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The Tarot of Eli 2: Rider-Waite-Smith Tarot- Knight of Cups & The Animal Totem Tarot -Knight of Cups

Western Hermetic Qabalah, Tantric, Alchemical, Astrological, and Numerical Traditional Tarot Card Comparisons

January 11, 2025

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Radiant Edition: Rider-Waite-Smith Tarot-Knight of Cups

The Rider-Waite-Smith (RWS) Tarot -Knight of Cups is again focused on the more mundane characteristics of this Personality. However, the winged helm on the RWS Knight suggests the Eagle of Higher Scorpio (Scorpio has three images, scorpion, serpent, and eagle. The lowest being scorpion) and the languid river suggests water, the element of the card.

The Knight is holding a cup before him/her and is riding at an easy pace. On the Rider-Waite- Smith Card, the slightest hint of his passionate- fiery nature may be seen in the red fish of his Surcoat and the sunbaked hills in the background. The river flowing through the scoured landscape and wavy water decor of his surcoat may imply that the river/or consciousness which is not always languid and may be subject to violent overflows.

Since the Knight of Cups card is shown on the Western Hermetic Tarot Birth Chart between the 21° Libra to 20° Scorpio let’s delve into the characteristics of these two zodiac signs:

21° Libra:

20° Scorpio:

Remember, these are general traits and may not apply to everyone. Individual personalities can vary greatly!

There are three images applied to the Scorpio sun sign: the scorpion, the serpent, and the Eagle. Therefore, Scorpio is a complex and multifaceted sign of the zodiac, symbolized not only by the Scorpion but also by the Serpent and the Eagle. Each of these symbols represents different facets of Scorpio's characteristics and energies:

  1. Scorpion: The Scorpion symbolizes the instinctual and primal nature of Scorpio. When Scorpio energy is expressed through the Scorpion archetype, it can be intense, passionate, and fiercely protective. Individuals with strong Scorpio placements may exhibit traits such as determination, resourcefulness, and a keen sense of self-preservation. However, like the Scorpion itself, they may also have a tendency towards defensiveness, jealousy, and vindictiveness if they feel threatened or betrayed.

  2. Serpent: The Serpent represents transformation and regeneration, key themes associated with Scorpio. Just as the Serpent sheds its skin to reveal a new self, Scorpio energy is deeply transformative, often leading individuals through periods of profound change and personal growth. People with strong Scorpio influence may possess a deep understanding of the hidden or unconscious aspects of themselves and others. They may also have a natural affinity for uncovering truths and delving into the mysteries of life and death.

  3. Eagle: The Eagle symbolizes Scorpio's ability to rise above challenges and gain a higher perspective. When Scorpio energy is expressed through the Eagle archetype, individuals may exhibit qualities such as insight, intuition, and strategic thinking. They have the ability to soar to great heights, both intellectually and spiritually, and to see beyond surface appearances to the deeper truths underlying any situation. Like the Eagle, they may possess a sharp vision and the ability to focus intensely on their goals, often with a single-minded determination.

Overall, Scorpio as the Scorpion, Serpent, and Eagle represents a dynamic interplay of instinctual drives, transformative power, and spiritual insight. Individuals with strong Scorpio placements may navigate life's challenges with resilience and depth, drawing upon their innate strengths of passion, intuition, and tenacity to uncover hidden truths, facilitate personal growth, and ultimately rise to new heights of understanding and self-awareness. Scorpio is also known as the "house of sexual congress".

The Animal Totem Tarot -Knight of Cups

The Animal Totem Tarot -Knight of Cups is the equivalent card to the Rider-Waite-Smith Knight of Cups. However, this prince personality is a Blue Footed Booby who is an unapologetic romantic and a flirt. He is refined, artistic, romantic, and introspective with a healthy dash of melodramatic and his blue feet are his sexual attraction. The intensity of color of his feet will determine his romantic success. Bright blue the ladies swoon, pale blue and well he dances alone.

