Court Cards: Page, Knight, Queen, King

# The Four Archetypes of Power

Each suit contains four Court Cards that represent different stages of maturity and expression of the element. These figures are not always real people in a reading — they often represent energies or roles.

The Page is the child of the element — curious, enthusiastic, and inexperienced. They are learning the lessons of the suit. The Page is the student, the messenger, the energy of newness.

The Knight is the warrior of the element — they act, they move with passion and commitment. It is energy in motion, often impulsive and courageous.

The Queen is the mother of the element — she creates a space where the element is fully expressed. She is intuitive, creative, and protective. She reigns with heart and wisdom.

The King is the sage of the element — he understands the deepest nuances and reigns with established authority and experience. It is mature and mastered power.

When a Court Card appears in a reading, ask yourself: Is this a real person in the situation, or a quality I need to develop? The King of Swords may be a man who thinks logically in your life, or an invitation to develop your own mental clarity.

Court Cards also interact with one another. The King of Swords and the Queen of Cups together might speak of a balance between thought and emotion. The absence of Court Cards in a reading may suggest that you are currently lacking mentors or authority figures.