Kings, especially Pentacles and Rods

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 17 Apr 2005, and now archived in the Forum Library.

Julien	17 Apr 2005
Hi everyone, I have been going back through old threads, looking for discussions of the King of Pentacles. There's been a few, but I couldn't find my particular interest -- forgive me if I missed it. In the meantime, I thought I'd see if anyone else wants to talk about this particular King -- or any other King, for that matter... Here's the story. I've been working with the New Palladini for quite awhile, and decided recently to give Robin West a try. Interestingly enough, I've realized that I'm confusing the RW King of Pentacles with the NP King of Rods. Reading the King of Pentacles in the Robin West, fairly consistently, as though he were the King of Rods in the New Palladini. Only when the real King of Rods appears do I see the rather stark contrast between the two. Partly, I think, it's the imagery of the two decks -- somehow, despite the differences, I'm finding their imagery to overlap. I think it's all the greeness in both cards. And, the RW King of Rods is standing in sunshine, in what seems like a desert (looks like he could use a glass of water, frankly); while the King of Rods in NP is in profile, and looks to be in a setting where water isn't an issue. So, greenery seems to be part of the key to this confusion. BUT... There's another element here. With the New Palladini, the King of Rods was coming up a lot in recent big spread readings... I sort of think it was referring to a particular individual, or energy around a particular relationship. These are readings about life issues, trying to find my way through a transitional period in my life, with a little guidance from the Tarot... All is going well, say the cards again and again -- just stay grounded, balance, balance, balance, and keep the spiritual alive in your life. Now, with Robin Wood, the King of Pentacles keeps showing up -- in the same places, manner as the King of Rods in NP. Always well aspected, by the way, and in a variety of positions generally having to do with the recent past or with the current situation... This has led me to wonder what connections/contrasts there are between these two cards and both decks. It also makes me wonder about the elemental nature of Kings, and how they may "talk" to each other. See, the King of Cups comes up a lot, too, but the King of Swords seems shy -- he has shown up in the last few weeks, but usually upside down. Generally, he doesn't seem to want to appear these days in my readings (though he has played a prominent role in the past). At any rate, I'm curious to know what your experiences are both across decks with these gentlemen as well as within one deck. And, have you ever managed to confuse two cards this way? What do you suppose is the reason for it? Thanks much. Julien

Thirteen	17 Apr 2005
Hey, we all get confused sometimes. Our brain hiccups, and for a moment we're think pentacles for a sword card, or rods for pentacles....and it's most certainly the fault of the deck creator for not making those images a bit clearer ;) I'm only half joking about that. Rider certainly has similar images--all Kings seated on thrones, etc. It's not only confusing in that way--some decks, as you point out, give us images we can't quite reconcile. For example, there was a long discussion the Secret Tarot's Knight of Cups--a man completely encased in black armor and looking ominous. Some folk find it very hard to reconcile the Knight of cups with this menacing image. The real question you seem to be asking is why King of Pentacles/King of Rods--why the confusion over these. The first thing that pops to mind is that you might be having a crisis of conscience, as it were, over whether to focus on earning money (Pentacles) or following your passion (Rods). Kings are mature men; they are responsible and think about larger issues, about the kingdom as a whole and what's best for it. If you're getting Pentacles and Rods confused, then you might well be agonizing over your responsiblity to either put money in the bank, make sure your company is financially solid, etc. OR do what you feel will change the world, be responsible on a spiritual/philosophial level. It's the choice between becoming a banker or a preacher, creating a nest egg or sinking the money into an orphanage in India. Singing commercial songs that keep everyone working and their families fed...or singing protest /spiritual/artistic songs that really mean something to you and will move and change people even if they never earn a penny. In the end, you may be getting the two confused because you want to do both. Don't we all want to earn money doing that which we love and are passionate about--and know will make a difference. Alas. It can't always be that way. Does this confusion strike home at all? You might worry, as well, about getting mainly Kings in this confusion. That could indicate an over developed sense of responsiblity, duty and burdens. A sense that this delemma is more important, or have a larger effect than it really will.

