Seven 
Hierarchy, Roles,
and the Progression
of the tarot court
Hierarchy as a system can be problematic when it comes to a spiritual tool like the tarot, as it can seem as rigid and outdated as the court itself. While many Western mystery schools, churches, and organisations still revolve around a system of rank and importance, many tarot professionals and students are more rebellious at heart and don’t want to be labeled or numbered. The court, however, is a system and does have a built-in hierarchy. So how can we interpret and integrate that for modern tarot readers?
The rank of the tarot court starts at the pages, who are the servants of the court, and ends at the most “powerful” person, the king. Because the tarot was born from a playing card game, this makes sense, as this is the based on the structure of a pack of playing cards.
Instead of seeing the hierarchy as something that increases or lessens someone’s value, power, and influence, we are going to explore how this can change the person’s strengths and roles, instead, by giving each tarot court member value in their position in the court. Just because someone doesn’t have a crown does not mean you should underestimate them.
With all of this in mind, we are now going to explore the roles of each of the tarot court members along with some of their associations and how they come into play.
The Pages—Communicating
Pages were traditionally lower level servants to the court whose duties to the other members have changed over time. It was seen that the next step in a page’s life (often seen in most tarot decks as young males) was to train as a squire and then one day become a knight. As a page, they were in the entry point to the noble class.
As a collective group, they are full of potential. They want adventure, action, to be included and heard, and to make an impact. They may also be impatient and lack the means to have the impact that they want in the world. Pages are also very easy to influence, so there is much power in being a mentor to a page.
Pages were not only responsible for taking care of daily tasks for others; they were also messengers, and this is where their connection to communication comes into play. There is a lot of power in being the one who carries information to and fro. Just think of the things that someone in that position could overhear, interpret, pass on to certain people, and distort.
Some key words for all pages:
• To be of service
• Messenger
• Runs the messages (is the carrier not the keeper)
• Gopher
• Can indicate children or pregnancy
• Immature
• Simple
• Reactive
• Without a lot of independence
In a Reading
When a page is presented in a position in a tarot spread that is aligned to a solution, next step, or the future, look to how you are or are not communicating. Take this a step further with the elemental alignment of the page that is present. Communication from the heart (cups), logical communication (swords), practical communication (pentacles) or argumentative, willed communication (wands). Whatever suit the page belongs to or what cards are surrounding the page in that reading, communication is the key to moving forward and it cannot be overlooked.
Page of Cups
Mantra—“I feel”
Just because feelings are the key to the suit doesn’t always mean that the message is eloquent. Being young in nature, the page’s message may come in a variety of ways. (Being on the coast of the ocean, the weather can change quickly from flat calm seas to tsunamis and wild storms; this often volatile change can be seen in the mood swings of a Page of Cups.) The Page of Cups child is very emotional, feeling everything in extremes and tends to be extremely empathic. If you are around a Page of Cups child or have one of your own, it may be an idea to teach them as early as you can how to cleanse and protect their own energy fields. My mother ensured that I wore an amethyst crystal at all times when I was going through a very rough patch as a child and it helped immensely.
The Page of Cups may indicate a new child in the family or that of a close friend. Of all of the pages, this one has meant new babies more than any other in my tarot practice.
In a Reading
Meanings—Emotional news coming soon, dreams coming true, expression of base emotions, pregnancy or a new baby
For Reflection—Are you listening to children around you?
This could easily have been about your own emotions, and I encourage people to tune in to their emotions and their emotional bodies, but I challenge you to take this a step further. Are you listening to the children in your life? If you don’t have any of your own, look at spending some time with your family or get in touch with your inner child. Children have the most amazing way of viewing the world and they will often pull no punches. Experience life as a child once in awhile. You may be amazed at what transpires for you.
Page of Pentacles
Mantra—“I do”
The Page of Pentacles is the type of child (if it is a child) who is constantly in need of a bath, as they have spent all day up a tree, in the mud, and playing with animals. These pages form deep connections to animals and nature. They are always doing something with their hands. Page of Pentacles children tend to be a quieter bunch that would rather create and figure things out by pulling things apart and seeing for themselves than asking how something works. Some people may have the tendency to want to rush this type of child along because they tend to do things in their own time, but this is just who they are: grounded and very practical. They want to be the ones who tie their own shoes and buckle themselves in the car. They also make laundry day fun.
In a Reading
Meanings—Financial news coming soon, creating new things, building, expression of base physical needs and wants
For Reflection—Are you listening to what your body is telling you?
Sometimes it can be a physical reaction to a food we eat or your body wanting exercise. If you have the Page of Pentacles in a reading, this could be something for you to consider.
