Studying the ‘modalities’, or 'ways-of-being' of the Court Card Ranks can seem a bit extra at first, but these ideas pop up in Pip card 'reversals' (Book Four of the TOMAR Manual) so its good place to begin exploring them.
The modality of a Court card describes the different approach the Rank has to facilitating change:
1. The 'Cardinal' flexible, establishing 'Queen', who nurtures new situations into being.
2. The ‘Fixed’ unwavering 'King', who maintains the situations established by the Queen.
3. The ‘Mutable’ or changeable 'Knight', who breaks down existing situations, so new influences and a new Queen can enter.
On the three Court card astrological wheels below, this cycle of 'building up and breaking down' is explored through the changing seasons of the year. As a device, it reveals, through the cards we receive in our tarot readings, how different approaches are useful in different situations.
The four Cardinal 'Queens' (above) are placed at the beginning of each new season on the astrological wheel, just after the Summer and Winter Solstice, and the Spring and Autumn Equinox. Their ‘Cardinal’ way-of-being suggests that a new ‘core truth’ is being established, either Spring, Summer, Autumn or Winter; and their correspondence to the element of ‘Water’ tells us that, because they were ‘flexible’ like Water, this ‘pure principle’ could easily enter, settle and establish. The Queens represent the pinnacle of their Suit in the Court ranks, they are the Suit ‘virtue’ at its best: Wands: 'Courage'. Cups: 'Empathy'. Swords: 'Justice'. Pentacles: 'Foresight'; and when we study the characteristics of the Queens, we discover that they have the most balanced and effective use of these virtuous powers:
The Queen of Wands, natural courage.
The Queen of Cups, creative empathy.
The Queen of Swords, empathetic justice.
The Queen of Pentacles, practical foresight.
The Queens are flexible and well balanced because they have the experience of the Knights behind them, which gives them confidence. But they haven't yet become as ridged as the Kings, who are prone to missing new opportunities. Queens represent an ideal approach we can strive for - however, life doesn’t always require us to be so well balanced, so let's explore why we may not always want to be a well-measured Queen.
All four 'Kings' in the tarot Court (above) are placed on the astrological wheel in the middle of a season, either Spring, Summer, Autumn, or Winter. Their modality, or ‘way-of-being’ is described as ‘Fixed’ because they are maintaining, or enforcing the season established by the previous Queens. Attributed to the element of ‘Fire’ (Passion), Kings represent the burning ambition we need to maintain an unwavering belief. It’s the confidence that ensures compliance, so the best of an experience can flourish. Kings are often seen as a pinnacle, however, even they know that reaching this height is only momentary. As the element of Fire, they will eventually burn themselves out, so a new 'mode' or experience can enter.
Super important point!
In some references, the 'Kings' and 'Knights' are placed on the astrological wheel the other way around, so their modalities are switched around too. In Book Three of the TOMAR manual, the reason for this is explored, but to set our minds at ease: 'Modalities' are linked to an ‘astrological sign’, rather than a tarot Court rank. In the case of the ‘Fixed’ modalities, they are Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, and Aquarius. If we refer to just the ‘Astrological pendants’ in the TOMAR tarot court cards, then we know we are receiving this core information when these cards appear.
All four 'Knights' in the tarot Court (above) are placed on the astrological wheel at the end of a season, just before the Summer and Winter Solstice, and the Spring and Autumn Equinox. The modality, or ‘way-of-being’ of the Knights is described as ‘Mutable’ (malleable, changeable) because they are breaking down the season maintained by the previous King, so that a new Queen, and a new season can enter.
Attributed to the element of ‘Air’ (aspiration) Knights have the authority of the previous King behind them, so they feel assured that they can create a succesful change in the future. Although the determination of the Knights can seem unstable (charging through, overly focused on a quest), sometimes this is exactly what we need to get the wheels of change in motion - the fearless ‘trial and error’ approach of the Knights, creates the experiences we need for our confident Queen to emerge.
These diagrams are taken from Book Three of the TOMAR manual, where more of the Court Card tarot systems are explored in detail.
Comments