His dance focuses totally on the Blue Footed Booby honey he is with...until he isn't, which tends to be a characteristic of this one. Hence, you will be very happily charmed for a time, with a big maybe for a lifetime. He is a hopeless romantic a Galahad personality.

The romantic aspect is emphasized on this card. The knight Blue Footed Booby is a hopeless romantic, and an unabashed dreamer. Obsessing over the color of his feet keeps him occupied and he tends to not notice the harsher realities of life. Here one is cautioned to realize if they are spending too much time dreaming about creating and not enough time doing.

The Blue-footed Booby, as a power animal, totem animal, and spirit guide, holds unique symbolism that reflects its distinctive traits and behaviors. Here’s how it can be interpreted in each role:

As a Power Animal

A power animal represents an individual’s inner strength and personal energy. The Blue-footed Booby, as a power animal, encourages boldness, adaptability, and authenticity.

  • Bold Expression: The Booby’s vivid blue feet symbolize self-expression and confidence. It inspires individuals to embrace their uniqueness and proudly display their true selves.
  • Playfulness: The courtship dance of the Blue-footed Booby reminds us of the importance of joy and humor in life, encouraging you to approach challenges with light-heartedness.
  • Precision and Patience: Known for its extraordinary diving skills, the Blue-footed Booby teaches focus and patience. It reminds you to wait for the right moment to take action, ensuring success.
  • Resilience: As a power animal, it shows how to maintain grace under pressure and adapt to changing circumstances, much like the bird thrives in its specific marine habitats.

As a Totem Animal

A totem animal is an emblem of a person or group’s identity, often embodying shared qualities or life lessons. The Blue-footed Booby as a totem animal signifies loyalty, teamwork, and vibrant energy.

  • Community and Partnership: These birds often exhibit cooperative behavior, especially during parenting. As a totem, they emphasize the importance of working together and nurturing relationships.
  • Dedication to Family: The strong bond they maintain with their mates and their devoted parenting symbolize loyalty and the value of creating a stable foundation for loved ones.
  • Vivid Uniqueness: The blue feet represent pride in individuality, reminding those who resonate with this totem to stand out and use their gifts for the collective good.

As a Spirit Guide

A spirit guide provides insight and guidance, often appearing when one needs direction or clarity. The Blue-footed Booby as a spirit guide offers lessons in self-expression, balance, and taking calculated risks.

  • Guidance Toward Authenticity: If this bird appears to you as a spirit guide, it may be urging you to let go of inhibitions and embrace your true colors, much like the Booby flaunts its striking features without fear.
  • Encouragement to Dance Through Life: Its playful mating dance symbolizes rhythm and harmony, urging you to find balance and joy in life’s challenges.
  • Taking the Leap: With their remarkable diving skills, the Blue-footed Booby teaches the importance of trusting your instincts and diving into opportunities fearlessly yet wisely.

Overall Symbolism

The Blue-footed Booby as a power animal, totem, or spirit guide embodies boldness, humor, uniqueness, teamwork, and resilience. It serves as a reminder to embrace life’s opportunities with authenticity, nurture connections, and navigate challenges with grace and determination.

There isn’t a widely known or traditional ritual specifically for calling upon the Blue-footed Booby, but you can create a personalized ritual to connect with its elemental energy. Below is a suggested ritual inspired by its characteristics, behavior, and symbolism:

 

Ritual to Call Upon the Blue-Footed Booby

This ritual can help you invoke the playful, bold, and loyal energy of the Blue-footed Booby as a power animal, totem, or spirit guide.

Preparation:

  1. Sacred Space: Choose a space where you feel comfortable and connected to nature, ideally near water or in an open area that invokes a sense of freedom.
  2. Symbolic Items:
    • A blue candle (representing the Booby’s vibrant feet and bold energy).
    • A small bowl of water (symbolizing the bird’s marine habitat).
    • A feather or an image of a bird (representing the Blue-footed Booby’s grace and flight), the Animal Totem Tarot image will do.
    • A piece of blue fabric or clothing (to wear during the ritual, connecting you to its energy).
  3. Optional Music: Play calming ocean sounds or uplifting melodies to create a harmonious atmosphere.