Julien	17 Apr 2005
Hm... Not really one of my dilemmas these days. I decided to get out of the corporate world and pursue an academic career (which has had a successful start) a few years ago and am very happy with that decision. And, I don't think that it had such a kingly air about it at the time -- more like, "Ugh! Accounting is boring -- what can I do that will be more interesting? Ah, I like research, how about that?". Of course, there is the constant "do I take this job or that job" issue nowadays, but that has more to do with how life ought to be balanced between intellectual passions and home life. I've pretty consistently went for jobs/places that let me balance, not favoring one over the other... Besides, Mr. King of Pents comes up in the past or as a basis of the present rather than a choice I'm making now/in the future. Maybe my confusion is a reflection of that old choice, but again, I'm having trouble connecting King energy to it. I have no trouble connecting King energy to the men who have been in my life (father, mentor, older brothers), though. So I'm inclined to think this is about understanding some role they've played in my past that is shaping my present. I should add that the King of Pents' connection to Taurus is important as Taurus is my moon sign. I know there's a tie there to money again... I read through the various threads and found one for elaborating on a recurring card. I decided since the King of Pents keeps coming up I'd throw the spread with him in the center, using Robin Wood's deck. Here's what I came up with: ___5___ _4___6_ ___1___ _3___7_ ___2___ 1. The card recurring: King of Pentacles 2. What's beneath: The Moon Rx 3-4 Where this is coming from/past influences 3. King of Wands 4. The Emperor Rx (By the way, the Emperor is my soul card, and I'm an Aries, so it is also my Zodiac card) 5. What's above: The Hermit Rx 6-7 What's to come/what will flow from this 6. 4 of Cups Rx 7. Queen of Pents Rx So, my old friend, the King of Wands, returns, and in a position for the past, along with the Rx of my soul card, the Emperor. 4's tend to have important lessons in them for me, so I'm particularly intrigued with that Four of Cups Rx. Anyone have any thoughts? Thanks! Julien

Thirteen	18 Apr 2005
Julien wrote: I should add that the King of Pents' connection to Taurus is important as Taurus is my moon sign. So does this mean you see the King/Rods as Leo? I ask because each reader and/or deck has their own Zodiac associations. Some put the King/Rods as Aries matching him up to the Emperor. Quote: 1. The card recurring: King of Pentacles 2. What's beneath: The Moon Rx Here's your first water card, but reveresed, so the river under the moon is dry and the moon itself is dark, not illuminating. It would seem that what's beneath it is, in the negative, an absense of dreams/imagination/psychic abilities--no guiding light through the dark. It suggests harsh reason that insists on practicality. Quote: 3-4 Where this is coming from/past influences 3. King of Wands 4. The Emperor Rx This is interesting. On the one hand, you have the firey King Wands--a positive leader who following his passion and philosophy, never mind practicality. But on the other hand you've got the Emperor reversed--that's the Emperor not as leader but as tyrant. Childish and demanding. Any such men like this in your past life? Might they be one in the same. Our heroes sometimes start off as visionaries, but the longer they stay in power, trying to change the world in the same way, ignoring reality and those they love, the more we might find them less heroic, and more irresponsible. Quote: 5. What's above: The Hermit Rx You mention doing research. A Rx Hermit would suggest a research gone wrong or not working or just having a hard time with it. Quote: 6-7 What's to come/what will flow from this 6. 4 of Cups Rx 7. Queen of Pents Rx The 4/cups runs dry--whatever your satisfied with isn't going to satisfy--you're going to be thirsty. And finances may suffer as well (Queen/Pents Rx). At least, that's what I'm getting. Almost every card in this spread is reversed--only your two kings are upright and the King/Pents was put that way, yes? I would say look outside of your family at men in power--a boss perhaps? Or Boss' boss? It sounds to me as if someone is going to be interfering with that happiness, passion and satisfaction you find in your work.

Julien	18 Apr 2005
Thank you Thirteen. Your reading tracks really closely to the way I was reading the cards. I do have a wonderful leader who can be a childish tyrant in my past -- not too distantly, either. He also tends to be very connected to the earth -- has quite the green thumb, is very good with money, which also reminds me a bit of the King of Pentacles. This person is a mentor and has been interfering in a less than productive way with my book manuscript. I don't think he intends harm, but he has a way of doing it that is really problematic, and his temper trantrums have been a bit of an annoyance of late (to say the least). So much so that I've decided to take him out of the mix for the moment. A dangerous thing to do for a new researcher, at least in the short run, but I think the right thing or else he really will cause me some serious trouble in the long run. I have been worrying about it to no end, though, especially about what it will do to my future prospects if he withdraws his support, and since he seems to think my work is his work, such an action is actually possible. It's a delicate balance, really. Very delicate indeed. The King of Pentacles was placed upright, but he (like the King of Wands) always show up upright in my readings of late. Now I'm wondering if it isn't a reminder of the good energy that comes from this person as well as the negative. Perhaps the cards are reminding me that I shouldn't forget that and find a way to get back to it as I make some of the decisions I'm making creatively... Probably very good advice, I must say. King of Rods as Leo, yes. At least with New Palladini, where I think the Leo symbolism is pretty strong on the card. I haven't thought much about how Robin West may see them differently yet as I've just worked with the deck for the first time in the last two weeks, though as I looked at the card this a.m. I could see fiery Leo there, too. I like this deck, though, quite a lot, and am finding working with it is adding to my ability to interpret the cards. Thank you again -- this was very helpful and I still have more things to think about...

The Kings, especially Pentacles and Rods thread was originally posted on 17 Apr 2005 in the Using Tarot Cards board, and is now archived in the Forum Library. Read the active threads in Using Tarot Cards, or read more archived threads.