King of Cups
14 · Minor Arcana
Emotional balance, wisdom, and compassionate leadership. The King of Cups sits calmly upon turbulent waters—master of his emotions, he offers wise counsel with a gentle heart. He leads with empathy and understanding, showing that true strength comes from emotional maturity and generosity.
↑ Upright
Emotional balance, wisdom, and compassionate leadership. The King of Cups sits calmly upon turbulent waters—master of his emotions, he offers wise counsel with a gentle heart. He leads with empathy and understanding, showing that true strength comes from emotional maturity and generosity.
↓ Reversed
Emotional repression, moodiness, or manipulation. The King of Cups reversed warns of emotions turned turbulent—he may become moody, manipulative, or shut down. Beware of hiding your feelings or using them to control others; address the undercurrents within to regain emotional balance.
Meaning Contexts
King of Cups — Love
Mature love: deep, calm, steady. You love while remaining yourself — without dissolving and without walls. Balance between feeling and wisdom is a rare and precious quality.
King of Cups — Career
Emotional intelligence as a management tool. You hold course steadily in any storm. Diplomacy, negotiation, leadership with compassion — that is your true strength.
King of Cups — Health
Mastery in managing emotional states. Stress does not take you over — you work with it. Inner calm as the basis of physical health is not a metaphor.
King of Cups — Spirituality
You have passed through all depths and returned with wisdom. Your experience is not a burden, but a gift. Time to share with those still riding their own waves.