Enchanted Spirit Tarot Class 1


	INTERPRETING TAROT: THE BOOK OF LIFE LESSON SEVEN

Summary of Lesson Six
Queens – Upright and Reversed
Kings – Upright and Reversed

SUMMARY OF LESSON SIX

In LESSON SIX, we introduced Court Cards into the mix and meaning of life that the Tarot depicts. Court Cards represent the people and personality traits that are part of and influencing the issue in question. When they appear in a reading, personal needs, reactions, and choices are involved in both the situation that exists and the result toward which it is heading. And because people are complex and multifaceted, the Court Cards and their meanings are as well.
They can represent "other people" who are impacting or are a part of the situation being considered . . . and the answer the cards are trying to describe. They can represent aspects in the personality of the person asking the question. They can represent character traits and attitudes that are either helping or hindering matters. They can represent roles someone is playing. They can represent qualities that need to either be used properly or used differently . . . depending on the position they occupy in a layout and sometimes with regard to the surrounding cards. They can represent stages of personal growth. They can represent parts of the querent's character s/he does not know about or want to admit. And, like the number cards, they can represent events. But they don't necessarily represent just one of the things I've listed.
Moreover, court cards of one sex can represent real people of the opposite sex who are accessing their "opposite sex energy." In other words, female court cards can describe human males who are using their "feminine side" or "female qualities," and male court cards can represent real life women.
Court Cards, like the numeric cards, are segregated into suits. Rods people represent fire sign energy. They display and operate on personal charisma and are concerned with things like competition, ambition, initiative, and direct, unabashed energetic drive and creative effort. They are concerned with glory, goals, leadership, success based on personal charisma and personal merit, and having the freedom to do as they please.
Positively expressing Rods people are enthusiastic, inspirational, energetic, direct, exuberant, forceful, candid, self-confident, honest, high-spirited, assertive and independent. When stressed, or when accessing their own energies improperly (as indicated usually by reversed Rods court cards), these people can be willful, pushy, arrogant, vain, dishonest, tactless, argumentative, uncooperative, headstrong, zealous, and even violent.
Cups people represent water sign energy. They display and operate on feelings, emotions, intuition and instinct and are concerned with things like artistic expression; emotional satisfaction; the establishment of deep, meaningful, personal relationships; the experience of love; the use of their creative imaginations; being in touch with their intuition; the enjoyment of marriage, family, friendship, romance, social involvements . . . and "finding happiness."
Positively expressing Cups people are sensitive, compassionate, empathetic, intuitive, artistic, imaginative, mystical, emotional, romantic, and self-sacrificing. When stressed, or when accessing their own energies improperly (as indicated usually by reversed Cups court cards), these people can be hypersensitive, insecure, anxious, suspicious, paranoid, morbidly imaginative, moody, full of doubts and fears, neurotic, needy, dependent, lazy, addictive, gullible . . . and in extreme cases self-defeating and self-destructive.
Swords people represent air sign energy. They are people of the mind and intellect who display, value, and operate on reasoning, thought, mental energy, analytical thinking, language and communications skills, science, the capacity for gathering and processing information, discrimination and concentration, and their mind's ability to deal with and understand the world and make decisions consciously within such a context.
Positively expressing Swords people are decisive, intelligent, insightful, fair, humane, and skilled at communicating. When stressed, or when accessing their own energies improperly (as indicated usually by reversed Swords court cards), these people can be embittered, malicious, prejudiced, cynical, suspicious, severely judgmental, controlling, possessive, spiteful, self-righteous, and dictatorial.
Pentacles people represent earth sign energy. They are involved with the world of professional accomplishment, the acquisition and manipulation of material resources, and all aspects of physical existence – including health issues and proper maintenance and care of the physical body. They work with and believe in things that can be physically sensed and measured. They are concerned with financial interests, business activities, trade, practicality, results, manifestations, stamina, efficiency, wellness, grounding, building, and "getting things done."
Positively expressing Pentacles people are dependable, stable, practical, cautious, conservative, traditional, methodical, materialistic, discriminating, careful, thorough, and exact. When stressed or when accessing their own energies improperly (as indicated usually by reversed Pentacles court cards), these people can be greedy, lazy, status-seeking, grasping, offensively materialistic, careless, financially selfish and manipulative, devious, fraudulent, and underhanded in their dealings with money and physical resources.
There are four different divisions in each suit, Pages (or Princesses, or Daughters, etc., in some decks), Knights (or Princes, or Sons), Queens (or Mothers), and Kings (or Fathers.) Each handles the level of his (or her) energy in different ways, and each represents a state of development and maturity as well as possibly chronological age.
Pages represent children or very young teens or people just beginning to work with, learn, express and utilize the energy of their element. Therefore this is a developing and rather immature expression of energy. These are people who are advancing their education about life and the world and taking a risk to do something new. As "events," these cards often represent news, the arrival of information, the discovery of facts and possibilities, or the receipt of messages.
Upright Pages represent people (or children) embarking on new cycles of learning, discovering new ways of asserting themselves and their interests, and gaining a new sense of who they are and what they can do with their personal power. But because Pages also deal with "stages of growth and learning" as well as chronological age, a Page can also represent a mature, even elderly adult, who is working on a very new level of skill and development for him. The key here is, first and foremost, the "newness" of the energy working at its present expression..
Reversed Pages represent people who are stuck in an unproductive cycle of learning. They are not making progress either through laziness, or because of flawed perspectives, or by not applying what they know to good advantage. They are not asserting themselves properly . . . either by not asserting themselves sufficiently or by doing so offensively. They also represent information that is somehow faulty or wrong, either through mistakes, deceit, fraud, delayed delivery, inappropriate timing, lack of completeness, or improper understanding and application, etc.
Knights represent young adults or people with a moderate amount of maturity and experience at their disposal in dealing with, expressing and utilizing the energy of their element. They are still learning, but they are, in fact, very focused on the life lessons they are involved with and encountering. They are beginning to exert a bit of their own authority and are interested in communicating themselves to others and are intent on expanding their sphere of personal influence. As "events," these cards often represent "doing something constructive" to further personal interests, "taking a stand," "defending or advancing" goals and ambitions.
Upright Knights represent people focusing on and committing themselves to fulfilling cycles of learning, discovery and self-assertion. They are completely immersed in the tasks they have set for themselves and dedicated to attaining the goals they want to achieve. Knights have intensity when it comes to performance and to accomplishing their ambitions. They represent purpose, courage, fixation and energy. They are movers and shakers who make things happen.
Reversed Knights represent people who are "stuck in mid-stream" on the cycle of learning, discovery and self-assertion. They have become focused on ineffective methods or elusive goals. They are off course and either going the wrong direction . . . or at the very least getting nowhere fast. They have succumbed to tunnel-vision, and may be victims now of their own stubbornness. Their intensity is not only failing to get them what they want, but it is becoming increasingly more offensive in its expression. They are too dogmatic, too narrow in their focus . . . and their fervor has become dysfunctional zealousness. They need to relax and ease up a bit.
Moving on now, let's talk about Queens and Kings . . . upright and reversed.

