The Kings
King of Wands
Keywords: Confident, trail-blazing, dynamic, visionary
This King is not the most romantic, but you know you’d have a night to remember. The King of Wands is beyond confident. As the Fire of The FKings, he blazes through expectations, assumptions, and barriers, making change, manifesting-dreams, and conquering fear. He’s a showman and would definitely hang out with the Magician — one wields the power of the elements while the other draws a crowd with his pyrotechnics. The King of Wands teaches us to embrace boldness in our lives. To not be afraid to share our brilliance with the world. His dynamism and charisma make him a genuinely engaging leader with a magnetic presence that brings people together for a cause. The King of Wands brings much-needed optimism and enthusiasm to otherwise uninspiring situations. He’s got this far by making the journey an adventure and guiding us to take calculated risks, pushing us to dream bigger and broader than ever. He leads by example and believes in his ability to make change happen. Self-confidence is his superpower.
King of Cups
Keywords: Enlightened, considerate, sensitive, protective
The King of Cups has gone deep inside and mastered his emotional landscape. He’s spent years on his yoga mat, meditating on his life lessons to understand who he truly is. Like Fire heats Water, the King of Cups has a sensual side that makes him a compelling lover. He’s an attentive listener who is understanding and empathic. He’s emotionally literate and emotionally grounded, too. He’s a New Age dream, in other words! This King encourages us to BE with our feelings actively and use intuition to guide us forward. He’s learned how to manage his emotions and shows up in our lives to teach us the same. He guides us to seek all forms of therapy when needed, to open up and swim in the currents of our being. The King of Cups is the wise father figure of the Court, the one you go to with your problems. He’s a big softie at heart and wields his power with dignity, gentleness, and care.
King of Swords
Keywords: Authoritative, strategic, intellectual, logical
You do NOT want to get into a debate with the King of Swords — he’ll wipe the floor with you. This intellectual gent has the most giant brain of the Court. He values logic and reason above all else, and while he doesn’t always get what the King of Cups is talking about (“he’s too touchy-feely”), he enjoys a kindred connection to The Emperor. The King of Swords carries out exhaustive research before making a decision and wields clarity of thought like it’s his superpower (it is). He processes new information quickly and assesses situations quickly. He’ll pluck a genius idea out of the air and know how to execute it before you’ve even picked up your pen. The King of Swords teaches us to use the power of our mind to clear away anything that stops us from getting to the truth. He champions rational thought over emotional sloppiness (his words, not mine!), and while he’s never intentionally cruel, his serious demeanor makes him appear colder than he actually is. You can forget about being best buds with this King, but you want him on your debating team.
King of Pentacles
Keywords: Entrepreneurial, practical, successful, loyal
The King of Pentacles has worked hard and achieved his goals in the material world. He’s often depicted wearing sumptuous robes surrounded by plants and possessions, the master of all he surveys. The King of Pentacles has the Midas touch regarding new ventures; in the modern world, he’s an entrepreneurial genius. He has high ethical standards and is often conservative in his views. The Fire of Earth makes me think of volcanic eruptions shaping the landscape, and indeed, this King is all about making the world a better place through practical change. The most eco-minded of the Court, he’s not opposed to earthly pleasures as long as they’re sustainably sourced! The King of Pentacles teaches us to take our physical and material needs seriously and reminds us to build strong foundations. A master manifesto, in the Shadowscapes Tarot, this King is depicted as part of a tree — his roots are deep, and he protects those under his care. He’ll never intentionally let you down. He represents safety in all its forms.