The Tarot Court Cards: Archetypal Patterns of Relationship in the Minor Arcana

by Warwick-Smith, Kate

• ISBN13: 9780892810925
• ISBN10: 0892810920
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2003-05-01
• Publisher: INNER TRADITIONS INTERNATIONAL

Summary

The Tarot Court Cards gives fresh meaning to the sixteen "face" cards of the tarot -- the King, Queen, Knight, and Page. Kate Warwick-Smith shows how these cards embody archetypal patterns of relationship that can be used by seasoned tarot readers and newcomers alike to achieve practical and insightful results. Using the Kabbalah, she reveals the special purposes of these cards as supporters, detractors, resources, and challenges in your inner and outer life. The author demonstrates how the court cards can be used to identify your true tribe or clan -- the specific people who support you in unique ways. She also shows how the court cards can help you identify inner resources and challenges that enhance or hinder your efforts in the world. Using both new and traditional interpretations, the book presents tarot spreads and potent techniques for contacting archetypes through meditation and pathworking. Book jacket.

Author Biography

<p> Court Cards Cast a Shadow </p> <p> We live with challenging aspects of others and ourselves every day. For example, maybe we tend to be critical, or perhaps victimized, or we live with someone who is stubborn or deceitful. Alternatively, at work we may be faced with a boss who competes with or ridicules us. This chapter offers a starting point for changing difficult behavior and relationship patterns. </p> <p> The Shadow Side of Court Cards<br />People in our life whom we might call &#8220;the bane of our existence&#8221; usually tend to throw us off balance or make us feel uncomfortable. Their influence varies, but typically detractors can make us feel worthless, powerless, used, vulnerable, angry, depleted, defensive, overly responsible, indecisive, or incompetent.<br />&#160;&#160; Detractors can also draw from us instinctive responses or &#8220;knee-jerk&#8221; reactions that can be related to the court card challenges. For example, we have just discovered that our lover is cheating on us (Betrayer). We might drown our sorrows (Self-Destruction), go on a shopping spree (Greed), plan revenge (Anger), feel powerless (Depression), or turn green (Jealousy). You can probably predict what combination of reactions you would have. In court card terms we have responded to a detractor with our own challenging behavior.&#160;<br />&#160;&#160; One way of averting this scenario is to recognize our inner experience (feelings and thoughts) before proceeding with the knee-jerk reaction&#8212;that is, make the unconscious process conscious. We have the opportunity to make choices about our response that will in the end strengthen us rather than bring us down. Also, if we are able to circumvent our instinctive urge, the other person has a greater chance of acknowledging his or her part in the problem, the situation does not escalate, and we avoid wallowing around in our own negative patterns.&#160; </p> <p> Dispelling the Shadow<br />There are times, however, when our best efforts cannot accomplish this Herculean task of perception, self-knowledge, and self-discipline. We have indulged our passions and have fallen into the abyss of shadow. Now we must find a way to regain balance. Here is how the court cards can help.&#160;<br />&#160;&#160; Each shadow side of a court card can be worked with or counterbalanced by the harmonizing influence of another court card. For example, if I recognize that I am being intolerant and critical of others (challenge of the Queen of Swords), I identify supporters or resources that might help transform my feelings, thoughts, or impulses. Then, through seeking out the appropriate support or meditating on the harmonizing court card, I might find a way out of my &#8220;Cruella&#8221; persona.&#160;<br /> &#160;&#160; Whichever court cards we choose to harmonize a shadow are unique to us and may change from situation to situation. In other words, if I am feeling trapped (Queen of Cups: Victim) and stuck in my feelings of helplessness, to get myself out I might try bringing in the energy of the Adviser (King of Swords) to gain intellectual understanding of the situation and to develop options. Someone else might seek out a Healer to bring in new physical energy to help ease the sense of depletion.&#160; </p> <p> Shadow Spread<br />You can also use the court cards as an oracle to point you in the direction of healing. The following spread is intended to offer resources for working with a given shadow. The resources may be people in your life or within yourself. </p> <p> Instructions&#160;<br />Separate the court cards from the rest of the deck. Select the court card that best represents the detractor or challenge that you are faced with. Place it faceup before you.<br />&#160;&#160; Shuffle the remaining court cards and select three cards. Place them below the card you have already chosen. </p> <p> Interpretation<br />1. Notice which suits have been drawn. Does one suit dominate? This may give a good indication of what can help in the situation: spirit, love, knowledge, or power.&#160;<br />2. Next, notice the different levels of royalty. This may also shed some light. If you have lots of pages, perhaps you are needing to learn something new. Or if you have drawn several kings, you may need to exercise maturity and leadership. Queens look within, knights take action.<br />3. Finally, look at the specific support roles. Try to see how the energy they represent may help in your situation. Also take note of specific people they might be in your life. Perhaps these individuals have something to offer you in this situation.<br />4.&#160; Make sure to record your reading </p>

