If you’ve ever done a tarot reading, you’ve likely encountered the Court Cards—those 16 figures spread across the suits of Cups, Pentacles, Swords, and Wands. The Court Cards can sometimes feel tricky to interpret because they often represent people, personalities, or aspects of yourself, rather than specific events or situations. However, understanding their nuanced roles can add depth and clarity to your readings.

In this post, we'll break down the Court Cards, explaining their significance and offering tips on how to interpret them.

Who Are the Court Cards?

The Court Cards represent four ranks—Page, Knight, Queen, and King—each associated with one of the four tarot suits: Cups, Pentacles, Swords, and Wands. Traditionally, these cards can symbolize people in your life, parts of your own personality, or the energy of a situation.

Here’s a quick breakdown of the Court Cards by suit:

• Cups: Emotions, relationships, and intuition.
• Pentacles: Material world, work, and finances.
• Swords: Thoughts, communication, and conflict.
• Wands: Passion, creativity, and action.

Each of the four ranks (Page, Knight, Queen, King) represents a different level of maturity or mastery within that suit’s domain.

Pages: The Beginning of a Journey

Pages are the youthful, curious figures of the Court. They are the beginners, eager to learn, explore, and experience the world of their suit. When you see a Page in a reading, it often points to the start of a new phase, where you're encouraged to embrace curiosity and learn from your experiences.

• In a reading: Pages might represent a young person or a new venture in your life. They could also signify the energy of being open to learning, experimenting, or beginning something fresh.

Knights: The Active Pursuers

Knights are all about action and movement. They’re the "doers" of the Court, often symbolizing forward momentum and focused energy. Depending on the suit, Knights may indicate taking decisive steps in love, career, or personal growth.

• In a reading: A Knight can represent someone with an intense focus on a goal or a situation that requires action. They embody drive, sometimes impulsiveness, and a desire to make progress.

Queens: The Nurturers and Masters

Queens embody the mastery of the emotional and internal aspects of their suit. They are nurturing, wise, and deeply connected to the qualities they represent, whether it’s emotional maturity (Cups), practical wisdom (Pentacles), sharp intellect (Swords), or creative leadership (Wands).

• In a reading: Queens may symbolize a person in your life with deep emotional or intellectual influence. They also represent your own mastery over the internal dynamics of their suit, encouraging you to nurture growth from within.

Kings: The Leaders and Authority Figures

Kings are the ultimate expression of mastery and authority within the suit. They signify control, leadership, and a solid understanding of how to navigate their particular realm. Kings often appear when you are being called to take charge, lead, or maintain control in a situation.

• In a reading: Kings typically represent a person who holds authority, or they can signify your own need to step into a leadership role. They reflect wisdom, discipline, and the ability to guide others in areas connected to their suit.

Tips for Interpreting the Court Cards

1. Consider the Person or Personality: Often, Court Cards can represent someone in your life or an aspect of your own personality. When interpreting them, think about the traits associated with each card. For example, the Queen of Cups might represent someone who is empathetic, caring, and emotionally in tune.

2. Look at the Suit: The suit gives you clues about the area of life the Court Card is addressing. For instance, a Knight of Pentacles could suggest diligent work toward a goal, while a Page of Swords may point to a need for mental clarity or a new intellectual pursuit.

3. Apply Them to Situations: Court Cards don’t always have to represent people. They can also indicate the energy or dynamics of a situation. For example, a King of Wands may suggest that it’s time to take charge and lead a project with confidence and vision.

4. Consider the Hierarchy: The progression from Page to King suggests increasing levels of maturity, mastery, and responsibility. This can reflect the growth of a situation or your personal evolution. For example, drawing a Page of Cups may suggest the early stages of emotional exploration, while the King of Cups could signify emotional mastery and wisdom.

5. Notice Patterns: If multiple Court Cards appear in a spread, pay attention to the connections between them. Are you being influenced by different people? Is there a need to integrate various aspects of your personality or approach a situation from different perspectives?

Unlocking the Secrets of the Court Cards

The Court Cards bring a unique layer to tarot readings, often revealing the people, energies, or evolving parts of yourself that influence your life. While they can be challenging to interpret at first, with practice, they become key players in the story your tarot spread is telling. By paying attention to the suits, ranks, and personalities within the Court, you can unlock deeper insights and guidance in your readings.

Are you ready to let the Court Cards reveal their secrets in your next tarot reading? Let them guide you to greater understanding of both yourself and the world around you!