QUEENS

Queens represent expressions of mature female energy, working through either the personality of a real human being (male or female), as an overall attitude present in the situation being considered, or as an event that manifests this energy in physical reality. Queens bestow an atmosphere of nurturing, protecting, loving, and supporting with a distinct maternal cast to the energy involved. They show a history of focus and work that has gone into reaching this stage of fulfillment.
These people know instinctively when to be soft and "understanding" and when to be firm and insistent. They have the skill to help matters develop with the wise direction of "mothering energy" at its highest level. They have "heart" and the intuitive understanding that mature female energy offers in such abundance. They are the peak expression of yin energy characteristics according to their suit.
Upright Queens represent people who are helping others learn how to meet the world using the qualities of the suit they represent. They are firm in their sense of who they are and what they can accomplish, but they are also compassionate and empathetic enough to be loving teachers for those who are not so well-developed yet. Upright Queen energy is the archetype of the "good mother" who knows how to nurture, protect, and encourage fragile young growth. Upright Queens that depict "real people" are usually indeed talking about women whose behaviors and attitudes offer others the best qualities of their suit.

When Queen energy combines with the Fire element of Rods, you have a person expressing the most positive aspects of feminine leadership energy. She is deeply involved with self-knowledge, spiritual interests, the nurturing of personal charisma and a positive self-image in others, and interested in furthering her own personal development and transformation. This generally depicts a woman of vision, patience, and knowledge whose attitudes and behavior reflect a strong, realistic, benevolent knowledge of who she is and what she can do.
This woman is poised, honorable, trustworthy, dignified, strong, decisive, philosophical, competent and discerning. She is able to help others learn by her example and access and develop these qualities in themselves. She is an keen, responsible advisor. She knows the power available to those who believe in themselves and boldly pursue the attainment of personal goals. She values ethics, self-confidence, personal commitment and integrity, individualism, and courage. There is a strong spiritual component to her personality, and she may be openly religious
As an "attitude" . . . the Queen of Rods depicts being independent, dramatic, self-expressive, charming, diplomatic, competent, and discerning. It denotes being able to inspire confidence and courage in others, encouraging people to be true to themselves and to develop their personal gifts, and helping people reach for the leadership roles and life lessons that will allow them to share their best abilities and fulfill their individual potential.
As an "event" . . . the Queen of Rods indicates the experience or opportunity to manifest the caring, compassionate example of helping others be "who they were meant to be." It may indicate the need to make a decision, to exert "feminine nurturing and influence" to help a choice or situation be constructive and advantageous, or creating circumstances of cooperation and harmony that will let you – or others also – move forward with confidence, faith and direction. It can also indicate meeting someone who can act as an example in applying these qualities to good advantage.

