Six 
Predicting Timing
with the tarot court
If you have been reading the tarot for a time this has likely happened to you: you are sitting with your cards, all excited, and you finally get to the card in your tarot spread that is going to tell you “when” and you flip over a court card. Internal screaming ensues. You may have even put the card back in the deck and looked at the next one. No judgement, we have all at least thought about it. Fear not, this is where you learn how to read the court cards in a predictive way once and for all.
There really is quite a scandal in the tarot world when it comes to predictive tarot. It all boils down to each tarot reader’s view of whether or not the tarot really can be used to predict the future. Predictive tarot practices and beliefs amongst readers are as varied as we are. Some tarot readers never use the tarot to predict anything, other tarot readers use the tarot to read in a predictive manner exclusively, and some read with a mixed approach, using what comes up in each individual reading. All ways are just as valid.
Predicting outcomes with the tarot can be a tricky practice. Free will makes everything open to change and negotiation. When I read the tarot for my clients, I am often asked about timing, and while I will answer this for them, I also let them know that the tarot does not talk about fixed fates.
For me, the tarot takes a picture and an energetic snapshot of what is going on when the reading is underway. So for my clients I would let them know what the most likely outcome is with respect to timing at the present moment. It is also a wonderful way to allow yourself and the querent a glimpse of the possibilities as there is usually more than once choice or path in front of them. It can show us the path of least resistance, the one where we are likely to find the most challenge, or the one we really should avoid—unless drama and pain are your thing. What road we ultimately walk down, however, is our choice.
There are many tarot readers who believe in destiny and fate. This is usually in varying degrees. Some believe that the big events in our lives are fated, such as whether we are going to have children, but the small things are our own choice. Some tarot readers believe everything is mapped out as a divine plan. If you align with these beliefs, then predicting with the tarot may be easier for you. While I believe professionals in any industry should be cautious of projecting and imposing their religious beliefs on someone when they are working with them, your background and beliefs are going to play a role in how you use the tarot and how you believe it works when it comes to prediction.
If using the tarot for prediction is something that makes you break out into a cold sweat, then don’t use this in your practice. There are plenty of amazing tarot readers who do not use the tarot in a predictive sense at all. Don’t force yourself. If this is the case and you don’t want to read timing questions, then make sure you let your future clients know. Have a space on your website where you let people know what kind of reading you are going to be giving them and what you will not predict. The right people will find you and you don’t want to do something that makes you feel reluctant to pick up your tarot deck in the first place.
When it comes to prediction, there is an added element of considering when it comes to long term predictions. While you are defining your predictive tarot guidelines, predicting long-term events is something I recommend that you have outlined for yourself. If you feel comfortable carrying out readings where you are asking the tarot to look years ahead, then go for it.
My professional practice is to only carry out readings within a twelve month period. A lot can change for a person and their situation within twelve months. It has always been my belief that you only do what feels right for you.
The Court Tells Us When
If you are looking to use the tarot as a predictive tool, here are some techniques that you can use to help find out the timing of your tarot readings for our beloved court cards.
Keep things as simple as possible when it comes to timing. I highly recommend giving your court cards associations and clear timing definitions. You don’t need to bury yourself under yet another layer of the tarot. Timing for me is a clear and quick answer that should require little elaboraton.
These are popular timing associations for the suit elements that you can use in your practice. If you read or own a tarot deck that uses different ones, please go with what works for you.
The Seasons
• Wands—Summer
• Swords—Autumn
• Cups—Spring
• Pentacles—Winter
The Court Cards
• Pages—Days
• Knights—Weeks
• Queens—Months
• Kings—Years
Timing with the Wands Court
Page of Wands indicates days in summer. If you carry out the reading during the summer months, then this would indicate sudden change or within days. If you carry out the reading outside of the summer months, it would indicate that the reading outcome will manifest within the first few days of the next summer.
Knight of Wands indicates weeks in summer. If you carry out the reading during the summer months, then this would indicate change within a week or two. If you carry out the reading outside of the summer months, it would indicate that the reading outcome will manifest within the first week of the next summer.
