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The four knights in the Tarot’s Minor Arcana encompass both the exciting and the annoying traits of teens
and young adults in that they can be energetic and impatient, bold and reckless, and heroic and quixotic.
They may be crusaders or explorers in the areas governed by their suit, but they also tend to be more
confident than competent in such pursuits. And so these knights represent periods in our lives when we are
exploring and testing new skills or knowledge -- often through trial and error -- and when experience has
only begun to enrich and temper our understanding of something as we begin to progress from mere
knowledge to wisdom.
The Knight of Wands charges forward with his wand held aloft like a banner carried into battle. He is not
afraid to take a chance on a new way of doing things, and so this card may indicate a bold approach to a
problem or a quick, decisive action. On the other hand, this impulsive knight may over commit himself,
then move on to a new endeavor before he has finished what he was doing, for he is easily swept away by
his passions. Thus, this card warns us against letting our passions carry us away. Although being able to
charge forth with drive and determination can be desirable at times, it is a dangerous habit to develop since
it may lead to unreliable or erratic behavior. Notice, however, that the Knight of Wands appears to be
reining in his horse as it strains to race ahead, which symbolizes a struggle to control our passions. If we
give them free rein, they can gallop out of control, but if we direct them properly, they can help us
accomplish great things.
There is a profound change of pace in the next card, the Knight of Cups, which exhibits a serene,
unhurried mood. Here we see a knight who has slowed down, perhaps to re-evaluate or re-integrate his
feelings before moving on again. The reflective quality of this card implies that this knight can be a
visionary, someone who will listen to his intuition and then act upon its insights. With that in mind, we see
the advice to pause now and then in order to reflect upon the wisdom in our heart so that we may actively
pursue our dreams. In addition, this knight in shining armor is concerned with love and romance, which is
the providence of this suit. At his best, the Knight of Cups continually searches for new ways to express his
love and to keep the romance in his relationship alive, and this card advises us to develop these qualities
within ourselves as well.
The Knight of Swords appears to be an idealistic crusader as he races along at breakneck speed, eagerly
brandishing his sword. Unfortunately, he may go overboard and become a zealot, or his idealism may be
misguided, half-baked, or myopic. At his best, he has a questing mind, he adheres to his principles, and he
acts decisively, but this knight also can be argumentative, sarcastic, or tactless. However, we can find a
great deal of guidance by considering both his strengths and his weaknesses. This card advises us to make
our journey through life a constant search for knowledge. We should carefully consider what is right and
act upon our convictions, but we should not be afraid to reevaluate and reconsider our attitudes, beliefs and
ideals either. And we must not become so immersed in the realm of ideas and beliefs that we lose sight of
the human aspects of life, such as the feelings of others.
The Knight of Pentacles sits quietly astride a sturdy mount, which looks like it would be more at home
pulling a plow than charging into battle, and he seems to be surveying his land rather than looking for a
new conflict. In fact, this is the only knight in the Tarot deck who is completely motionless, which indicates
that he is mindful of staying grounded. He is slow to make a commitment, but once he does, he will keep it
for he is loyal, dependable, and trustworthy. He is also practical, meticulous, and hardworking, and he will
tenaciously defend whatever he has accomplished or achieved. On the other hand, he may be dull and
unimaginative, as well as stubborn and unyielding. But like all the knights, he advises us to cultivate his
virtues and ward against his shortcomings. Finally, he reminds us that a journey of a thousand miles begins
with one step and is traveled one step at a time.
and young adults in that they can be energetic and impatient, bold and reckless, and heroic and quixotic.
They may be crusaders or explorers in the areas governed by their suit, but they also tend to be more
confident than competent in such pursuits. And so these knights represent periods in our lives when we are
exploring and testing new skills or knowledge -- often through trial and error -- and when experience has
only begun to enrich and temper our understanding of something as we begin to progress from mere
knowledge to wisdom.
The Knight of Wands charges forward with his wand held aloft like a banner carried into battle. He is not
afraid to take a chance on a new way of doing things, and so this card may indicate a bold approach to a
problem or a quick, decisive action. On the other hand, this impulsive knight may over commit himself,
then move on to a new endeavor before he has finished what he was doing, for he is easily swept away by
his passions. Thus, this card warns us against letting our passions carry us away. Although being able to
charge forth with drive and determination can be desirable at times, it is a dangerous habit to develop since
it may lead to unreliable or erratic behavior. Notice, however, that the Knight of Wands appears to be
reining in his horse as it strains to race ahead, which symbolizes a struggle to control our passions. If we
give them free rein, they can gallop out of control, but if we direct them properly, they can help us
accomplish great things.
There is a profound change of pace in the next card, the Knight of Cups, which exhibits a serene,
unhurried mood. Here we see a knight who has slowed down, perhaps to re-evaluate or re-integrate his
feelings before moving on again. The reflective quality of this card implies that this knight can be a
visionary, someone who will listen to his intuition and then act upon its insights. With that in mind, we see
the advice to pause now and then in order to reflect upon the wisdom in our heart so that we may actively
pursue our dreams. In addition, this knight in shining armor is concerned with love and romance, which is
the providence of this suit. At his best, the Knight of Cups continually searches for new ways to express his
love and to keep the romance in his relationship alive, and this card advises us to develop these qualities
within ourselves as well.
The Knight of Swords appears to be an idealistic crusader as he races along at breakneck speed, eagerly
brandishing his sword. Unfortunately, he may go overboard and become a zealot, or his idealism may be
misguided, half-baked, or myopic. At his best, he has a questing mind, he adheres to his principles, and he
acts decisively, but this knight also can be argumentative, sarcastic, or tactless. However, we can find a
great deal of guidance by considering both his strengths and his weaknesses. This card advises us to make
our journey through life a constant search for knowledge. We should carefully consider what is right and
act upon our convictions, but we should not be afraid to reevaluate and reconsider our attitudes, beliefs and
ideals either. And we must not become so immersed in the realm of ideas and beliefs that we lose sight of
the human aspects of life, such as the feelings of others.
The Knight of Pentacles sits quietly astride a sturdy mount, which looks like it would be more at home
pulling a plow than charging into battle, and he seems to be surveying his land rather than looking for a
new conflict. In fact, this is the only knight in the Tarot deck who is completely motionless, which indicates
that he is mindful of staying grounded. He is slow to make a commitment, but once he does, he will keep it
for he is loyal, dependable, and trustworthy. He is also practical, meticulous, and hardworking, and he will
tenaciously defend whatever he has accomplished or achieved. On the other hand, he may be dull and
unimaginative, as well as stubborn and unyielding. But like all the knights, he advises us to cultivate his
virtues and ward against his shortcomings. Finally, he reminds us that a journey of a thousand miles begins
with one step and is traveled one step at a time.
| This article is copyright © James Ricklef; all rights reserved. Please do not use anything without permission. To get permission, contact James, and explain what you intend to use it for. |
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