Celestial Tarot Book

by Brian Clark

  QUEENS:

  The Stability of the Fixed Spirit

  A queen initiates the journey into the Minor Arcana. Cassiopeia, the daughter of Arabus, who gave his name to the wealthy territory of Arabia, represents the Ace of Wands. As his daughter, she is the granddaughter of Hermes and a descendant of both royal and divine bloodlines. Mythologically, the Queen is the human surrogate for the goddess upholding divine law and order on the physical plane. Psychologically, the Queen governs the inner and personal realms, securing and protecting the self. Her realm is subjective, intuitive, and internalized, unlike her partner, the King, whose focus is on the outer world.

  As matriarch of the royal family the Queen is the keeper of traditions and rituals. She nurtures, encourages, develops and fosters what has been brought into focus, maintaining the status quo and preserving the soulful essence of the current situation. She is comfortable and at home in her element, providing protection and safe keeping for what is newborn. When the Queen appears, her suit describes the sphere that needs care and support in order to create a secure base. The Queen’s realm is introverted, therefore the flow of energy is directed internally through focusing and containing. In this concentrated state, the Queen gathers power and resolve through her ability to focus and control her responses. As a powerful feminine force, the Queen embodies confidence and conviction in her sphere of influence. Like the King, the Queen could be viewed as consciousness. She represents inner sight or the knowing of the internal world.

  Queens are sovereigns of the fixed signs, commanding power and influence over this realm. Similar to the fixed signs, the Queen’s energy is powerful and resourceful, as it has gathered a potent charge through holding on and securing her position. The essential nature of the fixed signs is to preserve and sustain what was started in the cardinal phase. Whereas cardinal signs initiate projects, fixed signs sustain them. An abundant amount of resources have been accumulated, and when the Queen appears she asks the individual to reflect on the resources, strength, and determination they have in reserve. The appearance of the Queen indicates the need to administer power, and to value the resources at hand. The Queen of Wands has abundant resources of intuition and creativity, whereas the Queen of Pentacles is resourceful in the sphere of business and administration. The Queen of Swords represents the qualities of discrimination and independence, whereas the Queen of Cups highly values her feelings and emotional attachments. When a queen appears we are alert to the power generated by the intense application and focus she brings to her realm. On a divinatory level, the queens suggest the need to anchor and secure the current position.

  The Queen of Wands:

  Leo, Fixed Fire

  The Queen of Wands is monarch of Leo, the regal sphere of the heart. Beside her throne is her totem animal, the lioness that symbolizes the pride of her accomplishments and the loyalty to those she loves. She is solar, emanating life-sustaining warmth and light. On a personal level, the Queen is loyal and loving, displaying confidence, generosity and warmth. She also represents the prophetic and intuitive creature who inspires others to actualize their potential. Her ingenuity and strength of character allow her to integrate both personal and archetypal roles. Characteristic of a passionate and creative woman, the Queen of Wands embodies the strength and passion needed to sustain the fires of the heart.

  When the Queen of Wands appears she suggests that this stage is necessary in order to sustain and develop the creativity and new life force that has been ignited. She embodies the qualities of constancy, loyalty, and strength, acting as a magnet to those who seek refuge and insight. The Queen of Wands has created a hearth that secures her and which inspires others in need. She personifies the attributes of being centered, passionate, generous, and courageous. She appears certain and self-confident. As the fiery Queen, she stokes our passion and desire to create and to love. When the card appears, it suggests that the creative life needs to be nurtured, boosted by confidence and conviction. It also portends the rekindling of passion to express the self.

  Symbolic of a mature feminine approach, the card stresses the need to maintain the heart’s desires through loyalty, fidelity, and inner conviction. The card suggests that the intuitive aspects of the self are well developed and that there is a depth of knowledge and insight. The Queen of Wands is devoted to those she loves, yet she does not lose herself. She is capable of being independent and strong, yet still available to others. When the card appears the Queen inspires us to bring our pride and strength to the surface to sustain our heart’s passion. While the shadow of the Queen may be overly dominating or self-righteous, it alerts the individual to untapped resources and unacknowledged strength. On an oracular level, the Queen suggests that a wealth of experience, self-examination, and worldly journeys have been forged into a wisdom that is available to sustain a passionate life. When the card appears in a younger person’s spread, it is a sign of creative resources and potential, encouraging the individual to be confident and passionate. For an older individual, the Queen acknowledges their loving support and devotion.

  The Queen of Pentacles:

  Taurus, Fixed Earth

  Ruler of the sensual and pleasurable aspects of life, the Queen crowns herself with the pentacle. She is surrounded by the symbols of her realm: Earth, as the element that conserves and sustains but also values sensual intelligence; Taurus, as the image of earthly beauty and sensuality, the love of textures and tastes as well as the appreciation of the pleasures and objects of the physical world; Venus as the goddess of beauty and sexual desire. Clothed in green, she personifies nature’s fertility and abundance. As mistress of her resourceful domain, she embodies the incarnate realm and oversees the seasonal cycles, intimately knowing the need to sustain and preserve life. When the Queen of Pentacles appears, the individual is confronted with the importance of preservation and value. It is imperative to sustain what has been built, secure the material and financial resources, as well as care for the physical body. The card also intimates that it is time to be more in tune with the sensual needs, and to value what is important in sustaining a healthy outlook. The Queen encourages the development of responsibility to the demands of the outer world, while remaining true to the needs of the everyday. Establishing routines and rituals to enjoy life is necessary when the Queen reveals herself.

  The bull at the Queen’s feet is emblematic of abundance and fertility, as well as the power to remain grounded through difficult passages. We first encountered the bull with the Hierophant. As the multi-dimensional symbol threading the earthy passions, desires, magnetism and potency of Taurus, the bull symbolizes the potential seduction by power, prestige, and materialism. Like the Hierophant, the Queen of Pentacles is aware of the greedy shadow that may divert us from our true focus. When she appears in a spread, she encourages the individual to be more aligned with their personal values, and to be aware that they may overcompensate for lack of self-value through materialism.

  A sensual and stable woman, the Queen implies a developing relationship with an internal sense of security and confidence to be in the world. When the card appears, it parallels a time of deserving life’s rewards and riches, as well as appreciating what has been accumulated and accomplished to date. On an oracular level, the Queen portends a period of stability and prosperity and encourages the qualities of perseverance and stability to be more developed.

  The Queen of Swords:

  Aquarius, Fixed Air

  Similar in temperament to the fixed air sign Aquarius, the Queen of Swords personifies the attributes of idealism, egalitarianism, and humanitarianism. She presides over the ethos of the political sphere, encouraging democracy, human rights, and the spirit of freedom for all. On a collective level, she upholds the dignity of the human spirit and its drive for perfection. However, on a personal level her idealism often leaves her feeling disconnected or detached, being too ruthless a judge or too harsh a critic. The Queen of Swords embraces t
he spirit of the Water Bearer, encouraging the individual who has drawn the card to aspire to be more conscious of human values and spiritual ideals, while not becoming a perfectionist. Suspended from her fingers is the symbol for Uranus, the archetype of separation and individuality, suggesting that independence is at hand.

  Strengthened by her own ideals, the Queen uses her intelligence to understand life and make wise choices. Able to think quickly, she engages her intelligence to understand the situation. Using discernment and her well-developed critical faculty, the Queen of Swords foreshadows a period of critical thinking and wise choices. This card signals the need for more objectivity and distance in order to secure what is desired. When projected, the Queen may appear aloof, disengaged and separate from emotional entanglements. Therefore, this card cautions the individual to become aware of her shadow, which may be icy and cold. When the card appears the individual is counseled to use discrimination and detachment to know the situation at hand more clearly.

  On a divinatory level, the Queen may appear to advise the individual to be more independent and self-reliant. Reflection is necessary and may require disengaging from the chaos of life. The Queen has developed her mental faculties, and is articulate, well spoken, and able to channel her ideas. Being efficient and capable, the Queen suggests choosing the right words in order to separate from a current situation or finalize an outstanding contract. The appearance of the card encourages us to value our intellectual property, yet not at the expense of being isolated. It also inspires us to uphold human virtues and personal integrity, yet not as shields against involvement or intimacy.

  The Queen of Cups:

  Scorpio, Fixed Water

  The Queen of Cups is the human surrogate for the goddesses of mystery and the underworld. She heralds an encounter with the paradoxical realm of feelings, the unfathomable regions of the soul, and a deep engagement with the unconscious. As sovereign of Scorpio, she foretells that deep and transforming feelings that have been hidden or denied will be revealed. Unlike the Queen of Wands, she employs emotional intelligence to inform her decision-making, using her visions as guideposts. She trusts her instincts and interprets her feelings. She empowers herself with the resources of the invisible realm. When she appears in a spread, she encourages the development of psychic abilities, engagement with feelings, and insight beyond the surface of what is presented. She acts as a muse to inspire us to explore the internal world.

  Powerfully magnetic, she is the catalyst that brings soulful feelings to the surface for healing and revelation. When she appears, the individual is immersed in his or her own mystery and engaged in developing the inner life. The Queen of Cups is a charismatic woman who mysteriously draws feelings and reactions to the surface for a therapeutic outcome. As the Queen of the feeling realm, she fosters honesty and loyalty in all our established relationships and emotional attachments. Mature in ways of the heart, she suggests a closer encounter, with more vulnerability and intimacy with loved ones. Her dark side may also be conniving, manipulating others’ feelings for her own interests. Therefore, this card cautions about being seduced, enchanted, or mesmerized. The Queen of Cups suggests that the power of love may be ignited, but it is imperative to follow its course with maturity.

  When the card appears the individual will be heartened to know that the encounter with the deeper feeling life will be transformational, exorcizing the ghosts of the past and the haunting memories from unsatisfying relationships. Emotional healing is possible. The Queen appears as a statement that a more stable emotional period is beginning. She invites us to nurture the inner world and be open to its mystery and magic.

  KINGS: The Cardinal Spirit of

  Initiation and Mediation

  The King is an earthly surrogate of the gods linking heaven and earth, or the divine and mankind. As spokesperson for the soul in the world, the King is mediator between the spiritual and material realms. Symbolizing supreme authority and power, the King is the central focus for leadership and control in the outer world. On a psychological level, the King represents the personality’s superior function, the aspect of the individual identified and in charge. As an embodiment of the higher self, the King also symbolizes the idealized masculine – the father, the sage, or the saint. Through the law of correspondence, he may also indicate a prominent or authoritative masculine figure in the individual’s life. When a king appears, his suit offers clues to the qualities required to handle the situation, and also hints at the sources of leadership involved.

  In Celestial Tarot, the Kings are monarchs of the cardinal signs. We first encountered the cardinal points of the zodiac as the seasons ruled by the Princesses who ushered in the change. Now the cardinal signs, backed by the power and status of the Kings, are ready to manifest themselves in the world. Cardinal signs initiate action. As regents of the cardinal signs, the Kings are the initiators and influential leaders. The King of Wands is a visionary leader and an entrepreneur, while the King of Pentacles is an authority in the material realm. The King of Swords exerts his influence through his thoughts, ideas, and ability to communicate to the masses. The King of Cups is a master of the feeling realm, supporting others in crisis and times of need. King energy is extroverted and projects itself out onto the world to build and express things of value.

  Kings signify mastery and authority over their realm, and are leaders and spokesmen for the tribe. On an oracular level, the appearance of a king signifies a developed attitude that is ready to be expressed in the world. The King also portends a period when the individual may be crowned or acknowledged. Kingly tradition associates immortality, gold, and the Sun with the monarch. However, when a king appears it is wise to be cognizant of the royal shadow that may fall over a wounded or weakened figure. Alternatively, he may be expressed by a controlling or dictatorial person. On a divinatory level, the appearance of a king encourages manifestation of the element’s dynamic and constructive qualities.

  The King of Wands:

  Aries, Cardinal Fire

  Having dominion over the realm of cardinal fire, the King of Wands embodies the Arian spirit of adventure, heroism, and initiative. In the Major Arcana, Aries ruled the Emperor. In the court cards, the King of Wands is his mortal surrogate. As king, he has dominion over the intuition and follows his vision to establish himself to the world. As an extroverted energy, the fiery king is more inclined to project his creative vision onto the world, seeking to master the self through entrepreneurial and risk-taking adventures. Infectious and visionary, the King of Wands embodies the elements of directorship by being daring and courageous, and willing to meet any challenge. Self-motivated and confident, the appearance of the King is synchronous with the individual’s need to become more masterful and established in the creative realm. As master of the fiery domain, it is important that the individual who draws the card dedicates himself to pursuing the passion of his or her own creativity and desires.

  Convinced that he is right, the King acts on his impulses and beliefs, inspiring others with courage and faith. As a man of vision, energy, and action, he has little tolerance for uncertainty and even less for weakness. Impatience is the shadow cast in the rush to initiate new projects and achieve more outcomes. When the card appears it reflects the masculine shadow that tends to rush and dominate rather than focus, a cautionary signal to reflect on the action being taken. Although mature, the King of Wands has an endearing boyish quality, as there is a part of him that never grows old. Forever hopeful and optimistic, his potency endures as long as his vision does. As an entrepreneur, he is able to inspire confidence in others and therefore change the world around him. When the card appears, the King anoints the individual with the confidence to create their vision and promote their ideas.

  The King draws his passion and fire out of his strong instinctual life illustrated by both the ram and salamander below the throne. In touch with desire and motivation, the King symbolizes the embodiment of the cr
eative imagination. When he appears he encourages enterprise and change but also demands courage and daring. The appearance of the card challenges the individual to launch their creative endeavors. On an oracular level the card implies that the individual is on the threshold of mastering a creative project that now needs to be marketed or sold. The card is a positive omen that what has been forged out of the imagination can now be used to as an inspiration to others.

  The King of Pentacles:

  Capricorn, Cardinal Earth

  Autonomy, worldliness, success, and authority resonate with Capricorn, the cardinal earth sign governed by the King of Pentacles. Secure on his throne, he is the earthly surrogate of Saturn, the disciplined, ethical, and fostering patron who encourages pursuit of one’s goals through enterprise, hard work, and responsibility. We met Saturn as the daemon of the World card. Here, the King of Pentacles serves as the culminating icon of worldly achievement. He has mastered his domain and is in the position to appreciate the rewards he has earned from his endeavors.

  Emblematic of Capricorn, the sea-goat nestles at the feet of the King. She reminds us that worldly success is often unrewarding without emotional attachments of family and loved ones. Capricorn’s pinnacle is secured by Cancer, an astrological polarity that intertwines worldly success with a strong emotional underlay. The King of Pentacles is a man of the world, attached to tradition and the preservation of life. While the card suggests an accomplished individual in their profession, it also implies that this success has been realized through integrity, morality, and the championing of traditional values. He is productive, financially responsible, and often a spokesman for convention and social order. When the King of Pentacles appears, he embodies the spirit of manifestation and reality. Therefore, he encourages the individual to bring things down to a practical level, conduct a reality check, and strive to manifest their creative ideas. When this card appears, it is time to become more worldly and accomplished in a chosen field of endeavor. On a personality level, the King appears as a responsible and successful man of the world, who appears as counsel to becoming more conscious of the material world.