I did the following tarot exercise today. It comes from “Understanding the
What you have to do is order the 16 tarot court cards from most to least favourite. (I used the Rider Waite Smith for this one.) When you have your final arrangement make some notes for your journal about what you feel about the card and why you put it there. It is quite revealing about oneself when you start to relate to those difficult court cards as if they were real people.
Anyway, the following is what I wrote down. If anyone else feels like having a go at this with their own deck, I'd be interested in making comparisons with you:
Deliberated for a long time over this exercise – it wasn’t easy. Some were easy to choose, like placing Sword King and Queen of Wands near the top. Others, I kept shuffling around and they could have been in a number of places up or down – like Page of Pentacles who is dead in the middle now, which must be about right because sometimes I like him, sometimes not at all – he started much higher.
For a while I had the complete Pentacle family together, quite near the top – I split them in the end with the Page of Cups – another one that started higher & moved down – yes, he’s handsome, as are all the pages, but maybe too much of a wet?
Queen of Cups is very near the end of the list – tough, considering she is supposed to be my significator. But we are not talking Arthurian QofC here – nourishing the earth with the wine from her cup – the RWS QofC is far too self-absorbed and looks mean too.
Odd in a way that King of Swords is right near the top – he is traditionally a very stern & intimidating figure. But the RWS KofS looks straight out at me – the only one that does. I feel he really cares and would only administer his tough justice out of kindness and love. He is the real father figure of this deck. So, the order …
1. Page of Swords: Handsome, debonair, grounded enough not to be an “air head”. With his long pony tail flying and his sword aloft, PofS would be a sexy and exciting companion. I choose him for his intelligence and integrity – a worthy champion.
2. Queen of Wands: A friend I could talk to and be inspired by. She holds a sunflower so I see her as a gardener. She likes cats too. Her features are soft – although tight-lipped – more a listener than a talker. Her legs apart, like a mans’ – this woman is not afraid of her sexuality either.
3. King of Swords: Stern, most would say, but I see it tempered with kindness. Someone I could approach for honest advice. And I particularly like the way he looks directly at me.
4. Knight of Pentacles: Oddly, it’s this guy’s horse that made me move him up the pecking order. Such a placid Dobbin. See KtofP as a farmer – down to earth, practical, and reliable.
5. King of Pentacles: Feel like I would have a good time in this King’s castle. Would be partying & enjoying the finer things of life, allowing me to escape from the cares of life for a while.
6. Page of Cups: This card was higher as I thought “what a pretty boy” – then I thought he may be too much of a dreamer – like, “Doh!! How did that fish get there?” Stupid boy! But likeable.
7. Queen of Pentacles: Definitely nurturing – holding her pentacle like a baby – but maybe just a little smothering? I may feel a bit claustrophobic if I spend too long in her presence.
8. Page of Pentacles: Another one that was higher & moved down the list. “Too studious” was the decision in the end. But I do feel I could learn something in his company. Maybe the concentration would rub off.
9. Knight of Cups: Full of honour and loyal dutifulness, this guy’s heart is on his sleeve. Was there something about him not being a trustworthy companion? Well, I’d trust him but he’d have to get down from his high horse first.
10. Knight of Wands: Whatever this guy has in his sights he doesn’t seem to like it. Something has inflamed his passionate interest but I don’t think he as much to offer me.
11. Page of Wands: Fascinated by the growth from his wand, like he is seeing leaves for the first time. Maybe that’s it – he lives in the desert after all. But I think he may bore me with all his “new growth” talk.
12. King of Cups: Gazing into the distance & surrounded by a sea of emotions, this guy has a lot on his mind. And somehow I don’t think I figure at all on his scale of interest. Go play with your stupid boats then!
13. Queen of Swords: Stern, judgemental, sharp-tongued, tells it like it is. But at least she holds her hand out in an open gesture – she is not close-minded.
14. Queen of Cups: Whilst the Arthurian QofC I love, this one has all the negative qualities – completely self-absorbed, vain, possessive, drama queen, wrapped up in her own emotions – awash with them even - a bitch.
15. King of Wands – Ready to flare up any minute – temper boiling – hot-headed and a nasty piece of work.
16. Knight of Swords: “Tally-ho!” “Charge!” Ready for action on the latest crusade – fighting for truth & justice – but pity the poor woman he leaves at home neglected & forgotten.