Masculinity and the Tarot

Welcome Back, Readers!

Today marks the beginning of a new series on Black Mirror Alchemy!

Over the course of five posts, we will explore the theme of masculinity in the tarot and how men can—and should—start integrating this spiritual practice into their lives.

In our current historical moment, tarot occupies a curious position in Western culture. On one hand, it's often shunned as something "of Satan," a remnant of the 1980s Satanic Panic and the waning influence of Evangelical Christianity. On the other hand, tarot has experienced a significant resurgence. A diverse array of practitioners, artists, and metaphysical businesses have emerged to meet the growing consumer demand for this once-obscure deck of cards.

Tarot also carries a gendered dimension, primarily associated with women and femininity. The stereotypical image of a tarot reader is a woman dressed like Stevie Nicks, clacking her long nails against her deck as she interprets messages from Mother Gaia for her querent. The querent, of course, is another woman—asking questions about her love life, a quarrel with her best friend, or the well-being of her cat. Perhaps they both engage in motivational journaling by candlelight in apartments adorned with mandala tapestries.

As you read this description, you likely smiled knowingly because you recognize these women and the culture I'm describing. However, if I were to describe this scenario to someone from the early 1900s, they would be astonished. You see, tarot—and occultism more broadly—was traditionally a masculine practice, especially after the Enlightenment period. Men of learning often practiced both science and occultism hand in hand. If you studied the stars, you were interested in both astronomy and astrology. If you were drawn to chemistry, you likely also explored alchemy. If you were invested in philosophy or psychology, you probably engaged with folklore, myths, and the divine.

In the early 1900s, occult societies such as the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn were primarily led by men. While women were included and even held leadership roles, the journey into the arcane was seen as a masculine endeavor.

It wasn't until the 1960s, with the rise of the New Age and hippie movements, that the occult began its feminization. The dominant narrative became that men shouldn't engage in "make-believe" but should instead be dying in the jungles of Vietnam. Men were expected to embrace logic, reason, and science, not get lost in the perceived softness of spirituality or magic.

Almost 60 years have passed since the Summer of Love, and the 21st century is looking increasingly bleak. We have moved into an age of feminine dominance, where institutions have adopted Aquarian values such as fairness, advocacy, and creating emotionally safe environments. Therapy-speak permeates our workplaces, friend groups, and governments. We are encouraged to be receptive and compliant for the good of others. Masculine spaces are diminishing, and masculine work has all but vanished outside of explicitly dangerous jobs. The romantic and sexual prospects for younger generations are abysmal.

Alongside these significant social changes, men are losing their sense of purpose, drive, and meaning. The institutions and roles we once relied upon have crumbled beneath our feet. We can no longer rely on others to teach us how to be men in this era or to foster and develop our masculinity. We are left to figure it out on our own—or fail. There are no rituals. There are no guides.

We will examine why history has taken this turn and explore the snake-oil salesmen who attempt to lure us off our path in the coming posts. For now, suffice it to say that if you're spending money on something that seems too good to be true, it likely is, and you've fallen into a consumerist trap. Today, we'll explore how tarot might serve as a useful tool for finding a path that not only works for you but also enables you to walk that path alongside other men in similar situations.

Upfront, let me tell you: what I present today is not an Aquarian solution. I do not expect you to become politically activated with this method. I will not ask you to embrace any sort of collective project or develop empathy for unknown others. Instead, I offer you a framework to begin working through your relationship with yourself, those in your immediate social circle, and the divine.

The Four Kings Method

In previous blog posts, we've touched on the Kings in the tarot, but we haven't explored them as a genre of card, nor have we discussed their interrelationships. For the remainder of this post, we'll discuss the Kings holistically, and in consecutive posts, we'll investigate each one further, consulting with them regarding the path of manhood in the 21st century.

The Kings in the tarot represent mastery of their respective suits. As the final card in a given suit, the Kings symbolize active excellence. Their presence indicates not only the completion of a cycle but also the development of leadership qualities and the capacity to guide and organize a suit toward one's own ends.

If we were to line up the court cards, we would observe the following progression:

• Pages: Novices who are passionate about their suit but lack wisdom and experience.
• Knights: Adepts in their suit who have learned how to manipulate it but lack patience and methodology.
• Queens: Masters who understand how to foster growth in their suit but lack the organizational skills to make the suit productive.
• Kings: Masters who can organize and manipulate their suit into meaningful patterns and new forms to meet the needs of themselves and those for whom they are responsible.

For those of us without male mentors in our lives, the Kings of the tarot can serve as critical guides as we mature into our manhood. Each of the four Kings offers an important lesson for us to learn in order to become well-rounded individuals.

As a quick reminder, each suit in the tarot is connected with an element:

• Swords - Air: Communication, knowledge, speech
• Wands - Fire: Passion, creativity, desire
• Cups - Water: Emotions, relationships, love
• Pentacles - Earth: Health, labor, money

Thus, each King represents the mastery of a specific domain of life. As we continue with this series, you'll notice that each King not only has dominion over a particular area but also approaches its management and guidance in unique ways. You cannot treat fire the same way you handle water, nor can you expect the unyielding earth to bend like the wind through the trees.

The King of Air

Our first guide is the King of Swords, a severe-looking man seated upon a throne with a tall back decorated with butterfly motifs. A Mercurial figure, this King has mastered two crucial skills: information literacy and tact. Information literacy encompasses the ability to become self-taught, knowing just enough about enough things to find, understand, and implement new knowledge. Tact involves the art of communication, enabling fluid interaction with others and allowing him to clearly express his ideas. As the master of the element of Air, this King recognizes that the road to enlightenment requires thoughtfulness and flexibility; it doesn't matter which road he takes as long as it leads to his desired destination.

