Knight

Weekly Card Riding with the Knight of Cups

150402 Knight of Cups Baroque Bohemian Cats
Baroque Bohemian Cats Tarot

We’ve had a pretty thorough look at the Knight of Cups before (as one of his aliases: Prince of Cups). Since he follows his heart in and out of our lives, let’s take a look at a few more of his possible faces.

One of my favourites is his appearance as a white glamour puss on his proud black mount, from the Baroque Bohemian Cat deck. This Knight obviously loves the finer things in life. When he rides into town, it means you’d better put on the dog to have a chance with him. It’s nights at the theatre and five-star dining. The minute you want to run through the sprinkler in your undies or crash on the sofa, he’ll be back on his horse in search of his next peak experience.

150402 Knight of Cups Renaissance Williams
Brian Williams’ Renaissance Tarot

Brian Williams’ Knight of Cups from his Renaissance Tarot seems more accessible, perhaps even more interested in being of service. He’s awfully placid atop his feisty and substantial steed. This Knight promises growth and healing (his green garments and the corner reference to the Archangel Raphael) if we drink from the cup he offers.   But his horse has all the ferocity and bite of the transient and truncated sexual encounters (Scorpio’s sting is in there, after all – the astrological correspondence for Knight of Cups) that the Knight of Cups is famous for.

150402 Prince of Cups Thoth
Aleister Crowley Frieda Harris Thoth Tarot

Finally, we have the Aleister Crowley- Frieda Harris Thoth Tarot (another Prince of Cups). Frankly, a whole lot more scary Scorpio and less hopeful romantic. His sights are still set firm on his desires (the serpent rising from the cup), but he wears and rides the eagle aspect of Scorpio (the “evolved” scorpion) and carries a lotus blossom.   This Prince (Knight) may still tear through with romance, but he’s putting the transformative aspect right out front.

So, what kind of emotional mindset do you need to get on the horse – or eagle – with any of these Knights, even for a short ride? Can you visit the elite artistic heights with the Baroque Bohemian Cat? Are you seduced by the gentle healing promise of Williams’ Renaissance Knight, despite his high-spirited horse? Are you brave enough to join Crowley’s Knight for a transformative flight?

What about the transient romances in your own life? Have you been the “victim” of a Knight of Cups or two . . . or three or . . . ? Were you able to let go after the encounter to let it be healing? (Or did you, like many of us!, kick and scream in resistance to the ending?) Are you still lost in romantic fantasies of bygone desires and wishes?

Or have you been the Knight of Cups, highly creative and innovative, intimate with whomever you fancy? Commitment? Of course you’re committed: to love, to creativity, to beauty and truth. Are you guilty about your Knightly self or have you learnt transformative acceptance?

Be in touch with your desires this week and make a commitment to their source. Spontaneity and creativity are required in your ride . . . the scenery will change, after all.  Above all . . .

 Commit to the ride!

 




When the ride gets a little wild or confusing, a tarot session with a professional can help you find your course.  And here‘s where you can find one.

Weekly Card Healing the Knight of Swords

150212 Knight of Swords Healing
The Healing Tarot

Our last straightforward look at the Knight of Swords covered the concepts of adventurous, forceful energy in the realm of ideas, concerns and communication, from Tarot . . . It’s Easier Than You Think. So let’s delve into the specifics of the Healing Tarot image.

Before we start, though, I want to addresse the issue of medical treatment versus healing. Medical diagnosis, treatment or cure is not within the scope of tarot. However, healing – the idea of making oneself whole – is. So, as we talk about this Knight of Swords, stay within bounds of healing and don’t mistake it for the medical world. For that you need a medical professional; I am most definitely not that.

That said, we’ve got a young man with his back to us here. He’s still looking at his sword, symbol of the ideas that concern him. He’s being treated by a massage therapist, specifically around his upper back and shoulders.

So, how does that relate to our TIETYT concepts? Think about the concerns portion first. Where do we carry our problems? And how do your shoulders feel when you’re worried? How about when you’ve been dashing off this way and that to act on this idea or communicate that one? You can see how softening the knots from unceasing activity could help this Knight.

