King of Swords
The King of Swords embodies the archetype of Ulysses and the spirit of Mercury, representing intelligence, strategy, and the trickster impulse. This card teaches that the mind is a powerful weapon that can be used for healing, justice, and understanding or for deception and harm. Its keywords point to activity, acuity, adaptability, and the potential for duplicity and cynicism. The card's dual nature is illustrated by the example of Sirius Black, who can be both a brilliant protector and an arrogant bully, showing how intellect can serve noble or harmful ends.
Keywords
Correspondences
Fire of Air
Keywords
Activity, acuity, the will to understand, strategy, enlightenment, duplicity, cynicism, adaptability, cleverness
Meaning: Archetype
The archetype for the King of Swords is Ulysses, the brilliant adventurer that brought death to a city, who had a solution for everything, was not about lies and dissimulation, but who also took on the gods themselves and never wavered from his goal to get home. It is also Mercury, the messenger of the gods, the healer and guardian of the dead, but also the god of tricksters, traders and thieves.
Meaning: Teaching
The King of Swords teaches us that the mind is a powerful weapon for good and for ill, and he himself has the potential for both. We may use our intelligence to better the world, to cure disease, to stamp out hunger, to understand the universe and to bring justice to everyone. We can also abuse it to trick and deceive, to steal and betray, and to hurt others.
Exploring the Card
Sirius Black embodies the duality of the King of Swords. He is brilliant – the only wizard ever to figure out how to break out of Azkaban, and as an animagus he has a dual nature that enables him to appear as a dog and trick or protect others. For some people like James, Remus, and Harry, he is indisputably good: a steadfast friend and a loyal protector. However, ask folks like Severus Snape or Kreacher, the house elf, and a different story emerges: that of an arrogant, even sadistic bully who enjoys lording it over those he despises.
Visual Description
A stern, bearded man with long hair sits in a chair with one leg crossed over the other, wearing a coat and striped trousers and holding a thin sword-like implement across his lap. Behind him a dense tapestry or carved screen filled with many small faces and leafy vines fills the background; a small banner near the top reads 'toujours pur'. At his feet a small hunched, goblin-like figure stands, barefoot and draped in a simple cloth, holding a cane. The card is framed with decorative motifs and the title 'King of Swords' appears at the bottom.
Harry Potter tarot
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