King of Swords

King of Swords is one of the 56 minor arcana of the tarot, in the suit of Swords; in the Golden Dawn tradition it corresponds to air of air.

The King of Swords sits high on a stone throne with his sword upright under a clear sky. He decides with reason and integrity.

Symbols on the card

The upright sword

Truth and principled judgement.

The high throne

Perspective and authority.

The clear sky

A clear, uncluttered mind.

Number and suit

Kings are outer mastery: the suit's energy directed with experience and responsibility. Swords are air: thought, truth, communication and the conflicts of the mind.

Upright meaning

Decide with reason and fairness. Use your knowledge responsibly.

Love　Clear agreements and mature communication.

Work　Expertise, leadership by principle, sound judgement.

Inner life　Let your thinking serve your values.

Reversed meaning

Reason has hardened into rigidity or control. Listen to other views.

Love　Coldness or intellectualising feelings.

Work　Misusing authority, inflexible rules.

Inner life　Wisdom includes the heart.

In a three-card spread

Situation

Reason and authority are needed.

Challenge

Rigidity or misuse of power.

Advice

Decide fairly, with an open mind.

Tarot and astrology

In the Golden Dawn system the court cards are elements within elements; this one is air of air.

Questions to sit with

• What decision needs my clearest thinking?
• Whose view have I dismissed too quickly?

Through the suit

Tarot here is a mirror for reflection, not a prediction. The meanings follow the Waite-Smith tradition and the Golden Dawn attributions, in our own words.