Thoth – Rider-Waite

Disappointment: Grief, Loss, and Unexpected Disturbance

The Five of Cups. Disappointment. Regret. Loss. Grief. Unexpected disturbance. Matter over mind. The Five of Cups corresponds to the Sefirot of Geburah; the first sign of movement, and the motion that upsets the stability and balance of Chesed. A change occurs. When luxury, comfort, and the good life is upset, it leads to a sense of loss, disappointment, and a regret and longing for the past. There is a grief for what was lost. The Five’s association with the upsetting motion of Geburah is directly seen in in the card’s association also with an unexpected disturbance. In many ways, I believe that the Five of Cups directly mirrors Geburah more than any other card. This card represents the triumph of “matter over mind” to me as well; the emotional state of comfort and happiness that we saw before has been overcome by the realities of the world.

The Rider-Waite art clearly depicts the ides of grief; a man is seen clad in mourning blacks looking at three fallen cups; yet behind them there are two still standing. Though there may be sorrow and unhappiness, do not forget that not all is lost. The Thoth illustration shows five cups, empty, with no water flowing into them; the bounty of the previous cards has been lost. The card also has a darker feel, and the very cups themselves are shrouded by lily pads instead of flowers. The cups form an upside-down pentagram, indicating a lack of balance (it balances on one point instead of two) and a disturbance.

In a reading, this card asks you to examine how a loss has played a role in your life; how was grief or regret shown itself to you recently? Have you been thrown off guard by something unexpected that has thrown you into the depths of despair? Reversed, this card indicates that the energies of Disappointment are concealed or twisted somehow; perhaps an unexpected change has made you happy on the surface, but inside you feel hollow? Are you denying your grief? Your regret?

Thoth – Rider-Waite

Luxury: Comfort, Self-Absorption, Lack of Responsibilities

The Four of Cups. Luxury. Comfort. Apathy. Indulgence. Self-Absorption. Lack of responsibilities. Being care-free. The Four of Cups corresponds to the Sefirot of Chesed; stability, growth, condensation. It is the appearance of matter, where the energy of Cups finally fully comes to solidity. When the joy of fulfillment, emotional ease, and happiness come to solidity and existence, it manifests itself as luxury; an ability to enjoy life for its pleasures, to indulge in it, to be comfortable, and not have a care in the world to bring about negative emotions. Luxury is a very nuanced card, and unlike most of the other fours, and has both powerful positive and negative aspects. On the positive side, Luxury indicates “Hakuna Matata;” a no worries, carefree attitude, where everything is supplied for you and you have no responsibilities. It represents comfort emotionally and physically. However, often with these things comes degrees of indulgence, apathy, and self-absorption. This card represents a stable emotional and physical life, but at the same time serves as a warning to not let yourself get caught up too greatly in these comforts.

The energies of the suit of Cups become material in this card, and show themselves as the ideas of the suit of cups, but more grounded. A sense of community turns into the more realistic and often seen case of self-absorption, happiness becomes comfort and to some extent apathy, and  surplus and abundance become luxury and indulgence. The intersection of emotional abstract and some semblance of the material world is not always pleasant, and in many ways this card represents this disconnect.

The Rider-Waite art shows a man sitting beneath a tree, seemingly meditating, while a cloud with a hand holding a cup out to him floats by his side (mirroring the art of the Ace). This card most clearly shows apathy and self-absorption, focusing on those as its primary attributes; the shifting of emotion away from those around you and towards oneself. The Thoth art shows four cups receiving water from a flower (like Abundance), but unlike its predecessor, none of this water is wasted; it all flows into the bottom two cups. It is important to realize, then, that this card does not represent over-indulgence or too much luxury; that concept comes later. Rather, this card just represents the pleasurable aspects of indulgence and self-absorption; but its darker colors serve as a foreshadowing and ominous warning.

In a reading, this card asks you to examine the roles that self-absorption and apathy might be playing in your life, as well as how indulgence shows itself. It tells of comfort and luxury present, and a lack of real responsibilities that allows you to be emotionally at ease. Reversed, this card asks you to look at how these energies might be twisted or distorted, or hidden in your life. Does someone you know have a carefree attitude on the surface, but instead is a churning mass of hidden emotions? Is luxury and physical comfort present, but emotional comfort absent? Do you enjoy your life, yet always feel a sort of guilt about living it?

