Tarot should be taken seriously, because to Tarot readers and enthusiasts, they are not a toy or game. They are not ‘supernatural,’ but are sacred images designed to connect with the innermost patterns of human thought and emotion. As such, it's said they and their spreads merit a certain amount of respect.
The Importance of Attitude Toward the Tarot
Tarot cards are a part of the symbolic world, so any individual who wishes to read the Tarot, including you, must develop a respect for the archetypal symbols that they embody. This attitude of respect does not just appear out of nowhere, and it cannot be willed into existence. It must instead be cultivated over time.
The intelligent Tarot card reader strives to develop a sort of relationship with their cards. They realize that the Tarot are not simply amusing pieces of paper with pretty little drawings, and so they are unlikely to let them grow dusty and ragged from neglect or misuse. They are respected for their abilities, and are treated as a valuable tool.
The Proper Storage of Tarot Cards
Since most Tarot readers have a great deal of respect for their cards, they tend to take special care of them. In general, it is best to wrap a deck of Tarot cards in a special cloth. For those new to using Tarot cards, the cloth helps to develop a relationship with the cards.
Traditionally, Tarot cards are kept wrapped in black silk. The idea here is that black is a neutral color, and so can ‘neutralize’ any energies — positive or negative — that may come into contact with the cards. Whether or not this is true is a matter of some debate.
Regardless of the truth of this ‘black silk’ tradition, it is important to develop a ritual of sorts when it comes to the storage of Tarot cards. The unwrapping and wrapping of the cards before and after a reading in their own special cloth can become a point of concentration. This ritual helps to cement a relationship with the cards.
There are those who store the Major Arcana and the Minor Arcana of the Tarot separately. While this is certainly an option, it is hardly necessary. The cards are generally read together in a spread, and so there is no harm in storing them together.
Where the cards are stored when wrapped in their special cloth is a little less important. It should be a place that is free of direct light, to prevent fading. Also, somewhere overly damp will cause damage to the cards and their images. However, the back of a dark drawer just won’t do. They must be treated with respect, and the place where they rest when not in use should reflect that.
The proper attitude and treatment of the Tarot is a symbol of the unique and valued place the cards hold. It also reinforces the importance of their images.
About half of all Tarot readers choose to interpret any cards appearing upside down in a reading as having reversed meanings. If you are one of them, the King of Pentacles in its reversed position might indicate that a money-minded man may try to take you for all that he can get. He may appear steady and reliable, but in reality he is a poor advisor, a loser, or perhaps temporarily down on his luck. In personal matter, this guy can be stingy or a bully. This card may also imply that a slight financial setback may befall you.
The King of Pentacles of the Minor Arcana of the Tarot is the fourteenth card of the Suit of Pentacles. It follows the Queen of Pentacles. It is the embodiment of diplomacy and wisdom.
The Symbolism of the King of Pentacles Tarot Card
This card is represented by a mature man seated upon an ornate throne. He is wearing stately robes and has a golden crown upon his head. He is seated in the midst of a garden filled with grapes. In one hand he holds a scepter, in the other he clasps a golden pentacle. In the background is a solid stone wall, and behind it, an imposing castle rests on a hill.
The General Interpretation of the King of Pentacles Card
When appearing in a spread, this card implies a need to acquire both the social and practical knowledge that is necessary to achieve either wealth or respectability. The appearance of the King of Pentacles in a spread can sometimes indicate contact with a person of high status, someone who can be of benefit to the individual who drew this card.
Unlike some of the other cards from the Suit of Pentacles, this card does not indicate material gain, unless this is supported by other cards in the same spread.
The Inner Meaning of the King of Pentacles in Tarot
The King of Pentacles is the image of a man who enjoys sensual delights and material wealth. As a court card, it may represent either an actual person or a situation. Often this card is both at the same time. As a person, it may be a mature adult, either male or female, who is often diplomatic, and sometimes egotistical. He has great social standing, or thinks he does, and feels that keeping up with everyone else is a high priority.
It is important to understand that the King of Pentacles is not necessarily a male figure. He can also represent a female. Instead, it is the more masculine qualities that emerge when this card appears in a spread. The King of Pentacles is an individual who can have a darker side. He can be miserly, and sometimes has a horrible ego. This is someone that the individual should beware of crossing.
As a situation, this card can be interpreted as a time when diplomacy, patience, and wisdom are of the upmost importance. Usually the situation has some material or monetary aspect, as do most situations when the Suit of Pentacles is involved. This is a card that suggests taking a step back to reevaluate the situation. Keeping a cool head will be particularly valuable.
The King of Pentacles is the fourth court card of the Suit of Pentacles. It is the final card of the Suit of Pentacles, and so represents heightened, yet stable, earthly achievements.
For those who see those cards appearing upside down in a Tarot spread as having their own unique meaning, the Queen of Pentacles in its reversed position implies that a woman may be too money-minded and she may try to take more than her fair share of goods, time, or energy from you. As a situation, this shows that some extra expense will be incurred by that there is still a chance of improving your situation.
