Knight of Cups: Romanticism
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And just like that, it’s a new year. 2020 felt like the longest and shortest year of my entire life. I appreciated the slowing down, but lost my drive. I found love from friends that I had not recognized in the past, but missed hugging them. I let go of anxieties related to my body and how I presented to others, but hurt my self-esteem and lost some love for myself along the way.
In 2021 I resolve to be more like the Knight of Cups. Embrace my emotions and intuition (Cancer Zodiac sign) and allow myself to give in to the idealism. To stop protecting myself from being disappointed, and just be strong. Back straight, eyes wide open, hurtling forward and making my peace with chaos.
What you see: A Knight holding a cup rides a white horse in the desert. He wears a robe decorated with red fish over his armour and a winged helmet. The horse is about to cross a river with mountains in the background.
What it means: The winged helmet is a symbol of Hermes, the messenger to the Greek Gods. The fish and the river are symbols of sub consciousness and emotions. The white horse symbolizes wisdom and purity and the direction in which it is traveling signifies a transition towards the future (the right).
The story: The Knight of Cups represents the idealist; romanticism and a vision of harmony fuelled by emotions and intuition.
Reversed meaning: Reversed, the card represents being overly emotional or jealous, and allowing emotions to take control of your life.
Reflection: This card represents an idealism when looking to the future, that I think it important to motivate us and give us something to look forward to. The most striking thing in this card is the Knight’s resolve and determination at he looks at the barren landscape ahead of him. He is going to persevere and find contentment regardless of what the outlook is presently. That’s an important lesson for me (and us) on the first day of the new year.
My research sources:
A Complete Guide to the Tarot, Eden Gray, 1970
Tarot Card Meanings, Biddy Tarot
Card Meanings, Labyrinthos
Root Lock Radio: A Tarot Podcast
