Thoth – Rider-Waite

The Thought: Truth/Justice, Abstraction, and Mental Force

The Ace of Swords. It is associated with the element of Air and the Sefirot of Kether. As the part of the Suit of Swords that corresponds to Kether, the Ace of Swords represents the pure idea, emanation, and creation of the suit of Swords. It represents everything that the Suit of Swords stands for, untarnished and untouched by the lower Sefirot and the effectss of the material world. It is the pure abstract thought and idea that corresponds to Air and the suit of Swords.

And what is this idea? The Suit of Swords represents Principle, Reason, and Ideology. The Swords are the harbringers of Justice and Truth. They are Intellect and Abstraction, and the realm of Thought and Philosophy. Swords forms the first part of the second dichotomy found within the Tarot: that between the abstract (Swords) and the material (Disks/Coins/Pentalces). The suit of Swords represents the power of the mind, and so its Ace is representative of Mental Force; the suit of Swords is the suit of idealists, philosophers, scientists, and scholars. The Ace is the best that the suit has to offer, and so represents the best ideals of mankind; Truth, Justice, and Reason, in addition to representing the mind of man and its power.

The Rider-Waite art shows a cloud with a hand extending out of it, bearing a sword which is topped by a golden crown and an ivy wreath/crown. The cloud, as with the other Aces, represents EinSof, giving the reader the power of the Suit of Swords through the Ace. The crown and ivy are both symbols of peace, power, strength, and idealism. The sword is an instrument of justice and a sign of culture; this combined with the crown and ivy symbolize the abstractedness of the suit of Swords. The Thoth art is similar, showing an upright sword with a crown near its tip, which sprays out light in many directions, symbolizing the clarity of mind. The sword is surrounded by clouds fleeing from the clarity of the mind, and so represents mental strength as well as ideology.

In a reading, the Ace of Swords encourages the reader or querent to embody the qualities of the suit of Swords, or to examine how the suit itself is present in your life; how have Justice and Truth shown themselves? How has abstract thought and principle? Does intellect play a role on your life? Do you spend a lot of time just thinking about things? Reversed, this suit’s energy is present in the situation, but it might be hidden; perhaps larger ideals do play a role in your life but do so behind walls, or perhaps you think more than… well, you think.

Thoth – Rider-Waite

Princess of Cups: The Caring, Mystical Hedonist

The Princess (Page in the Rider-Waite tradition) of Cups is the court card associated representing the personality than emerges from the Earthy (Malkuth) aspect of Water. This card is the Earth of Water, and represents what is solid, practical, and material in the suit of Cups as manifested in a personality. She is water given birth.

As such, the Princess of Cups is how emotion and sensuality manifest themselves in reality. She is sweet, gentle, and tender. She is gracious and romantic, in the feminine sense of the word (as opposed to the masculine sense, which is embodied by the Prince of Wands). Emotions and feelings mean a great deal to her, and she is often affectionate as well. She also reflects some of the Queen’s mystique, and often is exploring herself, and may cause others to do the same. She acts as a mystic much of the time, trying everything she can to find out who she is. She is also, however, given to the earthy pleasures of the world, and so often is given to moments of wild abandon, where she will let herself go, and also can be in a state of perpetual rapture, having given in to the pleasures of life. She is very in tune with her own feelings and those of others, and isn’t afraid of gratifying them.

The Rider-Waite illustration shows a young man (a Page), looking content and staring at a fish in the cup he’s holding. This image best represents the idea of contentment through the Suit of Cups. The Thoth art, on the other hand, represents best the idea of perpetual rapture;  her head is thrown back and eyes closed in ecstasy, floating in a dream world, yet bearing in her hand a tortoise, a symbol of Earth.

In a reading, this card asks you to examine the roles of personalities like the Princess in your life. Do you know anyone who is introspective, philosophical, meditative, who genuinely cares for others and does their best to help everyone. They are not afraid of losing themselves in the moment, and may be prone to taking drugs and living a lifestyle of constant abandon. They think life is good, and will try to spread their cheer to others. They may even use drugs as a means to self-enlightenment; hippies are prime examples of the Princess of Cups. Reversed, this personality is hidden somehow or is expressing itself in different ways; is there someone you know who wants to be able to just live their life as if only the moment mattered, but can’t? Is there someone who gives in to the hedonistic lifestyle in order to hide from something?

