Gilded Tarot Knight of Wands

[WolfSwan]

http://www.example.com/my-picture.gif.

I've gotten this card a number of times in readings and I thought it was time to explore this card in more detail since I'm still not 100% with Court cards in general. How do you know when they represent a person, or when they represent action?

To me this Knight has always come up when I was about to change residence. Before I sold my house, he barged in with the 10 of Pentacles. When I was moving country he was there with the 3 of Wands.

In this card, the colours are very autumnal. It's fiery but there seems a deliberateness to the Knight's movement forward. He isn't 'charging' like the Knight in the RW deck. He holds his 'wand' and the horse beneath him moves deliberately towards the right of the card. So I feel like it signifies perhaps moving towards something new.

Traditionally I know the Knight of Wands can mean a fling, a passionate romance that doesn't have much staying power when related to romantic readings, or he can mean a fast opportunity that comes up in a career reading. Obviously I've had him come up as travel or changing residence. How would you interpret him as actions or feelings?

[Charlie Brown]

http://www.example.com/my-picture.gif.
How do you know when they represent a person, or when they represent action?

That's one of the more difficult things about reading. I think there isn't really a set way. You have to figure out your own methodology. One thing that some people do is ascertain beforehand what court cards would represent the significant people in the reading based on either personality or appearance. Whatever methods you choose, I find it's a lot easier to try and have it figured out beforehand. If you do what you do with intention it makes it easier for the cards to speak your language.

Also, your link wouldn't load so I couldn't see the card. It's best to load the picture in the post as an attachment.

[WolfSwan]

http://www.example.com/my-picture.gif.
How do you know when they represent a person, or when they represent action?

That's one of the more difficult things about reading. I think there isn't really a set way. You have to figure out your own methodology. One thing that some people do is ascertain beforehand what court cards would represent the significant people in the reading based on either personality or appearance. Whatever methods you choose, I find it's a lot easier to try and have it figured out beforehand. If you do what you do with intention it makes it easier for the cards to speak your language.

Also, your link wouldn't load so I couldn't see the card. It's best to load the picture in the post as an attachment.

Oh, thanks for letting me know about the attachment, I've reattached.

knight of wands.jpg (27.09 KiB) Viewed 3360 times

The Knight of Wands has never really represented anyone I know. For me it's always told me about what I'm doing - like travelling or moving house. Once it came up as the behaviour of a person who was being promiscuous but that was how someone interpreted the cards they pulled for me. I have a few cards that represent certain people, but does that mean that when another reader pulls cards for you those Court cards would represent the same people who have in your mind, or would it be whatever that reader has identified for the card?

For example the King of Swords has always meant one person in my readings. He comes up quite often lately. I had a friend who is a really good reader do a reading for me and this King of Swords came up but she read it as a new person coming in. She was very sure it was new energy, but I was confused because that card has always meant one person in my readings.

But back to the Knight of Wands, I'm still curious how to read him as feelings or actions. He doesn't seem as bold as the knight in the RW deck.

[katrinka]

The two biggest clues are the context of the question, and near-lying cards.

Additionally, if you're using named positions, a court coming up in a spot designated "how X feels" probably isn't a person.

Context, context, context.

[WolfSwan]

The two biggest clues are the context of the question, and near-lying cards.

Additionally, if you're using named positions, a court coming up in a spot designated "how X feels" probably isn't a person.

Context, context, context.

This is true. I'm still not sure how the Knight of Wands 'feels' though in the context of let say, how does X feel about a situation or something like that. How do you interpret a Court card as a feeling?

[Diana]

Just in passing, I think the Knight of Wands is maybe the Chariot who has calmed and trained his horses.

When I'm puzzled about a court card (in French they are sometimes called the Honours which I find interesting), I look first at the energy that the card is presenting, before even trying to pinpoint what it's talking about. Also along with the energy, what a Knight actually is.

Knights are at the service to someone or something. I would think that in the Tarot, they speak more of being of service to something, but this thing can be served through a person - as a kind of a channel. (Like if you're wanting to work in the service of caring for children, you may go through a paediatrician or a charitable organisation to reach your goals).

