Key Symbols
Youthful Enthusiasm. Like all pages, the Page of Cups is young, with childlike enthusiasm and an unbounded capacity to learn.
Speedy Delivery. During the Renaissance, pages were the youngest members of the royal court, frequently serving as messengers. Because the suit of cups is concerned with spiritual life, the Page of Cups specializes in delivering messages with an emotional impact.
Student of the Month. Pages were also students, learning their future roles through apprenticeships. The Page of Cups focuses on emotional lessons.
Swim with the Fishes. The Page of Cups is pictured standing on the shore of a rolling ocean. He holds a cup with a fish; the fish seems to be talking, and because the Page of Cups is the personification of water, he speaks the language of the seas.
Keywords
Upright: A kind, sympathetic, romantic, tender, sweet, gentle, dreamy, and imaginative young person-but also one who is sometimes unlucky in love.
Reversed: An insincere person who tries to win support through flattery. Jealousy, hypersensitivity, and melancholy.
Writing Prompts
Write about:
an emotional message
• an emotional lesson
• the language of the seas
• an underwater society
• a flood
Knight of Cups
THE KNIGHT OF Cues Is gallant, graceful, and generous. He is imaginative-even visionary. More than anything, he is a romantic idealist who believes that beauty is truth, and truth is beauty.
Unfortunately, the Knight of Cups is so romantic that he will fall in love with every beautiful woman who crosses his path. He will leave you with a long, lingering kiss on your doorstep, and he'll promise to call. He'll mean it, too-but once he's back on his horse and another beautiful woman crosses his path, he'll simply forget.
Key Symbols
Water, Water Everywhere. The Knight of Cups is a handsome knight in shining armor. He seems to raise his cup in salute as he and his white horse stand on the bank of a wide, clear river that is fed by a rushing waterfall.
A Quiet Hero. During medieval times, knights were adventurers and rescuers, sworn to defend the weak and helpless while they journeyed to fulfill a quest. The Knight of Cups doesn't seem particularly adventurous. Instead, he is a dreamer and a visionary, who rides gracefully and quietly, and his winged helmet symbolizes the misty clouds of his imagination.
Astrological Symbolism. Astrologically, the four knights of the tarot are associated with the four mutable signs of the zodiac. The Knight of Cups represents the mutable water sign of Pisces, which makes him sensitive and introspective.
Elemental Symbolism. Elementally speaking, the four knights of the tarot are all fiery. They simply combine the element of fire with the element of their own suit. In that regard, the Knight of Cups embodies the steamy combination of fire with water.
Historic Significance. Years ago, the Knight of Cups was said to herald a visit from a friend who would bring unexpected money.
Keywords
Upright: Romantic adventure, poetry, artistic creativity, a dreamer, a visionary Reversed: An evil, merciless man; mischief, trickery, fraud, duplicity, swindle
Writing Prompts
Write about:
• a romantic hero
• a visionary
• a traveling poet
• an emotional adventure
• an emotional rescue
Queen of Cups
THE QUEEN OF CUPS EFFORTLESSLY balances marriage and family-and for many, she represents the perfect wife and mother. She's a wellspring of love and devotion. She's caring, giving, nurturing, sensitive, protective, and kind.
The Queen of Cups is innately sensitive to other people's feelings. She is naturally intuitive, and she's exceptionally psychic. In fact, she's so empathic that at times she can seem like a mind reader. She can read oracles and interpret dreams, and she's well equipped to make a career as a professional counselor or a therapist.
She's also creative and artistic. At home, she's an accomplished cook who seems to specialize in hearty soups and stews, along with cookies, cakes, and pies.
Key Symbols
Queen of Water. Like all of the tarot's queens, the Queen of Cups is a mature woman, gracious and wise in the ways of the world. Queens, of course, are rulers-but their rule is based on the feminine principles of safeguarding and nurturing their realms. The Queen of Cups is charged with safeguarding and nurturing the suit of Cups, which corresponds to the watery world of emotions.
Water Signs. Almost every symbol in the card reinforces the Queen's connection with water. From her seashell-shaped throne, apparently carved from mother of pearl, she gazes contemplatively into the depths of her golden chalice. Her silvery satin gown flows gracefully, as do the waves of her golden hair. She is surrounded by water, with a reflective, clear lake both behind and in front of her.
Astrological Symbolism. Astrologically, the four queens of the tarot are associated with the four cardinal signs of the zodiac. The Queen of Cups represents the cardinal water sign of Cancer, which makes her a natural wife and mother.
Elemental Symbolism. Elementally speaking, the four queens are all watery. Each one combines the element of water with the element of her suit. As a result, the queen of the watery suit of Cups embodies the placid combination of water with even more water.
Historic Symbolism. Historically, the Queen of Cups card was said to foretell a rich marriage for a man and a distinguished marriage for a woman.