Queen of Wands indicates months in summer. If you carry out the reading while in the summer months, then this would indicate change will take place within one of those months. If you carry out the reading at another time, it would indicate that the reading outcome will manifest within the next summer months.
King of Wands indicates years in summer, with this being a longer reach for prediction. I recommend that you wait at least six months or until something major has changed and then ask the question again.
Timing with the Pentacles Court
Page of Pentacles indicates days in winter. If you carry out the reading during the winter months, then this would indicate sudden change or within days. If you carry out the reading outside of the winter months, it would indicate that the reading outcome will manifest within the first few days of the next winter.
Knight of Pentacles indicates weeks in winter, so if you carry out the reading during winter, then this would indicate change within a week or two. If you carry out the reading while out of the winter months, it would indicate that the reading outcome will manifest within the first week of the next winter.
Queen of Pentacles indicates months in winter. If you carry out the reading while in the winter months, then this would indicate change will take place within one of those months. If you carry out the reading outside of the winter months, it would indicate that the reading outcome will manifest within the next coming winter months.
King of Pentacles indicates years in winter. With this being a longer reach for prediction, I recommend that you wait at least six months or until something major has changed and then ask the question again.
Timing with the Swords Court
Page of Swords indicates days in autumn. If you carry out the reading during the autumn months, this would indicate sudden change or within days. If you carry out the reading outside of the autumn months, it would indicate that the reading outcome will manifest within the first few days of the next autumn.
Knight of Swords indicates weeks in autumn. If you carry out the reading while in the autumn months, this would indicate change within a week or two. If you carry out the reading outside of the autumn months, it would indicate that the reading outcome will manifest within the first week of the next autumn.
Queen of Swords indicates months in autumn so if you carry out the reading during the autumn months, this would indicate change will take place within one of those months. If you carry out the reading while out of the autumn months, it would indicate that the reading outcome will manifest within the next coming autumn months.
King of Swords indicates years in autumn, with this being a longer reach for prediction. I recommend that you wait at least six months or until something major has changed and then ask the question again.
Timing with the Cups Court
Page of Cups indicates days in spring. If you carry out the reading during the spring months, then this would indicate sudden change or within days. If you carry out the reading outside of the spring months, it would indicate that the reading outcome will manifest within the first few days of the next spring.
Knight of Cups indicates weeks in spring, so if you carry out the reading during the spring months, this would indicate change within a week or two. If you carry out the reading outside of the spring months, it would indicate that the reading outcome will manifest within the first week of the next spring.
Queen of Cups indicates months in spring. If you carry out the reading while in the spring months, then this would indicate change will take place within one of those months. If you carry out the reading while out of the spring months, it would indicate that the reading outcome will manifest within the next coming spring months.
King of Cups indicates years in spring, with this being a longer reach for prediction. I recommend that you wait at least six months or until something major has changed and then ask the question again.
This exercise is a great way to do some creative profiling of real people. By carrying out this exercise, you will be able to link real life people, via their behaviours and characteristics, to the tarot court cards. It is easiest if you use the people you know well in your life for this exercise, like your family and friends. You can also use your work colleagues and/or archnemesis if you want to choose some other people for this exercise. You will be putting the information you have learned so far in this book to work.
You will need a full set of the tarot court (all sixteen cards), a notebook, and pen for this practicum.
1. Create a list of people you know.
2. Collect their date of birth information. At the very least you will need their day and month of birth.
3. Write down which court card they are using the zodiac table information in chapter 5
4. Take a big picture and look at the people with whom you surround yourself. Are they all knights? (I bet if they are, there is always some drama and action going on.) Have an abundance of pentacles people who like their security and routine more than risk? Too many pages? Maybe it is time for some grown-up friends (although they can be overrated at times too).
5. Now take another look at the list. Is there an abundance of one family of court cards? Do you have a lot of wand court cards in your life or does another element dominate your social circles? How do you believe this affects your interactions? Or are there any odd people out?
6. How does this information help you understand the people in your life and the relationships you have with them?
It is always an interesting experience exploring and discovering the people we share our lives with, as it can often be a reflection of ourselves. You can use the questions offered here in the exercise to reflect and journal or to expand your knowledge of the court cards.