The Six Horses of Tarot: An Animist Journey Into Spirit, Symbolism & Self
Meeting the Horses of Tarot
In Tarot, horses are far more than background figures — they are living, breathing carriers of energy, intention, and spiritual movement. In the Rider–Waite–Smith deck, the rider often speaks to human will, direction, and the role we think we’re playing, while the horse reveals what is truly carrying us: instinct, body-wisdom, and spirit’s momentum. Through an animist lens, each horse becomes a conscious being with its own story, wisdom, and medicine.
(Scope note: This piece focuses on the four Knights plus two Major Arcana cards—Death and The Sun—to explore a simple question: if we remove the riders, can the horses themselves still carry the core meaning of the card? You might notice I haven’t included the Six of Wands, even though it features a horse; its message leans more heavily on public victory and the human figure’s recognition than on the horse as the primary teacher.)
In this exploration, we journey with the six horses found in the Rider–Waite–Smith Tarot:
Knight of Wands — Arabian
Knight of Cups — Andalusian
Knight of Swords — Thoroughbred
Knight of Pentacles — Clydesdale
Death — Friesian
The Sun — Palomino
Each horse embodies a unique archetype, elemental force, and spiritual lesson.
Knight of Wands — The Arabian: Passion, Adventure & Momentum
The Arabian horse has carried warriors, travellers, and nomads for over 4,500 years. Known for endurance, intelligence, and fiery spirit, it mirrors the Knight of Wands’ bold, impulsive energy.
This horse teaches:
Courage to leap
Enthusiasm that ignites action
Freedom through movement
Knight of Cups — The Andalusian: Romance, Emotion & Intuition
Graceful and noble, the Andalusian has long been associated with diplomacy, ceremony, and art. Its flowing mane and elegant gait reflect the emotional depth of the Knight of Cups.
This horse teaches:
Vulnerability as strength
Emotional honesty
Following the heart’s quiet call
Knight of Swords — The Thoroughbred: Clarity, Speed & Intellect
Fast, sharp, and laser-focused, the Thoroughbred embodies the Knight of Swords’ mental precision and urgency.
This horse teaches:
Acting with intention
Cutting through confusion
Trusting your instincts
Knight of Pentacles — The Clydesdale: Strength, Grounding & Devotion
The Clydesdale is the workhorse of the Tarot — steady, reliable, and deeply connected to the earth.
This horse teaches:
Patience
Consistency
Building strong foundations
Death — The Friesian: Transformation, Endings & Renewal
The Friesian’s powerful presence makes it the perfect companion for the Death card — a symbol not of doom, but of transition.
This horse teaches:
Release
Surrender
Trust in the cycles of life
The Sun — The Palomino: Joy, Vitality & Innocence
Radiant and golden, the Palomino carries the child of the Sun card with effortless grace. Its bridle has no reins — a symbol of freedom, trust, and pure joy.
This horse teaches:
Celebration
Confidence
Returning to your inner light
The Medicine Wheel & Directional Energies
Each horse aligns with a direction in the Southern Hemisphere Medicine Wheel, adding depth to its message:
North (Fire) — Knight of Wands
West (Water) — Knight of Cups
East (Air) — Knight of Swords
South (Earth) — Knight of Pentacles
Centre (Spirit) — Death
East (Light) — Sun
These directions shape how the horses guide us — through action, emotion, clarity, grounding, transformation, and joy.
Elemental & Colour Correspondences
Each horse carries elemental and colour medicine:
Card Knight of Wands
Element Fire
Colours Red/Orange
Essence Passion & movement
Card Knight of Cups
Element Water
Colours Blue/Green
Essence Emotion & intuition
Card Knight of Swords
Element Air
Colours Yellow/White
Essence Clarity & intellect
Card Knight of Pentacles
Element Earth
Colours Brown/Green
Essence Stability & patience
Card Death
Element Spirit
Colours Black/Purple
Essence Transformation
Card Sun
Element Fire/Light
Colours Gold/Yellow
Essence Joy & vitality
Cultural Horse Wisdom Across the World
Horses have been revered across cultures:
Native American: Freedom, spirit guides, sun energy
Celtic: Transformation, Otherworld travel
Mongolian: Community, endurance, nomadic power
Indigenous Australian: Strength, adaptation, community
Greek & Roman: Divine connection, heroism
Asian: Nobility, success, auspicious fortune
These cultural threads enrich our Tarot interpretations.
A Guided Horse Visualization
Invite a horse card into your awareness:
Choose the horse that calls to you.
Visualise it standing before you.
Ask:
What do you teach me about my current path?
How can I embody your energy?
Receive its wisdom.
Journal your insights.
The Wisdom of the Horse Spread
Use this simple spread to deepen your connection:
Choose one horse card
Pull three supporting cards for the remaining deck:
How is this energy helping me?
How is it challenging me?
What can I learn next?
Bringing It All Together
The six horses of Tarot offer a powerful framework for:
Personal growth
Emotional healing
Spiritual alignment
Embodied wisdom
When we honour them as conscious beings — not just symbols — they become guides, companions, and teachers on our journey.
Closing Thoughts
May these horses walk beside you as you navigate your path — offering courage, clarity, softness, strength, transformation, and joy.
In the Rider–Waite–Smith images, the rider shows us how we’re trying to move through life — our will, focus, and the stories we tell — while the horse reveals what is carrying us: our instincts, body-wisdom, and spirit’s momentum. Read them together and you get direction; read the horse alone and you meet the deeper medicine underneath the role.
If you’d like to explore this work deeper, connect with me at:
