King of Wands - The Spirituality of Imperfection

The King of Wands, the counter part to the Queen of Wands ( The Sunshine Lady) and both are symbolic of the creative imagination. This card also embodies a combination of positive and negative characteristics, not unlike most of us. It can be difficult to come to terms with some of these and easier to accept other personality traits within this individual.

What can be very frustrating about the King of Wands is to clearly recognize the strong leadership qualities and capacities that are apparent in someone who could be a heroic figure, a shaper of world events, and has the power to be a visionary influence, having an infectious personality that can be very convincing to generate change.

Here is the caveat. The fact that he/she is intolerant of limitation, impatient, is certain that they are right, and is an unquestionable bad loser. These character defects can undermine and be very detrimental to his or her relationships.

Though we are not the same in our personalities, we share in common the quality of imperfection. We are all human, need to remain humble, and need to have a sense of humour. These are the life tools and qualities that real heroes and heroines possess.

King of Wands - Heroic Quality

The King of Wands might be the man of my dreams. He represents creative vision, imagination, and a romantic soul. A soul that is guided by a force greater than himself, and symbolizes the influential true spirit of leadership, that is forward looking with great enthusiasm. He is both noble and strong. The King of Wands is what I'd call a man's man, a manly man. ;)

He sets the example of what it means to be a hero. The down side would be that he has a fiery temper, a rather impulsive nature, and can be impatient with others limitations, as he expects humans to rise to the occasion, in order to reach their full potential, and to actualize their capacity in all that they do, so humanity might be more than it is.

Represented by the mythic figure of King Theseus of Athens, he accompanied Jason on his adventure in pursuit and capture of the Golden Fleece. He is willing to do what ever it takes to reach his goals, is courageous and demonstrates many heroic qualities.

King of Wands - The Heroes Journey

Heroes always never think of themselves as heroes. Like the King of Wands, possesses  the courage of a lion, with such a soft heart. This rather dual character can create serious dilemmas, and can be difficult to overcome, especially when having to do things that may not feel right, and go against the grain, creating conflict within. Emotion and feelings are placed on the back burner in order to do what must be done. This can sometimes cause guilt, shame and sadness or even post traumatic stress in extreme circumstances.

There is so much to admire about the King of Wands, especially his leadership strength, abilities and creative, energetic spirit that he embodies. The character defects, of impatience and his quick temper can get him into trouble. Combine this with the desire to control and manage is problematic. It's one thing to have leadership abilities, but if these are not tempered with patience, calm, and humility, leadership can quickly be interpreted as being overbearingly bossy, only resulting in alienating the very people one is trying to help.

I have know several men and women in my life that I consider heroes and heroines. Ultimately we all have to learn how to be our own hero or heroine and rescue ourselves  from our character defects and strive to have the courage of the lion, while still keeping that soft heart intact, full of compassion for others and for ourselves. We cannot give away what we do not have for ourselves.

King of Swords-The Snow Warrior

I was never so happy to see what I was hoping and praying for, a King of Swords to come along and save the day! This was the card I drew yesterday, and with the Spring snow storm, that left 6-10 foot drifts completely filling in my long lane, there he was, he came, he saw, he blew snow for two hours! I never got around to posting because I was digging my car out and busy having a meltdown. I felt completely overwhelmed with next to no food, the amount of snow and I was getting a little freaked out feeling very alone, seemingly without anyone to help me.

After having a typical what I'll call 'cups' kind of morning, and into the afternoon of waiting. I was so very grateful to finally find someone to get the job done, to free me from over ten days of snowbound Snowmageddon! I don't have many moments like this, and I don't want to apologize for feeling this way. It's just not a good feeling for me, when I do find myself in such a state of mind.

Sometimes all we need to do is vent, and talk things out, to share with another who can help to remind us of, and who can exhibit those kind of King of Swords characteristics, in order to bring us around, and this is just what a did, and was able to find those who could be that King of Swords for me.

The King of Swords is a clear thinker and with leadership skills. He knows how to approach problems logically, and directly head on without hesitation, he gets the job done, calmly stays the course, in a rational manner. The King of Swords knows what to do in a crisis. He will defend the defenseless, and take a vehement stand for what he thinks is right. He excels in his strategic skills, and reminds me of a Neutrino.

Having great intellectual capacities, combined with high principles, and a strong idealistic sense of justice, this determines all of his decisions. He may appear somewhat distant and detached emotionally, but he feels deeply and is a very compassionate individual.

"No one is too rich to receive, and no one is too poor to give."

The Sun - Transformation

It's lovely to see the sun getting stronger. It's a cold day here in Nova Scotia, and going to warm up tomorrow, a much welcome relief, after trying to get the old wood stove geared up this morning. I felt like I might freeze my granny's preserves!

