78 Weeks of Tarot: King of Swords

[Trogon]

For information on what these threads refer to, see this thread;

 

78 Weeks of Tarot - Informational Thread

 

The above linked thread gives suggested dates for the cards as well as links to the individual topics.

 

Some of us may be working through the study in a different order and using different decks. If you have general questions or comments regarding the 78 Weeks of Tarot study group, please post in the topic in the above link.

 

Have fun.

[Hemera]

Everyday Witch Tarot (D.Blake & E.Alba 2017 Llewellyn)

 

King of Swords

“Organizer”

 

Description:

Stern looking ruler is standing by his desk and pointing at some lines in his big old book with his sword. His room is up in the clouds and his room is lined with bookshelves and piles of books.

 

Images, symbolism, colours:

He is dressed in white and blue and a white cat is sitting next to him on the desk. The colors symbolise the element air and in this card also his cool detachment from feeling.

There are books and old scrolls everywhere. They symbolise his education, knowledge and wisdom.

 

From the Book (Everyday Witch Tarot, Llewellyn 2017):

-boss, mentor, teacher

-gives answers from the head, not the heart

-practical, calm, detached from feelings

 

Associations (idea from a book by Mary Greer)

Animal: hawk, eagle

Landscape: old baroque style garden

Music: classical

Art: classical oil painting

Body of Water: sea

 

Traditional meanings (Mary K. Greer):

-overly critical, rigid, dictatorial

-cool, clear, decisive

-judge, scientist, analytical

 

This card encourages:

-keep a clear head, keep your cool

-analyse

-keep your concentration focused on the task at hand

 

Warns against:

-lack of emotion

-arrogance, tyranny

 

Notes:

I think perhaps this King is portrayed as too one-sided in this deck. Kings are mature and the most developed figure of his suit. I think the king (or Queen) of Swords would not be as much without any feeling as the accompanying book suggests. In this card he looks frightening and a bit angry. Generally all Kings can be trusted and easily approached (I'm thinking of the RWS or M-G decks) but I'm not sure about this guy.