The King of Cups shows us a way of relating to the world that is connected, engaged, yet centered and emotionally stable. This is no easy feat. At times, it may feel like we exist in two emotional modes: either we connect with what is happening in the world around us, completely losing our grip on our feelings; or, we completely disconnect and shut down in an effort to protect ourselves. Pressed by the urge to act and participate, and to correct what is wrong, we lose ourselves in the process, and are left in emotional and psychological shambles, devouring the news. Or, terrified at the horrors of the society around us, we close down the blinds of our awareness and pretend all is well in the world.

What we are facing in modern times is not something that will go away anytime soon. In a world of increasing divisiveness and compounding high-stakes issues, from racial to environmental topics, we must be prepared for an increasingly unstable world. To face what is ahead, being either emotionally apathetic or disheveled won’t do. As spiritual practitioners, between engagement and loss of peace, there is a middle ground. There exists a way of being present for the issues of our people and of our planet, while keeping our center of gravity in subconsciously stable place.

King of Cups shows us the way to that place within ourselves. All the Kings in the tarot bring the energies of their respective suit to the outward, social, planetary sphere. The Queens emphasize such energetic mastery in their inner, individual, immediately-relational aspects. The Kings do so on the collective level. Within and without: both are equally potent and equally important. The point is, the King of Cups, dealing with the emotional/subconscious/relational realm, knows how to masterfully exude water energy at the social, political, global levels.

We are all King of Cups when we find and maintain our spiritual centers as we engage in impactful action in the world towards the justice that we seek. We are King of Cups when we let the love in our hearts serve as a propelling force for good and reparations. We are King of Cups when we tap into the power of our emotions to speak the truth, and to have the courage to address those in our relationship sphere that are contrarian to equality and corrective action. We are King of Cups when we build upon our own heart’s power as we engage in the reconstruction of our failed systems.

This is just the beginning. While self-care, self-gentleness, and mindful periods of disconnection from the world are much needed on a regular basis; our causes need our hearts to be open and strong. As we bring healing waters to the parched lands, we are all invoked to show up in the world as Kings of Cups.