Divinatin 101
Cartomancy
Court Cards

Minor Arcana

As we wind down from our card meanings and what the intention of their creation may have been, we must remember, the cards speak to YOU, the Diviner first and foremost. Yes, there are symbols, and meanings. But these do not always apply. Go with your gut. Go with your Intuition. Pay attention to cards that repeat themselves frequently for you personally as they may be taking on a more personal meaning related to individual Expereinces.

To continue exploring tarot, here are some “cliff notes” on Mr Waite’s interpretation of his own cards.

“Before you, you see 16 numberless cards. Some have symbols tying them together through the suits. For example, each court card typically holds something from their suit, can you find them?”

Card Environments

The Pentacles are typically Experiencing a ‘sunny day’ while the Swords are Experiencing a ‘cloudy day’. Did you notice in your studies of the cards? This may lend to the interpretation that “swords are bad”… when in fact they are not. Remember, they are of Thought.

Waite goes on, “With the court cards before you, read the words and observe on the card:

The King and Queen cards have thrones that are in metaphysical places or outside versus “in a castle”. Do you see?”

Queens & Animal Allies

With Wahya Circle - First Degree, we learn that all Queens have an Animal Ally, notice that as you are on a Earth Based Path and the animals speak to us as well as the Plants and Stones we see or that are present every day. This often speaks to the Divine Feminine. Look closely, Waites says. “It may be obvious or carved into her throne or in her clothing. “What do you see in the cards?”

Pages & Knights

All Pages are found standing. They are dressed in short and formal garb of the day and are isolated from others. They are usually near a field that is ready to be planted or has been harvested, etc.

All Knights are again connected to animal energy such as Lizard, Fish, Butterfly, various Birds, and of course Ally Horse. Each horse is completing a different action for the Knight. We see that Feathers are seen on all Knights helmets, too. Look at the armor they are wearing. What do you see?

Pages and Knights are connected. Look at the wands suit. Similar clothes and location and locations in the RWS system. In Cups, the Water Element is strong… Emotions. For the Sword, Element Air, Thoughts.

When you pull one card, you recall what the past or future is by the cards’ connections to each other.

Kings

PENTACLES – Rams = courage, King can be lethargic at times
Currency (not always money), Money (Look at other cards in spread to determine), Lore, Intellect, Math, Success

Reversed: Vice, Weak, Ugly, Peril

CUPS – throne is floating on sea, fish around neck related to Path.
Fair, Business, Law, Divinity, Responsible, Equity, Art, Science, Creative intellect

Reversed: Dishonest, Double dealing, Scandal, Considerable loss

SWORDS – King sits in judgment, justice, power of life and death
Power, Commanding, Military, Law, Offices of the crown

Reversed: Cruelty, Perverse, Barbaric

WANDS - dark, ardent, impassionate, noble, connects with lion energy
Dark man, Friendly, Pagan or Country man, Married, Honest, News of inheritance

Reversed: Good but severe; Austere but tolerant

Queens

PENTACLES face suggests female energy, great soul, intelligence, Opulence, Generous, Security

Reversed: Evil, Suspicion, Fear, Mistrust

CUPS Beautiful, fair and dreamy, visions, seer, acts on those visions
Good fair woman, Devoted, Serves, Intelligent, Success, Happy, Pleasure, Virtue, Good mother

Reversed: Distinguished but not trusted, Dishonor, Depravity

SWORDS suggests familiarity with sorrow, scarcely a symbol of power
Widowhood, Female sadness, Absence, Mourning, Separation

Reversed: Malicious, Bigotry, Deceit

WANDS suit of life and animation, corresponds to king in same suit
Dark featured woman, Friendly, Loving, Honorable, Love of money or success

Reversed: Economical, Serviceable, Opposition, Deceit, Infidelity

Knights

PENTACLES slow enduring heavy horse, exhibits symbol of suit Service, Interest, Responsible, Rectitude, External plane

Reversed: Idle, Repose, Stagnation, Placidity, Carelessness

CUPS graceful, quiet, not warring. Higher graces of imagination, dreamer. Arrival, Approach, Messenger, Advances, Proposition, Demeanor, Invitation

Reversed: Trickery, Subtly, Swindle, Fraud

SWORDS full armament, hero, chivalrous, clean of heart Skill, Bravery, Defense, Rest, Wrath, War, Destruction, Opposition, Death (Look at surrounding cards)

Reversed: Incapacity, Extravagance

WANDS short wand, not warring, pyramids or mounds nearby, horse suggests mood
Departure, Absence, Flight, Immigration, Dark featured young man.

Reversed: Rupture, Division, Discord

Pages

PENTACLES youthful figure looking intently, slowly moving
Scholarship, Reflection, News, Messages, Management

Reversed: Liberality, Luxury, Unfavorable news

CUPS a fair and pleasing, somewhat effeminate page, studious, contemplate fish looking at page Pictures within mind’s eye, Fair young man, Compelled to render service, Studious, New, Message, Meditation, Reflection, Business, Inclination

Reversed: Unhealthy attachment, Deception

SWORDS a lithe active figure in the act of swift walking over rugged land, clouds are wild, alert
Expected enemy, Authority, Oversee, Secret, Vigilance, Spying, Examination

Reversed: Darker side of aforementioned, Sickness,

WANDS a young man stands in the act of proclamation, unknown but faithful. dark featured young man. Faithfulness, Lover, Envoy, Postman, Beside a man, Favorable testimony, Dangerous rival, Intelligence

Reversed: Antidote, Announcement, Indecision

Book Recommendation

Edward Waite wrote a book called

Pictorial Key to the Tarot: Waite, Arthur Edward

Most of the information that has been presented in regards to this deck come from his book. For this final interpretation, we do hope you will explore the very communicative world of tarot. After all, YOU are the reader. YOU are the one who is to hone their intuition to further travel with this form of divination or not.

You get out, what you put in.