Court cards normally reprepresent people, sometimes they represent situations. Now the easiest way I understand the Court cards is by thinking of King Arthur's court, his Knights of the Round Table, his Queen and the young Page Arthur!

The Kings

Kings are normally the stern and masterful rulers of their Kingdom. They have mastered the skills necessary to rule their kingdoms fairly and justly. Applying the Kings to their suits, they are masterful of their emotions (Cups), their thoughts (Swords), their energy (Wands) and their business and wealth (Pentacles). They have to be otherwise they wouldn't be Kings!

The Queens

The Queens are all about beauty and reflection. They bring the 'women’s touch' the Kingdom! They aren't so direct as Kings and like to help rule the kingdom from the back seat as it were. 'Behind every good man, is a good women' as they say!

So the Queens bring a girly touch to their emotions (Cups), their thoughts (Swords), their energy (Wands) and everything else, the mundane (Pentacles). In a sense, The Queen of Cups, is dreamy and reflective, The Queen of Swords (is sharp and to the point), The Queen of Pentacles is down to earth, charitable and humble and the Queen of Wands is warm and passionate.

Alternately think about Guinevere, Arthur's consort who was written (although maybe not accurately) that she had affairs with other men, leading her to achieve the aspects of the Queens and their suits. Deceitful (Swords) Passionate (Wands), Emotional (Cups) and Physical (Pentacles) are summed up by her love affairs!

The Knights

Think Lancelot and Sir Galahad or the Greek Hercules. The Knight's of the Round Table are heroes! They take action and charge around, protecting the Kingdom and the honour of their Queens and Princesses. They carry out the king’s orders and do all the hard work. Bold and brave and full of honour, they love it!

Applying them to their suits, they are swift and direct in their thought (Swords), their emotions (Cups), their energy (Wands) and well, in their field of business and expertise, think Geek! (Pentacles)

The Pages

The pages are the young and dedicated like the young Merlin and Arthur. I tend to think of little King Arthur who pulled the sword from the stone (yes, the Page of Swords). They normally have to run around after the Knights, carrying messages and being the general dogsbodies of the Kingdom. They are heralds, a person who carries or proclaims important news; a messenger. Hence why they all look like they are about to announce something! They could announce a new love (Cups), a new activity, like jousting for example (Wands), A new idea (Swords) or a message in general (Pentacles)




Some Notes:

An example of a Court card in a very simple reading might be like this:

Someone wants to know what their new boss will be like and you draw the Queen of Swords.

This may mean the boss will be female, a thinker, direct to the point, quick witted etc. You not in for a kind hearted 'Queen of Cups' that's for sure! You would be able to tell more when this card is along side some more cards in a reading.

Wands and Swords are 'outgoing suits' shown by the Queens of Wands and Swords looking outwards and by the Knights of Wands and Swords in motion on their horses..

Pentacles and Cups and 'introvert' suits and show the Queens of Pentacles and Cups looking down at their objects and by the Knight of Pentacles and Cups at a stand still upon their horses.

The Kings however all look outwards because they are all masters of the quality of their suit.