In Tarot 2: We’re Not In Kansas Anymore you learned that Swords are connected with Air. Our front-line physical interaction with air is in our respiratory system. Breathing exercises can help restore wholeness in the world of Swords. And since communication is in the mix, meditation or other tonics to the nervous system – our internal communication system – can also help us to heal when we see Swords in a spread.

Let’s combine the Knight of Swords with the two cards from January that we added to the mix last week. What story comes out when an adventurous, dashing and witty Knight of Swords is connected to the relationship of the 2 of Cups? And how is he likely to respond to the patient maintenance required by the 7 of Pentacles? What if all 3 cards are part of the story; is this a relationship that will last?

T2WNIKA students can look at how assertive and active Air (Swords) interacts with passive and receptive Water and Earth (our Cups and Pentacles). Both Cups and Swords are strengthened (for better or worse) by their interaction with each other. Swords and Pentacles, not so much: they’re weaker in their exchanges. The Knight of Swords is Air of Air, so the most quick-moving and active of the Knights. That level of activity could be enough to stir the passive Cups and Pentacles into movement. But this Knight isn’t known for staying power, so what do you think? Remember to figure in how much Cups energy and how much Pentacle energy is involved, from the numbers in each suit.

Flash your fine mind and wit this week!

 



If you’re having problems with the Knights of Swords in your life, you know where to find me. You can also get in touch for individual and group lessons.
The next Berkeley County Adult Ed classes are on 20th March and 1st May. Call 304-267-3585 for info and to sign up.

Weekly Card Knight of Wands

141009 Knight of Wands Renaissance
Renaissance Tarot

 

Whoa, Nellie!!

Knight of Wands is the most adventurous and forceful of the Court Cards: the most active card in the most aggressive suit. He may signify someone crossing your path or he may be rushing you to encounter that aspect of yourself.

141009 Knight of Wands RWS
Rider Waite Smith Tarot

Brian Williams’ Renaissance Tarot representation is much more subtle than the Rider Waite Smith image, but we can still find the indicators for the Knight who’ll take us quickly in the direction of our ambitions.

For starters we’ve got a few of the different names for Wands: Staves and the Italian Bastoni, which translates as Batons. Sometimes we’ve got slender staves or wands, other times heavy batons or clubs. All the same suit, under different family names. This one’s got the crown of spirit on it’s slender stalk.

Going basic, we’ve got a man on a horse. That immediately ups the speed and distance available to the Knight. His armour is light, a compromise necessary for speed. Perhaps he’s arrogant about defenses, perhaps he’s ignorant, perhaps he’s just a very good fighter. And perhaps he’s just able to out distance or out maneuver his adversaries.

He keeps a loose hand on the rein, an indication that he’s got a trusting relationship with his steed, letting his spirit take the lead. The wings on his helmet refer to the swiftly moving air element that’s associated with all the Knights. Knight of Wands’ flight is motivated by passion.

The red cloth of his dress is the colour of fire, with a yellow amulet, the colour of air. Emotional blue contains his passionate red. Although blue is most often associated with water, we all recognize it as the colour of clear skies . . . clear sailing.

Up in the corner, we’ve got an angel with a scroll – the Torah, the law. That’s one of two references to Hermes, the winged messenger. The other is the winged helmet. In the other corner we’ve got 2 men, indicating masculine energies (NOT male: you already know we’ve all got a masculine and feminine side); another descriptor of the activity level, the dynamic nature of the Knight of Wands.

The countryside through which he rides is fertile and green, growing. The water behind him – again a symbol of the subconscious and of emotions – is calm. The city is in the distance with mountains even further behind.   Is our Knight passing by, or has he come from those distant places? It’s hard to imagine the city containing him but his fiery spirit could easily conquer the rugged mountaintops.

So, this week, identify the people in your life who are moved by their passions. And find the ways you yourself embody the Knight of Wands.

Fire away!

 

If you’re looking to learn more about Tarot, I’ll be teaching level 1, Tarot . . . It’s Easier Than You Think, on Wednesday, 5th November, and level 2, Tarot 2 . . . We’re Not in Kansas Anymore, on Friday, 12th December, through the Berkeley County Adult Ed program.  Call 304-267-3585 for more information and to register.