Psychologically I got warmed up when I drew The Sun, such a positive card, full of powerful energy, in the midst of a Winter deep freeze. I sure can use the positive energy, growth, and contentment, preoccupying my mind these days.

My friend has a business called the Sun, Moon and Stars. I think this is a great name for a gift shop because these celestial bodies go together in the natural order the things. I often can't think of one without the other. They always seem to be grouped together.

 The Bible refers to them in this prediction.. 

 " And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring;" - Luke 21:25 from the King James Version
Hmmm sounds about right these days.

The sky is full of story. Everyone interprets and experiences these stories differently. Traditional ancient cultures were are filled with Mythology and stories about the relationship between  the Sun, Moon and Stars, how they affect and effect the universe, and our world. To some, The Star represents Hope, The Moon Dreams and the Sun Happiness. 

These three Marjor Arcana cards, The Star, The Moon and The Sun are in successive order, following one another. 
In the Mythic Tarot the Sun, as Apollo as he plays his harp, it is music to our ears, transforming darkness into light and meaning. We no longer are so fearful; it is replaced with hope, faith, and trust. 
Our personal growth and confidence gives the momentum needed to embark on the exciting adventure of transformation.

Mariposa - Butter Fly Woman - Egg Tempera , 2013 -Catherine Meyers

King of Swords - When The Student Is Ready The Teacher Will Appear

Truth? I am little intimidated by the King of Swords, or the folks with this personality type. When I really dig into the reason why, I think it is because I immediately begin to compare myself intellectually, and presume I am not on the same intellectual level as this person. Comparing ourselves to others is a basic common human character defect. The more insecure within ourselves, the more we compare.This is not a healthy out look I know, but it's true. It is futile to compare ourselves to another. It will always leave us feeling less than, that we just don't nor can we ever measure up to an unachievable standard, that really is an image that exists in our minds.

The King of Swords can be greatly admired for his creative intellect, and attractive, dynamic leadership qualities, but not so much for his lack of ability to respond to his own emotion, or for considering the feelings of another. He appears to be emotionally cut off, relying on his intellect for success, as opposed to his heart, although his ideals, and sense of fairness are very lofty and well intended.

He appears to be in harmony or perhaps likes harmony in his environment. No one is perfect I know, but he sure can give off that impression, as he is Odysseus, crafty, guileless, known as the Wiley one. Fact is, this King is a wanderer, not rooted is his heart, nor in his relationships. He's not big on empathy and compassion, but is known for his decency and fairness. He's a bit of an enigma and a contradiction. 

We all have contradicting traits. The message here for me is to be aware of these traits, and to be compassionate toward others, and toward myself for these shortcomings, and character defects. No one including myself should be intimidated by another's personality, and I certainly hope no one is intimidated by mine.
There is so much to learn, from people we admire and  love, and sometimes especially from those we do not love or admire, they have much to teach us. When the student is ready the teacher will appear.

King of Swords - Patience

I am feeling very grateful today and the King of Swords affirms and clarifies this for me.
There's been worry lately, and I know it is a useless thing, and it can show a luck of trust, but like all human beings, I can't seem to help myself sometimes. I can feel like Alice trying to find my way through Wonderland having to deal with all those creatures and weird folk.

 I may not actively engage in worry it is as much as I used to, but it lurks there, in the corner of my mind, poking it's head round the corner to stare at me like the Red Queen. Well what are you looking at?! Stop starring I say!

But worry has taken a break and stopped staring for a while. Today I am feeling very hopeful and positive. What comes to my mind is the adage or proverb that says " Good things come to he who waits. "  Or what I heard in the 12 Step rooms of recovery, " Courage is fear that has said it's prayers " - Karl Barth

The King of Swords is a card of leadership, of strength and having the ability to provide good counsel to others, being compassionate and kind.  Unfortunately, many of us can't seem to take care of ourselves for many reasons and this can be very problematic, damaging, and hurtful to the mind, body, and spirit.
 And so we have to take good care of ourselves, the best way we know how. Sometimes this involves swallowing our false pride, being patient, and trusting that the God of our understanding will some how come to our aid. This requires faith and trust, not the easiest thing to do when you are between a rock and a hard place.

The King of Swords is a card of action and intelligence, where reason prevails over emotion. Swords clarify and cut through muddle thought.

Patience is a virtue. We must be especially patient with ourselves, which perhaps may be the most important aspect of being a compassionate, kind and good leader.

King of Wands - Ah Ha! Oh Oh!

I know who this is. I wasn't expecting this card, but then the cards don't lie. But there it is looking me in the face this morning.
 The leader, he can shape the world's events. He's Mr. Creative, the adventurer and the charmer, with the infectious personality. When I think about this as being the ideal man, I think about my late big brother Ralph and my loving late husband Bill. I also think about a gentleman of leisure, the late great Jessie Winchester.

