The Archetype and The Tarot: The Monarch and King of Pentacles
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The Monarch Archetype
Full disclosure: the archetype card I actually pulled from the deck was The King, but I didn’t like that the differences between The King and The Queen were all gender-based, so I went rogue and created an archetype called The Monarch (or it could be The Ruler, if you prefer).
The Monarch is a big pattern of power (whether earned or not) with lots of interwoven threads, including provider, protector, guide, decision maker, delegator and visionary. Intimately familiar with profound responsibility, they know that the buck stops with them. One of the things that differentiates The Monarch from other powerful archetypes like the God or Goddess, is their connection to place. The Monarch has a realm—a physical space of which they are the head steward, responsible for the wellbeing of the land itself and its inhabitants. Because of the enormity of this responsibility, The Monarch possesses the ability to see the big picture, or the group as a whole, rather than placing attention on any individual part.
In the light, The Monarch acts as the benevolent ruler. They prioritize the well-being of their realm. They establish structures that promote safety, security, and abundance for all. Their attention is on the community as a whole and so they don't concern themselves with being liked or winning approval. In addition, they know how to delegate and allocate and mobilize; whatever needs doing for benefit of the realm.
On the shadow side, The Monarch becomes the tyrant or dictator. Often easily corrupted, they use their position of power to benefit themselves first. A sneakier aspect of this can show up as the inability to delegate, and, therefore, they take on too much responsibility. Not only does this take others’ agency from them, but it can put the realm in jeopardy.
Now matter how big or small it might be, each of us has a realm of which we are The Monarch. This week, we’re being called to focus on our realm and the ways we preside.
Some questions to ask ourselves this week:
What or where is my realm?
How do I keep this realm in a state of wellbeing?
Do I have a clear idea of what is mine to do and what could be delegated?
The King of Pentacles
How very interesting that I drew a King card to go with The Monarch. A while back, I wrote a brief overview of the tarot court cards, and described the Kings as the councils of elders that are concerned with the survival and well-being of the group at-large, the entirety of their people. Having complete wisdom and mastery of the gift of their suit, they bring meaning to life by deciding who gets what. They know exactly how to give the gift of their suit for the greatest benefit of all.
The King of Pentacles is the council of elders that provides for the realm in very practical, tangible ways. They make sure the people are well-fed and want for nothing. They have mastered manifestation and abundance, and have amassed a stockpile of resources. Any fears of struggling this way can be released. The survival needs of the entire realm have been met.
How does this pair work together?
I see The Monarch and the King of pentacles showing us that the physical self is the realm we're looking at this week. In other words, this week is all about the body and how we preside over that realm.
Are we feeding it good food? Are we getting enough rest? In general, are we providing what the body needs?
If you’re like me, it can be easy to overlook the body and so we might not always know the answer to the questions above. In that case, let’s ask ourselves: What can we do to put ourselves in touch with our bodies this week?
Let me know how you do in the comments below!
Jenna,
What strikes a chord in me here is that what differentiates the monarch from god or goddess is place, which ties so beautifully into the Magic and Home theme for December and here, the rootedness of these two intertwining cards in the physical realm of body--our life-home.
I've noticed since returning home on Friday that a deep tiredness has come over me, the long journey behind me, a stillness now in my presence. I had not anticipated this fatigue. But it makes perfect sense.
To your question then, sleep and stillness are calling from the physical realm.
Mmm I love this combination of archetypes and this topic! As I have been feeling so fatigued and bottomed out this week... I’ve had to allow myself some “cozy hours” of turning my brain off and watching some enduring movies while balancing daily yoga and healing sessions with clients.
I really love to give my body a chance to move with some dance and shaking as well. Trying to fill my cup up first always before giving to others is a lesson I have learned to lean into 🙏🏼✨ thank you for these reflections!