King of Swords
The Clear Mind
The energy of the card
A king sits facing forward on his throne, sword held at an angle in his right hand, birds and clouds in cool colors behind him. The card shows a clever, sharp-witted, somewhat cool person full of quick repartee. He may be a person in your life or your own attitude.
Your path with this card
One clear thought leads to the next, and step by step a sound judgment takes shape. Whoever weighs things soberly sees further with every step. The card invites you to examine critically and then act decisively.
- Which decision needs your clear head right now?
- Whose expertise could help you along?
In the shadow
Sharpness can wound, distance can make you lonely. The card invites you to put your intellect in the service of what is human.
The image and its meaning
With his gaze turned toward us, the King of Swords expresses his firm intentions.
With his sword pointed toward the sky at a slight angle, he lets himself be guided by mind and wisdom. The sky is clear, the wind has died down and the last clouds are just drifting away. He sits on the throne of the butterfly, the symbol of transformation.
As a caterpillar spins a cocoon and turns into a graceful butterfly, he is transforming his mind and shows analytical thinking paired with intuition and justice. His posture is passive, sovereign and symbolic. His clear blue robe expresses gentleness and openness, his crimson cloak power and assertiveness.
His bearing also expresses consistency: no carelessness, and no exaggerated, rash zeal either. The King of Swords advises us to master our tasks responsibly and with care. With a sharp mind and a good portion of wisdom we rule the kingdom of our life.
We know that only we ourselves can take responsibility for our path through life. With maturity and the necessary calm we master the present situation.
Related cards
Tarot King of Cups
The King of Cups leads with warmth and empathy. The King of Swords leads with intellect and a cool eye – two kinds of maturity.
Lenormand The Man
In Lenormand, The Man stands for a man in the querent’s life – here the clever, sharp-witted man of Swords.
Symbols on the card
- Blauer Himmel mit wenigen Wolken · Klarer VerstandNüchternheit, Fokus, Wahrheit über Emotion.
- Krone und Thron · AutoritätDer König denkt rational und führt mit Argument und Urteil.
- Schmetterling auf Thronlehne · Geistige TransformationIntellekt als Mittel zur Entwicklung und Wahrheitssuche.
- Schwert aufrecht in der Hand · Klarheit, EntscheidungEin Mann der Analyse – fair, aber unnachgiebig.