Thoth – Rider-Waite

Abundance: Community, Surplus, and Happiness

The Three of Cups. Abundance. Bounty. Community. Friendship. Happiness. Surplus. The good things in life. The Three of Cups corresponds to the Sefirot of Binah, and so represents the passive, receiving side of the initial energy of the suit of Cups. As the suit itself represents this same idea of passivity and reception, the Three of Cups reinforces and brings this quality in the suit to the fore. It represents the plane, and focuses on the positive emotions of intimacy and the fruits of passivity. The Three of Cups is where the energy of Cups figures out where it’s going, stabilizes, and begins to understand itself.

Intimacy extended beyond two (which in terms of Cups, actually represents the singularity) become three of more (the binary of Cups), and this then becomes Friendship. Less powerful of a force (which is fiery) than love, friendship is a more passive relationship; intimacy with less of a drive. This ties in with ideas ofCommunity and Happiness as well; good friends make one happy. This idea is the next step of the energies expressed in the Two of Cups.

The Three, however, goes on further to introduce the ideas of happiness in terms closer to the physical world, as corresponds to its relationship with the plane; it also represents Surplus, Bounty, and other “good things” in life. The card itself does not directly represent these things; it really represents the feeling of living a good life, having friends, community, and everything (and more) you need to be happy. This is really the card of happiness (the card of “joy” comes later).

The Rider-Waite art shows three wreathed figures drinking and having a good time together, apparently dancing happily, while surrounded by good food; more than they would need. The Thoth art shows three cups in the shape of grapes (a common symbol of bounty), with flowers pouring water onto them; the reverse of what would be expected. This bounty (of water) comes from an unexpected source, and the cups themselves do little to achieve this bounty.

In a reading, this card asks you to examine the role good friendships and communities play in your life, as well as your happiness with them and your surroundings. It also asks you how a surplus of what you need affects you, and indicates bounty. Reversed, this card serves as a more ominous warning; where does this bounty come from? Is it really benefiting you? Is perhaps some part of the duality of bounty – surplus and friendship – missing?

Thoth – Rider-Waite

Love: Connection/Unity, Harmony/Truce, Attraction/Intimacy

The Two of Cups. Love. Intimacy. Connection. Attraction. Harmony. Unity. Joy. Truce. The Two of Cups corresponds to the Sefirot Chokmah, and represents the active, original form and emanation of the idea of Cups. It is the line, the first manifestation of the concept of something other than a singular point, and is the original harmony. The energy of the suit here are not diluted, and this is the first real manifestation of the idea of the suit that we can see.

As such, the Two of Cups represents the best of the suit of Cups as we see it; the suit’s energies in harmony with itself. The idea of intimacy remains at the forefront of this card, and is its primary focus; but the idea of intimacy is also expressed through the similar ideas of connection, attraction and unity. The idea of Emotional Force becomes joy and harmony. The idea of fluidity becomes truce (though not the same extent as the card of the same name). This card is in many ways a less powerful version of the Lovers (VI).

The Rider-Waite illustration shows a man and woman holding their cups together in what could be either close friendship or love, reaching out to each other. The Thoth art depicts two cups each receiving water from the same source as a sign of connection, reinforced by the intertwining of the tails of two fish; this card emphasizes connection, unity, and peace.

In a reading, this card asks you to look at how close relationships with another individual may be playing a role in your life. It is important to remember that this card does not always mean romantic love; it can just as often mean the love between friends. This card also asks you to find joy in the company of someone close to you, to examine your connections to others, to try to achieve harmony, and to look at your attractions to others. Reversed, this card’s energies are blocked somehow; intimate feelings are not being expressed, the feeling may only be going one way, or discord is making union difficult.

Thoth – Rider-Waite

The Potential: Intimacy, Fluidity, Intuition

The Ace of Cups. It corresponds to the element of Water, and the Sefirot Kether. Its association with Kether – the point, the seed, the emanation, and the spiritual perfection – makes the Ace of Cups the pure idea and spirit of the suit of Cups. It is the original appearance of the energy of Cups, untarnished by association with with reality. As such, the Ace represents the pure idea of Cups.

The suit of Cups makes up one half of one half of the two dualities of the Tarot (Wands/Cups and Swords/Disks). While Wands represent action and driving passion, Cups represent passivity and powerful emotional intimacy. Wands create, and Cups receive. Wands are ‘masculine,’ and Cups are ‘feminine.’ The Ace of Cups is the beginning of the path that the energy of Cups will take down the Sefirot, and it is this energy that will be changed by the following Sefirot.