When Queen energy combines with the Water element of Cups, you have a person expressing the most positive aspects of feminine emotional and artistic energy. She is dedicated to home and family; deeply in touch with her own emotional dimensions; able to express these as a supportive examples for others; and she relies on intuition, feelings, imagination, and empathy more than logic in the conduct of her life and relationships. This depicts a woman sensitive to the needs and psyches of those around her and who can connect with others on a deeply emotional basis.
This woman is imaginative, honest, loyal, devoted, and helpful. She can put her visions into practice and uses her intuitive sense to help others find their own emotional depths and expressions. She can be reclusive and hard to reach on an intimate level, possibly because she herself is so "deep" that few can meet her on her own private inner ground. She is, however, an extremely compassionate confidante and friend . . . who possesses inner love and knows how to "give it away" constructively to support others.
As an "attitude" . . . the Queen of Cups depicts being poetic, dreamy, sensitive, compassionate, emotional, empathetic, sentimental, and artistic. It also denotes being imaginative, loving, devoted, faithful, affectionate, soothing, and somewhat emotionally vulnerable and moody. It also represents preferring the safety of home and intimate relationships to grappling with the challenges of career or "the outside world."
As an "event" . . . the Queen of Cups indicates an experience or opportunity of knowing you are protected by love, warmth, and caring – or being able to provide this amply for others. It can also indicate the pursuit of creative energies; the beginning of a positive new relationship; the decision to follow your artistic or spiritual interests and visions; a time of being empathetic, compassionate, and responsive; or becoming engaged in interests that include the occult, psychology, philosophy, religion and mysticism. It also shows being open to new visions and possibilities and following the promptings of your heart.

When Queen energy combines with the Air element of Swords, you have a person expressing the most positive aspects of feminine intellectual energy. She is subtle, keen and quick-witted, with a perceptive, independent mind. She is intensely confident, ingenious, clever and bright. She works well with ideas, information, theories, and concepts. She is often well-educated, liberal-minded, philosophical, dimensional and profound in her viewpoints, able to think for herself, and prefers to work alone.
This woman is insightful, strong-willed, assertive, hard-working, capable, self-disciplined, and strong. She is able to help others access their own conscience and philosophical center. She is able to teach them how to handle information and to love the process of learning. She is an excellent counselor, but she dislikes dealing with people who won't correct their own personal weaknesses. She handles situations capably, quickly and efficiently . . . and is good at distilling thoughts and issues down to their essences. She uses her own mind as one of her best personal gifts.
As an "attitude" . . . the Queen of Swords depicts dispassionately analyzing both sides of an issue, making accurate judgments, and coming to fair, well-considered decisions. It indicates being objective and somewhat solitary and remote – self-controlled, self-directed, and self-reliant. It also shows being individualistic, strongly opinionated, analytical, and mentally astute.
As an "event" . . . the Queen of Swords indicates an experience of being focused, generous, clear, insightful and communicative, of growing intellectually and adding to your fund of information and the wisdom you have to share. It denotes a time of learning and teaching . . . and being especially perceptive, intellectually sharp, deep, discerning and analytical. It describes an incident of applying extensive knowledge of yourself and of the world: of fighting for what you know is right, and refusing to tolerate stuffy situations, narrow-minded people, and small-minded ideas.

When Queen energy combines with the Earth element of Pentacles, you have a person expressing the most positive aspects of practical, professional feminine energy. She is someone with good business sense and financial skills – often involved with her own career interests. She knows how to utilize the resources and talents of others in integrated efforts that benefit all contributors, and through her own vision and coordination capabilities, she promotes harmony in thinking and development of new ideas. She is interested in practical, financial, and physical matters – and often in issues of health, diet, and nutrition.
This woman has a great sense of responsibility and duty. She likes routine, established work, is willing to work hard, and has abundant energy to discharge the commitments she accepts. She is able to provide security for others, and will instinctively supply what is needed for proper maintenance and functioning of those in her care. She values security and stability – and knows how to create such conditions. She enjoys the luxuries she earns as well as her own security and personal independence. She is most likely involved in the business world, prominent in social and cultural activities, supportive of the arts, and known for her handling of civic responsibilities.
As an "attitude" . . . the Queen of Pentacles depicts being generous, secure, prosperity-minded, practical, thoughtful, charitable, confident, realistic, productive, cautious, conservative, trustworthy and emotionally mature. This is the attitude of "taking care of business" . . . on all levels of meaning.
As an "event" . . . the Queen of Pentacles indicates meeting a situation where ideas need to be pragmatic, constructive and well-organized, and where you are willing to invest time, energy, money, thought, and other personal resources to helping others become secure and able to care for themselves physically and materially. It denotes a time of accepting practical responsibility, of learning to nurture and provide for both yourself and others. It describes meeting commitments and obligations with grace and style – and being an example of this for others. It may also describe meeting someone who provides a greater example of these things for you, thereby furthering your education in such matters.

Reversed Queens represent people who are isolated, lonely, parasitical, dependent, insecure, unjustifiably proud of themselves and "their position" in life, and unwilling or unable to nurture and care for even themselves properly . . . let alone assume responsibility for anyone else. They may be smug and complacent in their present level of achievement . . . and thus have stopped growing, evolving and developing.
They have stagnated at a level of competence that is going nowhere and they have now become a substantial drain on those around them. They have lost sight of who they are and what they can accomplish when they put themselves fully into the task at hand. Instead, they may be fixated on a flawed image of their own worth and contributions. They are definitely more concerned with being "taken care of" than of seeing to the needs and requirements of those around them.
They have become shallow, status-conscious individuals who are now an example of what not to be. The generosity of Queen energy is no longer expressing itself effectively at all.

