The King of Swords and Their Authority in the Tarot Deck

The King of Swords presents a scene common to high-ranking court figures, such as queens and kings, seated on a solid throne, with their sword held high.

Visual Description of the Card:

The King of Swords sits on their throne, holding a double-edged sword in their right hand, while their left hand rests gently on their lap. They wear a large ring on their middle finger, symbolizing power and their serious approach to responsibilities.
They are dressed in a blue robe, representing a desire for spiritual understanding, and a purple cape, symbolizing compassion combined with intellect.

The back of their throne is decorated with butterflies, symbolizing transformation, crescent moons, and an angel near their left ear, as if offering subtle guidance.

The sky is mostly clear with a few clouds, representing general mental clarity. The trees in the background are still, reflecting the King’s strict judgment.

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The King of Swords Upright:

General Meaning

Like all kings, they undoubtedly hold great power, but in this case, it stems from their intellect, from which a strong sense of authority arises. By using their intellect and intelligence, this king has the courage to bring to life everything they dream of and desire.
They are a born ruler, with an unwavering judgment, leadership qualities, and a natural command over others. Their strong and disciplined character allows them to lead by keeping emotions in check during intense situations.

It’s not that they don’t have emotions—they have plenty—but they’ve learned to keep them under control. They could be compared to military generals or legal experts who face tough battles in their field but never let their emotions dictate the course or outcome of the conflict.

When the King of Swords appears in your reading, they are essentially asking you to set aside subjectivity, focus solely on the objective, and remain independent from the situation. Only by doing so will the truth come to light.

To test your conclusions, you’ll definitely need to use your intellect and everything you’ve cultivated over the years: your knowledge, education, and experience will be the tools that lead you to the right and objective conclusions. You’ll also need to rely on observing rules and laws, the clarity of history, and a diplomatic approach.

All court cards, especially those that are “seated” like kings and queens, can refer to you, your attitudes, or someone else in your reading. However, they always appear as advisors, either to give you concrete advice or to guide you on how to act in a certain situation.

In this case, the King suggests you take on a serious, strict, but impeccably fair stance. You must not let the emotions that will undoubtedly surface overwhelm you. You need to maintain independence, relying on your intellect and reasoning with the utmost mental clarity to uncover the truth.

Thus, your view of the matter is likely correct, and with it, you can clarify things for others or break down limiting behaviors from those around you.
Your role may not be well received or might face resistance, as people are often reluctant to hear the truth, but this shouldn’t affect your emotions. You must keep them firmly in check to make your point.

You might need to negotiate, debate, or reason with others to achieve this, but you must remain strict and firm, even if your stance isn’t well-liked. This separation from emotions will be essential in achieving a fair and true outcome.

This justice isn’t just about the result but also needs to be evident in your treatment of others, so they can respect your firm decisions. Since these are guided by reason and impartiality, there should be no opposition.

The King of Swords, speaking directly to you, asks you to take on this attitude in order to get to the heart of the issue and solve it.

If the king refers to someone else, it could point to a stern but informed advisor, such as a private consultant, judge, competent lawyer, accountant, notary, or someone advising you on taxes or financial matters. Their knowledge, experience, and impartiality back up their precise and detailed information.

This person might be emotionally distant from you or your situation, but this doesn’t affect the just and objective outcome they seek to deliver. They may be a highly sought-after professional in their field and might even be expensive due to their reputation, but taking their service and advice is highly recommended.

In this context, this card can have several interpretations:
It could mean that you already have an advisor handling your affairs, in which case, you should follow their advice. If not, it would be wise to hire one to resolve your situation as effectively as possible.

It could also refer to a therapist you can turn to in relationship issues, helping you find a solution with their objective and impartial perspective.

In any case, whether it’s about you or someone else, the King of Swords shows a personality that is stern but fair, practically incorruptible, and holds values like virtue and ethics in high regard, possibly with strong moral standards. In this way, they become a bastion of truth and knowledge, someone others turn to for solutions.

They operate by rules and standards they never break and don’t allow others to break either. They could be a strict parent who doesn’t tolerate their children stepping out of line or failing to respect family or social rules.

