The Medi Arcana, also known as the court cards, contains 12 archetypes and four messengers (also called the pages in some decks.) The twelve archetypes: King, Queen and Knight of the four suits, each correspond to a distinct astrological sign, such that the King of Wands is Ares, The Queen is Leo and so on.
The remaining four cards are messengers, representing the four directions on a plane.
The Medi Arcana represents the heavens providing signs and messages for guidance. The suits of the Medi Arcana revert to the elements of their cardinal points. Such that wands = fire, cups = water and so on.
Suit Cardinal Point Element
Wands South Fire
Cups West Water
Swords East Air
Coins North Earth
Each of the suits is comprised of three people (archetypes and signs) and a messenger bearing a message. There are two men and one woman. One of the men represents an older, more stable view of the suit while the other represents a younger, rasher version of the characteristics. The female represents the balance between the two. The significator is always chosen from one of these three.
Significator
The significator is a card that represents the querant or reader. Women should chose from one of the four elemental women by considering the hair and eye color along with the personality represented by the card. Men should chose one of the male cards by consider the same along with their age, circumstances and outlook. For example, an older man, who is single with a youthful outlook, may be represented by the younger man.
Element Fire
Personality People represented by fire are those with personal initiative; particularly those who started out disadvantaged. These people are future-oriented, entrepreneurial, and inventive; they initiate action.
Hair Color Red
Eye Color Light
Element Water
Personality People represented by water suggest attitudes of compassion, caring, generosity, affection, friendliness, sociability, emotional support, and joy.
Hair Color Medium
Eye Color Blue, brown
Element Air
Personality People represented by air are direct, forthright and can be brutally honest. They possess strength of conviction and tend to have strong opinions on proper conduct and behavior.
Hair Color Light
Eye Color Light
Element Earth
Personality People represented by earth are hard-working, solid, practical, secure and reliable.
Hair Color Dark
Eye Color Dark
In a Reading
In a reading, the people of the Medi Arcana may represent one of three things; an actual person, an objective or qualities.
Person – represents someone known to the querant.
Objective – signifies the objective of the querant. For example, the Queen of Swords as an objective would represent the desire for the truth or possibly for moral understanding.
Qualities – indicates a need to adopt these qualities.
The Messengers: The Four Winds
The messengers of the bible are the four winds, which are depicted as horses. It is through these winds that God delivers judgment and reprieve.
I looked in the night and behold a man riding upon a red horse, and he stood among the myrtle-trees that were in the bottom; and behind him there were horses, red, sorrel, and white. Then I said: 'O my lord, what are these?' And the angel that spoke with me said to me: 'I will show you what these are.' And the man that stood among the myrtle-trees answered and said: 'These are they whom the Lord has sent to walk to and fro through the earth.' And they answered the angel of God that stood among the myrtle-trees, and said: 'We have walked to and fro through the earth, and, behold, all the earth sits still, and is at rest.' [1]
And again I lifted up my eyes, and saw, and, behold, there came four chariots out from between the two mountains; and the mountains were mountains of brass. In the first chariot were red bay horses; and in the second chariot black horses; and in the third chariot white horses; and in the fourth chariot spotted horses. Then I answered and said to the angel that spoke with me: 'What are these, my lord?' And the angel answered and said: 'These are the four winds of heaven coming out after presenting themselves before the Lord of all the earth. That one with the black horses goes forth toward the north country; and the white one go to the west; and the spotted one went forth toward the south country; and the bay went forth'. And they sought to go that they might walk to and fro through the earth; and he said: 'Get you hence, walk to and fro through the earth.' So they walked to and fro through the earth. [2]
Key: King of Wands
Element: Fire
Representation: Older, more stable male
Person: Taleh is a great organizer that is full of flair and originality. He is a dynamic individual, who is never afraid to take chances. He is intuitive and articulate with the capacity to inspire others especially in projects, which have a clear outcome and do not require a long lead-time. He is a natural leader and can rally others to his cause regardless of how impossible it may seem. Taleh is aggressive and willful. He is a determined fighter and can be a powerful adversary if you oppose him strongly. He is unconcerned about how others may see him and will be the first to stand up in what he believes in – if he believes in it strongly.