When reversed Queen energy combines with the Fire element of Rods, you have a person expressing the negative aspects of feminine leadership energy. It depicts someone domineering, obstinate, vengeful, cruel, egotistical, insecure in her own identity, insincere, shallow, condescending, and jealous. It also shows someone who misuses her own power and undermines the self-confidence of others . . . often in order to feel more powerful or more secure in herself and her position.
This is someone who is strict and dominating, who often has trouble controlling her temper, who can turn again someone without cause, and who wants to bend others to her will and "make a good impression on the right people." She may like to nit-pick, to "show people up," to point out flaws and shortcomings in others, to "draw comparisons" between people – often in ways that cast her in an unjustifiably favorable light. She does not encourage individuality or initiative. She wants to give orders and have them obeyed. This is a "Me First" and "My Way" kind of woman.
(Note also: this reversed Queen may be describing a man rather than a woman . . . in which case he may be showing the positive attributes of the upright Queen of Rods. The reversed card is telling you that something about this energy is "not straightforward." You, as the reader, need to discover exactly what is being said in this situation. This is true for all the reversed Queens we will discuss in this section.)
As an "attitude" . . . the reversed Queen of Rods depicts being demanding, rigid, controlling, unmindful of the feelings of others, merciless, embittered, domineering, petty, and narrow-minded. This energy is describing serious problems stemming from a lack of self-confidence . . . and all that goes with trying to compensate for this.
As an "event" . . . the reversed Queen of Rods describes a situation in which someone is using force to gain goals and ambitions; being ruthlessly competitive or vengeful; being angry, resentful and jealous; and having a chronically bad attitude. You may find yourself being attacked or bullied – or behaving this way yourself. In the circumstances here, someone is being pushy, manipulative, selfish . . . and may be twisting information into such loops and exaggerations as to constitute lies.

When reversed Queen energy combines with the Water element of Cups, you have a person expressing the negative aspects of feminine emotional and artistic energy. It depicts someone immoral, dishonest, promiscuous, frigid, jealous, and resentful. It can also show someone frightfully hypersensitive and out of control regarding her emotions, someone who "means well" but can't be trusted, someone moody, complaining, fretful, whining, and self-pitying. She may also be clinging, helpless, manipulative, and guilt-mongering.
This is someone who constantly "misreads" the emotional atmosphere surrounding her. She may attribute motives and feelings to others that are totally off-base and untrue. She often claims to be "sensitive" or even "psychic," when the truth is, she is a victim of her own delusions, ungrounded in reality, caught up in illusions, unrealistic dreams and fantasies, morbid worries and negative imaginings. She "worries." She is often depressed and anxious . . . is fixated on her own unhappiness and may chronically deal with emotional problems and even substance abuse. This woman can also be the sexually shallow "Mistress of the Game" regarding her conduct in intimate relationships.
(Note also: this reversed Queen may be describing a man rather than a woman . . . in which case he may be showing the positive attributes of the upright Queen of Cups. The reversed card is telling you that something about this energy is "not straightforward." You, as the reader, need to discover exactly what is being said in this situation.)
As an "attitude" . . . the reversed Queen of Cups depicts being weak, fragile, indecisive, fearful, vulnerable, victimized and "martyred." It shows exaggerated emphasis on having feelings and needs "taken into account" by others . . . to the point of using moods, emotional states, and "hurt feelings" to manipulate people. It shows being neurotic, dependent, feeble, "sick," and "powerless." Often hypochondria and psychosomatic physical symptoms are present in this energy. This energy is describing serious emotional problems – often involving themes of distorted "love" and maternal caring . . . and all that goes with trying to compensate for this..
As an "event" . . . the reversed Queen of Cups describes a situation where someone is being self-centered, emotionally dishonest and manipulative, and "playing games." It can show an encounter with someone seductive, self-serving, bad tempered, and conspiring. It can show involvement in intrigue or circumstances where someone harbors a grudge. It can show a bad experience where someone is being weak, passive, moody, and paranoid – and causing all the obvious problems that can result from this behavior.

When reversed Queen energy combines with the Air element of Swords, you have a person expressing the negative aspects of feminine intellectual energy. It depicts someone self-righteous, unhappy, intolerant, and unable to see another 's point of view. This person is virtually defined by her ridiculing, critical, judgmental opinions. She uses her mind to dominate and hurt others – often by letting them fall on their face in making serious mistakes . . . then she points out what was wrong with their thinking.
This is someone whose mind runs to cunning, scheming, manipulative, and devious plans. Her judgments are prejudiced, accusatory, one-sided, misinformed and harsh. She usually has a chip on her shoulder and may turn vengeful when she thinks she's been wronged or slighted. She blames others for her lack of accomplishment and refusal to grow. This is a self-pitying, back-stabbing, "my way or the highway" kind of woman. She is literally known (as the Queen of Spades in traditional card games) as "The Bitch."
(Note also: this reversed Queen may be describing a man rather than a woman . . . in which case he may be showing the positive attributes of the upright Queen of Swords. The reversed card is telling you that something about this energy is "not straightforward." You, as the reader, need to discover exactly what is being said in this situation.)
As an "attitude" . . . the reversed Queen of Swords depicts being unreliable, intellectually vicious, narrow-minded, gossipy, malicious, sly, prudish, cruel, antagonistic, caustic, overpowering, sarcastic, critical and opinionated. This energy is describing serious problems stemming from personal insecurity, an atrophied sense of empathy and emotional connection, and the habits of using one's mind as a weapon against others . . . and all that goes with trying to compensate for this.
As an "event" . . . the reversed Queen of Swords describes a situation in which someone one is chronically stuck in viewpoints and opinions that are negative, cynical, suspicious and discouraging. It can depict an encounter with someone who is bitter, hurtful, sarcastic, critical, petty, and mean. It is an experience of being or encountering something poisonous and hateful – possibly in the form of an actual person. It also suggests being chronically victimized, or being in situations of retaliation and revenge. It describes a need to learn to use substantial mental powers more positively, to find answers and offer help rather than getting stuck in complaints, criticism, and fault-finding.

