The Court Cards
The Knights, Queens and Kings are attributed to the 12 signs of the Zodiac:
| Court Card |
Astrological attribution |
| Knight of Wands |
Aries, The Ram |
| Queen of Coins |
Taurus, The Bull |
| King of Swords |
Gemini, The Twins |
| Knight of Cups |
Cancer, The Crab |
| Queen of Wands |
Leo, The Lion |
| King of Coins |
Virgo, The Maiden |
| Knight of Swords |
Libra, The Scales |
| Queen of Cups |
Scorpio, The Scorpion |
| King of wands |
Sagittarius, The Centaur/Archer |
| Knight of Coins |
Capricorn, The Goat |
| Queen of Swords |
Aquarius, The Water Bearer |
| King of Cups |
Pisces, The Fish |
Traditionally the 12 signs are divided into three qualities which correspond to the three ranks of Knight, Queen and King respectively:
| Rank |
Quality |
Key Word |
| Knight |
Cardinal |
Spontaneous & enterprising |
| Queen |
Fixed |
Intense & steadfast |
| King |
Mutable |
Adaptable & variable |
The 12 signs are also divided into four elements, with 3 signs attributed to each element:
| Suit |
Element |
Key Words |
| Wands |
Fire |
Energetic & assertive |
| Coins |
Earth |
Practical & restrained |
| Swords |
Air |
Communicative & mentally active |
| Cups |
Water |
Emotional & intuitive |
These interpretations can be expanded, as follows:
| Card |
Key Words |
| Knight of Wands |
Spontaneous, enterprising, energetic & assertive; he could could be described as a self starter, a hot headed character or at the extreme, a domineering bully. |
| Queen of Coins |
Intense, steadfast, practical and restrained. However, "slow & steady wins the race", may all too easily become emotional dullness or a disinclination to care. She could be described as avaricious, possessive or, on occasion furious with the world. |
| King of Swords |
Adaoptable, variable, communicative and mentally active; he could be described as a clever, skilful, versatile and fond of change; or as lacking continuity, irresolute or uncertain. |
| Knight of Cups |
Spontaneous, enterprsing, emotional & intutive; he could be described as romatic, receptive, reflective, kind and nurturing. He may also have illusory or mediumistic leanings. In the extreme he is smothering. |
| Queen of Wands |
Intense, steadfast, energetic & assertive; her tendency to be energetic and assertive may in the extreme lead to her being arrogant, self centred and ruthless. She may all too easily be flattered. |
| King of Coins |
Adaptable, variable, practical & restrained; sometimes his sharp and perceptive nature, together with his perfectionist streak can lead him to be overly critical and insular. he may develop an unhealthy preoccupation with occupational matters, his health and hygiene, or his diet. in the extreme this may manifest as hypochondria. |
| Knight of Swords |
Enterprsing, assertive, communicative and mentally active; he could be described as a law giver and a peacemaker. |
| Queen of Cups |
Intense, steadfast, emotional & intuitive; she may however have a subtle dependency on others. She can be ruthless, sometimes without conscience, sometimes followed by remorse. In the extreme she can be manipulative. |
| King of Wands |
Adaptable, variable, energetic & assertive; he can often be seen to embrace foreign philosophies and attitudes, sometimes to the point where he appears to be in flight or departure from reason or the dictates of reality. He is often generous. In the extreme he can acquire a reputation for being frank, rude or even crude. |
| Knight of Coins |
Adaptable, variable, practical and restrained, is ambition combined with hard work, often lead to honour and wealth. On the other hand a practical, sensible and cautious character can lead to drudgey and being trapped by responsibilities. |
| Queen of Swords |
Intense, steadfast, communicative & mentally active she can be detached, unchangeable, inflexible and unreliable. |
| King of Cups |
Adaptable, variable, emotional and intutive he has a graceful, passive nature which can result in him hiding his feelings of devotion, or in his developing a fateful attitude to love. In the extreme his idealism and devotion can separate him from reality. there is a suggestion of seduction through intoxication. |
The 4 Pages are attributed to the 4 elements:
| Court Card |
Astrological Attribution |
| Page of Wands |
Fire |
| Page of Coins |
Earth |
| Page of Swords |
Air |
| Page of Cups |
Water |
