The King of Cups appears when you’re turning towards emotional mastery.

Sitting afloat a world of waves, the King knows what lies beneath. Water and cups symbolize the psyche; the place of our most vulnerable experiences and longings. Going inward to explore their trauma, fear, and desires, the King of Cups represents the ability to listen to our deepest self and shape our lives around what we hear.

The King of Cups is an innovator. They know their experiences and emotions can transform their reality. The King of Cups asks you to take the wisdom of your years and tears to create a world that keeps your heart and spirit safe. This means prioritizing your feelings, setting boundaries, and attending to your needs, especially in relationships.

The King of Cups is a caring leader. On a professional level, you might be stepping into a role that values connection and community. If you’re more of an introvert, your natural empathy makes you great in one-on-one situations that involve mentoring, listening, and problem-solving.

You may also find yourself in an advisory role in personal situations involving friends, family members, or collaborators. As the King, you’re asked to see the various sides and act with diplomacy.

As advice, the King of Cups could additionally suggest that the way forward requires appealing to people’s heartstrings. You might also need to understand the psychological landscape of where you’re going and the people surrounding you.

In a more literal reading, the King of Cups and cups/water cards can suggest an interest in water conservation, biology, or anything involving H2O.

In a romantic or love reading, the King of Cups can represent a benevolent and loving person entering your life. You might also open up your heart in new ways, finding yourself ready to love after a hiatus or challenging period.

The King of Cups is valiant in self-love; they recognize the power of their heart. You’re asked to sit in the majesty of your soul and potential, loving only what is worthy of your time.

When drawn reversed, the King of Cups is unable to access what lies beneath. Your past hurts and feelings are buried or denied. This might manifest as severe introversion or a tough exterior. In posing as unreachable, you find protection but also isolation.

The reversed King of Cups could also imply that you’re drowning in a sea of feelings or are emotionally narcissistic. You might be prioritizing your needs to the detriment of those around you.

I have seen the King of Cups reversed when folks are dealing with alcoholism. The watery stuff we’re made of wants to be filled, and drinking becomes a way to ease a void. It’s a harsh world, and life is tough. Therapy and community are good places to start.

The King of Cups is a reminder that your power and love are needed in the world. You can take your light back, grow it, and shine it in ways you hadn’t believed possible.

 

Sources

Greer, Mary. Archetypal Tarot. San Francisco, CA: Weiser Books, 2011.
Greer, Mary. Tarot Reversals. St. Paul, MN: Llewellyn Publications, 2002.
Pollack, Rachel. Tarot Wisdom. Woodbury, MN: Llewellyn Publications, 2008.
Snow, Cassandra. Queering the Tarot. Newburyport, MA: Weiser Books, 2019.
Tea, Michelle. Modern Tarot. New York, NY: Harper Collins: 2017.
Wen, Benebell. Holistic Tarot: An Integrative Approach to Using Tarot for Personal Growth. Berkeley, CA: North Atlantic Books, 2015.

Video

Tarot Spread

If you are drawn to the King of Cups and want to dig deeper, get them outta your deck, make them your mascot, and draw some cards from the rest of the deck with this tarot spread I created!