King of Cups
Keywords & phrases
- Balanced, compassionate leadership
- Emotional maturity & mastery
- Self-controlled, level-headed
- Committed & loyal
- Negotiator, diplomat
- Calm under pressure
King of Cups
Keywords & phrases
- Balanced, compassionate leadership
- Emotional maturity & mastery
- Self-controlled, level-headed
- Committed & loyal
- Negotiator, diplomat
- Calm under pressure
First impressions
Here is a man who remains calm (and supportive) in stormy weather.
What is happening in the card?
The King of Cups sits calmly on his throne on a stone platform. He is surrounded by the ocean on all sides. It looks like a rough day out on the water as a ship in the distance, with sails full of wind, can be seen pitching in the waves.
He wears robes of blue and gold with a covered crown and a conch shell hangs from a chain on his neck. In his hands, he holds a sceptre and a golden cup.
His gaze is directed off to his left, deep in thought. On his other side a fish, emblem of the Suit of Cups, jumps out of the water.
How can we relate to this card?
The King of Cups is the master or ruler of the suit of Water- the realm of feelings, emotions, relationships, intuition and creativity.
Kings display maturity, authority and the mastery of their suit. They speak of accomplishment, responsibility and discipline and as with the other court cards they can represent an aspect of your personality or a masculine energy or person in authority in your life.
The King of Cups is in charge of his emotions. He will remain calm and in control in emotionally turbulent situations. As a master of his emotions, he understands what those around him are going through making him a compassionate leader (colleague, boss, father figure, partner, brother).
However, on the flip side, this mastery when poorly directed can be manipulative – using others’ emotions against them rather than connecting with them.
Elements, numbers, symbols & imagery
- Kings – element of Air, the realm of thoughts, words, patterns of thinking and behaviour
- Cups – the suit of the element of Water
- Shell – symbolic of the element of Water, protection
- Fish – emblem of the Suit of Cups, symbolic of emotion, intuition & creativity
Emotions expressed
- Self-control
- Compassion
- Balance
- Peace
” Compassion and tolerance are not a sign of weakness, but a sign of strength.”
~ Dalai Lama
“Compassionate people are geniuses in the art of living, more necessary to the dignity, security, and joy of humanity than the discoverers of knowledge.”
~ Albert Einstein
Other associations
Tree of life:
*Kings may be associated with the 2nd Sephira of Chokmah – Wisdom, Supernal Father, Primal Masculine energy
Thoth:
Knight of Cups, Neptune in Pisces
Golden Dawn title:
The Prince of the Chariot of the Waves
Elemental association:
Air of Water
Astrological association:
**Pisces
Major Arcana:
Associated with The Emperor
*Tree of Life associations for the court cards differ depending on what system you go with.
** Kings may be associated with the mutable signs of their element.
Message & affirmations
Today I show up in my life, work and relationships with love, compassion and tolerance.
Explore the Tarot deck with me
This is a work in progress, a project far from complete. I’m exploring traditional and personal meanings for the Tarot cards in a semi-orderly fashion. Please take a look by clicking on the cards below. Or you can pick a card to see what comes up for you today.
