“There is no exercise better for the heart than reaching down and lifting people up.”
~ John Holmes
The King of Cups has mastered his emotions to the point where he is able to actively able to engage with people who are suffering and ease their burden. He has a deep understanding of the fact that we all belong to each other and none of life’s more painful lessons are wasted if they can be turned into learning about how to help others.
He is gifted with empathy, intuition and imagination and able to express his emotions through the Arts. He is the most nurturing of all the Tarot Kings. As always, this card could point to any gender (this King is more than happy to move beyond the binary gender paradigm!).
In general, when it comes to the Kings and Queens, we are talking about people who are middle-aged or older but people do not always mature in a linear fashion, so a younger person could also express these qualities. When they do, it is often indicative of having overcome quite severe childhood abuse or trauma.
“The most beautiful people we have known are those who have known defeat, known suffering, known struggle, known loss, and have found their way out of the depths. These persons have an appreciation, a sensitivity, and an understanding of life that fills them with compassion, gentleness, and a deep loving concern. Beautiful people do not just happen.”
~ Elisabeth Kübler-Ross
A tendency toward addiction could become the downfall of a King of Cups personality type, especially if they do not honour their own sensitivity but seeks to numb or alter it with drugs and alcohol.
Affirmation: “I open my heart to understanding the suffering of others.”
King of Cups Prayer
Dear Mother-Father God (or whichever higher power you acknowledge), thank you for all the lessons that lead to mastery of emotions and ever greater levels of compassion for Self and others. Help me to actively express this compassion today. So mote it be! (listen to prayer on Instagram)
Correspondences for the King of Cups
Zodiac Sign: Pisces (first two decans) and Aquarius(final decan)
Element: Fire of Water
Archangel: Michael (Angel of Fire) and Sandalphon (Angel of Pisces)
Gemstone: Amethyst, citrine and turquoise
Scent: Water lily
Deck used: The Tarot Illuminati
Blessed be!
Lisa