Kings are associated with control, mastery, discipline and resolve.  Cups represent emotions, love, pleasures in life; matters pertaining to the unconscious, intuition and the inner planes, and the element of water.  The King of Cups is both a romantic, loving person who does not let his emotions lead him down the wrong path.  He has enough life experience to know that while he desires love and pleasure in life sometimes that can lead to unhealthy choices. 

The Celtic Wisdom King of Art shows a man making a shoe and standing in his workshop.  The ocean is visible through the doorway.  (Okay, in the interests of honesty this card was originally  the King of Skill but as it depicts Manawyddan, who I think has more watery/arts qualities, I switched him to the King of Art).  He is working while trying to solve the disappearance of his wife Rhiannon and her son Pryderi.  He appears to be a master craftsman and yet he seems somber, almost sad.  It's as though he's trying to master his emotions about this situation because he knows that succumbing to them will not resolve the situation or change anything.  So he remains stoic and determined.

On the Zerner-Farber King ofHearts we see a man dressed in somewhat theatrical Romanesque garb.  He holds a heart in his right hand and has a bunch of flowers at his waist.  Despite these traditionally feminine symbols, he is very confident and serene.  He seems secure in his masculinity and doesn't need macho accoutrements to prove he is a man.

I have often seen this card described as the counselor, the psychologist or therapist.  It can symbolize someone who is supportive, creative and sensitive.  In some ways this sounds like the stereotypical "new age man".  Unfortunately this archetype has come under some attack lately, possibly because it has somewhat mutated into the metrosexual - which has a very different feel to it. 

In my life I have been much more familiar with the energies of the reversed King of Cups - that demanding, petty and tyrannical personality that can rear its ugly head when home and hearth are threatened.  I've seen some folks with this personality become very controlling and abusive when they fear their family is breaking up.  But enough about that.

I think what this card is trying to tell me today is that I need to start manifesting this energy in my life.  The part about this symbolizing a counselor or therapist range especially true in light of James Wanless' final comments about RS09.  He mentioned that during a conversation with Elinor Greenberg when they were discussing how to describe the work they do with Tarot Elinor suggested "therapist".  It's a simple concept but also somewhat dangerous.  I mean really - does that mean we have to really help people now in stead of just playing head games?  Well okay, I admit I'm not one for playing head games with people (even if I don't like them).  It takes too much energy and I get bored and confused.  However the concept of being a source of support, stability and emotional strength for others.  Maybe on some level I have always been working toward this goal, I just never wanted to take a more formalized path (such as getting a doctorate in psychology).  Maybe I prefer being on the fringe to being an acceptable "expert".  I've always had a tendency to tweak my nose at rules and "the establishment".  However I'm also not much of a joiner so I prefer to do it in my own way.  I guess this is a sign that I'll get to the right place no matter how many U-turns I make.