Knights speak of chivalry. But what does chivalry mean in the 21st century. I don't know. I'm tossing out the question here in the hope that someone has an answer.

They are brave and fearless. They are well trained and are well regarded.

Now what's interesting in the Gilded Knight of Wands is that the wand has on top what looks like a golden orb. His wand looks almost like a lighted torch. Is he fighting darkness and ignorance ? Is he carrying a message of light to those who cross his path ? What is his destination ? Knights are known to have a quest. What quest is he on ?

In George Colleuil's book Le Référentiel de Naissance he says about the Knight of Wands : "The soul seeks spiritual balance. Man rises above himself in order to ensure his humanity."

But to get down to more mundane matters. I think if one regularly gets a card that has in time proved to a reader that it implies movement, or a change of domicile or something, the tarot reader should trust this. We do end up by having a relationship with our cards. It's sort of like we end up with our own little secret way of communicating with each other. But there's always a bit of a danger that we get complacent and think that it's always so. But if this interpretation fits with the rest of the cards and it feels right, I think one can have some trust (but remain vigilant that there's not also a DEEPER meaning behind it. The Tarot loves to speak in layers.)

[katrinka]

The two biggest clues are the context of the question, and near-lying cards.

Additionally, if you're using named positions, a court coming up in a spot designated "how X feels" probably isn't a person.

Context, context, context.

This is true. I'm still not sure how the Knight of Wands 'feels' though in the context of let say, how does X feel about a situation or something like that. How do you interpret a Court card as a feeling?

I just look at the nature of the card.
The Knight of Wands is impulsive and energetic. So the feeling would be restless and impatient.

[WolfSwan]

Just in passing, I think the Knight of Wands is maybe the Chariot who has calmed and trained his horses.

When I'm puzzled about a court card (in French they are sometimes called the Honours which I find interesting), I look first at the energy that the card is presenting, before even trying to pinpoint what it's talking about. Also along with the energy, what a Knight actually is.

Knights are at the service to someone or something. I would think that in the Tarot, they speak more of being of service to something, but this thing can be served through a person - as a kind of a channel. (Like if you're wanting to work in the service of caring for children, you may go through a paediatrician or a charitable organisation to reach your goals).

Knights speak of chivalry. But what does chivalry mean in the 21st century. I don't know. I'm tossing out the question here in the hope that someone has an answer.

They are brave and fearless. They are well trained and are well regarded.

Now what's interesting in the Gilded Knight of Wands is that the wand has on top what looks like a golden orb. His wand looks almost like a lighted torch. Is he fighting darkness and ignorance ? Is he carrying a message of light to those who cross his path ? What is his destination ? Knights are known to have a quest. What quest is he on ?

In George Colleuil's book Le Référentiel de Naissance he says about the Knight of Wands : "The soul seeks spiritual balance. Man rises above himself in order to ensure his humanity."

But to get down to more mundane matters. I think if one regularly gets a card that has in time proved to a reader that it implies movement, or a change of domicile or something, the tarot reader should trust this. We do end up by having a relationship with our cards. It's sort of like we end up with our own little secret way of communicating with each other. But there's always a bit of a danger that we get complacent and think that it's always so. But if this interpretation fits with the rest of the cards and it feels right, I think one can have some trust (but remain vigilant that there's not also a DEEPER meaning behind it. The Tarot loves to speak in layers.)

So from what I've been reading Knight are, like you say, all about being in service - usually to the King or Queen. The energy of the Wands is all about creativity, renewed energy, passion, innovation. I'm guessing this Knight could be impatient and have a fiery temper if things aren't going their way (in the Wands). Whereas the Knight of Pentacles I would see as being slow, patient - like the Earth.

Ha! Chivalry in the 21st century? I think that died in the 20th century to be honest. There are still some old school guys who are chivalrous in the 'old school' way, but I'm not sure about what this looks like in reality nowadays.

That's the exact balance that I was worried about - the Knight of Wands usually means one thing, but I keep getting it, and I wonder if it's trying to tell me something else. The idea of change of residence and moving doesn't quite fit with the question I've asked and gotten this Knight for but it's been in relation to the same person, so perhaps it's just the energy the person currently is in.

