Knight of Cups: modern RWS Tarot Card Meanings
Upright Knight of Cups Meanings
Keywords
Romance, Charm, A Proposal, Idealism, Creativity, Following the Heart
Generally
The Knight of Cups is the classic "knight in shining armor" of the tarot. He is a messenger of the heart, representing the arrival of a romantic opportunity, a creative proposal, or an invitation. This card signifies acting on your emotions, following your intuition, and pursuing your dreams with idealistic passion. He is charming, artistic, sensitive, and in touch with his feelings, though he can sometimes be more of a dreamer than a doer.
In a Love Context
In a love reading, this card often signals the arrival of a new, highly romantic suitor, or a significant romantic gesture like a proposal of love or marriage. In an existing relationship, it points to a period of renewed romance, charm, and deep emotional connection. It represents an idealistic and heartfelt approach to love, where feelings are expressed openly and poetically.
In a Money/Career Context
This card suggests pursuing a career or project that you are emotionally invested in and passionate about. It can represent an offer or opportunity that aligns perfectly with your creative talents and heart's desires. This is not about practicality, but about finding work that is fulfilling on an emotional and artistic level. It encourages you to bring more creativity and intuition into your professional life.
In a Spiritual Context
Spiritually, the Knight of Cups encourages you to follow a path that resonates with your heart and intuition. It can represent a deep dive into mystical or artistic forms of spirituality. This card is about being open to messages from your higher self and the divine, and letting your inner emotional compass guide your spiritual journey.
In Common Spread Positions
As Advice
Follow your heart. Be romantic. Make the offer. Express your feelings openly and honestly. Pursue your creative dream.
As (Ultimate) Outcome
A romantic proposal. The beginning of a creative venture. An invitation to an important event. A journey led by the heart.
As Obstacles
Overly idealistic thinking is preventing practical action. You are getting lost in a romantic fantasy. Emotionalism is clouding your judgment.
As Hidden Energy
A secret admirer or an unexpressed romantic feeling. A hidden creative talent is waiting to be explored. An intuitive message is trying to come through.
As Resources/Alliances
A charming and artistic person. Your own intuition and emotional intelligence. A creative or romantic offer.
‘The Knight of Cups’ Reversed
Keywords
Emotional immaturity, Disappointment, Deception, Moodiness, Unrealistic expectations
Generally
Reversed, the Knight of Cups can point to disappointment in matters of the heart. An offer that seems promising may turn out to be hollow or based on deception. This card can represent emotional immaturity, moodiness, and a tendency to create unrealistic fantasies that inevitably lead to disillusionment. It warns of a person who is all charm and no substance, or a situation where emotions are unstable and unreliable.
In a Love Context
This card reversed can signify heartbreak, a proposal being withdrawn, or discovering a romantic interest is not who they appeared to be. It can point to a partner who is emotionally manipulative, jealous, or sulky. It warns against falling for empty promises and unrealistic romantic fantasies. The "knight in shining armor" may have a darker side.
In a Money/Career Context
This can signify a creative project that fails to get off the ground or a job offer that is rescinded or turns out to be a major disappointment. It warns against making career decisions based purely on fantasy without any practical grounding. Be wary of opportunities that seem too good to be true, as they may involve deceit or lead to a dead end.
In a Spiritual Context
Spiritually, this card reversed suggests being lost in spiritual fantasies or emotional escapism. It can indicate a tendency to chase spiritual highs without doing the real, grounded work of self-development. It warns against being swayed by charismatic but ultimately hollow spiritual figures or ideas.
In Common Spread Positions
As Advice
Be realistic about your expectations. Look beneath the charming surface. Don't let your emotions rule you without reason. Ground your creative ideas in reality.
As (Ultimate) Outcome
Disappointment and heartbreak. A false start. An offer will be revealed as deceptive. A period of emotional instability.
As Obstacles
Emotional immaturity is the primary hindrance. Unrealistic fantasies are preventing progress. A tendency towards moodiness and sulking.
As Hidden Energy
A secret fear of emotional intimacy. An unacknowledged tendency toward jealousy or manipulation. A hidden disappointment is souring your outlook.
As Resources/Alliances
The clarity that comes from seeing through a fantasy. The wisdom gained from a past heartbreak. The motivation to seek genuine emotional connection.
Additional Notes on The RWS ‘Knight of Cups’
Waite’s Divinatory Meanings of The Knight of Cups
"Arrival, approach--sometimes that of a messenger; advances, proposition, demeanour, invitation, incitement. Reversed: Trickery, artifice, subtlety, swindling, duplicity, fraud." (The Pictorial Key to the Tarot, 1911)
RWS Knight of Cups Symbolism
A.E. Waite’s Knight of Cups depicts a knight in full armor riding a calm, white horse, symbolizing the purity and control of his emotional power. He holds out a single cup as if making an offer. His helmet and boots are adorned with wings, like the Roman god Mercury, marking him as a messenger. The horse moves slowly and deliberately, not charging, indicating this is a journey of emotion, not of battle. The river flowing in the background represents the flow of intuition and feelings that he navigates with grace.
Meditations On The Knight of Cups
What message is my heart trying to send me?
Am I approaching my goals and relationships with emotional honesty and courage?
Where in my life do I need to balance my romantic ideals with a dose of reality?
