I prefer the Rider-Waite deck because it balances masculine and feminine energies. All humans carry both masculine and feminine energies, and these cards can provide beneficial information in tarot readings for men or women.
All Kings have agency but express their power in different ways. Both men and women need to find their agency, but masculine and feminine energies express themselves differently. How the Kings embody their masculine energies in the Tarot can help us find balance.
King of Wands — The King of Wands is seated comfortably on his throne. His flowing gown and head cap are red, symbolizing that he is grounded in his passion in the earth and sky. Green is the color that represents the heart, and his boots are grounded in the foundation of his throne, his power. The green cap covering his head represents the connection between his thoughts and his heart. His flowering staff, another symbol of his power, is held lightly and is grounded in the earth. He is a man of fire and passion, grounded and strong. On his throne are lions, the symbol of courage and strength, and the salamander, a symbol of fire, biting its tail, representing infinity and vision. The gold in his cape and the back of his throne connect him with sun energy.
King of Swords — The King of Swords holds a sword, the symbol of discernment, in his right hand in a posture of focus and readiness. His blue gown, however, flows like the wind, and beneath the blue is the bright red of passion. He is ready for action, but his actions come from clarity and consciousness rather than the heat of passion. The back of his throne is covered with butterflies and crescent moons, signifying that his strength is informed by his feminine energies and the clarity of the air element.
King of Pentacles — The King of Pentacles lives in the lap of luxury. His robe is filled with an abundance of grapes and flowers. Bulls perch on the four corners of his throne, symbolizing Taurus, who represents love, war, and strength. He is thriving and generous, sharing his abundance with his realm. He is a part of the material world, the earth, and he understands the connection of all things, the cycles, and the need for hard work and diligence to bring his dreams to fruition. His boots, however, are sharp and pointed, representing the importance of good boundaries even in generosity.
King of Cups — The King of Cups is a powerful model of balance in the masculine and feminine. His feet are solidly grounded on the cement foundation of his throne, but the throne is floating in the ocean, signifying that he is grounded even when the wild currents of life toss him about. Creating balance, he holds the cup, a symbol of the feminine, in his right hand, the masculine side, and the scepter, a symbol of the masculine power, in his left, the feminine side. His cape is yellow like the sun, representing sky energy, and his gown resembles flowing water.
In a tarot reading, these energies can work in positive or negative ways depending on the position. When a King shows up, depending on its location, it may be bringing attention to imbalance or places where growth or healing needs to happen in the areas of one’s personal power. Understanding the symbolism of the pictures can bring focus to energies that are arising or need to be shed.
An interesting experiment might be to pull the four Kings from the deck. Choose the card that you feel represents you the best. Meditate on the card and listen to the message that it wants to tell you. Then pull the card you like the least and listen to what that card wants to say to you. Accept the possibility of learning from cards that attract and repel you. Often the cards that you like the least are the ones that have the most to teach