The Rider-Waite card shows a hand holding forth a  cup, offering its energies to the reader, giving you the energies directly from EinSof. The Thoth art shows a single cup, brimming with water, at the center of an explosion of power. This is similar to the Ace of Wands, but differs in several ways; the Ace of Cups uses blue and green colors primarily, and the very emanations themselves are less sharply defined, made of more gradual curves. The energy of Cups, while still powerful, is not as forceful as that of Wands, and more open to compromise.

In more practical terms, the Ace of Cups symbolizes emotional force, powerful emotions, fluidity (unlike the typical rigidity of Wands), intimacy, and intuition (empathy). The three most important of these would be Intimacy, Fluidity, andIntuition. This card represents the powerful emotions that bring people together, adaptability and willingness to compromise, and the ability to understand and sympathize and empathize with others. It represents the emotional bonds of the universe. These qualities are on in the most positive form, as the Aces correspond to spiritual perfection.

In a reading, the Ace of Wands advises the reader or querent to exemplify the qualities of the Suit of Cups; be emotional, try to see how others feel, don’t be afraid to be emotionally intimate, be adaptable, and be more passive than active. This is not the time for action; it is the time to sit back and go with the flow. Reversed, this card’s energies are blocked or twisted somehow; perhaps you should scale back on these qualities in yourself, or if you think you see the qualities of this suit somewhere you may be mistaken.

While the Ace of Wands is the ultimate origin, the origin needs to have someplace to go; this place is the ultimate womb, the ultimate fertile ground; the Ace of Cups. Wands represent creativity and action, and Cups represent adapting that creativity and not taking any direct action.  Cups represent not only emotions and passivity, but also potential; great things might come out of one who exemplifies the qualities of Cups.

Thoth – Rider-Waite

Princess of Wands: The Daring Pioneer

The Princess (or Page in the Rider-Waite deck) of Wands is the Earth of Fire; her personality corresponds to the Sefirot of Malkuth. She is the person who embodies the qualities of fire in the most “earthy” way. She is the end of the cycle and also the beginning; she will become the new Queen in time, and so also has a link to creation and birth. The Princess of Wands is a daring and individual; she is an explorer and pioneer, with a brilliant mind. She is, like her other personalities, also passionate and can be quick to anger. Like the Prince, she can be violent and even vengeful if provoked. Her drive is more focused than the Prince, as her life has been set out for her, and she often appears implacable and indomitable. She inspires others, and is a strong believer in her own self-righteousness. She can sometimes become overly theatrical, and is enthusiastic about everything – but still she can remain focused. She can also be sudden and unexpected; being around her can be tiring. A good example of a Princess of Wands in fiction is the titular character of The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya; she embodies the Princess of Wands.

The Rider-Waite art is lacking greatly, I fear, and does not illustrate her character accurately; it merely depicts a young man with a wand looking foolishly to the side. The Thoth illustration, however, tells a different tale; the Princess is dragging her pet tiger forward and onward into the unknown, following a focused trail of fire; she has her mind set on something (though it could be something completely random), and will carry on to its end. Not even a tiger can stand up to her; she dramatically is shooting off down her path.

In a reading, the Princess of Wands asks you to examine how her personalities can be seen in those around you. Is someone going off and exploring new things? Is someone being overly dramatic? Should you perhaps be more forceful and implacable? Does someone have a vendetta? Does someone have so much enthusiasm just looking at them makes you tired? Reversed, this card indicates that these energies are blocked or held back by someone, or can be seen in unusual ways; is someone’s pioneering creativity being stifled? Are they constantly told to tone down their enthusiasm?

Thoth – Rider-Waite

Prince of Wands: The Playful Romantic

The Prince of Wands (roughly the Knight of Wands in Rider-Waite decks) is the Air of Fire; Princes are air and Wands are fire. He is the fiery part of the Sefirot Tiphareth’s personality. He is the union of Chokmah and Binah (Knight and Queen), and represents the compromise between the two, being in many ways an exemplar of his suit and a combination of the Knight and Queen. He is driven (Fire) by ideas of Justice (Air), and is very swift and often impulsive. He is proud and courageous like the Knight his father, but also romantic and oftentimes playful in ways similar to his mother the Queen. However, he is young and not full of the “purer” ideas of Chokmah and Binah, and so is also easily-led and indecisive. He has passion, but is too young to be able to channel it effectively, and so ends up trying to do everything. His pride can often become empty boasting, and his play can become sadistic and mocking if left unwatched. Sometimes, his drive may vanish and he may appear lazy; while he has the passion to do things, he does not always have the drive.