Page of Swords
Mantra—“I ask”
The Page of Swords child constantly asks questions. “Why” is their favourite word and, as my mother said about me as a child, “Teaching her how to talk wasn’t the trick—it was teaching her to be quiet.” To note, this is a good example of how people exemplify the archetypes—as you read earlier, I was a Page of Cups child, but I was also a Page of Swords. It is common for people to be more than one archetype, especially in different areas of their life (social/emotional/etc.)
A Page of Swords tends to be drawn to anything to do with language. They sing all the time even if they don’t know the right words. And they talk, sometimes to themselves or the spirits that others can’t see. They are the type of child that is told repeatedly to be quiet and go to sleep. They are observant, will offer the solution to problems, and want to help with their keen minds. Frustration can mount when they are overlooked due to their age.
In a Reading
Meanings—Inspiring news coming soon, understanding and inspiration coming to you, words that you don’t actually mean falling from your mouth, clear communication required
For Reflection—Are you listening to what you are saying?
This may seem pretty basic, but it is surprising just how many people have no idea of what they are saying and what they are telling themselves. Thoughts are things. Words have energy and what you spend the majority of your time telling others and yourself affects your life. So take some time to be conscious of the words and thoughts that you project. Be kind to yourself, and if you are in a place where this is hard, then a simple mantra like “I am loved” can do you the world of good.
Page of Wands
Mantra—“I create”
The Page of Wands is aligned with fire. It doesn’t mean they are going to run around burning things. If this is happening, probably best to dig a little deeper as to why and lock away the lighters. The Page of Wands child will, however, like all things bright and shiny. They also tend to be super excitable and full of energy. They love to run, skip, skate, and do everything as actively as possible. These bundles of energy simply cannot sit still. If you have or are with children of fire, then the more physical activity you can expose them to, the better. Creative endeavours come as natural as breathing to the Page of Wands child, which is another exceptional outlet for their energy.
In a Reading
Meanings—New creative endeavours, messages of change, activity and adventure
For Reflection—Are you listening to what your spirit is telling you?
If you are feeling down in the dumps or as if inspiration is lacking, this card can be the messenger saying that it is time to start energising your spirit. Ways to do that include exercise, meditation, yoga, and (my favourite way) having some fun. The soul loves it when we are having fun. Our inner child (which is perfect for the page cards) is delighted by laughter and joy. Do something that you love to do. Every week if you can, even better if it is every day.
The Knights—Daring
To become a knight, you have to be given the title and knighted by a member of a monarchy. Knights were often given power in a number of ways. They were trusted to be protectors of their lords and ladies, collected taxes on behalf of the monarchy, and most famously, were given power in military capacity. Knights were not always seen as nobility. This happened during the late Middle Ages, and their codes and legends evolved throughout history. There are even knights today, although the title is an honorary one.
This is where the knights in the tarot derive their key meaning from. Every knight in the tarot takes action. They all have their own code and ideals and do things in their own way, but they all act on behalf of something.
They are the extended arm of the ruling power able to do the things that kings and queens, mantled with responsibilities, cannot. Knights are often associated with fighting and were highly valued if they were skilled warriors. Most famous writings about knights are written about these warrior men.
In the Rider-Waite Smith Tarot, we see them depicted in a very European way, astride horses. Even the body language of the horses in the deck can give you important clues as to the meaning of the card and personality of each of the knights.
Key words for all of the knights
• Action
• Idealistic
• Self-centered
• Purpose driven
• Quests
• Of service to the kingdom
• Valour
• Camelot
• Romance
• Strength
• Courage
• Dedication and training
• Code of conduct
• Warrior
• Self-sacrificing
• Groups
• Modes of transport (seen on horses in many tarot decks)
• Romantic
In a Reading
When a knight is presented in a position in a tarot spread that is aligned to a solution, next step, or the future, look to taking action, moving forward, and using that knights’ energy to dare to do so. Take this a step further with the elemental alignment of the knight that is present. Acting from the heart (cups), finally putting your inspiration to paper and acting on your ideas (swords), acting on behalf of your body (pentalces)—which can be as simple as going to the gym or getting that check-up at the doctor’s that you have been putting off—or spiritual exploration or taking steps to get your dream job (wands).
Whatever suit the knight belongs to or what cards are surrounding the knight, the time to take action is near. No more being on the sidelines of your own life. Knights also act on behalf of the greater good and their community so take that into consideration as well. Every action has an impact on the people around it, whether we see it or not.
