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The first three chapters from 'Tarot for Life'
The Structure of the Tarot - Suits
The Court Cards
These cards often represent people. The Kings and Queens represent mature men and women respectively, the Knights young men and the Pages young women or children. In some decks the Knight becomes a Prince and the Page a Princess, in which case I would divide children by gender.
The court cards can also represent stages in an experience. For example, the Page of Wands might turn up to represent a new job or the King to represent the peak of someone's career.
The Pip Cards
Here we come to another aspect of the Tarot's multiple sets of associations. The pip cards can most easily be understood by reference to the Spheres of the Tree of Life, of which more later. For now, if you do not know about the Tree, do not worry about the unfamiliar names. Simply imagine each set of cards emerging from the last and you will get the general sense of what I am trying to convey.
The Aces are linked to Kether, and represent the energy of their suit in its purest possible form. As Kether is the first Sphere to emerge from the Void, so the Aces represent new beginnings. To me, the Aces also indicate that, given reasonable effort, what is begun is certain of success. This distinguishes them from the "beginning" aspect of the Pages, where there is a stronger element of uncertainty.
The Twos are linked to Chokmah and represent force in potential, as yet devoid of a form to act upon. They might be described as the pause before action.
The Threes are linked to Binah and represent a first "completion point". Here we see fulfilment of at least part of the promise of the Ace and Two, thought not necessarily the happiest part.
The Fours are linked to Chesed and represent a stable state, a resting point if you will.
The Fives are linked to Geburah, the Sphere linked to Mars, in which things are cut down to the essentials. They all represent trouble of one kind or another.
The Sixes are linked to Tipareth, the Sphere at the heart of the Tree, and have an expansive, optimistic quality.
The Sevens are linked to Netzach and are sharply divided. Wands and Cups are cautiously optimistic, while Swords and Pentacles present a gloomy picture.
The Eights, linked to Hod, are again divided. The Wands, Cups and Pentacles present neutral or positive activity, while the Eight of Swords represents restriction and delay at best.
The Nines, linked to Yesod, show very negative in Wands and Swords but powerfully positive in Cups and Pentacles.
The Tens, the conclusion in Malkuth, repeat this pattern even more emphatically.
