King of Swords

What the card means

Upright

Judgement that holds because it is fair. He sits straight and the sword tilts slightly to the right - the decision is made and not yet brought down. He judges by the rule rather than by liking, and that is exactly why he is believed.

Reversed

Being right made more important than being just. The rule applied without looking at the case. Sometimes somebody arguing from their position rather than from their point.

As a person

A mature man of intellect and principle: a lawyer, a judge, an analyst, a manager who decides on the facts. Fair and demanding. In shadow, rigidity, control and needing to be right at any cost.

Love and relationships

Upright

A relationship with principles in it that are kept. A partner who is reasonable, honest, and not the warmest.

Reversed

Judging instead of understanding. Or a relationship won by whoever phrases it better.

Work and business

Upright

A lawyer, a manager, an expert - somebody whose word settles it. A good time for rules, contracts and hard decisions.

Reversed

A decision by the letter that wrecked the thing. Or a superior nobody argues with because it is pointless.

Money

Upright

A contract, advice, a decision with a legal side. Count it and put it in writing.

Reversed

Formally correct and substantively against you.

The card's advice

Decide on principle rather than on mood - and check that the principle is yours and not merely convenient. Ask the person who will tell you something unwelcome.

As the card of the day

A day of clear decisions. Good for documents, reviews and matters of principle. Poor for sparing anybody's feelings.

What is depicted

A king on a throne of butterflies and crescents, the sword raised and leaning a little right, his ringed left hand on the arm. Even clouds and two trees behind. The sword is neither lowered nor drawn back.

Zodiac sign and correspondences

Air that has taken the shape of law. By zodiac sign, Aquarius (the kings are usually given the fixed signs); more broadly, all the air signs: Gemini, Libra and Aquarius.

With other cards

• King of Swords + King of Cups — reason and feeling facing each other; hear both.
• King of Swords + The Emperor — law and order at once; expect no flexibility.
• King of Swords + Queen of Swords — clarity and judgement together: the decision will be right and not easy.