Prince of Cups

Weekly Card Riding with the Knight of Cups

April 1, 2015
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 Prince of Cups

April 1, 2015
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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