You or this person may struggle to consider others’ feelings, which is a somewhat negative trait. The card asks you not to take your sense of justice and objectivity too far to the point where you disregard what others feel.

While you shouldn’t let emotions interfere, you need to manage the double-edged sword carefully so that justice is served without hurting anyone too much along the way, putting you in the difficult position of acting with enormous balance.

Being a King doesn’t necessarily mean this is a man; it could be a woman who represents these characteristics and behaviors, as kings and queens can be dual in this aspect, though the card tends to depict a man. This is always an adult figure, experienced and mature—maybe not old, but certainly not young or inexperienced. Their physical traits may show dark hair.

In love:

The King of Swords can, depending on the surrounding cards, point to the presence of a man who is typically very masculine, virile, authoritative, and firm.
In the context of a relationship, it can indicate that you are taking, or should take, a strong stance to maintain balance in the relationship and ensure that the treatment between you both is fair. It may indicate an excess of authority, whether from you or your partner, with one person being more dominant over the other.

This isn’t necessarily bad as long as it doesn’t become excessive or hurtful. Sometimes, this card can point to stereotypical behaviors where one partner (often the man) exhibits “macho” traits that border on violence and authoritarianism.

If this is the case, you need to moderate yourself, or if your partner is displaying this behavior, protect yourself in that fine line between authority and oppression, violence, or control. Remember, the suit of swords can indicate a certain degree of violence, whether physical, verbal, or psychological.

In a more positive context, the card suggests that by acting impartially, with fair and balanced judgment, and through reasoning, it is possible to solve any issue. It can also mean that the help of a fair and impartial person outside of the relationship could assist you in resolving the situation.

If you’re single, this card could indicate that a virile, intellectual, and firm person may cross your path. It may also suggest, for men, the arrival of a strong, somewhat masculine woman, a fighter who doesn’t easily show emotions.

In the workplace:

The King of Swords indicates that a man in your work environment might behave or speak to you in a way that you find annoying, but the truth is that you may be too sensitive. They are simply doing their job, ensuring that tasks and rules are followed.
They could be a demanding boss who doesn’t pay much attention to your personal arguments, as they aren’t moved by emotions. However, they try to be fair and impartial, and what they’re asking for, despite being strict, is likely what’s required of you. That said, it’s important to ensure their behavior doesn’t cross the line into being despotic.

Speaking directly to you, this King tells you to act fairly, give what is expected of you, and meet the demands. Your work or criticisms must be just, as should your demands for tasks or wages. If you’re considering a job change, reason should be your guiding principle in deciding what to do.

Don’t rush. Act logically, and listen to the voice of experience—not only your own but also that of others. You may need to seek advice from someone impartial who is knowledgeable in the matter.

If you’re looking for a job, it’s possible that a person with these characteristics—serious, unemotional—could offer you a position. They may be strict and tough, but they will be fair with you. Focus your job search on places where you might find men with these traits.

Regarding money:

The King of Swords tells you that you need to fully understand and focus on your financial situation. Concrete facts and specific, real data are what you need to resolve your situation.
Emotions or dreams won’t help here. You need the force of logic and a clear understanding of your financial state to act accordingly. Maybe you’re thinking of getting a loan to buy a car or house, but can you really afford it?

You need to face your challenges head-on; hiding from them won’t solve anything. It’s possible to strike a fair and balanced deal, especially if you negotiate with someone like this king—serious, experienced, and by-the-book.

It may indicate the need for professional advice from someone specialized in the matter to help you resolve things. In some cases, it may also point to the arrival of a business partner who is fair and good for business, but with whom you’ll have little or no emotional connection. However, in this setting, that might not matter, as sometimes “business is business” and nothing more.

All in all, this isn’t a negative card for finances; it simply asks you to act with integrity, base your decisions on thorough analysis, and have a well-thought-out action plan. Don’t act impulsively, and things will go well.

In terms of health:

The King of Swords suggests good health, but you should be careful that too much rigidity, too much rationality, and suppressing your emotions don’t negatively affect your well-being. When we hide our emotions too much, it can often manifest as physical symptoms in the body.
It also asks you to commit to your health—research, investigate, and be an active participant in your health or medical treatment if you’re dealing with any illness.

