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Bohemian Gothic Tarot

KING OF SWORDS

Lighter or more conventional meanings

A shrewd, intelligent leader * A natural military commander * A fair but firm ruler * A man (or woman) who expects to be obeyed.

Darker, shadow or more hidden meanings

Someone locked away from feelings and emotions * A dictatorial ruler, convinced he (or she) is right * A military leader who wants to use war and force as the first option in any dispute * "For us or against us" mentality * Someone who feels that the end justifies the means - and the end is most imperialistic.

The stiffest, most daunting, and most military of the Kings, the King of Swords is not a character to take lightly. He's learned, fiercely intelligent and expects others to both obey and respect him. He is generally convinced that he, and he alone, has the intellect and judgement to really know what should be done in every situation. The card tends to indicate a mature man who has controlled the violence and excessive force of the Knight of Swords (which could represent a younger self) and who has become a fair, though firm ruler. However, there is still a good deal of combativeness and self-belief in this man and if crossed, he can be aggressive and alarming. Tread carefully when you are near him because, to use the old saying, he does not suffer fools gladly - in other words, he is very intolerant if he thinks you are saying or doing anything stupid.

In the Bohemian Gothic card the depiction is particularly militaristic and unapproachable. We see a knight, with his helmet firmly down, standing with sword drawn. Behind him is a heraldic shield made entirely of human bones. Impressive, but chilling, this is a depiction that provokes fear more than admiration.

Some further ways to consider this card

Imagine what this king's face might look like? Why do you think it is hidden in this image?
when I sat down to read I saw that the books were hoary and mouldy, and that they included old Morryster's wild Marvels of Science, the terrible Saducismus Triumphatus of Joseph Glanvil, published in 1681, the shocking Daemonolatreja of Remigius, printed in 1595 at Lyons, and worst of all, the unmentionable Necronomicon of the mad Arab Abdul Alhazred, in Olaus Wormius' forbidden Latin translation; a book which I had never seen, but of which I had heard monstrous things whispered.
- H. P Lovecraft, "The Festival", Collected Stories.