Minor Arcana · Swords

King of Swords

The rule, applied without exception for oneself.

Upright · Reversed

Keywords: judgement, principle applied
Upright: Command of thought — decisions made on stated principle, including the inconvenient ones.
Reversed: Principle used to avoid the person in front of you; or authority without a rule behind it.

In a three-card spread

In the Past position: Read as what is still exerting force — not what happened, but the part of it still pushing on the present.
In the Present position: Read as what is currently available, and where you actually stand. The spread usually turns on this card.
In the Future position: Read as tendency: where this leans if nothing changes. A statement about the present phrased as a direction — never a claim about what will happen.

III

Its suit · Its rank

Its suit

Swords · Element: Air

Swords govern thought and speech: judgement, truth, the cut that separates. This is the suit with the most pain in it and also the most accuracy — a Swords wound usually comes from correct information. Its trouble is clarity used as a weapon, or a refusal to look.

Its rank

King

The King is the suit mastered outwardly: sets the rule, carries the responsibility, applies the suit's force to others without damage. Mature, and for that reason liable to rigidity.

King of Swords

Upright · Reversed

In a three-card spread

Its suit · Its rank

Swords · Element: Air

King

The same rank in the other suits

King of Swords

Upright · Reversed

In a three-card spread

Its suit · Its rank

Swords · Element: Air

King

The same rank in the other suits