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THE MINOR ARCANA: THE SUITS
There are ten cards in each of four suits, as there are in a normal pack of 52 playing cards. The suits are: cups, wands (or batons), swords and pentacles (or disks, or coins), corresponding to hearts, clubs, spades and diamonds.
The suit of cups corresponds to the element of water, and the astrological signs of Cancer, Scorpio and Pisces.
The suit of wands corresponds to the element of fire, and the astrological signs of Aries, Leo and Sagittarius.
The suit of swords corresponds to the element of air, and the astrological signs of Gemini, Libra and Aquarius.
The suit of pentacles corresponds to the element of earth, and the astrological signs of Taurus, Virgo and Capricorn.
THE MINOR ARCANA: THE COURT CARDS
The court cards can signify an individual in one's life, or the qualities associated with the card within oneself.
The court cards in a traditional pack consist of the Page, the Knight, the Queen and the King (these may vary).
These latter three correspond to the Knave or Jack, the Queen and the King in a playing card pack.
The Page represents childhood, early youth and beginnings. The Knight heralds adolescence, energy, youth and exploration. The Queen embodies the receptive, nurture, stability; the King dynamism, the direct and outgoing.
These qualities will each be influenced by the nature of the suit concerned. A brief explanation follows, which also gives an insight, in some cases, as to how these qualities may be used in a positive or negative manner.
TAROT KEYWORDS: MINOR ARCANA: COURT CARDS
THE PAGE
WANDS: be enthusiastic, creative, confident, courageous
CUPS : be intuitive, emotional, loving, intimate
SWORDS: be truthful, just, strong, intelligent
PENTACLES : be practical, prosperous, trustworthy, effective; have faith
THE KNIGHT: Positive
WANDS: be adventurous, daring, charming, self-confident, passionate
CUPS: be sensitive, refined, romantic, imaginative, introspective
SWORDS : be authoritative, direct, knowledgeable, incisive, logical
PENTACLES: be thorough, unwavering, realistic, hardworking, cautious
KNIGHT: Negative
WANDS: you may be foolhardy, over-confident, superficial, hot-tempered, restless
CUPS: you may be temperamental, fanciful, introverted, overemotional, snobbish
SWORDS: you may be opinionated, blunt, cutting, unfeeling, overbearing
PENTACLES: you may be obsessive, stubborn, pessimistic, unadventurous, dull
THE QUEEN
WANDS: be energetic, cheerful, self-assured, wholehearted, and feel attractive
CUPS: be intuitive, tender, spiritual, loving, psychic, big-hearted
SWORDS: be astute, forthright, humorous, honest and wise
PENTACLES: be generous, resourceful, practical, nurturing, trustworthy
THE KING
WANDS: be inspiring, creative, charismatic, bold, forceful
CUPS: be diplomatic, caring, tolerant, wise, calm
SWORDS: be articulate, analytical, ethical, just, intellectual
PENTACLES: be reliable, supportive, steady, adept, enterprising.