When reversed Queen energy combines with the Earth element of Pentacles, you have a person expressing the negative aspects of practical, professional feminine energy. It depicts someone helpless, lazy, impractical, wasteful, superficial, irresponsible, dependent on others, changeable, parasitical . . . someone who fears failure and so makes no use of her skills and abilities.
This is someone with great dreams and plans – often related to career progress, but no actual achievement. She is materialistic, discontented, non-committal, untrustworthy, disorganized, and messy. She is status-seeking as a way to gain feelings of self-worth and value. She wants to be "taken care of" . . . because she can't (or won't) take care of herself. She may want to help others, yet can't find harmony and direction in her own life. She is scattered, wavering, and unfocused. She will also show a poor sense of values and confused ambitions; be hard to get along with; and be lost, restless, complaining, stagnant, and "helpless." This is the status-seeking, "Uncrowned Royalty" kind of woman.
(Note also: this reversed Queen may be describing a man rather than a woman . . . in which case he may be showing the positive attributes of the upright Queen of Pentacles. The reversed card is telling you that something about this energy is "not straightforward." You, as the reader, need to discover exactly what is being said in this situation.)
As an "attitude" . . . the reversed Queen of Pentacles depicts being insecure, immature, unfocused, lazy, hedonistic, materialistic, and lacking practical sense and accomplishments. It describes taking the path of least resistance, ignoring what one cannot face, lacking motivation, being unable to take care of oneself, and having little financial power or independence. This energy is describing serious problems stemming from a lack of self-worth, career achievements, and willingness to take practical responsibility for one's choices and life situation . . . and all that goes with trying to compensate for this.
As an "event" . . . the reversed Queen of Pentacles describes a situation in which someone is relying on others to make decisions that she should make for herself, being in a very precarious and unstable financial position because of personal choices and a lack of focused effort, blaming others for one's own situation and problems rather than seeking effective solutions, and defining people according to the money they have or what they own . . . rather than more "human" qualities of value. It also describes an experience where one finds a substantial need to rediscover one's practical independence, one's ability to be self-supporting and self-reliant, and one's ability to make decisions and achieve concrete goals.

KINGS

Kings represent expressions of mature male energy, working through either the personality of a real human being (male or female), as an overall attitude present in the situation being considered, or as an event that manifests this energy in physical reality. Kings bring an atmosphere of governing, direction, power, assertion, maturity, mastery and authority. They show experience, status, completion, highly refined ability, and the masculine wisdom of struggle, competition, dominion, sovereignty, and worldly experience.
These people know instinctively how to mentor, discipline, direct, command, and exert positive control and influence over those for whom they are responsible. They have insight, power, prestige, charisma, and the ability to rule with the wise direction of "fathering energy" at its highest level. They tend to rule with the "head" rather than the "heart" . . . but with the compassion and grace that mature male energy offers in such abundance. They are the peak expression of yang energy characteristics according to their suit.
They are also the highest level of attainment in their suit . . . with the ability to release the full expression of their power into the next generation where it will continue to find its own path of development, and they further have the knowledge that doing so is the ultimate stage of their personal responsibility in this life..
Upright Kings represent people who are actively directing less mature and well-developed people in mastering the skills of meeting the world using the qualities of the suit they represent. Queens traditionally are the "mothers" who tend to younger children who are still "at home" and in need of "maternal care," Kings are the "fathers" who assume more direct control over youths and young adults and teach the "next generation" how to navigate, conduct themselves in the outside world, succeed on secular levels, and ultimately prepare themselves to "pass the torch" in their turn to the next generation when the time comes.
Upright Kings know how to "get things done" in the way of an effective general or president strategically managing the human resources at his control. While mindful of individuals and the importance of "personal contributions" to overall success, Kings tend to be more focused on "group good and group goals" than are Queens.
Again the division between Kings and Queens tends to fall across the expressions of masculine and feminine (yang and yin) energy. Upright Kings are the "good fathers" whose support and guidance teach their children how to "make it" in the world. Upright Kings that depict "real people" are usually talking about men whose behaviors and attitudes offer others the best qualities of their suit.

