The Bard (Knight of Cups)
Tarot card meaning
This is the romantic. Moving toward emotions. Following the call of the heart. An offer that's hard to turn down.
It's a state of inspiration, being in love, deep empathy, openness to the world. Wanting to do good, to rescue, to take care of people, to give emotional warmth.
In a reading
- Relationships and love: a beautiful courtship, romantic surprises. A marriage proposal, honeymoons or a sincere making-up after a fight. The relationship is full of deep emotional closeness and tenderness.
- Career and money: creative work, the arts, charity or psychology. Helping people in general. Money comes to him through inspiration or as thanks for his empathy. Finances are unstable; the budget easily goes on beautiful gifts, gestures, nice things and pleasure, with no strict saving.
Shadow side
Illusions, falseness behind a noble mask. The rescuer complex. Playing on feelings, a weak character. The person may promise you the moon but turn out to be very unreliable.
The card’s advice
Trust your feelings, act with grace. Take a step toward the one you love. Let romance and inspiration into your life. But don’t lose touch with reality.
From the wider tradition
Not Tahmina’s own words: meanings common among other tarot readers, which she has reviewed and approved.
- An idealist and a dreamer — “in love with being in love.”
- A diplomat, a go-between, a peacemaker — tactfully smooths over conflicts, at work too.
- A messenger with an invitation or an offer — brings good news, asks you to follow.
- At its worst — gets disappointed in real people because they’re not perfect, and jumps from one to the next looking for the ideal.
Shadow side:
- Jealousy.
- Emotional swings — hot one minute, cold the next, moodiness, ups and downs.
- Passive aggression.
- Ruled by emotions — swept away by feelings, jumping to conclusions.
The section above is the shadow side of the upright card — every card has one. I don’t read cards upside down — here is why.
This card, in your question
Ask me about your own situation — I’ll lay the cards for it, record the reading and send it back within 24 hours, with a written summary and a photo of your spread.