King of swords Tarot Card Meanings

Minor Arcana Tarot

King of swords Tarot Card Meanings

Upright Card Meaning

The King of Swords is in possession of a mind that, like a sharpened sword blade, cuts straight through to the truth. Swords are associated with the element of fresh air, and the King of Swords acts like a gust of wind chasing away clouds of fog.
You may recognize the qualities of discipline and integrity represented by this card in a person you know. Think of someone that impresses you with the keenness of their mind and the honesty of their judgement. Perhaps you are even a bit frightened of them—not only may they wield impressive worldly authority, the authority of their mind confers even greater dignity onto them. There is no hiding before their keen gaze.
Or, you are the one who embodies the perceptive judgement of the King of Swords. Others may be frightened of your honesty, but do not falter in your commitment to the truth and justice. Intellectual honesty is a valuable commitment to make.

Minor Arcana Tarot

King of swords Tarot Card Meanings

Reversed Card Meaning

The King of Swords reversed has taken the qualities of the card too far. His judgement is no longer tempered with compassion, and often his authority is driven more by the lust for doling out punishments than by the desire to seek out fairness. Instead of turning the impressive powers of his mind towards innovation and benevolent rule, he uses his intelligence to manipulate those around him and cruelly bend them to his will. If you are seeing uncomfortable resonance between this card’s description and your own actions, take heed. An impressive mind turned to berating one’s fellow man is a mind wasted, do not do that to yourself.
Ironically, under the King of Swords reversed’s vise-like grip on authority lies weakness. The autocrat clings to power because they know that one well-placed revolution will place them in the hands of people with nothing to lose and plenty of resentment built up. Think of all the petty managers you’ve known that turn their own despair at their place in the workplace against their subordinates, or the tyrannical father that feels emasculated outside of the home. The person whose barbarous judgement you are fearing in reality may be a weakling.