Learning the Cards - Tricks and Trends pt 2
Pages (Weavers Seekers) - The Hopeful Scions
Think of a child first exploring a new discovery. Pages–or Seekers–carry the air of immaturity and inexperience, but also of potential and play. A Seeker will explore and discover, experiment and create without predetermined goals. What they lack in structure they make for in creativity, as a Seeker is rarely burdened with prior expectations of the form and shapes of things. The energy of a Seeker will take the overall traits of the suit and distill them down into this nascent, hopeful place. In readings, this is often a good sign! Who doesn’t want to be in the position to play and discover? But it can also signal a lack of understanding or inability to structure and direct these energies purposefully.
Like all court cards, the Seeker can be a stand-in for a person. It can be the person being read for themselves or someone else related to them. Sometimes, but not all the time, it represents an actual child to be nurtured. Other times, it illustrates an attitude being shown by someone older. It’s up to your Inner Knowing to determine this.
Knights (Weavers Conquerors) - The Learned Zealots
If Seekers are the kids, Knights–or Conquerors–are the moody teens. They still have an immaturity about them, but have grasped enough of the principles of the suits to go way, way too far with them. Limiters are off here, and the Conquerors are running full tilt into their passions for good or ill. If a Conqueror of Wands is passionate, they’re also obsessed. If a Conqueror of Cups is sensitive to emotions, they’re also fragile. If a Conqueror of Swords has clear-headed, rational judgment, they’re also apathetic. If a Conqueror of Coins is steady and convicted, they’re also rigid and inflexible. Nuanced thought is not a huge thing for them. Go go go go, be the thing.
Most books I’ve read say that the Conqueror is usually a warning in a reading. I agree, but also…I don’t. I think there are times when single-minded intensity is incredibly useful and necessary. What it signals to me is a need to double check–what am I doing? Is this purposeful and good, or should I reel it in a bit? If I’m honest with myself, it’ll get me where I need.
When representing a person, the Conqueror is usually fairly simple to place. If there’s a person embodying this energy in your life, you’ve probably already noticed their influence by now. Instead of letting you know they exist, the card will help you understand how they fit into the bigger picture and–hopefully–how best to handle them. And it’s not all bad, actually; my own husband often shows up as the Conqueror of Coins, and he is exactly what I needed.
Queens (Weavers Sovereigns) - The Inner Embodiment
Here we are reaching full maturity. Don’t imagine from here that the King is the next step in the maturity pipeline–they are both fully equal in their standing. The difference is in the locus of expression only. As the internal locus, the Queen–or Sovereign–focuses on the self and immediate sphere of influence. Often their influence is an understated, passive thing that takes no action, only authentic existence. Fun fact, the Sovereign cards are my favorite cards–they are the people who can simply stand in a room and do nothing and still gain notice and respect. They are the magnetic and ‘effortless’ that people gravitate to. They know what they’re about.
A Sovereign has mastered their suit. The Sovereign of Wands exudes confidence and sensuality, makes art of themselves and their surroundings, and lets their passion infect other people just by existing. The Sovereign of Coins gathers and owns her own abundance, sharing it with others with service and practical care, by building out a space and a home that is safe and comforting. A Sovereign of Cups is caring and sweet, sensitive and vulnerable without losing their center, and deeply in tune with the invisible energies of their world.
If a person, this might be someone who’s gone unnoticed–but their influence is felt all the same. Just like we sometimes are drawn to others without realizing, we can sometimes be caught up in these energies without fully knowing they’re there. If it fits for you, the Sovereign may also stand for the attitude of a parent–especially a mother–figure.
Kings (Weavers Rulers) - The Outer Expression
The mirror of the Sovereign, the Ruler–or King–is the fully matured energy of the suit directed on the external world. It’s easy to imagine the Ruler as what it is–a leader. They make choices and shape their world, they direct others. They provide a framework and structure for what they oversee. When not in balance, their shadow may rear its head as a domineering tyrant or a destructive force, but when in balance they are effective and generous with their strengths.
Consider the suit characteristics exhibited through action when you’ve drawn a Ruler. A Ruler of Wands will likely provide vision and direction for large projects. A Ruler of Swords might act as clear-headed and impartial judge, able to mediate between others and cut to the truth of matters. No matter what the expression, it will encompass a tendency toward action and affect in the external world. They pursue solutions to problems, they follow ambitions, they take charge. Things get done when a Ruler is involved–and people are protected.
I have a sassy deck. Once during an open reading, it took me through the whole story of my traumas and illnesses, then pointed me toward a future that ended with the Ruler of Cups. In this case, the card wasn’t talking about another figure, but something that I can and will grow into, if I choose. While Sovereigns remain my favorite, I view Rulers as aspirational figures. No human is going to reach the perfect vision of any card in this Tarot–that’s why these are archetypical, not reality. But it’s a role that can be stepped into from time to time, and done effectively.
Still, a Ruler can indicate a person in your life. Consider the whole context of the draw, and know: if the deck is pointing you toward a Ruler, don’t ignore it. Someone is going to have a big influence on your life if you invite them in.