From the Mary-El Tarot, the King of Swords; from the OH Cards, Whip/Guilt:
A keen observer who is intelligent and analytical, this King's name is Reason. Speaking with him can be as intimidating as staring into the face of an actual dragon. He cuts through emotional drama and our cozy cocoon, showing us clarity whether comfortable or not. The King's purpose is not to punish but to help us see reality without blinders. I think he would heartily agree with Sakyong Mipham's description of what our untrained minds are like:
The bewildered mind is like a wild horse. It runs away when we try to find it, shies when we try to approach it. If we find a way to ride it, it takes off with the bit in its teeth and finally throws us right into the mud. We think that the only way to steady it is to give it what it wants. We spend so much of our energy trying to satisfy and entertain this wild horse of a mind.
The quote comes from Mipham's book titled Turning the Mind Into an Ally. That title implies the mind can be other than our friend, which the OH Cards combination of Whip/Guilt also suggests. While appropriate guilt can encourage us to make amends and restitution, neurotic guilt simply makes us miserable. The King would likely tell me not to believe my thoughts unless I can back them up with hard evidence. Otherwise I'll be riding that wild horse with no saddle or bridle.
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