When King energy combines with the Fire element of Rods, you have a person expressing the most positive aspects of masculine leadership energy – competent and effective in his ability to serve as a positive mentoring example for others. He is independent, influential, calm, intent, inventive, steadfast, truthful, and honest. This is a man of great vision and integrity who enjoys starting new things. He has great faith in himself and unswerving dedication to his philosophic principles and ethics. He has a penetrating mind that blends traditional methods with progressive insights. He is goal-directed and may feel an active sense of "spiritual mission" regarding his personal energy and his life.
This is a man of great probity and strong values who, as a mentor, is able to help people evolve – and consciously interested in making this happen. He loves living, displays a joyful sense of excitement and adventure in his approach to life, is courageous, friendly, decisive, charismatic, fair, secure in his own identity, and feels no need to defend who he is. He has an extraordinarily well-established way of operating in the world and may be openly "religious" in his conscientious dedication to his spiritual principles.
As an "attitude" . . . the King of Rods depicts being happy, positive, courageous and enterprising, being "a master in the game of life," and able to show others how to find this place for themselves. It shows being a mentor and benefactor regarding one's spiritual direction and sense of self-identity . . . in all possible ways.
As an "event" . . . the King of Rods indicates an experience of showing what you believe by "living the vision" in concrete, discernible, obvious ways; doing what it takes to inspire and assist others in reaching this level also; finding an opportunity to express these extremely positive parts of yourself; or finding yourself in the company of or under the influence of someone who is expressing this extraordinarily positive masculine energy.

When King energy combines with the Water element of Cups, you have a person expressing the most positive aspects of masculine emotional and artistic energy – dedicated to supporting and protecting his loved ones. He is emotionally integrated, artistically proficient, and able to serve as a positive mentoring example for others. He is kind and considerate. He takes an interest in religion, culture, and the arts and sciences. He covers his deeply responsive emotional nature with a serene demeanor, and shows quiet but unmistakable power. He has a sensitive, creative, artistic temperament. He is a considerate lover who understands the power and magic of love's healing qualities. He is an attentive listener, an empathetic and wise counselor who radiates understanding and confidence. He is an artist and poet in his own fashion.
This person has a deep understanding of life and its inner psychological and spiritual meaning. He seeks to creative positive, nurturing, supportive situations for himself and those around him. He is always deeply sincere. He has resolve, moral courage and a strong emotional attachment to his beliefs. This is a man with tremendous subconscious powers of emotion, intuition, imagination and creativity, but he usually presents a quiet, intellectual exterior. Only with intimates do his deep feelings and profound caring become evident.
As an "attitude" . . . the King of Cups depicts being generous, empathetic, profoundly compassionate and "connected," creative, devoted, and extraordinarily giving of oneself. It shows being involved with family and cultural interests, and being able to generate tremendous creative vision . . . with the capacity to follow this through to complete physical manifestation.
As an "event" . . . the King of Cups indicates an experience of being involved with phenomenal creative and emotional energy; being able to help others get in touch with their feelings in exceptional ways; finding an opportunity to express these extremely positive parts of yourself, or finding yourself in the company of or under the influence of someone who is expressing this extraordinarily positive masculine energy.

When King energy combines with the Air element of Swords, you have a person expressing the most positive aspects of masculine intellectual energy – someone whose prominence and philosophical development in this area is able to serve as a positive mentoring example for others. This man is a "fighter," a survivor, and may have a distinct "militaristic" bearing. He is not a quitter when the going gets tough. He is a charismatic protector and defender of his own viewpoints and philosophical ideals. He is an authority who shows great intelligence and originality in his work. His mind is his most effective tool.
This man is a wise counselor with many helpful ideas, thoughts, concepts, theories, and designs. He is a person of little sentimentality, but is, indeed, a master of reasoning, thought, analytical ability, language, science, and logic . . . with pronounced skill and capacity for gathering and processing information. He is articulate and cautious, a person who thinks carefully before committing himself. He is impartial, fair, and philosophical . . . a reader and writer who keeps his feelings private, has great faith in his own beliefs and opinions, and achieves his goals through diplomacy, debate, and persuasion.
As an "attitude" . . . the King of Swords depicts being strong, assertive, shrewd, insightful, authentic, genuine, strong-willed, self-disciplined, and self-actualized. It shows having focus, willpower, intention, concentration, the "courage of your convictions," passionate thinking, and determination. The atmosphere here is that of being dedicated to knowledge, truth, and justice.
As an "event" . . . the King of Swords indicates an experience of using discrimination and judgment, exercising clear thinking, seeing the "big picture" or the "whole vision" of what you think life is about, using your mind's capacity to its fullest extent in some field of personal authority or expertise, making good decisions, showing keen intellectual understanding, or making exceptionally fine use of reason and judgement. It can also show finding yourself in the company or under the influence of someone who is expressing this extraordinarily positive masculine energy.

When King energy combines with the Earth element of Pentacles, you have a person expressing the most positive aspects of practical, professional masculine energy – someone who is able to serve as a positive mentoring example for others in the use of physical, material, and financial resources. This is the traditionally "successful man" . . . the businessman and entrepreneur who may have sacrificed a lot emotionally to achieve the status he now enjoys. He is a provider and achiever who shows affections with money and gifts . . . and may measure others' importance to him by their financial worth. He is firm in his outer material security, and generates profits through ethical transactions and sound financial judgments.
This is a man of sound mind, shrewd judgment and even temperament who has reached his accomplishments through diligence and perseverance. He is virtually the walking embodiment of abundance, the "successful harvest" of investments, and manifest prosperity consciousness. As a personality, he is reliable, solid, steady, methodical, conventional, and shows a great respect for tradition and established authority.
As an "attitude" . . . the King of Pentacles depicts being methodical, logical, analytical, practical, resourceful, calm, focused, financially ethical and prudent, and involved in making sound personal and financial investments and reaping profits.
As an "event" . . . the King of Pentacles indicates an experience of seeking tangible, reliable, prudent and material results from a time of effort and personal investment; investing in the hard work and perseverance to develop assets that will pay off richly; placing emphasis on practical matters and "reality;" being conservative; showing serious commitment to work, money, reputation, and professional accomplishment; giving time and effort to achieving career status, solid results, securing your financial future, using material and physical resources wisely, showing proficiency and competence, and living a healthy lifestyle.