And you know where to find me for phone, email, or in-person tarot counseling.

 

Weekly Card Knight of Swords

140911 Knight of Swords Rabbit Tarot
Rabbit Tarot

Here’s your knight in shining armour!

The Knight of Swords (or Carrots in Nakisha Elsje VanderHoeven’s Rabbit Tarot) is one of the Court Cards in your tarot deck. Court cards represent the people or energy types that cross your path. Knight energy is adventurous and forceful. Swords are the active energy of ideas, concerns and communications. So we’ve got a knight who’ll come to your rescue.

140911 Knight of Swords RWS
Rider Waite Smith Tarot

What strikes you in the image on the Rabbit Tarot? That carrot is something to chew on. Ever heard the phrase “here’s a thought to chew on”? But look at the image on the Rider Waite Smith Knight of Swords? Does he look like he’s taking time to chew on much of anything?

Our Rabbit Knight has a goat for a steed.   He’ll be sure-footed, able to take on all sorts of terrain, even the straight up and down kind. His horns even look a lot like the rabbit’s carrot.   Up there on his head, his mind is on the outside. If you know any goats, you know they don’t take long to act out any thought that comes into their heads. That quality is very Knight of Swords.

We can see clearly in the Rider Waite Smith image that having a steed extends the Knight’s range of travel. And all that motion looks like it’s happening at top speed. Knight of Swords doesn’t wait around or waste time.

When have you been called on to be a Knight of Swords? Who do you know who embodies that regularly? How would it benefit you to go there this week?

Think quick!

 

If you’ve been wanting to learn tarot, I’m teaching two levels through the Berkeley County Adult Ed Program.  You’ll find some of the details in the Upcoming Events and On-Going Classes sidebar on the right.  Call 304-267-3585 for registration and further information.

We’ve had another visit with the Knight of Swords.

 

Weekly Card Prince of Cups

140508 Prince of Cups Ceremonial Magic
Tarot of Ceremonial Magick

My, we’re spending a lot of time with the Courts lately!   Last week we visited with the King of Swords; the week before that was Princess of Pentacles.  When that many court cards show up, it lets us know that we’re out in the world of other people more than usual.  Stop for a moment to see how your life has been affected by those around you, especially the intellectual authoritarian types and the youthful practical types.

140508 Knight of Cups RWS
Rider Waite Smith Tarot

This week, we’re meeting the Prince of Cups, also known as the Knight of Cups.  Here we have the element of air living in the world of water.  You’ve noticed, I’m sure, that air in water rapidly rises to the top.  And a big enough wind on the surface of the water can really stir things up.  Although air moves freely on its own, water slows it down or limits it into bubbles.

The attributes of the Prince of Cups grow out of that interaction of air with water.  He (or she – remember, the cards are gender neutral in our material world) is on a quest to fulfill his emotional desires.  He can get lost in the emotional content of any situation, losing sight of the bigger context.  Deep feelings can be stirred up when this Prince rides into your life.  As a representative of the airy world of ideas, he can lead you into situations where you’re more in love with love than with any real person or situation.  He encourages looking within.

There are two pictures that we can draw of this Prince.  One is of a sincere idealist who is in touch with his inner truth.  The other is of a self-absorbed Don Juan, riding roughshod over all in fulfillment of his emotion-based ambitions.  The keys that keep the Prince of Cups engaged with his successful, positive side are his emotional connections with others and his sincerity.

You’ve noticed additional symbolism on the Tarot of the Ceremonial Magick card.  (You’ve seen XXI World and King of Cups from this deck before.)  Lon Milo DuQuette designed these to include astrological references, as well as Enochian and Goetian Magickal connections.  The symbols that refer to the elemental correspondences are in the I Ching lines in the upper left and in the Tattwa symbol in the lower right.  The upper 3 lines and the blue circle signify air and the lower 3 lines and the crescent signify water.

Let the Prince of Cups lead you to a deeper understanding of your emotions this week.  Use your discoveries to connect with others in your life.

Here’s to those creative moments of Truth!

 




Self-discovery is a strong suit in the Tarot.  Let me know when you’re ready for a quest.

We’ve had another look at a few more of the Knight of Cups appearances.

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