Objective: This is a question of taking the initiative or taking a risk.
Qualities: If Taleh represents qualities, then this card is urging the querant to action. The message is not to be afraid to take chances. It is up to the querant to take the imitative and others will follow.
Key: Queen of Wands
Element: Fire
Representation: Female
Person: Aryeh is confident and enthusiastic with a positive outlook and a love of life. She is the natural centre of attention and a genial host. She gets inordinate pleasure from helping others enjoy life as much as she does. Aryeh radiates warmth. Her enthusiasm, generosity and disposition inspire the affection of many friends and admirers. Aryeh works with dedicated commitment and approaches every challenge with perseverance looking for creative solutions. She places highest value on courage and personal honesty for herself as well as others. Aryeh can be unyielding and stubborn at times. She can be very proud and wants to be right.
Objective: This is of a question about a challenging situation and how to respond to it.
Qualities: If Aryeh represents qualities, then this card is urging the querant to be strong and positive and look for a creative solution to the problem.
Key: Knight of Wands
Element: Fire
Representation: Younger, rasher male
Person: Keshet is an idealist and is usually much in demand socially. He is charismatic and sexy and has a tendency to live on the edge as a confident risk-taker. He is extremely intelligent and is always looking to discover new things. Keshet loves to take on challenges. He can be callow and thoughtless as well as reckless and irresponsible. He gets bored and restless when surrounded by dull people or circumstances. Keshet thrives on excitement and will seek it despite the apparent danger. He values his freedom above all else. He does not hesitate to give an honest opinion, which can seem tactless at times.
Objective: This is of a question about a risky situation and whether to proceed.
Qualities: If Keshet represents qualities, then this card is urging the querant to think carefully before rushing into something. Overconfidence is not warranted here and would be ill-advised at this time.
The South Wind
Key: Page of Wands
Element: Fire
Representation: A messenger with a message
I lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and behold a man clothed in linen, whose loins were girded with fine gold of Uphaz; his body also was like the beryl, and his face as the appearance of lightning, and his eyes as torches of fire, and his arms and his feet like in color to burnished brass, and the voice of his words like the voice of a multitude. [3]
Message: A message of an opportunity to experience creativity, courage, charm and inspiration. An exciting opening that may excite and feed your talents.
Key: King of Cups
Element: Water
Representation: Older, more stable male
Person: Dagim is a gentle man, who is wise and sincere. He is even-tempered and a good listener. He is fair-minded and not at all afraid to bend unbreakable rules should the situation demand a more humane approach. Dagim seems to know intuitively what is needed. He is open and tolerant and because of that others turn to him for advice and compassion. He is never judgmental. Dagim accepts the people around him and the circumstances in which they find themselves rather than trying to adapt them to suit him. He is a bit of a dreamer and finds routine work difficult. There are times when his sensitive and giving nature overwhelms him as others lean too heavily on him and take advantage.
Objective: This is a question of needing some advice and guidance.
Qualities: If Dagim represents qualities, then this card is urging the querant to be more tolerant of others. Others need the querant’s support right now.
Key: Queen of Cups
Element: Water
Representation: Female
Person: Sartan is a loving and sensitive woman. She is strongly intuitive and radiates a gentle calm. She is creative and romantic with a strong love of home, family and tradition. Sartan is very nurturing and protective. She is kind and compassionate to everyone and never reacts with anger or impatience. She is loyal, supportive and good at listening. Sartan is very in touch with her own emotions and senses the underlying emotions of others. She possesses a deep sensitivity and provides valuable and illuminating intuitions, especially regarding those she cares for. Sartan is extremely sensitive and can be easily hurt causing her to withdraw within. She is often moody.
Objective: This is a question about love and family.