Reversed Kings represent people who are out of touch with their true selves and the needs of others in their world. They are vain, cold, power-mad, self-righteous, closed-minded, locked into extremely negative manifestations of their own personality, and may be actively – even consciously – violent and abusive in the life strategies they use to further their own goals and deal with others.
They are either unable to exercise effective leadership . . . because of personal weakness and a failure to assume control and take responsibility for themselves, or they may be so grasping and domineering that they refuse to let the important people in their lives take care of themselves. Instead of empowering others, they create dependents – thus harming everyone involved. Instead of properly mentoring the "next generation" – people expressing reversed King energy cripple it.
They have stagnated at a fairly high level of experience . . . and may have been quite effective and competent at one time, but they may have become so burdened by the "responsibilities" of power" or so concerned with keeping their hard won status that they don't dare delegate any control away from themselves or teach others how to be individually resourceful and independent.
People expressing reversed King energy see any movement in this direction as a threat to who they are and what they have achieved. They are uneasy with people who think for themselves and notoriously intolerant of "progressive notions," departures from traditional methods, or any other form of dissent. They are far more concerned with their own status, position, power and "respect" than with effectively contributing to future growth and social health. They are now an example of what not to be. The vision, support and leadership endowments of King energy are no longer expressing themselves effectively at all.

When reversed King energy combines with the Fire element of Rods, you have a person expressing the negative aspects of masculine leadership energy. It depicts someone confused in his goals, perhaps grappling with a major unsolved spiritual crisis; someone with a terribly distorted self-image and unrealistic grasp of the impact he has on others; someone struggling with the darker side of his own nature, lacking sympathy and love, and deeply alienated from his true sense of himself.
He easily falls into believing life is hard and unrewarding. He has inflated opinions of himself and his worth compared to his actual accomplishments. He has a very rigid way of conducting his life, and inflexible expectations of others – which distort and mangle his interpersonal relationships. His arrogance may have created his own "little empire" filled with self-serving structures and unquestioning followers. He has no use for anyone or anything he doesn't actively control. He uses his personal charisma to manipulate others. He is a tyrant, confined to his own goals and ego-gratification . . . and wants his own way without question or dissent.
(Note also: this reversed King may be describing a woman rather than a man . . . in which case she may be showing the positive attributes of the upright King of Rods. The reversed card is telling you that something about this energy is "not straightforward." You, as the reader, need to discover exactly what is being said in this situation. This is true for all the reversed Kings we will discuss in this section.)
As an "attitude" . . . the reversed King of Rods depicts being overly aggressive, unfriendly, closed, righteous, unwilling or unable to share oneself, being antagonistic, temperamental, childish, overbearing, severe, narrow-minded, argumentative, domineering, willful, bossy, self-aggrandizing and opinionated. This energy is describing a situation in which "evolution" is not properly occurring, most likely from a lack of proper vision, energy, assertiveness, or leadership direction or where these things are being grossly misapplied.
As an "event" . . . the revered King of Rods describes a situation in which there is a substantial need to rediscover one's self-definition and transform destructive, oppressive attitudes and behaviors into their honorable and inspiring expressions. It shows the discovery where these destructive attitudes and strategies are extremely harmful and unproductive. It also indicates a complex and deeply entrenched situation of autocracy and stagnation whose "correction" could prove to be quite a challenge.

When reversed King energy combines with the Water element of Cups, you have a person expressing the negative aspects of masculine emotional and artistic energy. It denotes someone whose calm exterior camouflages a passionate emotional nature that is often – even violently – out of control. He is crafty, dishonest, double-dealing, and out for himself. He knows how to manipulate the emotions of others to "get what he wants" . . . before moving on. He is a swindler, always on the prowl for his own advantage, and may have some scandalous – even criminal – history. He is too sensitive and easily hurt. He lacks backbone, strength, and courage. He compromises his inner self for gain and exploitation – and in the process victimizes others.
This personal is manipulative, but has great persuasive influence. He is an exploiter of the gullible, trusting, and idealistic – and he believes his own "line of bullshit" He flatters and cons . . . with promises he never is able to keep – for reasons that are never "his fault." He is more concerned with images and appearances than with loving and caring – or actual intimacy with others. This is a very troubled, emotionally guarded and closed individual who presents a good front, says all the right words, but his personal life is a mess. He is often far more interested in "helping others" than in working on his own problems. He misleads those who trust him . . . and "moves on" when finally they are too disillusioned to deal with him further. He is life's "constant, sensitive, misunderstood, unfortunate victim."
(Note also: this reversed King may be describing a woman rather than a man . . . in which case she may be showing the positive attributes of the upright King of Cups. The reversed card is telling you that something about this energy is "not straightforward." You, as the reader, need to discover exactly what is being said in this situation.)
As an "attitude" . . . the reversed King of Cups depicts being deluded, emotionally ungoverned, immature, judgmental, narcissistic, exploitive, chaotic, undisciplined, falsely seductive and "sympathetic," dishonest, defensive, and neurotic. It shows an exaggerated emphasis on "other people's problems" as a way of avoiding the ones you or the person in question need to focus on and own. It suggests "using" people . . . and using emotional attachments against those who love the person being described – as a way of getting along in life.
As an "event" . . . the reversed King of Cups describes a situation where someone is being dishonest with himself and others about his feelings. It can show an encounter with someone who lives with a variety of illusions; who is constantly hindered by his "emotional nature" and emotional problems; who deceives others for his own ends, who conceals his insecurity by presenting a distant and uncaring façade; and who is weak, ineffectual, and hostile. It shows the discovery where these destructive attitudes and strategies are extremely harmful and unproductive. It also indicates a complex and deeply entrenched situation of emotional manipulation, exploitation, and dishonesty whose "correction" could prove to be quite a challenge.