Keywords
Upright: A fair woman; good, honest, devoted, intelligent, warm, nurturing, healing, protective, sensitive, psychic, intuitive; a counselor or therapist; the perfect wife and mother
Reversed: A meddling, suffocating, or overbearing woman
Writing Prompts
Write about:
• a "perfect" wife and mother-with a secret
• an empath
• an oracle in the classic sense of the word: a person, not a fortunetelling device
• a woman who smothers those she loves, killing them with kindness
• a seaside home
King of Cups
THE KING OF CUPS is a kind and gentle man. He's just and fair, often associated with business, law, science, or the ministry. He's frequently connected to art and science, too. When he sits on his throne, he seems lost in thought-but his quiet, calm demeanor disguises a fierce and passionate nature.
Oddly enough, the King of Cups was also said to be a man in a powerful position who could be shifty in his business dealings. Historically, the King of Cups was a cautionary card, warning of ill-will on the part of a man of position; he could be a hypocrite, only pretending to help.
Today, however, many tarot readers believe that the King of Cups represents a devoted husband and father, committed to his wife and family, and protective of their feelings.
Key Symbols
King of Water. Like all of the kings in the tarot deck, the King of Cups is a seasoned, experienced man. He has successfully completed the mission he undertook as the former Knight of Cups. He was rewarded with the keys to the kingdom, and he now rules the entire realm-as well as its armies, which defend and conquer in the name of the throne.
A Watery World. Almost every symbol in the card reinforces the King's connection to water. He leans forward on his floating throne, which is carved with seashells and seahorses. He's wearing a fish-shaped pendant, a blue tunic, and a long, flowing cape. He holds a golden scepter in his left hand and a golden chalice in his right. Behind him, a merchant sailing ship glides across the waves and a dolphin leaps above the seafoam.
Astrological Symbolism. Astrologically, the four kings of the tarot are associated with the four fixed signs of the zodiac, The King of Cups represents the fixed fire sign of Scorpio, which makes him an intensely passionate individual.
Elemental Symbolism. Elementally, the four kings of the tarot are all airy intellectuals
. They simply combine the element of air with the corresponding element of their own suit. In that regard, the King of Cups embodies the vaporous combination of air with water.
Historic Significance. According to tradition, the King of Cups might be something of a hypocrite who offers help without intending to follow through. In modern interpretations, however, the King of Cups is a fitting counterpart to the Queen of Cups, in which case he may be a loving, caring husband and father.
Keywords
Upright: A good, honest man; kind, generous, wise, compassionate, artistic, cultured, inspired, tolerant, intuitive, empathic, and sensitive
Reversed: Idleness, untruthfulness, dishonesty, shiftiness, double-dealing, two-timing, alcoholism
Writing Prompts
Write about:
• a fundamentalist minister who believes passionately in evolution
• a sea world veterinarian
• a faith healer
• a hypocrite
• King Neptune
THE ACE OF SWORDS is the first card in the suit of swords, the suit that corresponds to the ancient element of air. It's the embodiment of intellect and thought.
In most tarot decks, the four aces share a similar design: a giant hand parts the swirling mists of a silver cloud, holding the emblem of the suit. In this case, that emblem is a gleaming silver sword, held aloft like the sword Excalibur from the legends of King Arthur. Its steely blade glints in the sun. The tip pierces a crown adorned with olive and palm branches.
Like the Ace of Wands, the Ace of Swords is held in the right hand, which symbolizes action. (The Ace of Cups and the Ace of Pentacles are both held in the left hand, which symbolizes receptivity.) Whoever holds the sword is invisible: the weapon seems to float on the air currents that correspond to the airy nature of this suit.
Key Symbols
Start Fresh. All of the aces represent new beginnings; this one heralds a new beginning on an intellectual level. The aces also symbolize gifts. In this case, learning, higher thought, logic, and communication are yours for the taking.
Something's in the Air. The airy Ace of Swords cuts to the heart of any issue. It represents the essence of reason, thought, understanding, and verbal communication. The sword also represents an ability to cut through any clouds of confusion, to pierce any veil of mystery or misunderstanding.
An Aggressive Defense. The sword is a longstanding symbol of justice, liberation, and truth. The goddess of justice holds a sword. So did medieval knights, who were sworn to protect and defend those who couldn't fight for themselves. In a tarot reading, the Ace of Swords could represent an aggressive defense or a just offense.
Reward Offered. The Ace of Swords is a forceful card. It denotes triumph, conquest, victory, and success on the battlefield. That battlefield, of course, is metaphoric and could relate to any arena: work, home, love, money, or health. The olive and palm branches symbolize victory and peace through strength.
A King's Crown. The crown symbolizes leadership and authority, but on a higher level it symbolizes the power that created the universe.
Fertile Thinking. Like all the aces, the Ace of Swords can represent the potential for creation. Occasionally it might indicate a pregnancy: the sword's tip penetrates the base of a crown, suggesting the physical act of impregnation. The image could foretell a literal pregnancy or suggest that a new idea is about to be conceived.
Astrological Symbolism. Astrologically, the Ace of Swords is associated with all of the powers of air-the element associated with Gemini, Libra, and Aquarius.
Historic Significance. Historically, the Ace of Swords was said to portend either great prosperity or great misery. Reversed, the card was believed to symbolize a broken engagement, for a woman, because of her own lack of prudence.