Steps:

  1. Center Yourself:

    • Sit or stand comfortably. Close your eyes and take deep breaths.
    • Visualize a calm ocean setting, with waves lapping against the shore and birds soaring overhead.
  2. Light the Candle:

    • Light the blue candle while saying: "Blue-footed Booby, bold and true,
      Spirit of joy, I call to you.
      Guide me with your fearless might,
      Show me how to embrace my light."
  3. Connect Through Movement:

    • Perform a simple, rhythmic dance, inspired by the Booby’s courtship display. Step side to side, lifting your feet with intention and joy. This symbolizes embracing playfulness and confidence.
    • As you move, repeat the mantra:
      "Bold and free, let me be,
      With the wisdom of the Booby."
  4. Invoke Its Presence:

    • Hold the bowl of water in your hands and gaze into it. Imagine the reflection of the bird, diving gracefully into the sea.
    • Say:
      "Messenger of the waves and sky,
      Show me how to leap and fly.
      Teach me patience, teach me grace,
      Bring your wisdom to this space."
  5. Offer Gratitude:

    • Place the bowl of water on your altar or a sacred spot and say:
      "Thank you, spirit of the Blue-footed Booby,
      For your guidance, strength, and beauty.
      Stay with me, within my heart,
      As I live my life, a work of art."
  6. Close the Ritual:

    • Extinguish the candle, thanking the bird for its presence.
    • Keep the water in the bowl as a reminder of the Booby’s elemental energy or pour it outside as an offering to nature.

After the Ritual:

  • Look for signs of the Blue-footed Booby in your daily life, such as images, dreams, or synchronicities. These may be messages or guidance from the spirit of the bird.
  • Journal your experience, reflecting on the qualities of the Booby you wish to embody.

This ritual is a creative way to connect with the Booby’s essence and can be adapted to your personal spiritual practice.

Both the Rider-Waite- and the Animal Totem Tarot-Knights are the Princes on the Qabalistic Tarot Birth Wheel. The Prince/Knight of traditional tarot of cups, is 21°Libra to 20° Scorpio.

When thrown in divination, the Knight of cups implies that either the querent has or is familiar with an important person in their life, who may come and go, whose characteristics are likened to the Prince/Knight of Cups:

  • The morality or moral characteristic of such a person would encase subtlety, secret violence, and craft.
  • Being also an artist in all his ways, he would be intensely secret.
  •  The calm and imperturbable surface he displays masks his most intense passion.
  •  S/he accepts only external influences that aid him in his secret designs. 
  • This Knight's conscience is not that of an ordinary person, for it is of a more impersonal nature, making him suspect and distrusted by acquaintances.
  •  S/he is perfectly ruthless and inspires fear in those that distrust him.
  • This one's abilities are immense, going beyond ordinary senses into realms of the subtle. He is, however, fluid, and volatile as well, and does not care to work in harness.
  • The fact that this card is Libra going over into Scorpio, suggests great volatility, as this influence implies tremendous power, energy, and weight.
  • Such a person must be well mated, with goodwill and sincerity, for loyalty is all important to keep their good nature. When this Is so, they are extremely romantic, sensual, and generous to a fault and are great lovers.

If the placement of the Knight of cups is such in a reading it suggests an event rather than a personality.

As far as events go,

  • This is a personal process of the quiet inner aspect of the male principle where self-reflection, inner meditative peace and awareness are being experienced by the querent (The person the reading is for).
  •  Here the event of Mind is turned towards deep feelings and artistic visions with the necessary passion to do them but with the secrecy that may prevent it.
  • Here a person is completely involved in emotional sensation, psychic awareness, and spiritual awareness. All of which they have in abundance.

If reversed when thrown:

  • Trickery.
  • Artifice.
  • Subtlety.
  • Swindling.
  • Duplicity.
  • Fraud.

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