The Rider-Waite illustration shows a bold knight charging bravely forward at… something. What it is we don’t know, but he isn’t afraid of it. he is bold, impetuous, and proud. He rides a horse, adding a sense of swift movement as well. The Thoth art also has a theme of movement; the prince is seated on a fast-moving chariot pulled by lions, in a pose that might be described as welcoming. He is attractive and likeable, and his chariot is light enough to change course at a moment’s notice. He has speed and drive, but could go anywhere with it.

In a reading, this card asks you to examine the role that a Prince of Wands plays in your life; is someone overly impulsive, given to fits of passion and then moving on? Is someone having trouble channeling their impressive energies? Is someone being arrogant and boastful while not actually doing much? Is there a romantic in your life who sweeps you off your feet with his passion, who acts as the charismatic comedian who everyone loves? All of these are aspects of the Prince, and seeing this card asks you to examine how he may be appears in your life in the people around you; or maybe advises you to adopt his characteristics. Reversed, this personality is blocked or hidden from you; perhaps you love of this person blinds you to his other Princely qualities, or the other way around; look for the Prince in unexpected places.

Thoth – Rider-Waite

Queen of Wands: The Proud Ruler

The Queen of Wands represents the passive characteristics of Wands and fire, just as the Knight of Wands represents the active characteristics of the suit. The Queens correspond to Binah, and are the Water of Fire. The Queen of Wands, then, is a proud, adaptable (where Water meets drive), persistent, generous, and calmly inspiring. While the Knight exemplifies Strength and Dominion,  the Queen exemplifies Virtue (which also corresponds to Binah, like the Queen). She passively exudes the qualities of the suit of Wands. She can also be intimidating,  snobbish, savage, and convinced of her own right(eous)ness (arrogant). She may sometimes be nurturing, but can also be cruel and tyrannical, and may sometimes be disconnected from those she rules. She is quick to anger, and enjoys being in control, and if she loses her authority, her calm facade can slip away.

The Rider-Waite image shows the queen sitting on a throne, looking noble and rather proud, calmly waiting for an audience. The Thoth illustration shows a rather imposing and calm figure, the sun shining out of her head, looking down upon her subjects. Both images show a cat, which is the animalistic equivalent  of the Queen of Wands; aloof, calm, proud, and ruler of her own private kingdom.

In a reading, this card advises you to look for the influences of a calm, authoritative personality, who can both be inspiring and intimidating. This person leads not with active charisma as the Knight of Wands does, but by example, keeping the moral standard high. She may think she’s above everyone else, and may oftentimes be tyrannical and arrogant, but at the same time she can also be generous, compassionate, and adaptable. Reversed, this card’s energies are blocked or hidden in a person; look for these traits showing where you may not expect them, or how they manifest in unique ways.

Thoth – Rider-Waite

Knight of Wands: The Young Ruler New to the Throne

The Knight of Wands, while not a Major Arcana, is also not one of the ten numbered suit cards. It – and other court cards like it – fits somewhere in between the two. While the numbered cards represent the energies of the suit as they are shaped by passing through the Sefirot, and the Major Arcana represent the path that energy takes between Sefirot, the court cards represent the effects that the energies of a particular suit have on the personality; the four court cards show the different aspects of a suit as they may manifest in the characteristics of a person. Each court card also is associated with a Sefirot; the Knight is associated with Chokmah, as in many ways the Knights embody the symbolic masculine, and the active nature of each suit. Similarly, in the Court Card narrative, the Knight of Wands represents the young prince from a distant kingdom who has overthrown the previous king and married the older queen, and so embodies conquest.

The Knight – or King in some decks, like the Rider-Waite – is associated with the element of Fire; the Knight is the active, passionate court card. The Knight of Wands, then, can be said to be the fiery part of fire. As such, he represents what happens in a person when fire is made larger by more fire. The personality of the Knight of Wands is that of an exceedingly passionate, courageous, charismatic, strong-willed, determined, active, creative, unpredictable, and proud person. On the other hand, he can also sometimes be cruel, bigoted,  brutal, rash, and single-minded. He is the exemplar of the nine of Wands; Strength. A bold leader unafraid to do what needs to be done, he leads with passion, creativity, and powerful force and drive. He can, however, become blinded by his actions, and become wrapped up in his own strength, leading him to become bigoted or arrogant. He also sometimes may expect too much of other people, leading him to come off as brutal or cruel. In his belief that he knows what is best, crossed with his passion, the Knight of Wands also is often rash and impetuous – though usually does not mean harm. The personality of the Knight is like that of a young, new ruler, eager to prove himself to the world – and to himself.