The Knight of Cups
Mantra—“Love is the highest power”
This knight is extremely passionate and does everything for love: love of their monarch, love of their role in life and love of a higher power—even love for another person. Their loyalty and devotion comes from the heart. They can be extremely hot headed when they are crossed or betrayed. Their code revolves around the ideal that love is the highest power and will openly disagree with anyone who fights for anything less. They will be forever searching for the perfect love and are more concerned with the vision and capture of this love than actually keeping it. Someone new on the horizon will take their fancy and off they go again.
In a Reading
Meanings—A new lover, or even an old lover returning, working on the things that you love, acting out of love, heart-centred choices, protecting the things you love, always searching for love, a romantic date or getaway
For Reflection—How often do you act out of love?
This can be for a person that you love or even out of love of something. How does this feel when you do this? Is it easy for you to act from a space of love? Don’t forget to take action when it comes to self-love too. It’s just as important as acting on behalf of someone else, if not more so.
The Knight of Pentacles
Mantra—“I endure all in service”
This knight will be there after everyone else has given up. They seem to have an almost superhuman source of perseverance when they are carrying out their purpose. While this knight is slower to make decisions, once they are made they are unwavering in their resolve. They are the most loyal friend that you could ever ask for and will make sure that the goal is reached no matter what lays ahead. They know that even one small step forward is progress. This knight will also be the one who makes sure that everyone’s horses are well watered and fed and that there is enough wood for the campfire at night.
In a Reading
Meanings—Longterm decisions and actions that have long-reaching implications, loyalty, preparation for the road ahead, slow and steady progress, not giving up, a loyal person in your life, acting out of loyalty
For Reflection—Where is your loyalty?
When you dig deep, what are you really doing? Where are your motivations and alliances? This is especially good to work on if you feel like you have gone off the trail of your purpose in life.
The Knight of Swords
Mantra—“I know what to do”
You do not want to get in this knight’s way as you are likely to get run down by their horse. It is also highly recommended that you don’t start an argument with this knight. They will shut you down or shut you up. This knight has high intellectual ideals and they tend to suffer fools very ungraciously. They can often seem aloof and lost in thought as they rarely stop thinking and can have trouble shutting their minds down. This knight is a person you want to listen to in regards to tactics and strategy as they are often two steps ahead of even the most intelligent of enemies.
In a Reading
Meanings—Wisdom in actions, sudden inspiration, knowledge is power, use what you know, don’t just sit on it, act now, especially if you have been dwelling on things for far too long, take action as soon as clarity is achieved
For Reflection—Are you thinking before you act?
Even when you feel that the path forward is extremely clear, it is a good idea to think carefully before you act. There may be other perspectives to consider before you go all guns blazing into unknown territory.
The Knight of Wands
Mantra—“I will clear the path”
This knight is always ready for an adventure and loves nothing more than to discover something or someone new. They are always itching for a fight and are likely to start one if there hasn’t been a conflict recently. While they are restless, they are excellent allies when you need someone to protect and fight for you. This knight will charge ahead and clear your way of any danger and will not hesitate to carry out orders.
In a Reading
Meanings—Travel and adventure, new experiences and new people coming into your life, standing up for yourself, boundaries getting pushed, being hot headed about something, getting out of a situation that is tying you down, an ally who is going to fight for you.
For Reflection—What kind of adventure are you seeking?
We all have different ideas of what constitutes an adventure. By working with the energy of this knight, you are being challenged to go outside your comfort zone. Seeking out new experiences and pushing your boundaries can unlock hidden talents and unleash more of your personal potential. Even better, if there is a sale on for your favourite holiday destination, book that ticket.
The Queens—Nurturing
A queen is defined as a woman of authority. Traditionally queens had a very different pathway to power and leadership than their male counterparts. In many countries women weren’t allowed to rule like men and often women were traded for political gains and alliances. This can be seen as the queen having to marry or be given her power by someone else. While this may certainly be true depending on the situation, when a queen comes up in a reading, times have changed. Arranged marriages still happen, women and men still marry for money, social status and power. So while it may seem archaic to reference one of the traditional ways queens came into power, it is still relevant. Queens can also be born into their role and can lead countries just as well as kings can. They just tend to lead in a different way.
The queens are leaders. They are change makers and they hold huge amounts of influence. They are often more admired than kings because of their more approachable nature in the tarot court. It would be wise not to let this approachability fool you. The queens are not to be underestimated in any way.
