Kings symbolize control, discipline, resolve and mastery.  Swords are associated with reason, thought, logic, will, courage, verbal skills, matters pertaining to the mind and survival in the world, and the element of air. The keywords for this card are authority and practical intelligence.  The King of Swords may be showing that it's time to trade in old philosophical ideas that no longer serve any useful purpose.  Old communication styles that don't suit your current place in life may also need to be left behind.  It's time to reach closure on old activities that are no longer meaningful or interesting to you.

Hmm, I find it interesting that the King of Swords in the Olympus Tarot is Herakles (Hercules).  This would not be my choice for King of Swords, maybe King of Wands, but it does make one think.  Herakles is a demi-god famous for his amazing feats of strength and his nine labors.  From birth he was targeted by Hera (which is interesting considering his name translates to something like "glory of Hera") and subjected to a number of challenges, even to the point of being driven mad and killing his first wife. 

However this is a lesson in the life of Herakles.  Despite the challenges and obstacles thrown his way, he does manage to overcome them.  And although is legendary strength is always part of the solution, Herakles does come up with ingenious methods of putting his strength to use solving the problem. 

I get the same sense from the African buffalo on the Animal Lords King of Swords.  He is obviously strong but the sword and scales in his hands indicate that he uses his brain rather than his brawn to solve problems.  The butterfly fluttering overhead reinforces his connection to the air and intellect. 

Maybe one aspect of the reversed King of Swords is that I don't need to be the master of anything anymore.  I can start at the beginning and try to figure out what I want to do and where I want to go.  I can make mistakes without feeling as though I've committed an irredeemable error.  Sometimes it can be very difficult to live up to the expectations of others.  I became afraid that the least little mistake would prove I was a fraud or incompetent.  Now that is not a worry.  I'll be starting over with a clean slate and few built in expectations.

Because it's reversed, I think another of the concepts I need to take away from this card is that it's time to let all those burdens go.  I don't need to hang in there and endure.  I am free to explore new things, like the butterfly flittering around the African buffalo.  I feel lighter and somehow more colorful and radiant.  It's almost as though I reconnected with a me I had forgotten existed.  I've also reconnected with school friends (some of whom I haven't seen in over 20 years) and they've helped me remember a younger me who was just as outspoken but less burdened.  It's nice to get back in touch with that Debbie, I've missed her.