Thoth – Rider-Waite

Prince of Cups: The Aloof, Genius Artist

The Prince (or Knight in the Rider-Waite tradition) of Cups is the court card that represents the personality that emerges from the airy aspect of Water; this card is the Air of Water. It is where the intellect and logical abstraction of Air and Swords finds expression through the medium of Water. In this personality, one can find someone who lives their life by the principles associated with the suit of Water. They experience emotions, but in a detached, almost logical way; the are often self-absorbed, seeking knowledge, power, and wisdom. They are aloof, often artistic and full of secrets that they prefer to keep to themselves. They are often very talented, and so are mistrustful of those around them of lesser skill. As such, they are often incomprehenible and emotionally distant from others, though they are often ruled by emotional ideologies in which they will express great compassion, but when asked to express this compassion in a more “real” sense, may have problems doing so. They are often subtle and can be manipulative. They wear a face of placid calm – like still water – but below the surface they churn and burn with a passion. They are full of disconnects and detachments from reality; they are the public speaker seeking to gain power by appealing to the people, promising to help them while at the same time putting himself above them. He is a genius, who operates on an entirely different plane of existence from most people, and so is then alone.

The Rider-Waite image shows a trotting horse bearing a knight with a cup moving forward; this captures the man’s stature and sense of calm aloofness, but says little else about him. The Thoth illustration shows the Prince on a flying chariot, calm and composed, flying above the water below him. He is lost in contemplation over the cup in his hand, and seems to pay little attention to what is going on around him. A snake rises out of his cup, showing his subtlety and hidden passion.

In a reading, this card asks for you to look at the role such personalities play in your life; is there anyone you know who seems to think on a different plane than everyone else, who often is elitist and arrogant, who speaks in broad terms about the good of everyone, yet himself rarely stoops down to actually help others? He has the good of all in his mind, yet fails to see the true reality behind it all? Is he ambitious, talented, and selfish? Reversed, this card indicates that this personality is hidden or twisted somehow; perhaps this person may appear to be a Prince of Cups, when in reality they truly do help others on a practical level, or their self-absorption and power for hunger is masked by an apparent compassion.

Thoth – Rider-Waite

Queen of Cups: The Intuitive, Passive Dreamer

The Queen of Cups is the court card representing the personality that occurs when one looks at the aspect of water within water. The Queen, then, is the Water of Water; she is the Binah of Binah. She is the ultimate personality of water; she exemplifies the aspects of the suit of Cups as they may be found in a person, but she does not transmit these qualities like the Knight; instead, she merely embodies them.

As such, the Queen of Cups is very in tune with others’ emotions; she is intuitive, psychic, calm, and peaceful. She knows how other people feel and how to best solve their problem. She is calm, and can easily calm down others. She has the ability of water to reflect a person’s self back onto them, either with or without distortion. She is the blank slate upon which creation is born. She is tranquil and peaceful, and will listen kindly and compassionately to the woes of those around her. At the same time, however, she is sometimes disconnected from reality, leaving in her own fantasy world, unable to bear the harsh realities of the world around her. She can be dreamy and easily led and influenced by others; she has very little will of her own. She is the ultimate in passivity, and will allow others to guide her. Like the Knight, she is also innocent and trusting.

The Rider-Waite card shows a Queen upon her throne, contemplating the cup before her, lost in its intricacies and details. She understands the complexity of life, yet sits on her own island, separate from it; she is both at once in tune with and out of sync with her surroundings; she is the silent observer on the outside. The Thoth art shows the Queen sitting before a pool of water, exemplifying the idea of creation and the blank slate, while the Queen herself is hidden behind a veil, her face not completely seen; she seems mystical, with symbolism similar to that of the High Priestess (II). She knows secrets about the world, she is mysterious, and yet she is also separate from it, existing in her own ideal world behind the veil. On the outside, she just goes through the motions.

In a reading, this card asks you to examine the role of people with the personality of the Queen of Cups; a passive, dreamy person who is willing to help others when asked – and only when asked – but who spends most of their time disconnected from reality. By her sheer lack of any other personality, she can help others discover who they are. She is easily led and therefore easily abused, but is also understanding and often knows what to do, even if she might not actually do it. Reversed, this personality may be blocked or expressing itself in unusual ways; is the personality of someone you know just a “front” for the hidden personality of the Queen, which they keep locked away so that others cannot see it?

