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.
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.