Qualities: If Sartan represents qualities, then this card is urging the querant to listen to their heart and to be in tune with the feelings of others.
Key: Knight of Cups
Element: Water
Representation: Younger, rasher male
Person: Akray is an intense, profound and powerful character. Even when he appears self-controlled and calm there is a seething intensity of emotional energy under his placid exterior. His depth of character and passionate conviction is overwhelming. Akray is deeply sensitive and easily moved by his emotions. This and a propensity for exhibiting extreme likes and dislikes makes him easily hurt, but he is not openly combative unless it becomes necessary. Although he is extremely volatile, he does not deal well with conflict and avoids difficult situations. Akray loves a good mystery and is drawn to secrets. The occult and mysticism appeal greatly to him. He possesses the ability to focus his attention or concentration on something to the point of understanding it completely.
Objective: This is a question about hurt feelings.
Qualities: If Akray represents qualities, then this card is urging the querant to focus and be more grounded. It may also signify that things are not as bad as the querant may believe. It is possible that the querant is over-reacting.
Key: Page of Cups
Element: Water
Representation: A messenger with a message
God turned back a very powerful west wind and it carried the locust-swarm and hurled it toward the Sea of Reeds. [4]
For I know that the Lord is great, and that our Lord is above all gods. Whatever the Lord desires God does in heaven and in earth, in the seas and in all depths; God makes clouds to rise from the ends of the earth; God makes lightning for the rain; He releases the wind from the vaults of heaven. [5]
Message: A message of love. This card represents the opportunity to experience romance, deep feelings and the inner life.
Key: King of Swords
Element: Air
Representation: Older, more stable male
Person: D’li is extremely intelligent, analytical and honest. He holds himself aloof and tends to be eerily detached and personally uninvolved. He is always fair and impartial. He approaches problems without emotion, logically and detached. D’li sets high standards for himself and others around him and is very ethical. He is very loyal and trust-worthy. As an idealist, he champions the highest principles, while at the same time being an independent thinker. He is naturally skeptical, but once convinced he becomes firm in his determination to see things through. He is a visionary and is progressive. D’li loves to spend time thinking about how things can be better. He can be impatient and temperamental with those who disagree with him.
Objective: This is a question of judgment.
Qualities: If D’li represents qualities, then this card is urging the querant to think logically and to remove the emotion from the situation.
Key: Queen of Swords
Element: Air
Representation: Female
Person: Maznaim is a forthright and honest person with a love of justice. She is very direct and has a strong sense of morality. Cruelty and vulgarity are abhorrent to her. She exemplifies elegance, charm and good taste. Maznaim is intelligent and knows when someone is not being fully honest. She is a strong woman who will set out to accomplish her chosen goals by finding ways to succeed, usually by using her wit and charm. She possesses a good critical faculty and is able to stand back and look impartially at matters which call for an impartial judgment. Maznaim is intolerant of argument from anyone challenging her conclusions, because to her its truth is self-evident.
Objective: This is a question about the truth.
Qualities: If Maznaim represents qualities, then this card is urging the querant to consider both the hard truth and morality of the situation.
Key: Knight of Swords
Element: Air
Representation: Younger, rasher male
Person: Teumim is an ingenious, quick-witted communicator. He is usually very much in demand socially because he is so entertaining. He is vitally interested in what's new and fashionable. Teumim prefers to sit back and analyze or control what is occurring around him. He is often restless and easily bored and can become frustrated by things moving too slowly. To Teumim life is a game which must always be full of fresh moves and continuous entertainment, free of labor and routine. He uses his charm and looks to get what he wants. He can be unscrupulous and cunning; escaping blame by contriving to put it on other people. He speaks clearly, directly and always with authority, however, his remarks can be cutting and rude. It is clear when he thinks something or someone is stupid and he expects others to see it the same way.
Objective: This is a question about how tactfully a given situation was handled.
Qualities: If Teumim represents qualities, then this card is urging the querant to be more diplomatic and tolerant.