Thoth – Rider-Waite

Knight of Cups: The Wealthy, Isolated Only Child

The Knight (or King in the Rider-Waite tradition) of Cups represents a personality defined by the meeting point of Fire (and Chokmah) with Water. The Knight of Cups, then is the Fiery aspect of Water, and this card represents the personality that this aspect of water produces. This card is the active, masculine, creative, and passionate part of passivity, emotion, and reflection.

As such, the Knight of Cups exudes the qualities of the suit of water, projecting them from himself onto others. He is graceful, sensitive, amiable, and cultured. He is somewhat fleeting; he does not endure. Something only holds his attention for as long as it interests him. He is innocent and pure, and at the same time is often prone to self-sacrifice; his love and caring for others will lead him to do whatever he can for those he cared about. He is in many cases kind as well. He is also quick to respond to emotion and do what needs to be done with regards to said emotion.

On the less positive side, the Knight of Cups can sometimes be superficial, overly sensual, and idle. He is like the only child of wealthy parents, who dote on him and protect him from the influences of the outside world. He learns the rules of society and knows how to act, and is taught how to be kind, yet he lacks the experience necessary to remain attached to most people, to truly understand what is going on, and often sometimes may lack a work ethic.

The Rider-Waite art shows a King upon a throne holding a cup. Honestly, there is not much to glean from this artwork. The Thoth art shows a young man in green armour flying atop a pegasus. In his free hand he holds aloft a cup, upon which there is a crab; Cancer, and the symbol of water. He appears to be clean and well-taken care of and is unarmed; he is a King who does not understand the harsh reality of the worlds, and wants to help others – or at least wants to feel like he helps others. He is on a winged steed, and so his presence comes and leaves rapidly; he does not stay long.

In a reading, this card indicates the presence of a strong personality that mirrors that described above; is there someone in your life (or are you yourself) who is innocent, willing to sacrifice himself for others, with a fleeting presence or attention, whose acts of kindness might be superficial, yet who everyone gets along with as they know all the rules of polite society? Is there anyone you know who is cultured, sensitive, and yet sometimes idle or sensual? Reversed, this card asks you to look for these traits of personality in unusual places, or expressed in ways you might not have thought of; or perhaps it indicates that these traits are only present on the surface of a person, and that their true personality might be different.

Thoth – Rider-Waite

Satiety: Having Too Much, Tiredness, and Midas’ Touch

The Ten of Cups. Satiety. Tiredness. Having too much. Being overfed. Contradictions. Midas’ Touch. The Ten of Cups corresponds to the Sefirot of Malkuth – Reality. The sum, the root, the origin, and the completion of the cycle. This is where the abstract ideas of the suit of Cups meets reality – and proceeds to fall flat on its face. Happiness is good as a concept, but when applied to the “real world,” rarely ever works out the way you think it will. This card represents the contradiction inherent in having too much happiness; eventually it will all seem fake, and having everything you want makes life boring, and will lead to unhappiness and discontent. This card represents the rich man (weather materially or spiritually) who has all he desires, and so feels as if an integral part of himself is missing. He has missed out on some part of life. This is also the stomachache one experiences after having eaten too much. One grows tired of having all that they want; their life is not truly complete. What someone thought they wanted more than anything in the world turns out to not be their true heart’s desire. And from this sense of incompletion can arise something new; a drive that can lead one to find what one is missing from their lives, and so return back to Kether and the Aces.

The Rider-Waite illustration shows a family – mother, father, and two children – happily embracing and dancing beneath a rainbow. This illustration, I believe, clashes with the meaning of the card in many ways, and instead is a more accurate representation of the previous card, Happiness. It shows fulfillment, joy, and pleasure; not Satiety. The Thoth illustration, on the other hand, shows ten cups overflowing to the brim, spilling out the light of happiness and wasting it. The cups are no longer content with what they have; and are getting rid of some of it. The red and orange background also gives off an ominous feel of impending fire.

In a reading, this card indicates that you might have too much; more than you know what to do with, and more than you are comfortable with. It asks you to re-examine your desire – are they really what you wanted? Are you truly content with what you have? Are you missing something? Reversed, this card’s energies are blocked, and you might believe you are happy on the outside – but inside you feel hollow, and maybe even feel slightly guilty for having everything while others may have nothing.