Key words for all queens:
• Motherhood
• Teacher
• Manipulative
• High Maintenance
• Passive power
• Runs the castle (remember we can ALL be the queens no matter the gender identification of a person)
• Luxurious
• Creative
• Emotional
In a Reading
When a queen is presented in a position in a tarot spread that is aligned to a solution, next step, or the future, look at what needs nurturing in the situation. Take this a step further with the elemental alignment of the queen that is present, as that will likely tell you what is in desperate need of some TLC. Self-care, forgiveness and self-love and also caring for those you love (cups), study, nurturing the mind, nurturing ideals and being inspired (swords) nurturing the body, taking care of a garden or living space and the home (pentacles) nurturing your ambition, further education for your career, mentoring, your spiritual side, (wands). Whatever suit the queen belongs to or what cards are surrounding the queen in that reading, growth and care is the key to moving forward and it cannot be overlooked.
The Queen of Cups
Mantra—“I nurture though love and emotions”
This queen is the walking personification of the moon. She is ever-changing but brings stability and knowledge with her life experience to station. Her intuition is incredibly accurate and she is in-tune with her emotions and her emotional needs. She is reflective, nurturing and will put the needs of others above her own She knows all things are connected and feels that very deeply. She will nurture her relationships and believes that love is the way to solve most problems.
In a Reading
Meanings—Healing emotionally, emotional maturity, being in touch with your feelings, making decisions based on emotions alone, being emotionally over the top, emotionally manipulating or being manipulated.
For Reflection—When was the last time you honoured your feelings?
We often know what we need to do in certain situations, but embodying this can be hard. This reflective prompt is inviting you to put your emotional needs first. If something does not feel right, trust your inner compass and yourself by saying no and avoiding future pain.
The Queen of Pentacles
Mantra—“I nurture through the body”
The Queen of Pentacles is all about her home and hearth and her children. Don’t think just because you aren’t a blood child of this queen that it will matter. If you are sick, the Queen of Pentacles will be there with soup and an herbal remedy to take care of you. If you are having relationship problems, the Queen of Pentacles will put on the kettle and feed your soul while you talk about your love life. This is the Queen of Pentacles. Come into her home and she will take you in and nurture you as one of her own. You will often find a Queen of Pentacles in her garden or in her kitchen.
In a Reading
Meanings—Time to get back to your roots, nurturing through home and hearth, level headedness, practical guidance and practical love, being in your body, healing the body
For Reflection—Are you physically taking care of yourself ?
You may have grand plans to scale Mt. Everest, but if you do not take care of your body, you may as well forget it. Another interesting reflective exercise with this queen is to see how your body reacts to being mothered in this way. Does it trigger you? Why?
The Queen of Swords
Mantra—“I nurture through the mind”
The Queen of Swords is fair and intelligent and can see through BS a mile away. People will come to her to learn and to seek out fair judgement or solutions. She will answer your question with a question, leading you to your own conclusions and revelations rather than just tell you the answer. Her words are her weapons and she knows how to use them well. Nothing cuts like the words from an enraged Queen of Swords. This queen can be seen as cold and calculating or guarded. Knowledge is the way she wants to heal and nurture herself and others.
In a Reading
Meanings—Viewing things from an unbiased perspective, truth over sentiment, getting clarity, being careful of the words you use
For Reflection—Are you asking the right questions?
The answers are there; you just have to ask the right questions. It is not the time to beat around the bush. If you want something, ask for it clearly and directly. Furthermore, are you asking the right people or too many people for the answers?
The Queen of Wands
Mantra—“I nurture through the soul”
This queen shines brightly and cannot help but have people drawn to her light. She is the reminder to live a life that we are passionate about. Her journey is through experience, self-expression, and determination. You will often find this queen either doing something creative and expressive or surrounded by people. No matter what she does, she will do it with all of her being and this is incredibly attractive to the people around her.
In a Reading
Meanings—Going after your goals, being inspired, or being an inspiration to others, spiritual healing, self-care, dynamic energy, enthusiastic, clear self-expression
For Reflection—Are you going after what you really want?
This queen is the perfect energy to work with if you are finding it hard to live the life that you truly desire. This is a perfect energy to work with if you have any fear around living authentically, as it will be burned away through acts of self-expression. She is the queen of living an authentic life.
The Kings—Leading
Historically speaking, not just anyone could be a king, kings weren’t made, they were born into a wealthy, noble family. This can be said of all of the members of the royal court. This is something to keep in mind when any court card comes up in a reading. This can mean that when a king appears in a tarot reading and it represents the querent that they are naturally aligned to within the realm of leadership, they are born to do it.
Kings had responsibility thrust upon them at birth. They could only abdicate if they had someone to pass that responsibility on to and historically speaking, not a lot of people volunteered to step down. Most people would kill to be king and many people did.
