In observance of National Siblings Day, I’d like to introduce you to the two pairs of siblings who inspired the four Knights of the Mystic Storyteller Tarot (MST), my new book and companion tarot deck coming to La Panthère Studio this August. As a storyteller, you can use the Knights to inspire action, especially fictional protagonists and antagonists.
Who are the tarot Knights?
Ranging from teens to young adults, the Knights are the seekers of the tarot. They receive messages from the Pages and put them into action, invoking movement and setting intentions for desirable outcomes as related to their suits, placement within a spread, and much more. Ever the initiators of stories that get moving and maintain the perfect pace, the Knights represent personalities that are motivated by and sustain the momentum of the heart, body, mind, and spirit. The Knights are also keen on romance and are always the first to make a move in relationships; however, they serve their Queens, whose instruction and demonstration about how others wish to be treated help guide their advancements.
The Knights as Characters
When writing fictional characters, depending on the appropriate age range, Knight personalities can make ideal acrobats, athletes, chauffeurs, construction workers, cowboys, criminal investigators, detectives, doctors, explorers, firefighters, first responders, horse trainers, hunters, jockeys, laborers, law enforcement, locomotive engineers, martial artists, mercenaries, military personnel, pilots, racecar drivers, stunt performers, transporters, or any profession in which they can take action by working with their hands.
From Cups to Wands, let’s take a look at the Knights in alphabetical order.
Knight of Cups: The Emotional Seeker
The Knight of Cups is the most emotional Knight of the group. They’re playful yet gentle, carefully guiding their horse so as not to spill their cup, which has their undivided attention. As such, this Knight is focused on, and motivated by, their relationships with others. They take action but are mindful of momentum—they never want to push or overcrowd another person. They’re dedicated to seeking connections and they pay close attention to social cues. Like their Page counterpart, the Knight of Cups is an empath, and they can feel and relate deeply to the needs and desires of others, especially those who have captured their attention.
Who’s the MST Knight of Cups?
In the Mystic Storyteller Tarot, the Knight of Cups is my eldest son, Jalan! Ever the emotional seeker, Jalan is an artist and storyteller like his Mama. He’s kind, compassionate, and enjoys being around people. Jalan is a manager at video game-themed barcade, Bytes and Brews, in Columbus, Georgia.
Knight of Pentacles: The Practical Seeker
Steady and grounded, the Knight of Pentacles is dependable, loyal, and trustworthy. They’ve set their eye on their goal, so you can bet they won’t drop the ball (or, in this case, the coin) until they’ve achieved it. This Knight works hard for their home and family, they are dedicated to their profession, and they take calculated actions toward safety and completion. They maintain a steady focus on honing their skills, and they take seriously how they manage their physical health and appearance.
Who’s the MST Knight of Pentacles?
In the Mystic Storyteller Tarot, the Knight of Pentacles is my youngest son, Devan! A gentle giant, Devan is a lover and a fighter. He has a passion for animals, music, and he works hard for those he loves.
Knight of Swords: The Intuitive Seeker
The go-getter of the Knights, the Knight of Swords puts their thoughts into action, working diligently, thoughtfully, and slicing through conflict. This Knight is resilience to the core. They are focused and determined. A seeker of intellect and truth, the Knight of Swords is highly perceptive and intuitive about courses of action, and they are incredibly insightful about the motivation of others. They move in swiftly to bring an idea into fruition.
Who’s the MST Knight of Swords?
In the Mystic Storyteller Tarot, the Knight of Swords is Stacey Williams-Ng’s son, Tyler! Like this Mama, Tyler is an intuitive thinker, and very much a master of wordplay. Both a Gemini and a video game developer, Tyler is perfectly suited for the Knight of Swords.
Knight of Wands: The Inspired Seeker
Rearing high on their zealous horse, the Knight of Wands rides into action in a fiery blaze of passion and purpose. The most enthusiastic of the entire Minor Arcana, this Knight is eager to be part of a movement, fervent about their cause, and ready to fight fire with fire at a moment’s notice. They’re young and inspired. Youth of any sort, whether in the form of a young adult like one of the Knights, a group, or reminiscing on one’s own youth can inspire big, robust stories, especially if you’re a writer of YA fiction. As such, the Knight of Wands sparks inspiration with vim and vigor, and they’re capable of stirring profound change.
Who’s the MST Knight of Wands?
In the Mystic Storyteller Tarot, the Knight of Wands is Stacey Williams-Ng’s daughter, Sophie! A fiery spirit, Sophie was born in the Year of the Dragon. Ever an inspired seeker of adventure, Sophie is a highliner, advancing tightropes stretched across canyons and rivers around the globe.
Stay tuned for the next card(s) reveal!
On Monday, I’m revealing one of the Queens of the Mystic Storyteller Tarot... Hint: She’s mentioned in today’s story! Stay tuned!
Release Date and Other Details
The Mystic Storyteller book and tarot deck is being launched on BackerKit this August. That means YOU will have the chance to demonstrate your Magician skills by helping manifest this endeavor. Stay tuned for a release date and other details! As a subscriber, you’re on the fast track to staying updated on this magickal project.
In her more than thirty years as a storyteller and visual designer, Amanda “Mandy” Hughes has written and designed over a dozen works of literary, Southern Gothic, and women’s fiction under pen names A. Lee Hughes and Mandy Lee.
Mandy is the founder of Haint Blue Creative®, a space for readers and storytellers to explore, learn, and create. She holds a Bachelor and Master of Science in Psychology, and she has worked as an instructional designer for nearly twenty years.
When she’s not writing, Mandy enjoys the movies, theater, music, traveling, nature walks, birdwatching, and binging The Office. She is a tarot enthusiast who uses the cards to enhance creativity and foster wellness. Her book Mystic Storyteller: A Writer’s Guide to Using the Tarot for Creative Inspiration and companion tarot deck are coming to La Panthère Studio in 2024.
Mandy lives in Georgia with her husband and four sons, two of whom are furrier than the others (but not by much). Visit her website at haintbluecreative.com and follow her on Instagram @HaintBlueCreative and @MysticStorytellerTarot.