King of Cups Tarot Card Meanings
King of Cups’ Upright & Reversed Meanings
Ideas: Anger issues, emotional outburst, vent
Traits: Abrupt, distractible, emotional, impatient, moody, spontaneous, unpredictable
Emotions: Anger, anxiety, disappointment, frustration, nervousness, tenseness, uneasiness
- Actions:
- Channeling your emotions into creativity
- Dealing with anger issues
- Expressing your frustration
- Improving your emotional intelligence
- Learning relaxation techniques
- Uncovering your feelings
Ideas: Composure, diplomacy, restraint, wisdom
Traits: Courageous, flexible, intense, perceptive, placid, protective, sensitive
Emotions: Caring, compassion, contentment, eagerness, optimism, satisfaction
- Actions:
- Being brave and clear in the face of adverse circumstances
- Honoring the spirit, not just the letter, of the law
- Keeping a stiff upper lip
- Making fair and empathetic decisions
- Owning and mastering various kinds of emotions
- Sharing experience as a way of comforting others
- Staying calm and composed amid turbulence
Ideas: Hidden agenda, poker face, spiritual tyranny
Traits: Cold, offhand, phlegmatic, rigid, secretive, scheming, steely, unfathomable
Emotions: Envy, jealousy, neglect, pride
- Actions:
- Abusing spiritual authority
- Allowing yourself to become rigid and unemotional
- Failing to check in with your emotions
- Making decisions without regard for their emotional impact on others
- Making unfair decisions based on a hidden agenda
- Using emotional or spiritual leverage to exercise unhealthy control over others
King of Cups’ Advice
Personal Growth
The time has come to assume a leadership role, using your experiences to guide others. Find a way to give back some of what you’ve been given. You have more wisdom than you know; draw on newfound maturity to come to the aid of a cause greater than yourself.
Relationship
Without adopting a “poker face,” some situations call for a little restraint. Calm down. Consider the other side’s arguments. Walk in the shoes of your partner or friend. Give strong emotions time to subside before taking action you may regret later.
Career
When everyone is running in circles and screaming, someone has to step forward, exercise restraint, and draw attention back to the work that remains. Refuse to be drawn into rumor-mongering and petty disagreements. Remain neutral, fair, and focused.
Spirituality
A deeper sense of spirit should move us to greater service. Let wisdom guide you to a ministry that makes sense in terms of your life and your world. Consider taking on the role of a counselor or mentor. Use your experiences to help others mature.
King of Cups’ Symbols & Insights
The Watery Throne
Many decks depict the King’s throne floating in water. Rather than sink into emotionalism, this King rises above it. What might happen if you elevated yourself above your conflicting emotions and saw things more clearly?
Control Under Pressure
Despite the turbulent water surrounding him, the King maintains control over his feelings. How might shutting out the source of emotional noise and doubt help you make contact with what you really feel?
Emotional or Spiritual Focus
What sort of mindset allows a person to remain calm in the face of an uproar? How can you keep the goal in mind, even in the midst of battle?
The Marseilles Image
The Marseilles King of Cups strikes a relaxed pose; he looks almost sleepy! How might relaxing your need to control this situation help you (paradoxically) to gain better control of it?
More About King of Cups Tarot Card
- Prediction
- This card represents an older man with a gentle, sensitive presence, likely born between February 9 and March 10, who is known for his fairness and tolerance.
- Timing
- Between February 9 and March 10
- Affirmation
- “I strive to be stable and fair-minded.”
- Astrology Element
- Fire of Water
- Personality
- The King of Cups can represent anyone who tends to control (King) emotional and spiritual responses (Cups). The King may also represent the tendency to be more sober than emotional, or the need to maintain order in the face of an overwhelming situation.
- Storyline
- The main character must suppress or control an emotional response in order to complete a difficult task.
- Questions to Ask
- What wise person could be consulted for good advice?
- How can I make sure I’m being as objective and fair as possible?
- To what extent am I capable of keeping a “stiff upper lip?”
- Related Pages
- Tarot Card Meanings Guide
- Exploring Today’s Tarot
- Consulting the Tarot
- Traditional Tarot Card Meanings
- Thirteen Fun Things to Do with Tarot Cards
- Where to Go to Learn More
