Upright keywords
Fair, honest, obliging, sensitive, friendly, an advisor
Reversed keywords
Detached, a wounded healer, wise, unexpressive
As the old saying goes
A good listener is a silent flatterer.
Element
Water
King of Cups description
The King of Cups is illustrated with gorgeous shades of blue, green, red, and yellow. The sea rages around him, though he is steady on his foundation. The seas are the ebb and flow of emotion, the dolphin jumping up a sign of spirituality. You don’t always see what lies beneath. The ship riding the squalls shoes a disciplined approach to addressing emotional situations. He holds a scepter in his left hand and a giant golden cup in his right. The fish necklace is a nod to his creativity. While his throne sits on the sea, he does not touch the water. He extends one toe over the edge because he is empathetic even though he is controlled. For this reason, people often ask him for advice.
Upright meaning
The King of Cups is a lover of art and science. He is a true renaissance man. Adored by others for his strength and calm energy, this King represents mastery over emotions. Stay calm, be firm, stick to your boundaries. The way I like to remember the advice of this card is – be like an M&M. You can be insecure and emotional on the inside, but you need to develop that hard shell when other people trigger emotional responses in you. This is not to say that you shouldn’t be vulnerable, but you want to communicate openly and draw healthy boundaries for yourself. Keeping everything bottled up inside, and avoiding conflict, is not the best way to deal with the situation at hand.
Reversed meaning
When this King appears in reverse, he can represent that you, or someone you are dealing with, is dishonest. This person is gaslighting others in order to manipulate they way they see him (or her). It’s difficult to reason with this person, they are very stubborn. It is associated with someone who might normally be very sensitive and reserved, but lately is detaching or overwhelmed by a situation. This can make them appear cold or uncaring. Often the case is that they feel so deeply that they shut down in fear. If you have been feeling this way, working with an unbiased third part such as a therapist can help. Find ways to restore your own emotional balance so that this person (or others) cannot provoke you so easily.
King of Cups quote
“A smooth sea never made a skilled sailor.” Franklin D. Roosevelt
Want to check in with your higher self?
Tarot helps you step back and consider the bigger picture. This is just a snapshot in time. All things shall pass! Let’s take a look at past, present, and future themes in your life and consider a new direction.