When reversed King energy combines with the Air element of Swords, you have a person expressing the negative aspects of masculine intellectual energy. It depicts someone of highly developed intellectual and philosophical power who is either abusing this ability or misapplying it in profoundly destructive ways. This person is harsh, malicious, plotting, barbarous, autocratic, and uses power to disrupt the lives of others and instill fear in them – in order to solidify and consolidate his own status and position.
This is someone who believes his way is the only way and insists others follow him on this basis. At its most extreme expression, this energy is that of the cult leader, the false spiritual "messiah" . . . spreading a philosophy twisted and fashioned in his own image. It is a person who makes claim to specialized, esoteric, rarefied knowledge that he keeps to himself as a power strategy rather than teaching others to do what he does or know what he knows. This is a man who uses his mind and knowledge against others in formidable ways, who is domineering and bitter, and more dedicated to upholding the "letter of the law" than to applying the "spirit of the law."
(Note also: this reversed King may be describing a woman rather than a man . . . in which case she may be showing the positive attributes of the upright King of Swords. The reversed card is telling you that something about this energy is "not straightforward." You, as the reader, need to discover exactly what is being said in this situation.)
As an "attitude" . . . the reversed King of Swords depicts being stern, strict, cruel, ruthless, crafty, vengeful, hate-filled, cold, merciless, malicious, and unwilling to listen to reason. This energy is describing serious problems stemming from personal insecurity, an atrophied sense of empathy and emotional connection, and the habit of using one's mind as a weapon against others. This person can be VERY much into rules and penalties . . . under the guise of "living the right kind of life" and "keeping the social order intact." Close examination of his own actual life, however, can reveal either hellish repression in its circumstances, or a ghastly amount of hypocrisy – once the truth comes out.
As an "event" . . . the reversed King of Swords in which someone is being unjust, unfair, uncaring, angry, malicious, lacking vision, not thinking clearly – and not trying to. It can depict an encounter with a situation involving prejudice, suspicion, intellectual power struggles, spite and severe judgmentalism. It is an experience of being paranoid, blaming, seeing enemies everywhere, being involved in "choosing sides," or otherwise feeling embattled and besieged. It can show contact with someone who is only out for fame and glory . . . rather than being interested in making a contribution and solid achievement to the "greater good."

When reversed King energy combines with the Earth element of Pentacles, you have a person expressing the negative aspects of practical, professional masculine energy. It depicts someone given to vice, gambling, and physical addictions . . . whose financial and economic power makes him dangerous if crossed. This is a person who uses money and business interests as a weapon against others. He can be the dishonest, shady, self-indulgent embezzler and con artist . . . someone who cuts corners and is unconcerned with producing things of decent quality in return for the money he wants. He has, in fact, an uncontrolled desire for status and money . . . and keeps people dependent on him in order to maintain this power base.
He can also be someone who manipulates political ideas for his own gain, someone who talks a lot but says nothing, who skims the surface of everything he touches . . . and believes that appearances, status symbols, political or financial position, and "enough money" and prestige are the undisputed keys to happiness. This is a person who craves material success . . . at the cost of his soul. He is impressed by status, wealth, social position, honor, respect and "rank" . . . and is rabid about acquiring these for himself.
(Note also: this reversed King may be describing a woman rather than a man . . . in which case she may be showing the positive attributes of the upright King of Pentacles. The reversed card is telling you that something about this energy is "not straightforward." You, as the reader, need to discover exactly what is being said in this situation.)
As an "attitude" . . . the reversed King of Pentacles depicts being stupid, dull, extravagant, wasteful, lazy, impractical, devious and fraudulent. It describes caring more about money and possessions than about love and relationships. It denotes "buying and selling" . . . even if it means trafficking in human welfare and human souls. It "puts a price tag on everything." This is the attitude that "money is the only thing worth having" – carried to its most poisonous extreme.
As an "event" . . . the reversed King of Pentacles describes a situation in which someone is consumed by money and career progress; where money, security, and possessions are used to control others; where hedonism is a way of life and the ends justify almost any means. It can show an encounter with either a workaholic who puts career, money, and public acclaim ahead of everything else in his life . . . or with someone who is idle and totally unmotivated to do anything, especially anything physical. It can also show a situation being grossly influenced by unhealthy life choices . . . including physical addictions.

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This concludes discussion of the cards in the Minor Arcana. Next time we will discuss the Major Arcana . . . and the interpretation of the first seven of the twenty-two cards contained there. Until then . . . .

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