King of Cups
The King sits authoritatively upon a solid stone throne that appears to float directly on a rolling, turbulent open sea. Around his neck hangs a heavy golden amulet shaped like a fish, and a small ship and a leaping dolphin are visible in the background.
Despite the restless waves tossing around his throne, his posture is completely steady and unshakeable. He does not suppress the ocean of emotion; he balances atop it, using his gold scepter to steer his kingdom through the storms with quiet, intuitive wisdom.
Upright
The King of Cups sits at the absolute peak of emotional authority. Upright, he represents the master diplomat, the counselor, or the healer who has achieved complete dominion over the waters of his soul. He rules with compassion, balancing his deep feelings with logical intellect.
Reversed
Reversed, his emotional control curdles into toxic volatility or cold, calculating manipulation. He warns of someone who weaponizes emotions to control environments, or a state of internal chaos where you are drowning your feelings in substance abuse and vice to avoid facing reality.