The King of Fire

In contrast, the King of Wands is a more forceful and active ruler. Reminiscent of Ares, the god of war, this King represents the drive and motivation to achieve one's goals. He gazes out on the horizon toward the object of his desire, confident in his ability to attain it. This King has mastered the skills of directing energy and igniting passion in others. While he shares his brother's flexibility in methods of conquest, he differs in his understanding that some situations require declaring war rather than continuously pleading for peace.

The King of Water

On the opposite end of the spectrum, the King of Cups is a calmer, more peaceful ruler. He has spent his life mastering the art of human connection, supporting those around him in becoming the best versions of themselves. This wise figure has learned through deep exploration of both his conscious and unconscious realms. He teaches us how to connect with ourselves and our emotional needs, as well as how to connect with others. The King of Cups is good-humored and enjoys watching people dip their toes into the oceans he rules. He takes time to explore the inner workings of the soul and uses that knowledge to improve the lives of others. However, don't mistake him for a peace-loving hippy; water can manifest as a light drizzle or a thunderstorm, a gentle stream or a raging ocean, a warm and nurturing hot spring or a stone-cold glacier.

The King of Earth

Finally, we have the King of Pentacles, who embodies the full maturation of physical and worldly health. This King knows how to develop, execute, and benefit from his plans in meticulous ways. He is careful in his work and thoughtful in his treatment of his body. He urges us to strive for peak performance; we must be masters of our labor, and to do so, we must ensure our bodies are up to the challenge. The King of Pentacles understands the difference between having a lot of money and being wealthy, the difference between good and bad odds, and the perpetual cycles of developing excellence in all he does. He is arguably the slowest-moving of the Kings, as he understands that our plans take time to come to fruition; gardens require tending and patience to yield a harvest, and bodies need time and nurturing to build.

The Collective Kings and the Emperor Archetype

Together, these Kings form the full Emperor (IV) archetype, each representing a facet of the whole, which epitomizes masculinity. As we strive to reconnect with this important figure, it is crucial not to get carried away with a single line of development. The shadow of the Emperor is the Tyrant, who, when out of balance, represents a weakness or insecurity that drives him to excess in his area of dominance. We can only become well-rounded men when we integrate the lessons from all four Kings.

Conclusion

As we embark on this journey through the Four Kings Method, I want to encourage you to reflect on your current relationship with masculinity. Consider these prompts as a starting point to organize your thoughts:

• What messages about masculinity did you receive growing up?
• How do you currently find balance and integration with the different suits of the tarot?
• Have there been times when you’ve fallen into the shadow aspect of one of the Kings? What was that experience like?

It is crucial for men to be proactive in this historical moment. The days of coasting through life, assuming that traditional roles will naturally find a place for you in the Aquarian Age, are rapidly fading. We are in an era where "personal responsibility" is emphasized in every facet of society, including our psychology. While this perspective may not always be the most helpful—personally, I advocate for the return of structured coming-of-age rituals for boys—I believe it's essential to recognize that we are essentially navigating this landscape on our own.

My goal with the Four Kings Method is to provide you with the tools necessary to build a manhood that is both significant and meaningful to you. I am not concerned with what your particular vision of manhood looks like—whether it aligns with a specific political ideology or whether you even view tarot as legitimate. Rather, my hope is that you can extract something valuable from this series to create a space for yourself in this world and live a life that fills you with pride. This process involves finding balance, gaining control, and serving those who depend on you.

The Crown of a King Tarot Spread

To conclude, I’ve created a tarot spread to help you start this important conversation with yourself. This spread, "The Crown of a King," is designed to connect the reflective questions about masculinity with the insights of the tarot. If you're following the Four Kings Method, I encourage you to take out a journal, date the page, and write down your interpretations of each card. This practice will allow you to track how your understanding of masculinity evolves over time as you engage in spiritual and esoteric work.

The Four Kings Reflection Spread

Card 1: The Mirror (Self-Perception)

Question: What are my current beliefs about masculinity, and how do I see myself in relation to them?

Purpose: This card reflects your internalized views of masculinity, highlighting your self-perception and how you identify with both traditional and evolving concepts of manhood.

Card 2: The Shadow (Influences and Conditioning)

Question: How have societal expectations and role models shaped my understanding of manhood?

Purpose: This card reveals the external forces and role models that have influenced your understanding of masculinity—whether positively or negatively. It also highlights any conditioning that may still be impacting you.

Card 3: The Sword (Challenges)

Question: What challenges or conflicts do I face in embracing my true sense of manhood?

Purpose: This card uncovers the internal or external obstacles that challenge your acceptance or expression of your true masculine self, shedding light on any conflicts that need addressing.

Card 4: The Crown (Integration and Growth)

Question: How can I integrate these reflections to evolve my understanding of masculinity?

Purpose: This card provides guidance on how to integrate your insights and reflections to evolve and mature your concept of masculinity, moving toward a more authentic and balanced expression of manhood.

Optional Card: The Guide (Future Growth)

Question: Who or what can support me on this journey of redefining my masculinity?

Purpose: This optional card offers insight into a mentor, role model, or practice that can help you continue growing and redefining your understanding of manhood.

Have a wonderful week, and thank you for spending time with me on this journey.