King of Cups

Upright Meaning

The King sits on a stone throne in turbulent seas, yet remains perfectly composed. A fish leaps beside him and a ship rides the waves behind him — the emotional world is active and even chaotic, but the King is unmoved. He has not suppressed his emotions; he has mastered them. The King of Cups leads through emotional intelligence: the ability to remain calm in crisis, to understand others' feelings, and to make decisions from a place of centered compassion rather than reactivity.

Reversed Meaning

Reversed, the King of Cups' emotional mastery becomes emotional manipulation. He uses his understanding of others' feelings as a weapon rather than a gift. Alternatively, the calm exterior may be cracking — revealing volatility or coldness underneath. The turbulent seas are finally getting to him. This card reversed asks whether emotional control has become emotional suppression.

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