Table of Contents

List of Tables	ix
Acknowledgments	x
Introduction	1	(6)
1 The Royal Family	7	(8)
Royalty: Our Connection to Divinity	8	(3)
Family: Our Link to Community	11	(2)
Royal Family Members as Archetypes	13	(1)
From Divinity to Divination	14	(1)
2 From Arrow Divination to a Game of Deputies: A Court Card History	15	(9)
Arrow Divination (Belomancy)	16	(1)
Asian Cards	17	(1)
Arabic Cards	17	(1)
European Adaptations	18	(6)
3 Two Hundred Years of Court Card Interpretation	24	(11)
Court Cards as an Environmental Influence	25	(1)
Court Cards as a Type of Person	26	(4)
Court Cards Assume a Spiritual Dimension	30	(2)
Court Cards as Inner Potential and Talent	32	(2)
Support-Based Court Card Interpretation	34	(1)
4 A Qabalistic Equation	35	(22)
The Suits	35	(4)
Royal Hierarchy as stages of Creation	39	(4)
Court Card Faces Revealed	43	(6)
Court Cards as Supporters	49	(1)
Court Cards as Detractors	50	(1)
Court Cards as Resources	51	(1)
Court Cards as Challenges	52	(1)
Identify Your Supporters and Detractors	52	(5)
5 The Wand Court in the Kingdom of Spirit	57	(20)
King of Wands	57	(5)
Queen of Wands	62	(4)
Knight of Wands	66	(3)
Page of Wands	69	(8)
6 The Cup Court in the Kingdom of Love	77	(18)
King of Cups	77	(4)
Queen of Cups	81	(3)
Knight of Cups	84	(3)
Page of Cups	87	(8)
7 The Sword Court in the Kingdom of Knowledge	95	(18)
King of Swords	95	(5)
Queen of Swords	100	(3)
Knight of swords	103	(3)
Page of Swords	106	(7)
8 The Pentacle Court in the Kingdom of Power	113	(17)
King of Pentacles	113	(4)
Queen of Pentacles	117	(3)
Knight of Pentacles	120	(3)
Page of Pentacles	123	(7)
9 Divination with Court Cards	130	(24)
Reading Court Cards	130	(7)
One-Card Spread	137	(3)
Support Spread I	140	(1)
Support Spread II	141	(1)
Who Am I? Spread	142	(1)
Three-Card Support Spread	143	(3)
Tree of Life Spread	146	(5)
Astrological Wheel spread	151	(3)
10 Court Cards Cast a Shadow	154	(7)
The Shadow Side of Court Cards	154	(1)
Dispelling the shadow	155	(4)
Shadow Spread	159	(2)
11 Meditation and the Court Cards	161	(7)
Meditation	162	(1)
Stepping into a Court Card	163	(1)
Focal-Point Meditation	164	(1)
Assuming a Court Card Personality	165	(1)
An Introduction to Pathworking	166	(2)
12 Four Kingdoms, One Road	168	(18)
A Pathworking	168	(6)
Afterword	174	(2)
Appendix	176	(10)
Court Card Quick Reference Guide	176	(8)
Court Cards at a Glance	184	(1)
Comparison of Court Card Titles	185	(1)
Alternate Suit Names	185	(1)
Notes	186	(3)
Glossary	189	(4)
Bibliography	193