[WolfSwan]

The two biggest clues are the context of the question, and near-lying cards.

Additionally, if you're using named positions, a court coming up in a spot designated "how X feels" probably isn't a person.

Context, context, context.

This is true. I'm still not sure how the Knight of Wands 'feels' though in the context of let say, how does X feel about a situation or something like that. How do you interpret a Court card as a feeling?

I just look at the nature of the card.
The Knight of Wands is impulsive and energetic. So the feeling would be restless and impatient.

Yes...I can see this as a reflection of this card. The situation could make a person restless and impatient. Hot tempered even I can get from this card. Reckless as well. Brash.

[katrinka]

Yes! Exactly that.
Each Court has a distinct mood.

[Diana]

I went to look up what chivalry could mean in the 21st century. Some ideas I gleaned from a Knights Templars website (I don't mention them all because some of them are more in the line of "obey our lord jesus christ" kind of thing.) But others I find helpful for our thread:

Respect and defend the weak against abuses by the strong.

Do not be a coward, face the enemy.

Fight the enemies of good relentlessly and without mercy.

Never lie nor breach your word, be reliable for friend or foe.

Give generously and wholeheartedly, striving to make a difference for the better.

Always uphold right and good, against all evil and injustice.

Another website when speaking of chivalry in the 21st century took the example of a young activist who has taken up the struggle against human slavery with devotion and selflessness.

Brienne of Tarth in the Game of Thrones was a brave and loyal knight indeed. Knights are not only male. And I think in the Tarot one should not assume that they're talking of a male person. I think the Tarot is hugely ungendered.

It is unfortunate that to be chivalrous has become linked in people's minds with a knight in shining armour saving a damsel in distress. Another way to deny the woman her own power.

[WolfSwan]

I went to look up what chivalry could mean in the 21st century. Some ideas I gleaned from a Knights Templars website (I don't mention them all because some of them are more in the line of "obey our lord jesus christ" kind of thing.) But others I find helpful for our thread:

Respect and defend the weak against abuses by the strong.

Do not be a coward, face the enemy.

Fight the enemies of good relentlessly and without mercy.

Never lie nor breach your word, be reliable for friend or foe.

Give generously and wholeheartedly, striving to make a difference for the better.

Always uphold right and good, against all evil and injustice.

Another website when speaking of chivalry in the 21st century took the example of a young activist who has taken up the struggle against human slavery with devotion and selflessness.

Brienne of Tarth in the Game of Thrones was a brave and loyal knight indeed. Knights are not only male. And I think in the Tarot one should not assume that they're talking of a male person. I think the Tarot is hugely ungendered.

It is unfortunate that to be chivalrous has become linked in people's minds with a knight in shining armour saving a damsel in distress. Another way to deny the woman her own power.

I like all these examples of chivalry! From that perspective, would each Suit have a different manifestation of 'chivalry'? And how would this be exhibited? I could see the Knight of Pentacles for example being an environmental activist (I know, quite a literal interpretation there), but how would that manifest in the Knight of Wands?

I don't see chivalry meaning a knight in shining armour exactly, more someone who is honest, lives by a moral code...

[Diana]

I like all these examples of chivalry! From that perspective, would each Suit have a different manifestation of 'chivalry'?

Lordy, I suppose they do. How delightful! I'd love it if we could branstorm this. It would be a very interesting exercise I think.

However, I would suggest that this be made through a brand new thread. I think not only does it deserve its own thread, but also it would be more visible. It will end up by getting lost in time and lost in space otherwise (just like in the final scene of the Rocky Horror Picture Show although in the Rocky Horror Picture Show they are lost in time and space AND meaning... you can't get it worse) because it's not evident that in a thread on the Gilded Knight of Wands, that this topic would come up. So no-one will come to look for it if they're looking for some insights into this question. And I think that would be a pity.

It's important also to see Tarot through a very practical sense. The practical side of Tarot is also beautiful. So I really like the idea of discussing the "different manifestations of chivalry of each Suit".

Would you like to start a new thread as it's your lovely idea ?