower portion of the King's body seems like he will leap into action if someone gets out of line. The King gives advice and shares his experience, but he can also be domineering, controlling, and brutal when his dark side shows.
The cup is held in one hand, but the King is often not looking at the cup. In some cards, the opening of the cup is narrow. These are indications of King's control over his emotions and his measured approach to advancing his goals
The club or wand is large with a sharp point, and it looks as though the King should be careful that he doesn't stab himself. In other King of Wands cards, the bottom of the wand or club is held close to one foot. This indicates a reminder for him not to be too hasty in his decisions.
The sword is held in one hand and upright. It doesn't threaten but reminds others of the King's authority
The coins or pentacles - the coin is held in one hand and appears as though the King is offering his generosity to others.
The King of Cups (Air & Water): The Suit of Cups is of the water element (emotions, intuitions). King of Cups - Jean Dodal Tarot
feelings, relationships, love); the King has indications of the air element (communication, journalling, wisdom, conflict, discord, institution, academics)
On the other hand:
The King of Swords (Air & Air): The suit of swords is of the air element (communication, education, institutions, learning, conflicts, intellect, and legal issues); the King has indications of the air element (communication, journaling, wisdom, conflict, discord, institutions, academics)
On the other hand:
The King of Wands (Fire & Air): the Wands is the suit that has indications of the fire element (ambition, career, creativity, sexuality, competition, rivalry); the King has indications of the air element (communication, journaling, wisdom, conflict, discord, institution, academics)
On the other hand
The King of Coins/Pentacles (Air & Earth): The suit of coins/pentacles has indications of the earth element (grounding, skills, resources, home, physical health, mental health, healing, finances, family, social status); King has indications of the air element (communication, journalling, wisdom, conflict, discord, institution, academics)
On the other hand:
Whether I am reading the tarot using cards of the Rider Waite system or the Marseille system (my favourite), I use the elements to describe the energy of the card and then the overall energy of the spread. Some tarot readers who use the Marseille tarot may argue that the Marseille system wasn't designed to use the earth, water, fire, and air elements, and therefore, assigning these elements to the cards in a reading is incorrect. However, using the four elements in the reading resonates with me and gives another "layer" of information to my clients.
Things to keep in mind when reading Court Cards: