How do you read court cards?

[MoonScooter]

I have been going back to the basics with tarot lately and started reading this book called the Tarot Primer, which was written by a tarot reader named Deborah (I forget her last name and don't have the book in front of me) who did a reading for me a while back.

 

Her book (which I think is a great introduction to tarot) includes a lot about the cards elements and numerology for most of the minor arcana, and then takes an approach to the court cards I personally hadn't seen before.

 

She describes the court cards (kings, queens, knights, and pages/princesses) as people in your life (or in the life of who is asking the question/being read for), an aspect of someones personality, or more rarely as a message. But as she goes on to describe the cards, she says that in most every reading she's done, a court card represents a person.

 

So now I ask you: how do you usually read court cards? Do they represent people for you or do they carry some other meaning? Please feel free to go into a ton of detail!!!

[cnyb]

Hm, interesting.  I think I usually interpret court cards as attitudes or personality attributes, like, suspicion with page of swords, patience with knight of pentacles, orderly and precise thought with king of swords, fatherly warmth with the king of wands, security with queen of pentacles, poetic intuition with queen of cups, etc.

 

But maybe it's the types of questions I ask.

[Wanderer]

Interesting... but that's not how it works for me. The court cards can represent people, yes (mainly dependent on the position of the card, rather than the card itself), but more commonly they represent facets of personality traits. I don't think I can really generalise, though - it really does vary.

 

Sorry, no time for the ton of detail!  ;D

[MoonScooter]

Hm, interesting.  I think I usually interpret court cards as attitudes or personality attributes, like, suspicion with page of swords, patience with knight of pentacles, orderly and precise thought with king of swords, fatherly warmth with the king of wands, security with queen of pentacles, poetic intuition with queen of cups, etc.

 

But maybe it's the types of questions I ask.

 

Who do the personality attributes usually apply to? Or does it vary on a reading to reading basis? Also, how did you assign these attributes to each card? Is it an ongoing process or does it have something to do with the cards elements?

[fire cat pickles]

I'm one of those who use courts as actual people in the sitter's (or my) life in a reading. I don't usually use the word "always", but I will use the word "always" here. I always see courts as actual people in readings for myself and others.

 

The exception is the Page. I don't necessarily see the Page, as the Holder of the Ace, as a specific person.

 

This is based on reading style, though. I can't say for other readers that they must use this system in their approach to reading.

 

Do what feels right for you!

[MoonScooter]

I'm one of those who use courts as actual people in the sitter's (or my) life in a reading. I don't usually use the word "always", but I will use the word "always" here. I always see courts as actual people in readings for myself and others.

 

 

Is it usually pretty clear to you who the court card represents in the reading? And when you read for yourself, do the court cards usually represent the same person or does it change depending on the reading?

[fire cat pickles]

I'm one of those who use courts as actual people in the sitter's (or my) life in a reading. I don't usually use the word "always", but I will use the word "always" here. I always see courts as actual people in readings for myself and others.

 

 

Is it usually pretty clear to you who the court card represents in the reading? And when you read for yourself, do the court cards usually represent the same person or does it change depending on the reading?

 

The same court will not always represent the same person, no. And it is usually clear to me, in readings for myself anyway, who represents who. Sitters have to be asked, based on physical description, who is who.

 

The court card can represent the same person or it can change from reading to reading. There is no hard and fast rule to apply.

[truthseeker65]

Depends on a few different factors;

 

1 - what position is the card in

2 - what was the question

3 - it can be both characteristics of the questioner or someone in that person's life. 

 

If the card is in a position that actually says it represents the questioner, then it represents them either in personality or appearance, or both.

 

If the card is in the future or say in the obstacles area or in the case of the Celtic cross reading it's in the position that represents challenges, or how others see you, it can be an external person.

 

It literally just depends....I say, use your instincts.

 

Also, get to know the cards and they physical/personality types they represent.  For instance...I am the Queen of Cups...she is fair haired/skinned, light eyes, mature woman (anyone over 30), caring, kind.

 

Once you get to know the cards and the archetypes they represent, it will help a lot.

[MoonScooter]

I'm one of those who use courts as actual people in the sitter's (or my) life in a reading. I don't usually use the word "always", but I will use the word "always" here. I always see courts as actual people in readings for myself and others.

 

 

Is it usually pretty clear to you who the court card represents in the reading? And when you read for yourself, do the court cards usually represent the same person or does it change depending on the reading?

 

The same court will not always represent the same person, no. And it is usually clear to me, in readings for myself anyway, who represents who. Sitters have to be asked, based on physical description, who is who.

 

The court card can represent the same person or it can change from reading to reading. There is no hard and fast rule to apply.

 

So the cards usually physically resemble the person they are representing for you?

[MoonScooter]

Depends on a few different factors;

 

1 - what position is the card in

2 - what was the question

3 - it can be both characteristics of the questioner or someone in that person's life. 

 

If the card is in a position that actually says it represents the questioner, then it represents them either in personality or appearance, or both.

 

If the card is in the future or say in the obstacles area or in the case of the Celtic cross reading it's in the position that represents challenges, or how others see you, it can be an external person.

 

It literally just depends....I say, use your instincts.

 

Also, get to know the cards and they physical/personality types they represent.  For instance...I am the Queen of Cups...she is fair haired/skinned, light eyes, mature woman (anyone over 30), caring, kind.

 

Once you get to know the cards and the archetypes they represent, it will help a lot.

 

What’s the best way to go about getting to know the cards in your opinion? Is it more of just physically handling my deck and seeing when and how they show up or are there books/other resources hat helped you?

[fire cat pickles]

I'm one of those who use courts as actual people in the sitter's (or my) life in a reading. I don't usually use the word "always", but I will use the word "always" here. I always see courts as actual people in readings for myself and others.

 

 

Is it usually pretty clear to you who the court card represents in the reading? And when you read for yourself, do the court cards usually represent the same person or does it change depending on the reading?

 

The same court will not always represent the same person, no. And it is usually clear to me, in readings for myself anyway, who represents who. Sitters have to be asked, based on physical description, who is who.

 

The court card can represent the same person or it can change from reading to reading. There is no hard and fast rule to apply.

 

So the cards usually physically resemble the person they are representing for you?

 

Yes, I rely mostly on the traditional physical descriptors for the courts. The sexes, not so much. For example, Knights could be male or female. Queens and Kings are generally female and male, respectively, but not 100% necessarily. Sometimes the courts refer to an astrological sign of the person whom the court refers to regardless of how they identify.

[Guest libra]

I'm one of those who use courts as actual people in the sitter's (or my) life in a reading. I don't usually use the word "always", but I will use the word "always" here. I always see courts as actual people in readings for myself and others.

 

 

Is it usually pretty clear to you who the court card represents in the reading? And when you read for yourself, do the court cards usually represent the same person or does it change depending on the reading?

 

The same court will not always represent the same person, no. And it is usually clear to me, in readings for myself anyway, who represents who. Sitters have to be asked, based on physical description, who is who.

 

The court card can represent the same person or it can change from reading to reading. There is no hard and fast rule to apply.

 

So the cards usually physically resemble the person they are representing for you?

 

That's an old school way to read them... But the cards tend to be pretty narrow on their depiction of what people look like so that's not a way that read the cards, personally. The likelihood of a card actually looking like someone in my life is pretty slim.

 

To me, Pages are a youthfulness of soul. You don't have to be young to embody page energy. You just have to have that spell, that curiousity within the suit. The Knights are the go-getters, not necessarily young men, but with that vivacity. A Queen is anyone who understands the depths of the suit on an emotional legal and applies it in an empathic way or internalizes. A King is like, the most extroverted, yet mature expression of the suit.  You can be any age, any gender, any look, to fit each court and you'll probably switch between them depending on what on your life is going on. I'm a Queen of Cups at work, but a Queen of Swords on day to day life, but a Page of Cups spiritually.  I don't really look like any of these cards in most decks!

[fire cat pickles]

I am definitely old school ! ;) This way of reading courts is not for everyone.

 

It takes a while to find a method that works for you. I'm sure libra didn't hone her craft overnight, either!

 

Practice, practice, practice...

[DanielJUK]

Courts are not easy, they are probably the most trickiest cards in the deck. They really need experience and usage of tarot to really grasp and they are difficult when you are starting out. You just have to work out a method of the that works best for you and try and try interpreting them :)

 

For me they are always either....

 

- representing people in their life / their characteristics / personalities eg in this reading your loved one is the King of Pentacles

- representing themselves and / or characteristics they need to take on eg to find love you need to become the Knight of Wands

- representing a situation or outcome (the courts are tricky to work out for that but use the characteristics) eg the King of Cups for a party (when not representing a person there) is a lovely warm time

- representing a message eg Page of Pentacles, a new job opportunity

 

When I was learning tarot, I read in so many books (especially old school tarot books) that court cards represent messages, especially the Pages but in my actual readings I have found they hardly ever represent that. I do believe that tarot gives different messages to different readers, like a card might associate in someone's mindset differently to someone else but I have in pratical usage hardly ever found this. But I find they represent the characteristics or persona someone should take on, you want to have better success finding love be more like this court card, you want to get the job, be more like this, sort of thing.

 

How you work out what it represents is the hardest part. Like other people have posted here, there are clues in the reading, what fits in that position or with the question / topic asked? what makes the story of the reading work the best? you can use your intuition, what do you feel fits? this becomes stronger with experience. If you are not sure, offer choices with the card, well it could represent this as an outcome or maybe it represents a person who is like this, for example :)

 

Practice with them like Firecat said, they are tricky to use for everyone :)  :heartz:

[cnyb]

Hm, interesting.  I think I usually interpret court cards as attitudes or personality attributes

...

But maybe it's the types of questions I ask.

 

Who do the personality attributes usually apply to? Or does it vary on a reading to reading basis? Also, how did you assign these attributes to each card? Is it an ongoing process or does it have something to do with the cards elements?

 

On a reading to reading basis, maybe depending upon card position, colored by the question and context, a personality attribute could apply to a situation (page of swords suspicion could represent a security issue) or be a person (question is about work environment, I may see page of swords as a person who is quick to see that something is going on).

 

As to how I make associations, well there is an elemental thing with wands/fire being warm and air/swords being cool/analytical, knights are on a horse so are active, various things I picked up over time, maybe from Eden Gray tarot books or traditional things I heard.

 

If I asked more questions about groups of people or about how things would be happening, I would most likely see court cards as different people involved in a situation, with the elemental associations coloring my interpretation.

[Saturn Celeste]

So now I ask you: how do you usually read court cards? Do they represent people for you or do they carry some other meaning? Please feel free to go into a ton of detail!!!

It depends on a reading.  If it is a reading delving into someone's conflicts I tend to read them as energies.  If it is a relationship reading then I tend to use court cards as people.  But no matter what type of reading and court cards appear, I always offer them as a person on top of using them as an energy.  I just don't dwell on them as people unless the reading calls for people.

[Barleywine]

I also have a three-tiered approach: 1) other people involved in the situation; 2) individual personality traits of the querent; and 3) impersonal energies at work in the matter.  Because I like to say that people love to find someone else to blame their problems on, I first ask my sitters whether the card could represent anyone of their acquaintance. If it doesn't, I ask about conditions (usually psychological) that they may be experiencing at the time. If that draws a blank, I talk about external circumstances of the nature of the card. Usually, between the three approaches I get the "Aha!" response.

Edited June 28, 2019 by Barleywine

[Saturn Celeste]

Just now, Barleywine said:

Because I like to say that people love to find someone else to blame their problems on, I first ask my sitters whether the card could represent anyone of their acquaintance. If it doesn't, I ask about conditions (usually psychological) that they may be experiencing at the time. If that draws a blank, I talk about external circumstances of the nature of the card.

This is so true and one of the biggest advantages of giving face to face readings!  I would like to do skype in time but I need to gain  a lot more confidence to go on camera.  But since I don't have the opportunity to ask them face to face, that's why I always try to include both choices, energy or person.

[blackandthemoon]

I decide at the beginning of my reading, that if any courts that appear, they will be read as people/personalities or as situations (or me in relation to a situation). I find it helps keep me clear because courts are where I struggle the most. 

[Barleywine]

14 hours ago, Saturn Celeste said:

This is so true and one of the biggest advantages of giving face to face readings!  I would like to do skype in time but I need to gain  a lot more confidence to go on camera.  But since I don't have the opportunity to ask them face to face, that's why I always try to include both choices, energy or person.

Back when I used to help people interpret their readings on the forums, I always offered a range of potential meanings for the court cards. Lacking the face-to-face feedback, I felt that it was responsible to do that in order to give a full accounting. Whenever I write up a reading for someone else now, I do the same thing.

[Page of Wands]

Normally i dont like to use always, i rarely use it with tarot.

 

Court cards can be a ton of things: people in you life, yourself, details of your personality, a energy that you need to bring to your life, a situation where you need to behave like that and even more things (Even a message).

I see court cards just like the normal cards, but with the archetypal image stronger.

 

[theholysticvagabond]

I'm having some difficulties to read court cards. 

 

I understand clearly when i watch videos explanations. But when it comes to reading, I'm like.. ._.

 

There are cards that you feel more connected to... and there are court cards 😂

[DanielJUK]

awww they are not so bad, I like them but when you are starting out in tarot they are the trickiest cards of all! 🙂

 

I recommend studying each card and making a profile in your notes or head of each card, think of them like social media personalities or on a dating website. What sort of person are they? what do they like/ dislike? what are their goals and needs? Each of the 4 of each suit type are quite different, it's interesting to study the differences! When you have a "profile" or character of each card, try to learn it and remember it. Then later on when it comes up you can use it in many ways! You can even try to fit your loved ones and family to the different personalities or take a fictional book/ film / tv and see how the personalities apply to the characters.

 

For example in my "character profile" of the Knight of Cups in card images he rides a handsome white horse and is good looking and charming, this is someone who is romantic and like a creative poet. He or She will write you poems and woo you but when they have won you over, they often lose interest! They are not a stayer or a committer really. This is someone ruled by their heart but they forget logic and to think things through. So if someone was looking for their perfect partner in a tarot reading for a long term marriage and starting a family and this was the person that came up, it's not the best fit! But if you want a wooing person who will read you poetry around a camp fire, this is perfect! It won't last for serious commitment, they don't have staying power! But this would be wonderful for questions about creativity and expressing their emotions and this is a good card if someone is asking for job news or a career in creative or where they have to come up with a lot of ideas. But if they are asking about their career as being a philosopher or brain surgeon, this card is not great! Once you know the attributes of the character of the court card, you can apply it both as a person but also in answer to the question. If this was a daily card, it's a great day to express your emotions and be compassionate and also to be creative, create art or write poetry. It's a good day to take someone out on a date. It's not such a good day to do your tax returns or sort out all your complicated bureaucracy, the Knight just won't sit there doing it all with accuracy and this Knight can be a bit dreamy and unrealistic, so don't do really serious planning for the future and expect it to happen exactly like that, it's just dreaming 🙂 Just how I use them and how I see them! They are like top trump cards, they have positives and negatives and you just have to explore each persona and learn them

[theholysticvagabond]

2 hours ago, DanielJUK said:

If this was a daily card, it's a great day to express your emotions and be compassionate and also to be creative, create art or write poetry. It's a good day to take someone out on a date. It's not such a good day to do your tax returns or sort out all your complicated bureaucracy, the Knight just won't sit there doing it all with accuracy and this Knight can be a bit dreamy and unrealistic, so don't do really serious planning for the future and expect it to happen exactly like that, it's just dreaming 🙂 

 I like these examples ! 

 

I always have this bad habit to think the court card as a person. But these exemples are clever, and it also reminds me to pull one card every day to learn more as I was used to do before. 

 

Thanks

[AeonHorus]

5 hours ago, theholysticvagabond said:

There are cards that you feel more connected to... and there are court cards

Hahahahhaaahahaaa I absolutely love this statement 😜