The Rider-Waite art shows a man sitting on a throne, holding a wand and sternly looking over his kingdom. In his gaze is the will and drive of his personality, but this art to me seems lacking. The Thoth art, on the other hand, shows a Knight upon a rearing horse, while in the background flames shoot up all around. To me, this embodies what the Knight of Wands is; fiery, passionate, and ready to lead at the front of the line. His rearing horse gives him stature and makes him imposing, and he has the appearance of being ready to charge forward bravely (and maybe rashly). Power just oozes off of him.

In a reading, the Knight of Wands indicates that someone with the above personality plays a strong role in the situation – this person could be yourself, someone you know, or someone you don’t know. Think about how these aspects of personality apply to yourself and those around you. Has someone recently been promoted and is using their new power to assert themselves? Are you?

Reversed, this personality is twisted somehow; perhaps someone around you is really a Knight of Wands though (s)he does his best to hide it, or perhaps these energies are negatively affecting your life. It is bad form to read a reversed court card as representing the negative qualities of the court card, but still sometimes this interpretation leaks out to me; a reversed card represents the energy twisted in some way, and while I don’t read this as representing exclusively negative traits, it makes me more carefully examine  those negative traits, and if they are present then it emphasizes them. It also means to me that the traits of the Knight are there, but in forms that you may not immediately recognize.

Thoth – Rider-Waite

Oppression: Self-destruction, Burden/Struggle, and Overextension

The Ten of Wands. Oppression. Burden. Struggle. Overextension. Cruelty. Inescapability. Collapse. Blind force. The Ten of Wands corresponds to the Sefirot of Malkuth, which represents Root and Sum of the Tree of Life. Malkuth is the last of the Sefirot, and serves also as the origin of the energy of the Tree upon the Earth. Its effect on the energy of each suit is to ground it in reality. Malkuth is the only of the Sefirot associated with the pragmatic element of Earth; Kether and Chokmah are Fire, Binah is Water, while Chesed, Geburah, Tiphareth, Netzach, Hod, and Yesod are all associated with the abstract element of Air. The pinnacle of the Suit of Wands – Strength – is found at Yesod, and is associated with Air. Strength is the ideal of Wands – a mostly abstract concept – and Oppression is thereality of the suit – and Reality is what best describes Malkuth’s counterpart in the Naples Arrangement, 10. Oppression is what occurs when the ideal of Strength meets the practical truths of reality.

As such, the Ten of Wands – a mostly negative card – represents what happens to the Element of fire when it comes into physical existence. A person who embodies the energy of Wands, displaying strength, perseverance, creativity, courage, virtue, admirability, and passion is inevitably worn down by the world; no flame burns forever, and eventually it will die down. Those who are passionate, strong, and virtuous will try to do as much as they can to the best of their ability – and will soon become overwhelmed, unable to continue to effectively carry out the responsibilities that they have taken on. They refuse to give up, displaying their endurance and stamina, but no human will is indomitable. They will experience oppression, and though they may turn to others, their own characteristics will set them apart and leave them ultimately alone. Yet still they will struggle on stubbornly until their flame goes out.

On the flipside, one who exemplifies the qualities of Fire can sometimes becomean oppressor, through the use of Blind Force; using their passion and drive inappropriately, eventually becoming a tyrant.

The Rider-Waite illustration shows a lone man struggling to carry a heavy load of ten wands – clearly showing his suffering and solitude. However, his stubborness is revealed by the fact that he still walks despite his terrible burden. The Thoth art shows the grid of Wands turned blue, indicating their loss of the fiery energy of the suit and their submissiveness, in the background while a pair of rigid, warlike wands hover over them, oppressing them. The emanations have returned, but combined with the fore wands and the background, give the card a rather ominous and sinister feel.

In a reading, the Ten of Wands indicates that you may have overextended yourself, have too much to do, or are bringing about your own destruction. It advises you to ease back on your load; don’t take too much on yourself, and be careful in your use of force. Reversed, this card to me indicates that the oppression is twisted and is perhaps going the other way; are you acting as an oppressor?