Keywords & phrases

• Strong leadership
• Seeker & speaker of truth
• Intellectual maturity & mastery
• Mental clarity & vision
• Focused
• Highly rational, logical
• Pragmatic

First impressions

Like the Emperor, this King looks you directly in the eye. You have his attention. Now what?

What is happening in the card?

The King of Swords sits on his high-backed throne, carved with butterflies and angels.

There are clouds in the sky and two birds can be seen flying high above the landscape. In the distance are tall trees, a body of water and just visible on the horizon a mountain.

He wears robes of red and sky blue, a purple cloak and a golden crown over a red headdress. He holds his sword in his right hand. It is angled slightly away from him – unlike the fixed upright position we see in the Queen of Swords.

His expression is inscrutable as he looks directly out of the card. His focus on the here and now, not prone to distractions.

How can we relate to this card?

The King of Swords is the master or ruler of the suit Air, the realm of thoughts, words, patterns of thinking and behaviour.

Kings display maturity, authority and the mastery of their suit. Air of Air, this king is fully in his element. In control of his thoughts, words and actions.

Leaders of their suit, Kings represent 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.

When the King of Swords appears it my signal that it’s time to take a cold hard look at a situation. To put sentiment aside and a take logical, rational, pragmatic approach.

Other associations

Tree of life:
*Kings may be associated with the 2nd Sephira of Chokmah – Wisdom, Supernal Father, Primal Masculine energy

Thoth:
Knight of Swords, Mercury in Gemini

Golden Dawn title:
Lord of the Winds and Breezes, King of the Spirit of Air

Elemental association:
Air of Air

Astrological association:
**Gemini

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 honesty and integrity.

My personal experiences of this card

Just this week I had a double King of Swords reading – meaning he popped up twice in the same 3-card reading.

Big message. Huge.

I had a work situation with a client that required me to draw on all my powers of truth and integrity and my ability to draw boundaries for myself. For my protection and theirs.

I have been through this identical lesson 3 times now. And this time, because I’m not effing doing this again, I commit to the following:

Next time I will know better and I will say “no”.

With truth, integrity and compassion, I will say no.

The King of Swords also brings to my mind the Tony Robbins Now I am the Voice incantation…

Events, situations & readings

In a relationship spread:
The King of Swords could point to a lover/love interest or yourself in a relationship. If you’re female then he could represent the level of masculine energy that you are bringing to the relationship. 

In a work/career spread:
The King of Swords could represent a boss (male or female) who leads with honesty and integrity. Or it may stand for you and how you are relating to colleagues (subordinates) at work.

Questions, prompts & insights

Where do you need to take the lead in your life? What should you step up and take responsibility for?

What sort of leader or role model are you? Honest, clear thinking… fair.

Do you recognise yourself or another in this King card? Do you need to channel this energy or dampen it?

Featured decks:
Main image from The Rider Waite Tarot.