The Kings
KINGS – MINOR ARCANA
(TAROT COURSE - LESSON 14)
In the hierarchy of the Minor Arcana, the kings stand at the pinnacle of their respective suits' hierarchical systems. While they are often interpreted as male figures, they can also represent a powerful woman on occasion. The king serves as both the legislator and ruler of his suit, embodying qualities of protection and guardianship. All the cards within their suit fall beneath them in terms of authority. When we closely examine the king cards, we see that each king sits atop the pinnacle of their respective element. For example, the Cup King, representing the element of water, reigns from a throne above the waters, while the Sword King, associated with the element of air, holds court above the clouds. The kings' elevated position symbolizes their higher authority, command, influential position, or superior intellect. This is because the king is the embodiment of the highest intellect.
Kings are often symbols of summits and pinnacle points, signifying the fulfillment of some people's ultimate goals or aspirations. For some, king cards herald the promise of reaching their final destination, while for others, they represent the realization of their desires. The king can be seen as the point where one's goals or rewards are attained. In essence, when you see the king, it signifies that the individual has reached the very last step on the ladder and has ascended to the summit. The king cards offer us the throne and crown of achievement. Seeing the king indicates that the individual has either climbed to the summit or is about to be rewarded from the top. Therefore, these cards are often seen as harbingers of good news and positive developments that come from a higher authority.
Kings are often symbols of summits and pinnacle points, signifying the fulfillment of some people's ultimate goals or aspirations. For some, king cards herald the promise of reaching their final destination, while for others, they represent the realization of their desires. The king can be seen as the point where one's goals or rewards are attained. In essence, when you see the king, it signifies that the individual has reached the very last step on the ladder and has ascended to the summit. The king cards offer us the throne and crown of achievement. Seeing the king indicates that the individual has either climbed to the summit or is about to be rewarded from the top. Therefore, these cards are often seen as harbingers of good news and positive developments that come from a higher authority.
Kings also symbolize stability and order. When you see the king, it suggests that the individual has achieved the stability they longed for and has taken their place on the throne they once dreamed of. King cards are closely tied to being number one and achieving worldly success. The person who ascends to the throne of the king has definitively secured a position and eliminated all potential threats and dangers. Thus, these cards also relate to overcoming all enemies and neutralizing potential threats. It signifies earned success, and the person receiving this card has proven themselves worthy of it.
Kings are authoritative and protectively influential individuals. The orders issued by a king affect not only themselves but also every individual within their hierarchical system. Therefore, when someone sees the king card in a reading, there is a likelihood of benefiting from a high-ranking figure's favor or receiving favorable news from the government. Kings are often associated with figures of authority or rank, such as fathers, bosses, or managers, but they can also represent women who possess masculine qualities, authority, and power.
Although all kings share certain personality traits, each king carries the unique characteristics of their respective suit. The Sword King does not hesitate to use his sword and its deadly power to ensure that his orders are obeyed. The Coin King's power lies in his financial prowess, and he is prepared to use money to open closed doors and can even be generous or, at times, inclined toward bribery. The Cup King is the ruler of the emotional realm and acts based on his feelings. The Wand King's greatest strength is his energy and motivation, and he is eager to get things started.
Kings are generally male and are symbols of strength, charisma, protectiveness, and authority. However, this does not mean they cannot represent a woman when called upon to do so. When representing a woman, they encompass all these masculine traits. The individual represented by the king is a born leader with leadership qualities. The Cup King is compassionate and emotional, the Wand King is powerful and inspiring, the Sword King is intellectual and problem-solving, and the Coin King is practical and financially successful.
Kings are considered the most mature of the court cards. Princes contemplate ideas, knights take action on those ideas, queens nurture those ideas, and kings solidify and stabilize those ideas. Kings are the ones who put their signature under a success and are known to society as the face of that achievement. Kings also represent experience and understanding. When you see the king, it signifies that the individual has deep insight and mastery of the subject. Additionally, they have put an end to chaos and taken complete control. Therefore, they are ready to take firm and decisive steps, possess vision, and enjoy managing and directing.
Kings are responsible individuals who exert influence over others. A king's command affects not only themselves but also everyone within their hierarchical structure. Therefore, kings are driven by a desire to make a difference and leave their mark on the world. They have a penchant for control and possess authority. Physically, they generally represent individuals above the age of 40, although there can be exceptions, and they may sometimes represent younger individuals.
When it comes to kings, what stands out most is the crown on their heads and the throne they sit upon. While they are powerful leaders, they do not achieve all their successes alone. Although princes conceive the ideas, knights act upon them, queens nurture them, and kings stabilize them, society often perceives these achievements as solely the king's success.
Despite the differences in their individual characteristics, all kings share common traits. They are all authoritative and possess decision-making power. Their decisions are unquestionable, and their orders must be obeyed. Kings are natural-born leaders who can change the course of not only their own lives but also the lives of those around them. They wield authority and have the power to influence others.
The Wand King is ablaze with creative energy and life force. He is eager to get started and is on the brink of taking action. Among all the kings, he is the most enterprising and idealistic. The Cup King, on the other hand, is the king of emotions. He reigns over feelings and the subconscious mind, represented by the water element. Love, nostalgia, and everything related to the emotional realm fall under his control. The Sword King appears with a somewhat stern demeanor, ready to eliminate any threats with his sword. Yes, the Sword King will not hesitate to resort to force and violence if necessary. The Coin King, on the other hand, is the closest to earthly matters. He holds the power of financial resources and reigns over the world of finance. He is ready to use money to unlock closed doors, is generous, and can even resort to bribery when necessary.
Kings Reversed:
When kings appear in reverse, they symbolize the nadir and the lowest point. Sometimes, it's the moment of bidding farewell to a long-cherished desire or the onset of a company's bankruptcy. Reversed kings often indicate loss and descent, and in Tarot, their appearance is typically interpreted as bad news. Reversed kings can represent the inability to prevent chaos or disruptions caused by failing to close a chapter properly. They can also suggest a loss of rank or status, sudden termination of employment, or career setbacks.
In a reading where all the kings appear reversed, it is not usually interpreted as good news by many Tarot readers. Reversed kings often signify dead-end situations or unfinished tasks. Therefore, individuals who frequently see kings in their readings may reach the end of a venture but fail to succeed due to a final obstacle. In essence, a reversed king represents failure or negative news. When kings appear reversed, the king falls from his throne and loses his crown. Therefore, they may bring news of unfulfilled rewards, even though they were expected.
When kings appear upright, they represent stability and order. However, when reversed, they can symbolize instability and poor leadership. A reversed king may be someone who has failed to prevent chaos and has made one wrong decision after another. Additionally, this failure not only affects the individual but also everyone around them, plunging them into trouble. A reversed king can indicate the need for radical changes in leadership and management.