THE KING

Responsibility – Command
Inadequacy– Egocentrism

In the image, a skinny king, almost lacking muscles and presence, sits on a throne that seems larger than himself. He wears something resembling a pajama-like outfit, far too comfortable for a sovereign. At his feet, a small feline — perhaps a cat — observes the scene with the autonomous dignity typical of animals that owe no accountability to anyone. Their fur is similar, but their condition is not: the cat is free, the king is trapped in his role.

Here, power is not glorious; it is a garment too heavy for the one who wears it. It appears fragile, spoiled, sometimes inadequate. It is the mask of authority placed upon a body too light to sustain it. The King lives in constant balance between the impulse to do as he pleases and the weight of the responsibilities he carries, because no matter how vast his domain may be, a sovereign always owes something to others. This is his eternal paradox: on one side duty, on the other pleasure; on one side the role, on the other the self.

In the King’s shadow lie the distortions of unearned privilege, hollow hierarchies, and clientelist systems in which wearing a crown — or holding a title, an office, a position — is enough to command respect without substance. And yet, even a ridiculous sovereign can rule, if no one dares to question him.

So, my dear one, if your subconscious has chosen this card, perhaps it wants to tell you that:

If the card speaks about you – Light

You possess a natural ability to guide, organize, and hold things together, often without realizing it. Your sense of order may emerge precisely in moments of confusion, and you know how to occupy a position of reference with discretion and quiet firmness, like someone who sits on the throne without needing to prove it.

Questions for you
– In which area of your life are you wearing a crown without being fully aware of it?
– Which responsibility makes you stronger rather than more exhausted?
– Where could you take the lead in a spontaneous and constructive way?

If the card speaks about you – Shadow

You may feel burdened by a role that does not truly belong to you, or you may rely on a superficial form of authority to mask a sense of vulnerability. At times, the need for control conceals a deeper fear: not being up to the task.

Questions for you
– What would you like to have absolute control over?
– Have you ever felt drawn to certain privileges, and which ones?
– Are you demanding from others something that should be your responsibility?

If the card speaks about the world – Light

A figure of reference, though not outwardly strong or imposing, may prove decisive. True power does not always manifest through grandeur; sometimes it expresses itself through stability, care, and quiet consistency. At times an animal, a child, or a marginal or discreet person holds the real emotional or moral authority.

Questions for you
– Who is exercising a positive influence you had not recognized as power?
– What invisible authority is proving more solid than the official one?
– Where does a gentle but effective leadership appear?

If the card speaks about the world – Shadow

You may be facing an environment ruled by arbitrary hierarchies, favoritism, recommendations, or power games unrelated to merit. The King can be anyone who carries the symbol of command, even without the substance required to sustain it.

Questions for you
– Is there someone holding authority without real value?
– Are you actively or passively sustaining a system that rewards the undeserving?
– Is there an immature or inadequate person exercising power over you?