I heard this beautiful anonymously written Arabic poem yesterday that I so love, and here it is. Only bit I don't care for is the "slave" word. Maybe servant-leader would be a better word? Because to me if you are a slave to love you are not free.

“ You are free
You are free before the noon day sun.
You are free before the moon,
and you are free before the stars.
And you are free when there is no sun
And when there is no moon,
and when there isn’t a single star in the sky.
But you are a slave,
You are a slave to the one you love,
Because you love him
And you are a slave to the one you love because he loves you back. "― unknown Arabic poet

The King of Wands  full of passion, seizes the day and is ready to take on the world. The King is a self-starter, who has the strength to back up his own ideas and is full of creative energy. He's honest, a dependable man of action, generous and kindhearted. He's just pretty irresistible.
Ok, I admit it, I give in, I love this man! I'm done!

King of Wands - Leadership

In spite of the character defects that the King of Wands can exhibit, possessing a haughty and quick temper,  a know it all attitude, with a tendency to be bossy, regardless, he is still an honest, a self-starter, and a natural leader. Full of creative imagination, energy and action. He can back up his ideas and is a real visionary.

We can clearly see the King of Wands has many positive personality traits, that a leader needs. That said, he seems to be a bit of a contradiction. He can be selfish, impatient, and intolerant with other's imperfections, and limitations. He may think of himself as being the general manager of the Universe but simultaneously he can very generous and kind.

When I reflect on the qualities of a good leader, being bossy, opinionated and intolerant of others imperfections, having a short temper, these are not personality traits that come to mind. I think perhaps the King of Wands like this, may have been exposed to a father who exhibited these negative characteristics and behaviours and may have something to prove.
What comes to my mind as a vital leadership quality is one who perceives a leader as being first and foremost a servant, who sets an example, as a role model to others.

9 Qualities of the Servant Leader

1. Values diverse opinions
2. Cultivates a culture of trust
3. Develops other leaders
4. Helps people with life issues
5. Encourages
6. Sells instead of tells
7. Thinks you, not me
8. Thinks long-term
9. Acts with humility

King of Swords - Leadership

 
There is much discussion in the media about Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, as of late in the media. It makes me wonder statistically, just how common place this condition is presented in soldiers, leaders and with many of us who grow up suffering a certain amount of it, due to some kind of trauma. I also suspect this is why the King of Swords, although is greatly associated with leadership, kindness, decency, fairness, and ethical behaviour, he is can be disconnected between what he values and believes in, and what is shown and manifested emotionally toward others, especially toward those that he cares about. This lack of emotional connection with others is very frustrating to those who love him. It has been best described as having an inner homelessness. He has great difficulty showing emotion, leaving him isolated, and often alone.

I learned at a young age through a wonderful mentor, who was a director of our local hole in the wall, YMCA, that being a good leader is one who truly knows and understands, how to serve. He helped so many of us troubled teenagers by his example and service. He taught us about leadership.

If we are leaders and we want to serve, we need to be able to connect emotionally with others, and to know to take good care of ourselves, like we would take good care of others. If we don't know and understand this, we will eventually, sooner or later burn out, expecting to be all things, to all people, while neglecting ourselves.

The King of Swords shows that there is an abundance of positive characteristics in strength, that is demonstrated in inspired ideas, with a very strong intellect, great compassion and ethics. These qualities can be applied to future ideas and goals, that can be accomplished, and easily achieved.

If we do find ourselves disconnected from what we believe in, and suffer from that inner homelessness, we need to find a way to reach out, and seek help. False pride is useless, when we cut our noses off, to spite our face. No man or woman, is an island.
 

King of Wands - The Hero/Adventurer

The King of Wands is associated with the Fire signs, Aries, Leo and Sagittarius. In some decks, he has the Lion at his back, signifying inner strength, prowess, a spirit of leadership and even nobility. He has a power to manifest his creative vision, imagination, and his firery enthusiasm with an infectious personality, is influential on those he meets.

The King is both skillful and wise, has developed his courage, and sense of adventure. He continues to grow, and prosper, but knows there is always room for improvement. His leadership abilities he will serve both at home, and in the workplace.

 He exhibits mastery and self-awareness, reflecting self-control and respect for himself and others. Generosity and kindheartedness is a great strength, innate in the King of Wands. He is both fierce in love and war, and embodies the hero or heroine.

 The individual with this personality needs to guard against impatience, selfishness, not paying attention to detail, and the certainty of always being right. He/she may devalue the quieter and ordinary side of life, considering it to be boring, as the desire for adventure, and action can take priority.