King of Cups: tarot card meaning

King of Cups is a court card in the suit of Cups, associated with the element of Water. Drawn upright it speaks of command, mature authority, leadership; reversed, of rigid authority, abused power.

Upright meaning

command, mature authority, leadership

Emotional mastery and calm authority -- feelings are held steady and used wisely, not worn on the sleeve.

Reversed meaning

rigid authority, abused power

Repressed feeling or emotional manipulation -- the calm is covering water; let some of it surface honestly.

The suit of Cups belongs to Water and to feelings, relationships and belonging.

In a three-card reading

In the past position King of Cups describes the current that carried you to where you are; in the present position, what is most alive in the situation now; in the future position, the direction things tend toward if nothing changes. A reading weighs it against the other two cards rather than on its own.