Thoth – Rider-Waite

Happiness: Blessing, Emotional/Wish Fulfillment, and Joy

The Nine of Cups. Happiness. Blessing. Emotional fulfillment. Contentment. Joy. Wish fulfillment. Having what one needs. Sensual pleasure. The Nine of Cups corresponds to the Sefirot of Yesod; the Essence of Being and Crystallization. This card is the balancing, central point of the entire energy of the suit of Cups; this is the best the suit has to offer: Happiness. Emotional and wish fulfillment. Sensual pleasure. Contentment. The churning and changing emotions and states of being seen previously have all come together into one, stable, balancing, solid, crystallized energy. The weaknesses of Netzach and Hod have been resolved; Overindulgence and Disrespect have resolved themselves into a sense of Fulfillment and Contentment, Surrender and Corruption have turned about to become a Blessing, and Joy has been restored after a period of fantasy and weariness. You have all that you wanted or need, and are content with where you are. You truly are blessed, and have sensual and emotional pleasure. This card is shining poster boy of the Suit of Cups; it is the essential balance of the suit, and the final positive culmination of its energies.

The Rider-Waite illustration shows a fat, happy man sitting in front of a row of gleaming cups. He seems pleasantly satisfied, like a hunter that has just caught a large bit of prey and his licking its chops. He seems almost predatory, but he very clearly has gotten what he wants, and is content. The Thoth art depicts nine orderly, arranged cups, each spewing out glowing water from its brim onto the rest. The water is pure and there isn’t too much of it; the entire system seems to be at a joyous equilibrium, and while there isn’t a a huge overflow of water, there is also a surplus of it; this happiness can be spread to others.

In a reading, this card asks you to examine the role of happiness, joy, and fulfillment in your life. Are you content? Are others content? Is your life well-ordered and full of pleasure and having what you need? Are you blessed? Do you have anyone to thank for your blessing? Reversed, this cards energies are blocked; you are on the verge of achieving this happiness, but something is stopping you, or the happy and joyous energy is twisted and perhaps corrupted somehow; is your happiness hurting others?

Thoth – Rider-Waite

Indolence: Surrender, Disrespect, and Weariness

The Eight of Cups. Indolence. Surrender. Disrespect. Sloth. Loss of will. Disease. Moving on. Weariness. The Eight of Cups corresponds to the Sefirot of Hod; knowledge, intellect, structure, and the intellectual weakness that comes as a reaction to the degenerate weakness of Netzach. After the degenerate nature of Debauch, the energy of the suit of Cups shifts violently to counteract this; instead of living in an overindulgent and corrupt fantasy world, the Eight of Cups represents a more “grounded” aspect of the energy of cups, but instead of the degenerate weakness of Debauch, responds with a more intellectual weakness; a weakness of the mind as opposed to the spirit.

This weakness is, of course, Indolence; sloth, disrespect, surrender. Not willing to fight for a cause, if indeed you have one. This card is in many ways the antithesis of the passionate fire of the suit of Wands. Corruption becomes Disrespect (for others, in a similar way to corruption, but more abstract), Overindulgence becomes Surrender (after one has had too much, their will is eventually sapped out of them), and Fantasy gives way to Weariness; for no matter how nice a fantasy might be, there is always something missing, and one will eventually tire of it. This card is in some ways representative of a disease of the spirit, will or mind, sapping energy and replacing it with laziness and surrender, and takes away what respect you may have had for other human beings.

This card, in its aspect of surrender, also illustrates the idea of wearily moving on; one has tired of something (perhaps the Debauch of before?) and is moving on, leaving the past behind them. They have surrendered to the flow of timeand moved on simply because it is the easiest thing to do.

The Rider-Waite illustration shows a man carrying a walking staff and wearing a thick cloak, turning his back on an ordered and structured group of cups. The image that comes across here is that of a weary traveler finally moving on and putting the past behind him. Note that the pile of cups seems to be incomplete; the man seems to have given up. The Thoth art is even less positive; eight cups are shown against a darkened sky and sea, and though water pours from flowers, it does not reach every cup; an air of defeat and surrender surrounds the card, and the water seems lazy and not particularly energetic.

In a reading, this card asks you to examine the role that surrender, loss of will, disrespect, and weariness have played in your life. It asks you to consider whether or not the time has come for you to move on and surrender; or maybe it encourages you not to do this. Have you been slothful? Lazy? Disrespectful? Are others looking down on you for this? Do you look down on others? Reversed, this card’s energies are blocked, hidden, or twisted; are you in reality being disrespectful when you feel as if you aren’t? Are you hiding your laziness? Is someone else hiding theirs? Are you weary in the inside, but not letting yourself move on and put the past behind you?