You should turn to a specialist if necessary and trust their judgment. This is a card that promotes reason and knowledge, so it’s telling you to lean towards science and proven medicine over alternative treatments.

That said, if you’ve reached a well-founded conclusion, you could explore less conventional methods that aren’t necessarily wrong. Follow your reason before your heart in health matters.

In terms of spirituality:

The King of Swords tells you that for you to feel connected to a spiritual belief system, it must make intellectual sense to you as well. Faith may not require reason, and belief might not admit much intellectualization—you either believe, or you don’t, no matter how impossible or improbable what you believe may seem.
However, for you, there must be a connection with your rational side for you to truly believe. You can deepen your spiritual awareness and practice by actively seeking new sources of information and knowledge.

Try something new, research, and test it out. Active meditations might be particularly helpful now, as they disconnect you from both emotions and rationality.

The King of Swords Reversed:

General Meaning:

As with all court cards when they appear reversed, this king shows their most negative side, whether describing your attitudes or referring to someone else.
This card indicates a negative use of intellectual power, where this king, though highly intelligent, seems to have suppressed their emotions to the extreme.

Their ideas are now imposed, but no longer through flawless logic and balanced reasoning, but rather through manipulation and strategies designed solely to fulfill their own selfish needs.

They become a “master manipulator,” using their deep knowledge to persuade and convince others to adopt their point of view.

Without a doubt, this person is intelligent (remember, the card could be describing you or someone else), but they are abusing their knowledge and experience to overpower and impress others.

They often come across as eloquent, with an energetic tone that borders on aggression, sharp, and undeniably arrogant. Their continuous motto seems to be, “I’m right, and you’re wrong.” They enjoy speaking on topics that others have little knowledge about, using this as a way to impress and dominate conversations.

They may also be very violent and aggressive, especially when contradicted or challenged.

If you are embodying this King, you are certainly not on the right path, as others will soon try to distance themselves from you, or those under your control will stay only out of fear or because they have no other choice.

This King’s personality is complex, often hiding aggression and selfishness behind a thick veneer of knowledge and personal charm. While they may not be a psychopath, there are some similarities, as they are socially charming, capable of captivating others with subtlety, wit, intelligence, and a vast knowledge of various subjects.

But deep down, behind the mask, they are simply someone selfish who will do anything to satisfy their own needs, with little to no empathy for the feelings or consequences this may have on others.

If this King represents someone else, you should protect yourself from such a person, as they will likely leave you with emotional wounds or, in extreme cases, even physical harm. They won’t hesitate to walk over others, and they certainly won’t show compassion if it gets in the way of their goals.

The darkest aspect of this card is the aggression that can emerge when swords appear reversed. You may be dealing with someone who is truly violent, someone who could hurt you, with frequent fits of anger, especially when they feel their authority is being undermined or challenged.

No one wants to be around someone like this, and it’s likely that you will end up putting distance between yourself and them. This might be the best course of action, as the only other option is to submit to their manipulation, which can cause significant harm in your life.

If you are the one acting tyrannically, you need to reconsider your behavior immediately and change as soon as possible, as people will start to distance themselves from you.

In another aspect, the reversed King of Swords may be showing you that you are in a very difficult position, not sure where you stand, what decisions to make, or what actions to take. You are without direction in life and unsure of where you are headed. You are in a constant dilemma, trying to make a decision that never seems to come.

It is crucial that you use all the rationality, objectivity, and logic you can muster—which you certainly possess in abundance—to make that decision, as it’s the starting point from which you can move forward and act. Take the first step, and the path will begin to reveal itself, but at least start the movement.

The card suggests that you lack the mental clarity and peace of mind to act in the situation that worries you. You are constantly distracted, and it’s likely that you are beginning to fear that you won’t be able to resolve the problem. This, in turn, is putting you in a state of anger and aggression, which you are projecting onto yourself but primarily onto those around you.

You are feeling a growing insecurity that you’ve never felt before, and you feel completely lost. However, this isn’t because there are no solutions, but because you aren’t able to focus properly. All the logic and rationality represented by swords are now missing, and this is only prolonging the problem, leaving you in a state of constant worry, bad mood, and sleepless nights, carrying a burden of stress.

