Man, so when I first got into this whole tarot thing, it was a bit of a mess, to be honest. I picked up a deck, felt all cool about it, and then just stared at the cards like they were speaking ancient Egyptian or something. But the King cards, those really threw me for a loop initially. All this talk of ‘mastery’ and ‘authority’ – it just felt a bit heavy for a beginner like me who was mostly just trying to figure out if I should get that extra slice of pizza. But I stuck with it, you know? I wanted to crack the code.
My first step, and honestly, the one I always tell people to start with, was just to look at the darn card. Forget all the books for a minute. Just hold it, feel it. What’s going on in that picture? Is the King sitting on a throne? Is he standing? What’s in his hand? Is he looking straight at you or off into the distance? I used to just sit with a single King card, maybe the King of Swords because he looks pretty intense, and just let my eyes wander. I’d trace the lines, look at his crown, his expression. Does he seem happy? Grumpy? Wise? Bossy?
Then, after that initial stare-down, I’d pull out a little notebook. Nothing fancy, just a cheap spiral one. I’d jot down whatever feelings or ideas popped into my head. No filter, no judgment. Like, if the King of Wands made me think of my old football coach who always had a wild idea, I’d write that down. Or if the King of Cups reminded me of that chill uncle who always knew how to make everyone laugh, that went in too. The point was to build my own personal connection to the image, not just parrot what some book said.
My Go-To Process for the Kings
Once I got past the initial intimidation, I started developing a simple flow for when a King showed up in a spread. It’s not rocket science, but it helps me organize my thoughts:
- First, the Suit: What kind of energy is this King dealing with?
- Wands: Okay, so this is about passion, creativity, action. A King of Wands is probably someone who’s a master of making things happen, a real go-getter. Think entrepreneur, artist, someone with a clear vision and the drive to execute.
- Cups: Ah, emotions, relationships, intuition. This King is skilled at understanding feelings, maybe a natural counselor or a very empathetic leader. They lead with their heart, but in a very grounded way.
- Swords: This one’s about intellect, truth, communication, decisions. A King of Swords is sharp, direct, logical. They cut through the nonsense. Think judge, scientist, or someone who’s incredibly objective and clear-headed.
- Pentacles: Grounded, practical, secure, material things. This King is a master of the physical world – money, business, building, security. They’re reliable, responsible, and good at managing resources.
- Second, the “King” Energy: What does it mean to be a King? For me, it generally boils down to:
- Mastery and Control: They’ve got their stuff together in their suit’s area. They’ve learned the ropes, made the mistakes, and now they’re at the top of their game.
- Authority and Leadership: They’re not just skilled; they’re in charge. They can guide others, make tough calls, and command respect.
- Maturity and Wisdom: These aren’t impulsive youngsters. They’ve seen some things, learned from experience, and now they offer stable, seasoned guidance.
- Taking Action: Kings aren’t just thinkers; they’re doers. They apply their knowledge and skills to shape their world.
- Third, Context is King (pun intended!): Where did this King pop up in the spread?
- Is it representing me? Someone else? An obstacle? A piece of advice? If it’s advice, maybe it’s telling me to step up and take control in a specific area. If it’s an obstacle, maybe I’m encountering someone who’s too rigid in their authority, or I’m struggling with my own ability to lead.
- I remember one time I pulled the King of Pentacles when I was stressing about a big purchase. It showed up as advice, and it hit me – it wasn’t just “you’ll get the money,” it was “be like this King; be responsible, plan your budget, secure your finances.” And that totally changed my approach.
I found that by really breaking it down like that, instead of just trying to memorize a bunch of keywords, the Kings started to make a lot more sense. It became less about some abstract definition and more about recognizing real-world qualities and actions. It’s like, when you see a King, you’re looking at someone who’s really, really good at what their suit represents, and they’re using that skill to lead or build something substantial.
So yeah, if you’re just starting out and those King cards feel like big, scary bosses, don’t sweat it. Just hang out with them, get a feel for their vibe, and think about what kind of person or energy they remind you of in your own life. You’ll be surprised how quickly they start talking to you.