Keywords
Upright: Decisiveness, intellect, logic, judgment, discrimination, triumph, potency Reversed: Dullness, indecision, illogic, poor judgment, impotence
Writing Prompts
Write about:
• a magic weapon
. Excalibur
• an argument
• the long arm of the law
• a stabbing pain
Two of Swords
THE Two OF SWORDS Is one of the strangest images in the tarot deck: A lone woman, dressed in a long gown, perches on a stone bench as regally as if she were sitting on a throne. Her arms are laid across her chest like a corpse's, and she tries to maintain a tenuous equilibrium by balancing two heavy swords against her shoulders. The sky above her is dark and cloudy, lit only by a sliver of the crescent moon.
Key Symbols
Tough Choices. When the Two of Swords appears in a reading, it typically represents a difficult decision-a choice between two conflicting thoughts, ideas, or emotions.
Reconciliation. The card could symbolize a need to reconcile two disparate views.
Limited Vision. The woman's blindfold symbolizes the loss of sight. She can still use her other four senses, however-as well as her sixth sense, intuition, which is symbolized by the moon.
Quiet Thoughts. The blindfold might also symbolize the unconscious or subconscious mind.
Truce. The Two of Swords could symbolize a moment of peace-even a temporary truce or ceasefire during times of war. Some readers believe it symbolizes courage.
Historic Significance. Historically, the Two of Swords was said to represent friendship and harmony as well as gifts for a woman or influential protection for a man in search of help. Some also said that the Two of Swords symbolized interaction and dealings with rogues.
Keywords
Upright: Decision, choices, equilibrium, balance, initiation
Reversed: Blindness, indecision, disloyalty, treachery, lies
Writing Prompts
Write about:
• a decision
• a truce
• a blindfold
• a crescent moon
• a seaside meditation
Three of Swords
THE THREE OF SWORDS HARDLY needs to be interpreted or explained to most people: it's the picture of heartbreak and overwhelming grief. It's a living, beating heart, still filled with blood and capable of supporting life. For the moment, however, its owner must wonder if that life is still worth living.
Key Symbols
When it Rains, it Pours. The image itself is simple: a disembodied heart is suspended in a cloudy sky where rain falls like tears.
Stabbed in the Heart. Three razor-sharp swords stab the heart at regularly spaced intervals.
Divorce. The Three of Swords often refers to separation or divorce. Because there are three swords, the card may indicate a relationship destroyed by a third person, through betrayal or infidelity.
Lost Pregnancy. Occasionally, the Three of Swords symbolizes the grief and sorrow that follows a miscarriage or stillbirth. That interpretation is based on the number of swords, which represent the creative force and bond between mother, father, and child.
Chest Pain. In rare cases, the Three of Swords could suggest anxiety or panic attacks, heart disease, or surgery.
Bleeding Heart. The Three of Swords might also represent a bleeding heart-someone who sympathizes with anyone who has a sad story to tell.
Sacred Heart. The Three of Swords also looks like the Sacred Heart of Christ, bleeding of wounds inflicted by his crown of thorns. That may be one reason that early tarot scholars said the Three of Swords could represent a nun.
Keywords
Upright: Sorrow, sadness, grief, loss, divorce, infidelity, depression
Reversed: Healing, recovery, blessings in disguise
Writing Prompts
Write about:
• a broken heart
• an adulterous affair
• a miscarriage
• a stillbirth
• a rainstorm
Four of Swords
THE FOUR OF SWORDS TYPICALLY symbolizes a brief but welcome respite, retreat, or period of reflection. It
can even represent a short-term illness followed by a brief period of recuperation.
Key Symbols
Lying in State. In most renditions of the card, a young knight sleeps under the soft glow of a stained glass window, arms folded in a prayerlike gesture across his chest. Alternately, the card depicts a knight in effigy, carved into the lid of a tomb. He lies flat on his back, and his hands are clasped in perpetual prayer.
Worldly Concerns. Three swords are suspended above him, either in midair or mounted on the chapel wall. They represent the ever-present worries and concerns of the world, hanging in a state of suspended animation.
Ready for Battle. A fourth sword lies near the knight, ready to be called into service on a moment's notice.
Rest and Recuperation. In the classical religious sense of the image, the knight isn't dead-he's only sleeping. An earthly battle has been won; now the soldier rests in peace and awaits his resurrection.
Helping Hand. The stained glass window in the background shows one person ministering to another.
Overnight Journeys. The Four of Swords can also represent dreams, mystic journeys, or out-of-body travel and experiences.
Initiation Ceremony. The card could symbolize the ceremony of ritual death and resurrection that some secret societies use to initiate their members.
Keywords
Upright: Rest, retreat, recuperation, recovery, relaxation
Reversed: Fatigue, illness, fever
Writing Prompts
Write about:
• what happens after death
• a cemetery
• a crypt
• the relic of a saint
• an initiation ceremony
Five of Swords
THE FIVE OF SWORDS is the card of defeat and humiliation, in which a victorious fighter gathers the spoils of war. Two of his vanquished opponents are walking toward the horizon, heads bowed, and he watches them with a smug, selfsatisfied smile on his face.
Tarot for Writers Page 21