well....but on the other hand...
I've been thinking about these two. I often associate myself to the Queen of Cups - she is my "natural" significator, along with the Q of Swords.
Now, I always assumed - as others on this thread from what I've seen - that the fact the queen is staring at her cup means she is not afraid to face her emotions, she's the accomplished artist, perfect mother, etc. The king, on the other hand, is an emotional cripple because he looks away, repressing his natural feelings and his artistic leanings.
But looking at these two cards again after a break away from the RWS, this little doubt has crept in my mind.
When we are at ease with something, do we find it necessary to stare at it so closely, to cling to it with our eyes - our hands? Isn't it a little bit...needy? Isn't the guy who holds the cup firmly but without needing to stare at it - more balanced? More mature in his emotions, easier in his artistic nature and leadership?
And now I look at this king, whom not so long ago I dismissed as immature in his emotions. He is surrounded by a sea, but steers his throne like a ship on this ocean of emotion. He does not appear put off at all, he is not drowning - himself or others - in emotion. Emotion is his natural environment and he lives there - at ease.
Now to the queen: she stares at this elaborate cup of hers. Dramatic cup. Might she perhaps be a drama queen, whose emotions she thinks more important than anyone else's, more dramatic? A clingy lover or mother, who builds up her feelings and puts them on a pedestal? I look at her, and see the shadow next to the light we so often associate with her. She stares at her cup, but does not go too close to the shore - where true emotion, not elaborate fantasy, is swirling around.
Just a thought.