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| King of Pentacles TOCC |
We want a King: Who said “We want a King?
A question has come up: “Why are Kings still included in most modern Tarot decks”?
We assume that this concept of Kings and Kingdoms, including an accompanying aristocracy, are leftovers from a bygone era that ended with the WWI Armistice of 11/11/1918. At that time, the Kingdoms and imperial dynasties of Russia, Germany, Austria-Hungary and the Ottoman Empire ended. Meanwhile, in the present time, the Norwegian King, and British Queen/now King, have carried on in constitutional monarchies. After WWII, The US allowed the Japanese to continue with their Emperor. The Kingdoms of Arabia and Dubai continue to exist in the Middle East.
Of course, on the 4thof July 1776, the colonists of the United States rid themselves of British reign over the colonies and ended the rule of King George III with the Declaration of Independence. “We the people” wanted a democracy. Those early colonists did not want another King or a dictator to “fix” all their financial and political problems, especially through “taxation without representation,” and were defiant in having to swear fealty to a King.
“Better no rule than cruel rule”
Aesop: The Frogs Desire a King
In the 1800’s, Mexico and parts of the Southern US were also under the rule of Spanish Kings until 1821, when the states of California, New Mexico and Texas were ceded to the USA. My education in the California education system included a history of long Spanish rule in California and my own migrating ancestors from the South received a “Spanish Land Grant” sometime in the early 1800’s in Northern California.
Stories of Kings in the past
In ancient times, Egyptian Pharaohs were Kings who thought they ruled by “Divine Right.” In Roman times, Julius Caesar was supported in becoming King (Roman Emperor) by a rich merchant, Crassus. “Give us a King” is an old biblical story from at least 4,000 years ago about about a newly formed tribal coalition of Israelites who demanded —“We want a King!” They saw other countries ruled by powerful Kings and winning wars. But, a judge, Samuel, tried to dissuade the people in their desire for a King. He told them that a King will take their best cattle, a tenth of their grain, their sons for wars, and they will pay taxes in tribute to the King, and he will want their fealty and loyalty. Samuel’s diatribe ended with “…and you shall be his slaves” (see I Samuel 8: 11–17). They ignored that, so Saul, a strong young man who was looking for his father’s lost asses (pun?) was appointed their new King. But after a troubled rule, he was corrupt, and his Kingship ended badly. Then, after a long, convoluted story about mayhem, chaos, murder, women and wars, David of Judah was appointed King (see II Samuel 1–11).
In reality, a King is a person who has gained power and rules over everyone and everything in their Kingdom. In 1524, in European history, horribly subjugated peasants revolted against their King’s unrestrained rule in what is now Germany and were crushed. Their revolt was against the oppressive feudal system maintained over the lands by the Hapsburg Lords of Nobility in the central regions of Germany. Over 100,000 or more peasants died in the war against the Kings’ Lords and ruling Dukes. Today it is referred to as “The Peasants War” (according to the War Memorial in Wurzburg, Germany). This was also at the beginning of the Reformation and Martin Luther’s revolt against the Church.
Kings in Tarot
We know Tarot decks have existed since the 15th century at least. So, it is to be expected that the decks would include four types of rulers as Kings and Queens, which correspond with the meaning of the suits of the Minor Arcana: Wands, Cups, Swords, Coins, or Pentacles.
The late Rachel Pollack asserts in The Seventy-Eight Degrees of Wisdom, that, “The king is a symbol of extraordinary activity, accomplishment, social position, success.” As an archetype in a positive sense, a King in a reading represents the ascent of someone to ultimate power and governance through their good leadership. When reversed, “…an upside-down King is symbolizing the idea of success corrupted, the image of a man or woman who will use any means to achieve their goals.” In an optimistic Tarot reading, a “good King” (as a competent leader) works together with people for change and improvement, while providing security and opportunity for those who want to move forward — in an atmosphere of respect, cooperation and generosity.
“A King is a ruler, responsible for the welfare of a society.”
Rachel Pollack, The Seventy-Eight Degrees of Wisdom, Part 2 (Aquarian Press 1980)
The “King” Tarot card reversed
Keep in mind that whom we might think was a “good King” can go in the opposite direction and can become corrupted, creating chaos and “shock and awe” along the way. He assumes he has power to ruin those who criticize his governance. A vengeful King targets and threatens people with eradication. He spreads doubt and confusion about rules and laws and obfuscates the facts. A “bad king” gone awry, can border on a being a dictator — one who sparks rage, plots retaliation against his so-called enemies, crushes dissent, and demands his constituents engage in “boot licking” and “kiss the ring” behavior. In other words, “Be nice and do what you are told.“
(Currently, there is an act before Congress, The No kings Act(SR4973) which would strip the President and Vice- president of immunity from criminal prosecution unless specified by Congress).
In Shakespeare’s play “King Lear, we see what happens to an arrogant and prideful King when things go wrong. In planning for succession, he wants to divide his kingdom between three daughters and will determine the portions of the estate if they tell him how much they love him. Two daughters are evil and deceive him with lies, while the third daughter, who loves him, is banished because he thinks she doesn’t love him enough. She is eventually killed, and he becomes paranoid; madness overcomes him.
In the Tarot deck, “Book of Fools,” by artist Brian Williams, the King of Staves card shows a fool
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| Book of Fools |
who is whispering supposed lies and confabulations in the King’s ear. William's Tarot deck is based on the German Renaissance book Das Narrenschiff, “ The Ship of Fools” by Sebastian Brant. It was parody on foolishness and corruption at that time and showed the fool in depicted in 103 woodcuts attempting to influence Tarot-like characters.
Naomi Klein, in her book The Shock Doctrine (Knopf Canada 2007) describes those (such as “those who would be King”) as people who exploit the chaos of war and natural disasters and crush dissent in order to push through unpopular policies such as deregulation and privatization of government functions. These schemes may include disenfranchising citizens who are too distracted and overwhelmed in confusion to understand what is happening.
Questions to ask in a Tarot reading with a reversed King:
1. Do you see yourself as a King over your particular domain? Or is someone else a King over you?
2. How do you treat your family, friends and colleagues? How do they treat you?
3. Do you distrust political leadership? Are you one of the “Yes-Men”? Or do you resist?
4. What can you do to ensure that “we the people” form of Democracy will continue?
5. Today, do you think we need someone to “take care of us” (especially women)?
6. What are you doing to defeat corruption? What actions are you taking?
7. What place do you hold in the “Scheme of Things”? What to you want to see happen?
References:
Brian Williams, “Book of Fools,” Llewellyn Publications 2002
Rachel Pollack, “Seventy-Eight Degrees of Wisdom,” Part 2: The Minor Arcana and Readings, The Aquarian Press 1983
“Harper’s Bible Dictionary,” HarperCollins 1985
