When court cards come up in a reading I wonder if they represent a particular person, me, or qualities I should be demonstrating. There was a time when I would look for them around me. Now I look for them in myself, ways I should be in the world, qualities I need to embrace. So, when the King/Lord came up today, I started to wonder what he had come to teach me for my heart's health and happiness. The King of Wands is creative, inspiring, charismatic, and bold. While I think of myself as creative, the other three seem pretty foreign to this introvert who thinks she keeps a low profile and doesn't make much of an impression. Here's what Joan Bunning writes about the King of Wands: "The personality of the King of Wands is a combination of the positive fire energy of the Wands suit and the active, outward focus of a King. He is creative and never settles for old, tired approaches. He trusts his originality and allows his inspirations to take form. He's enthusiastic. He steps forward and takes the lead if the opportunity presents itself. Others follow when he shows them the way with confidence. He's forceful in pursuing his goals. He's not a quiet, passive observer unless that suits his purposes. He jumps in and creates results. He's dramatic and exciting. This King is never a wallflower, more often the center of attention. He's bold and daring. He avoids the safe, easy route because he has the energy and assurance to take risks and win. The King of Wands has the courage of his convictions and always believes in himself."
Hmmm. In the Jane Austen Tarot, the King of Wands is called the Lord of Candlesticks and is represented by a mature Captain Frederick Wentworth of Persuasion. Anne Elliot rejects Wentworth's proposal when he is a young seaman, with no real prospects. She loves him deeply but is convinced to be prudent and there is no proof he could support her. Now after he has begun to make a name for himself, he could return and propose again, but Anne has hurt him so much and he is so proud, he can't, won't. And so two people who love deeply, can't find their way to one another out of pride and hurt and circumspection.
I'm beginning to see why this card has come. The layer of the novels seems to help me when the cards are puzzling. I can see how boldness is required, as well as an understanding of how my own pride and hurt and anger might keep me from risking for love. It's so easy to close up and close down, to narrow the walls of my life, to find small pleasures and give-up large joys. Captain Wentworth says to be bold, be energetic, make your way, strong and sure of your abilities, but bend, when you need to, risk for the things that are important.
What Would Jane Do?
"Carpe diem! Boldness and ebullience serve you well, as long as honesty underpins your great enthusiasms, and experience guides your actions. Others might find you overly blunt, but only if they fear truth and hide their own intentions from others or themselves. This is not something you can understand, becasue guile and chicanery are foreign to you. May they always remain so." p. 78
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