Leadership comes at a cost. All eyes are on the one who rules. Actions and decisions can create wars or treaties, and there are always people who are going to question the person in charge. So the king asks, “Do you really want to rule?” It is a heavy responsibility, a duty to others. People are often aware that there would be those who would love to see them fail, but they continue on and their motivating factors can be found in their elemental associations.
When the kings come up in a reading, you can look to other cards to see if the king is ruling for the benefit of others or selfishly; if they are unbalanced in their approach and view in life. Do they rule the kingdom blindly or indifferently to the impact they are making, or are they in touch with the world?
Another aspect of the kings is that they do not really have to answer to anyone and their word is final. When this is challenged, each king is going to react in a different way. Kings are used to getting their own way and may not appreciate people challenging them, especially in public.
Key words for all of the kings
• Ruler
• Maturity
• Strength
• Serious
• Image to uphold
• Ruthless
• Selfless
• Macrocosmic (keeps the bigger picture in mind)
• Authority
• Leader
• Dominance
• Statistician
• Planning
• Responsibility
In a Reading
When a king is presented in a position in a tarot spread that is aligned to a solution, next step, or the future, look at all aspects of leadership. Where is the leadership? Are people defecting to you to lead them or are you giving your power away? Take this a step further with the elemental alignment of the king that is present. Leading from a place of love (cups), leading with the larger community in mind, intelligent leadership (swords), down to earth leadership and physically being there for people in the position of leader (pentacles), or building something from scratch and then leading in a new way (wands)? Whatever suit the king belongs to or what cards are surrounding the king in that reading, leadership is the key to moving forward and it cannot be overlooked.
The King of Cups
Mantra—“I lead with my heart”
The King of Cups will put their family first, which includes people who they consider family and the people who are under their care. The well-being of their kingdom and their people is always at the forefront of their minds. They have to feel good about their position of leadership and with the people that they deal with. This king is very good at calming potential conflicts and is a wonderful diplomat.
In a Reading
Meanings—Lead through love, make compassionate decisions, self-love and self-care as a practice of importance, diplomacy, trusting your intuition about the people in your life and that you work with
For Reflection—Do you engage your heart when making choices?
Working with this king will connect your mind and your heart, allowing for the choices that you make to be in alignment with your feelings. Being the compassionate leader that the King of Cups is, this card challenges you to look at how your decisions are affecting others.
The King of Pentacles
Mantra—“I lead with my wallet”
The King of Pentacles will ensure that every penny and cent is accounted for. They are masters at business and money and want to know what the return on investment is going to be in every undertaking of their life. Natural resources are extremely important to them and so is their standard of living. They like practical approaches to leading and making decisions, and are less likely to be swayed than the rest of the tarot court.
In a Reading
Meanings—Money is power, making smart choices with your resources, ensuring you have enough to take care of yourself, living within your means, taking care of business, practical steps forward, well worn paths
For Reflection—Are you trying to reinvent the wheel for no reason?
Change is good, but sometimes we want to change things for no good reason. This king is excellent to work with if you are resisting doing the work you need to do. Remember the return on your investment is going to make the work worth it.
The King of Swords
Mantra—“I lead with logic”
The King of Swords can be one scary MF. They are extremely intelligent and have no problems using their intellect to get what they want. They are adept at finding loopholes when they need one and will talk their way out of any situation. They have laser focus and will not be manipulated easily. This king will surround themselves with the brightest minds and if they are a good leader, will know where their weaknesses lie and ensure that they are covered in that area too. They will make logical decisions for the people that are under their care.
In a Reading
Meanings—Use your words carefully and get to the point, look at things from every angle possible before moving forward, cover your blind spots well, look at the big picture, making smart choices
For Reflection—What is the smartest way forward from here?
This king is connected to vision and the ability to connect with possible futures. They live in the world of possibilities and are wonderful to work with when it comes to finding clarity.
The King of Wands
Mantra—“I lead with passion”
The King of Wands draws people to them, as their passion for what they believe in is infectious. When people are around the King of Wands they feel as though they are being ignited, whether this is something long term or not, it is a powerful exchange. They make decisions often through their beliefs and are dedicated to their vision. They respond well to people who are also passionate about the same things. The King of Wands is a passionate partner and ally and is quick to have your back if you are in their good books.
In a Reading
Meanings—Inspiring others, reigning in your impulses, applying power wisely, standing firmly by what you believe in, charismatic personalities, being bold
For Reflection—Are you working on your passions?
Carving out time to work on what we truly love is incredibly important. Working with the bold King of Wands can help you make decisions that lead you to your passions.