Once again, cling to the reason that you can display, as the solution lies there. You may not be someone who is very open or willing to embrace new approaches, advice, or ways of doing things, but if you want to get out of this mess and confusion, you must be reasonable and do everything in your power to avoid persisting in your behaviors or mistakes.

In love (reversed):

The reversed King of Swords points to a complicated situation. Either you or your partner is in an uncompromising, possibly aggressive position, in a space where arguments and fights are frequent, and neither seems willing to adjust their stance or make concessions. This must be corrected immediately if things are to improve, which is still possible.
If this situation reaches dangerous extremes, where physical violence is present, it’s best to take the necessary steps, such as distancing yourself or seeking professional help. These are difficult times for the relationship, and there is little understanding between partners. It’s very possible that one is manipulating the other in various ways.

If you are single, you may encounter someone who seems kind but who hides a complex personality underneath. They may only be interested in satisfying their own selfish needs.

Be careful and run if you see things going too far. This isn’t a good time to meet someone new—good people seem to be scarce, and you might only be attracting the wrong types for now. It’s better to wait until your luck changes.

In the workplace (reversed):

In a work context, the reversed King of Swords suggests a situation similar to the love scenario, where there is no understanding, and there may even be multiple conflicts or disagreements. You might be dealing with a violent and tyrannical boss who refuses to listen to reason.
These are bad times to ask for raises or take time off. You need to focus on doing your part as best you can, and if things get out of control, it may be time to consider a new job.

On the other hand, you may be the one being aggressive, refusing to collaborate or do your job as asked, responding poorly, and having trouble with your colleagues. It’s important to come back down to earth and put things into perspective.

If you’re looking for a job, be cautious not to end up in the hands of an aggressive person who will manipulate you without hesitation just to meet their own needs.

You might work hard but never be able to satisfy them, and you may never see the money you’re owed. Avoid working with people who are too rough in their manners or overly friendly and promise too much.

In terms of money (reversed):

This King, like any reversed court card, signals difficult times, especially because you don’t know what to do or what decisions to make. You’ve lost your compass of reason and are being led by unrealistic dreams.
It’s essential to get grounded and establish a method for managing your money, expenses, and accounts. The more detail you put in, the better things will go.

This isn’t an extremely negative card that indicates ruin or poverty, but because you’re lacking clear direction, it’s easy to make mistakes and worsen your financial situation. Be extremely cautious with spending.

A strong-willed person might try to deceive you or refuse to pay you, and instead of continuing to demand your due, it’s better to seek help from others before the conflict escalates.

There may be work or family disputes over money, and it’s possible that you, your partner, or your business partner is in a stubborn mindset about spending poorly without considering the bigger picture.

Regarding health (reversed):

The reversed King of Swords suggests you immediately start reducing your aggression and stress levels.
You have some control over the situation that worries you, and that is to try to remain calm and rely on reason. But it’s also possible that there’s little you can do, as it may be out of your hands, and this is generating anger and frustration that is directly affecting your physical health.

If you’re undergoing treatment for an illness, you might not be very open to hearing what the doctors have to say or following their guidance and treatments.

Alternatively, it may be that those treating you aren’t listening to you, sticking to their own methods, and refusing to adapt. In this case, it might be worth seeking out other specialists who can give you the attention you deserve.

However, this card doesn’t necessarily indicate physical illness but rather a spiritual and psychological distress that manifests in physical symptoms. Reducing stress is the key to unlocking your well-being.

In spirituality (reversed):

You are closed off to new ideas or concepts, and at the same time, it may be necessary to think critically and logically about any spiritual information that comes your way. A spiritual leader of some kind might be twisting something for the benefit of their organization (this person may be male or a woman with very masculine energy).
Once again, trust your logical mind and your deep reasoning ability. If something doesn’t sit right with you, it simply doesn’t sit right—no matter who says it or why.

Since you’re currently dealing with anger and aggression, spirituality may not seem important to you right now, and that’s a mistake.

Meditation can significantly reduce your stress and anger. Give it a try, as this could be the path to calming yourself, refocusing, and reconnecting with your best self, which you know is there deep down.

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