King of Swords
Suit: Swords
Element: Air
Function: Intellect, the mind, truth, objectivity
A stern man sits with a sword in his right hand and his left hand closed. The land underneath him is green, and the trees behind him are still. We cannot see his feet, so we don’t how he’s grounded. He’s dressed in blue, the color of the mind and spirit, purple, the color of royalty, and red, the color of passion. His crown has an angel on it, symbolizing transcendence and divine messages. He looks straight ahead as he sits on his throne. There are butterflies carved into it, symbolizing transformation.
The King of Swords is a stern man, but not cruel. He means no harm. He is smart, capable, wise, and just. He will not suffer fools, nor will he argue with them. He doesn’t need to prove anything. He’s not just clever. He’s wise. He picks his battles, and he never chooses them on impulse. He’s a leader, and he doesn’t want to set a bad example.
The King of Swords is aware that he is looked at and mimicked, and that others will do as he does. He is careful about how he presents himself to the world, but he never lies, and he never deceives. The King of Swords is a master of thought, analysis, communication and intellectual pursuits. He need not prove himself to anyone, and he need not continue to challenge himself, either, to prove himself. It’s the king against whatever is new and interesting, not against the world.
The King of Swords shows mastery of the intellect and the mind. It also shows that one appreciates the truth so much that they share it, no matter what the consequences. They are more afraid of perpetuating a lie than they are in letting the truth be known. In fact, when the King of Swords speaks, others may be afraid to test or cross him, knowing that they’re entering a losing battle. The King of Swords, like his Queen, brandish their swords with confidence.
The King of Swords is a decision maker, one who weighs and measures all the options, and like an expert, judges and plans accordingly for maximum results. There is nothing impulsive. Fear, and any other emotion, have no role in his decision making process. He likes rules, and he prefers that they are not broken. Nay, he demands it.
When the king of swords is Reversed:
When the King of Swords is reversed, the querent is just as sharp and intelligent as the King of Swords upright, but uses them for his own gain, to manipulate others, or to hurt others. He may be so in love with rules and ruling that he becomes a tyrant and a bully, and he changes the rules as they suit him, and not as they are fair to others or accurately reflect what is true and just.
The King of Swords reversed may be a poseur, someone who puts on airs but isn’t nearly as smart as they think they are or pretend to be, an intellectual poseur.
In a three-card reading, this card means…
Past: In the past, the querent exercised sound judgment, probably as a leader, and made wise decisions which led them to the current moment.
Present: Currently, the querent is exercising sound judgment, using their wisdom, making sound decisions, and applying rules justly.
Future: In the future, the querent will be better able to use their intellect with courage, and to make decisions that are best for everyone.