The Tarot court quick reference

In this post I'll be discussing the interpretation of the Tarot court as abstract concepts, intangible things, or influences.  I think this may well be the stickiest point when it comes to interpreting these cards.  It's relatively easy to imagine them as individuals, and to associate them with real individuals in your life, and it's even fairly easy to imagine how these individuals would act and turn that into advice about your own actions.

But what about when these cards come up in answer to questions about intangible things?

For example, take the familiar Celtic Cross spread--in a recent reading I gave, the King of Wands came up in Position 2.  Card 2 is usually read as "crossing" Card 1, which represents the subject/querent in the situation.  In my experience, I find that the way in which Card 2 "crosses" the subject isn't always negative per se.  It can be an obstacle, or something weighing upon the subject, but it can also be an element of the situation that is strongly influencing or even constraining the querent's position or actions in the situation.  Of course, this can be a person.  But in my experience, more often than not it's an intangible thing.

So I list here a number of keywords for each of the court cards that may help to show what kinds of things or influences each can represent.  In some cases I have mentioned some people whose public/fictive personae are in close accordance with a particular card.  Bear in mind that there is some overlap among the keywords, but that should help you get a better sense for the relationship of the cards to one another.

Pages

Page of Swords 

inquisitive, studious, analytical, smart, moody, talkative/argumentative, a bit of a tattletale, a dark-haired child or youth

Page of Cups 

heartfelt, open, affectionate, flirtatious, tender, sensitive, dreamy, a bit ditsy, a fair-haired child or youth

Page of Pentacles 

shy, philosophical, down to earth, sensitive, responsible, acquisitive, a bit lazy, a fair-haired child or youth

Page of Wands 

enthusiastic, inspired, artistic, expressive, fun-loving, hyperactive, a bit of a spazz, a dark-haired child or youth

Knights

Knight of Swords

warrior, logic, scientist, measurement, analysis, sarcasm, brusque, intelligent, aggressive, communication, dark, mind over matter, mysterious, Sherlock Holmes-type, a dark-haired man

Knight of Cups

romance, courtship, suitor, Romeo-type, moody, sensitive guy, poet, troubadour, public display of affection (PDA), love letter, Lancelot-type, a fair-haired man

Knight of Pentacles

suit-and-tie, hard work, workaholic, strong silent type, stubborn, proud, good provider, reliable, predictable, man of his word, Horatio Alger-type, down to earth, stingy, a fair-haired man

Knight of Wands

Don Juan or Casanova-type, seducteur, charm, panache, charisma, courage, passion, ambition, male sex appeal, gambler, jock, honesty, a dark-haired man

Queens

Queen of Swords

intelligence, insight, sharp tongue, strict mother, sarcasm, tough love, teacher, tutor, education, wisdom, experience, subtle, science, wit, librarian, a dark-haired woman

Queen of Cups

psychic, fine arts, poetry and song, compassion, care, loving kindness, heart, sensitivity, gentleness, drama queen, creative, deep, beauty, oracle, healing, Guinevere-type, a fair-haired woman

Queen of Pentacles

motherly, domestic goddess, Martha Stewart-type, garden, cooking, childbirth, practicality, frugality, earthy, earth mother, a fair-haired woman

Queen of Wands

belle of the ball, Lady Luck, party girl, female sex appeal, charisma, diva, bold, dramatic, Marilyn Monroe-type, center of attention, a dark-haired woman

Kings

King of Swords

judge, dry sense of humor, wisdom, intelligence, mysterious, alluring, King Arthur-type, a dark-haired man (likely older)

King of Cups

counselor, comforting, gentle, mature love, fatherly affection, healer, supportive, a fair-haired man (likely older)

King of Pentacles

luxury, millionaire, gentleman farmer, businessman, tycoon, black tie affair, dapper, debonair, Cary Grant-type, father figure, the good life, CEO, executive, sugar daddy, swanky, a fair-haired man (likely older)

King of Wands

big spender, high roller, male sex appeal, generosity, charisma, creative, bold, open, dynamic, majestic, young Henry VIII-type, athletic, honesty, nobility, a dark-haired man (likely older)