Diana
I was wanting to start up threads discussing the different Bâton Court cards. But I feel it can't be done if one doesn't have a good look first at the Bâtons themselves, and how they develop from the Valet through to the King, and also if one doesn't have a good look at the Ace of Bâtons as well.
The Ace of Bâtons is the basic Bâton. The one that gives form to all the others. It has just been cut from the tree. No hewing or carving has been done. It is still pure energy - as it represents the energy of nature - the extreme vitality of Life itself.
The Valet de Bâtons (in most of the well-known Marseilles decks), has a Bâton that still looks very much like the Bâton of the Ace. But here the hewing has begun - rather crudely, but there is a definite desire to put this Energy of the Bâtons to some practical use. The Valet, of course, doesn't use this power for himself - a Valet is at the service of this Energy for now. (A Valet is always at the service of someone or something else). One can see it in the way he holds the Bâton - he doesn't hold it as if it belonged to him. He knows that he does not yet have the ability to actually use the power, and realises that he has to tame it first. Personally, his humility moves me.
The Reyne de Bâtons, however, has had someone carve her Bâton in a very unusual manner. (I suppose she sent the Valet to take some lessons with the local carpenter.) It looks almost more like a weapon - a club or a bludgeon. I wouldn't like to be bonked on the head with that thing.
Now the King of Bâtons really has some skilled artisans working for him. One no longer even guesses the original form of the branch that was used. It has been sculpted, polished, fashioned to look like a sceptre truly worthy of a great ruler. It doesn't even look like wood anymore - perhaps it has been covered with some fine precious metal to make it shine. It reminds me somewhat of the sticks that one sees carried sometimes by some African Kings or Chiefs.
And the Chevalier de Bâtons - he carries the Ace of Bâtons. I suppose this implies that he has not lost sight of the original spark of Life, that he has been entrusted with its keep.
With the Bâton Court cards, I must say, I feel very safe. And when one of them comes up in a reading in a "positive" position, I normally give a sigh of relief and a happy little smile appears on my face.
(edited for grammar mistakes)
The Ace of Bâtons is the basic Bâton. The one that gives form to all the others. It has just been cut from the tree. No hewing or carving has been done. It is still pure energy - as it represents the energy of nature - the extreme vitality of Life itself.
The Valet de Bâtons (in most of the well-known Marseilles decks), has a Bâton that still looks very much like the Bâton of the Ace. But here the hewing has begun - rather crudely, but there is a definite desire to put this Energy of the Bâtons to some practical use. The Valet, of course, doesn't use this power for himself - a Valet is at the service of this Energy for now. (A Valet is always at the service of someone or something else). One can see it in the way he holds the Bâton - he doesn't hold it as if it belonged to him. He knows that he does not yet have the ability to actually use the power, and realises that he has to tame it first. Personally, his humility moves me.
The Reyne de Bâtons, however, has had someone carve her Bâton in a very unusual manner. (I suppose she sent the Valet to take some lessons with the local carpenter.) It looks almost more like a weapon - a club or a bludgeon. I wouldn't like to be bonked on the head with that thing.
Now the King of Bâtons really has some skilled artisans working for him. One no longer even guesses the original form of the branch that was used. It has been sculpted, polished, fashioned to look like a sceptre truly worthy of a great ruler. It doesn't even look like wood anymore - perhaps it has been covered with some fine precious metal to make it shine. It reminds me somewhat of the sticks that one sees carried sometimes by some African Kings or Chiefs.
And the Chevalier de Bâtons - he carries the Ace of Bâtons. I suppose this implies that he has not lost sight of the original spark of Life, that he has been entrusted with its keep.
With the Bâton Court cards, I must say, I feel very safe. And when one of them comes up in a reading in a "positive" position, I normally give a sigh of relief and a happy little smile appears on my face.
(edited for grammar mistakes)