Wheel of Change Study Group - The Court in the Realm of Earth

It makes more sense to me to take a journey throguh the Court of each Suit, rather than hang out with a gaggle of Queens, for instance .

Through the Court of Disks, I followed a theme of broadening perspective on the physical world. At first glance, these four cards share a major visual theme that is not necessarily present in the other Court cards. Through this soap opera, we see the Earth at the bottom of the card, the Stars at the top. On the one hand, this implies total confidence in the ways of the world. These four personalities take for granted that down is down, left is left and gravity should never be questioned. This kind of confidence eliminates many of the confusions and concerns derived from exploring the whys and wherefores of things. It frees the energies of these four royal persons to achieve the pinnacle of their respective quests.

\m/ Kat

Prince of Disks

The Prince, as Air of Earth, applies his inherent intellect to his instinct for hard work and attention to detail. The image shows him gazing deeply at an eight-spoked wheel he is working on. As a wheelwright, he is connected to the Wheel of Fortune. That card bears connotations of a narrow view of the world, inward-turning thoughts, and one's place in the world. The Prince of Disks has yet to prove himself in his community. His world is taken up with Wheels, and their uses (as shown by the distant cart). For now, he is preoccupied by the single Wheel; in time, he will begin to understand the ways in which one Wheel can work with, and connect with, other Wheels.

In this way, he progresses to the proactive, outward-gazing Chariot and begins to undersand the mutual effects of people upon each other and their world. He begins to see the significance of the eight spokes, which correspond to the eight festivals of the pagan year. The spokes keep him in tune with the seasons, and he begins to realise that the greater world outside his wheelwright's shop affects him whether he notices the changes or not.

\m/ Kat

Princess of Disks

His older sister knows about the seasons. The Princess of Disks in this deck represents the Earthy part of Earth; as such, she is in intimate connection with the cycles of growth and fallow. She has taken for her totem all the growing things, as we see in her garments. The voluminous folds engulf her in the stylised energy of seed and sprout and golden growing light.

I also particularly love the symbolism of her hair - it recalls the biblical story of Samson, whose strength came from his faith, symbolised by his uncut hair. When he lost faith (or gave it up) - cut his hair - his strength deserted him; over time, he regained his faith and his strength returned. This Princess wears the symbol of her faith in Life proudly, but she has bound it to show her ability to harness her skills and knowledge.

This theme of harnessing is extended to the cows behind her - in a tribute to traditional Tarot symbolism, the dark and light animals are shown in cooperation, implying that the Chariot energy has been achieved. The Princess has the knack of remembering what she has learnt and putting that knowledge to good use planning for the future of her people. She respects the impact she has on her world, and vice versa. We see the Earth consciousness burgeoning and spreading outwards.

\m/ Kat

Knight of Disks

The Knight takes this abstract concept of past, present and future to an extreme, inflating his perspective using his energy as the Fiery part of Earth. His Fire yearns for the Fire in the Heavens, and he reaches for eternity. As his mind expands to include the vastness of history and possibility, he comes to understand that his own thoughts, opinions and desires matter very little in the grand scheme. He has a great respect for history - that of his people before him, and that which will follow from his actions. He acts carefully, and is ready to lay aside his own desire to further the needs of his community.

The jaguar repesents his ability to Fire up when provoked, but it is known for its stealth and is not heedlessly aggressive. The Knight looks steadfastly to his right, symbolising his motives to keep things on an even keel. His faith has taken the next step from the Princess' - he trusts completely in his Gods. The Chariot's Wheels are here displayed one within another, great concentric rhythms that seem to move independently, but at certain intervals they all "click" together. The perspective is awe-inspiring, the symmetry defies belief.

\m/ Kat

Queen of Disks

Genetti says that the Queens are shown seated because they have attained the full power of teh Suit, and therefore are the "seat" of this power. They represent the Watery part of their Suit's element, making this Queen the Watery part of Earth. Like the Knight, this Queen has a deep and broad sense of the cycles of time and the Earth. This perspective is represented in the view of Earth at a long distance. She remains intimately connected to Earth, however - her little village is still part of that great world. She needs no huge, grand capital as teh focus of her rule, as she knows deep within that everythign is interconnected, an dher power is not augmented by outward grandeur, or diminished by the appearance of simplicity.

Her breasts are bare, symbolising her primary role as mother and provider. She keeps them uncovered not as a mark of vulnerability, but a badge of honour. Her ability to nourish her loved ones is a source of pride to her, not humiliation.

I see the negative aspect of this Queen as being her sedentary lifestyle. Shown seated, she has no recourse to quick action. The impressive array of jewellery she wears is more than a visual representation of being bound by something - her possession such finery implies great investment of time, effort and material wealth. Perhaps it was she who created this jewellery, to advertise her status within the community. As such, it is an expression of devotion and commitment. On the other hand, perhaps the jewellery was made for her, or is an ancient tribal relic bestowed upon her. In this case, she is held to the community by ties of tradtion and a currency of guilt.

\m/ Kat