Key: Page of Swords
Element: Air
Representation: A messenger with a message
An east wind will come, a wind of God ascending from the wilderness, and his fountainhead will become parched and his spring will dry up. [Hosea 13:15]
When the east wind touches it, will it not completely whither? [Ezekiel 17:10]
With an east wind You smashed the ships of Tarshish. [Psalm 48:7]
Message: A message that brings challenges. This card represents an opportunity for growth in the guise of a difficult situation or problem.
Key: King of Coins
Element: Earth
Representation: Older, more stable male
Person: Shor is a hard-working and successful man. He is keen-witted and methodical more often than intellectual. He is calm, centered and very self-confident in an earthy and modest way. He is immensely practical and his primary concern is to maintain stability. Shor is enterprising and adept with a wide range of useful knowledge. He is dependable and responsible and is always willing to help others with time and / or money. He is deliberate and relaxed. He likes comfort and is willing to work hard for the things that make him happy. He has a steady and even temperament that adds an element of stability to any situation. It takes a lot to make Shor loose his temper, but when he does – watch out!
Objective: This is about a question about work.
Qualities: If Shor represents qualities, then this card is urging the querant to be more responsible and to give of their time and / or money.
Key: Queen of Coins
Element: Earth
Representation: Female
Person: Betulah is nurturing and motherly. She is warm and generous to everyone, yet very practical and grounded. She is unassuming, outwardly cheerful and agreeable. Betulah is extremely sensible, discreet, well spoken, wise and witty. She possesses a good understanding of other people's problems which she is capable of addressing with level-headedness. Betulah takes care of the little details and large problems with the same ease and focus. She combines mental ingenuity with the ability to produce a clear analysis of the most complicated problems. Betulah easily draws upon her own inner reserves and exhibits a quiet strength. She doesn’t concern herself too much with what is lacking and is able to make do with very little if the situation calls for it. Her quiet, plodding ways can make her appear pedantic and there is a tendency for her to be a perfectionist in all she does.
Objective: This is a question about home and family.
Qualities: If Betulah represents qualities, then this card is urging the querant to take care of what is needed and not worry about what everyone else is doing or what they have.
Key: Knight of Coins
Element: Earth
Representation: Younger, rasher male
Person: Gedi is tenacious, logical and endowed with the capacity to work hard and long. He rarely hesitates to grasp opportunities for advancement or promotion. He aspires to positions of power and authority and admires others who attain such positions. Gedi is a resourceful, determined manager. He sets high standards for himself and others. He respects discipline from above and demands it from those beneath him. He expects his underlings to be as self disciplined as he is, and to perform every task undertaken to the highest standard. In his methodical, tough, stubborn, unyielding way, he persists against personal hardship, putting his work first to reach his objectives. Gedi has a willingness to accept responsibilities, but a false pride makes it hard for him to admit when he is wrong or to ask others for help. He competes aggressively to achieve what he wants. He isn’t very warm and doesn’t have much of a sense of humor, nor does he have much time for play. Work always comes first. Gedi can be very cold and distant, pessimistic, and almost intolerably conventional. He also has a stubborn streak and reacts poorly to change.
Objective: This is a question about a conflict related to job position or a promotion.
Qualities: If Gedi represents qualities, then this card is urging the querant to lighten up and enjoy life. It is also suggesting that a little flexibility is called for.
The North Wind
Key: Page of Coins
Element: Earth
Representation: A messenger with a message
Behold, I send an angel before you to guard you on the way and to bring you to the place which I have prepared. Take heed of him and obey him. Do not defy him for he will not pardon your transgression; for My Name is in him. But if obey him and do all that I say then I will be an enemy to your enemies and an adversary to your adversaries. [6]
The Lord will place angels to guard you wherever you go. They will carry you upon their hands lest you hurt your foot against a stone. [7]
Message: A message about money, luck or a good, unexpected turn in health. This card represents an opportunity for enrichment, comfort or the ability to make your dreams real.
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