Kings in Tarot
Why they are fixed and not mutable
Kings in Tarot: Why They Are Fixed, Not Mutable
The Blasphemy? Rethinking Crowley’s Kings in Tarot
Aleister Crowley would turn in his grave hearing me say this, but the Kings in Tarot are not Mutable—they are Fixed.
This statement may sound like blasphemy, given Crowley’s monumental contributions to Tarot and occult studies, but it is with the utmost respect for his work that I must insist: the Kings in Tarot are Fixed signs, not Mutable ones.
The Kabbalistic Foundation of the Tarot Court Cards
To explain, let’s look at the Kabbalistic structure of the Tarot Court Cards, where Crowley and I do agree on several key points:
✅ Queens are Cardinal – They initiate and give form. Their placement in Binah (Understanding) aligns with their role as creators, making them unquestionably Cardinal.
✅ Princesses (Pages) are not assigned an astrological quality – They reside in Malkut (Active World), embodying potential energy rather than a distinct quality like Fixed, Mutable, or Cardinal.
However, where Crowley and I diverge is in the Princes (Knights) and Kings:
• Crowley designates Princes (Knights) as Fixed and Kings as Mutable
• I argue that Princes (Knights) are Mutable, and Kings are Fixed
Fixed vs. Mutable: Where the Kings and Princes Belong
Princes (Knights) Reside in Yesod—A Mutable Realm
The Princes (Knights) belong to Yesod, the Sephirah of Foundation. Yesod is a highly fluid and changeable realm, ruled by the Moon, which reflects, distorts, and constantly shifts.
Since Yesod is a world of illusion, transition, and transformation, how can the Princes be Fixed? They are the ones who develop, advance, and refine—changing constantly as they grow. Their energy is not stable but adaptive, ever-moving and evolving.
Kings Reside in Chokmah—The Fixed Quality of Knowing
The Kings in Tarot, however, belong to Chokmah (Wisdom), which represents absolute knowing.
Once you “know,” you do not waver. That certainty, whether right or wrong, is unshakable. This borderline arroganceof absolute knowledge is what makes the Kings Fixed, not Mutable.
• Fixed signs in astrology (Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, Aquarius) are known for their steadfastness, consistency, and resistance to change—just like the Tarot Kings.
• Mutable signs (Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, Pisces) represent adaptability, transition, and constant evolution—which aligns much better with Princes (Knights), not Kings.
Developmental Stages: Why Kings Represent Stability
Another way to approach this is by examining the Tarot Court Cards as developmental stages:
1. Princess (Page) – The initial stage, pure potential and exploration.
2. Queen – The Cardinal stage, where ideas take form and are manifested.
3. Prince (Knight) – The Mutable stage, active growth, movement, and change.
4. King – The Fixed stage, where the energy is fully established and no longer changing.
By the time we reach the Kings, the process has reached maturity. The Kings embody the final stage of authority and mastery, which aligns perfectly with Fixed signs.
Astrology of the Kings in Tarot: The Fixed Signs and Elements
Understanding the astrological qualities of the Kings further supports why they must be Fixed rather than Mutable.
Take the King of Pentacles, for example:
Take the King of Pentacles, for example:
• If Kings were Mutable, his astrological assignment would be Mercury in Virgo—which does not fit his qualities. Mercury is fast, analytical, adaptable, and ever-changing, which contradicts the King of Pentacles’ stable and established nature.
• If Kings are Fixed, he would be Venus in Taurus, which aligns perfectly with his Earth-based mastery over stability, wealth, and pleasure.
The same logic applies to the other Kings in Tarot:
• King of Cups → Scorpio (Fixed Water) → Deep, controlled, unwavering emotions.
• King of Wands → Leo (Fixed Fire) → Unshakable confidence, leadership, and power.
• King of Swords → Aquarius (Fixed Air) → Visionary, intellectually dominant, and immovable in beliefs.
What This Means for Tarot Readings
Why does this distinction matter? Because reading Kings as Fixed signs makes far more sense in Tarot interpretations.
• A King of Pentacles in a reading represents stability, financial mastery, and consistency—not the quicksilver adaptability of Mercury in Virgo.
• A King of Cups signifies emotional depth and control, not the scattered energy of a Mutable Water sign like Pisces.
• A King of Swords embodies logical dominance and structured thought, not the ever-changing intellect of Mutable Gemini.
This Fixed quality is what gives the Kings their authority and power—they are not easily swayed, nor do they evolve like the Princes.
Conclusion: The Kings in Tarot Are Fixed
For these reasons, I firmly maintain that the Kings in Tarot are Fixed, not Mutable.
They represent:
✅ Mastery – The final, complete stage of development.
✅ Authority – Unwavering certainty and control.
✅ Astrological Fixed Signs – Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, and Aquarius, all of which embody stability and dominance.
No matter what Aleister Crowley would have thought, the Kings in Tarot are Fixed—and that is how I read them in every Tarot interpretation.
