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. 

"An involvement with a psychic process has reached an end.  You've reached the completion of a phase in your psychic or spiritual growth.  You could be leaving a church or spiritual group or ending a time of disbelief in psychic phenomena.  It's important that you symbolize this rite of passage in a way that's meaningful to you." - Gail Fairfield

On the Bohemian Gothic card we see Nosferatu rising hovering before a window, eyeing the woman who stands before him.  She seems oblivious to him; unaware that he lingers outside gazing longingly at her.  Has he hypnotized her or has she bewitched him?  Who is actually in control of this situation?  As hideous and repulsive as Nosferatu might be, he seems to long for human contact.  Perhaps he desires the love of this woman.  Perhaps she represents healing and salvation to him; a potential for a normal, human life.

The Halloween King of Ghosts shows a masked figure seated on a jack-o-lantern adorned throne.  He holds a skull and crossbones decorated chalice in one hand and the end of a ghost in the other.  Waves of water surround his throne and we can even see a ship's sails and sea creature in the distance.  A fish skeleton rests at his feet and adorns his necklace.  This seems to suggest he has the ability to see beyond the surface of things.  He can get to the bare bones of the matter.  He sees through the illusions we may project and he is able to help us see beyond this veil as well.  Perhaps he can guide us through the darkness and help us find some solid ground in the midst of emotional turmoil and confusion.

Both these kings seems familiar and at home with the otherworldly environment that surrounds them.  Both seem to be able to navigate through this world although one seeks to escape it and the other offers to serve as our guide through it.  Which will prove more useful may depend upon where we are in our lives at this time.

For me, I think their message is more subtle.  I think they are trying to tell me that I've been avoiding looking beneath the surface.  Instead of exploring my feelings and trusting my intuitions about current situations, I'm trying to only deal with surface reality.  If I don't take this opportunity to see the deeper meanings to my life and try to find my way through some of the darker moments, I run the risk of being disconnected and distanced from those I care about and love.  In fact when I think about it, relationships in general can be quite scary sometimes.  My inner King of Cups can help me navigate these situations in a gentle and supportive way as long as I follow his lead.  Leading with my heart, sheesh what a frightening thought that is, at least for me.