In the story of Parsifal retold above, Parsifal asks the crucial grail question “Whom do you serve?” and becomes the Grail King. As soon as he utters this question, the deeply wounded Fisher King is healed, the wasteland that had enveloped the Grail Castle at once explodes into verdant abundance, peace and justice reigns in the castle, and the people are happy. 
When the King is wounded, only desert wasteland appears, the land is filled with aimless violence, knights and Warriors are needed to keep peace and mete out justice, and the people live miserable lives.  In our psyche, if our King is weak or wounded, we and those we love suffer. The King is our core and without strong King energy within, chaos rules our person and disharmony rules our lives. When the King is healthy, vibrant, and strong, he is bestows blessings on his kingdom, is a source of wisdom, strong character, and wisdom. He is beloved by his people, his lands flourish, and his loved ones honor, respect and bless him.The shadow side of the King is the Tyrant. Quite often, mature men who do not embrace their Vibrant Emeritus status, continue to stay in their Warrior lives attempting to relive their glory years, hang on to power, set up impenetrable borders around themselves, and attempt to continue the life of competition and trophy collection. If their lives become empty and their purpose meaningless, men can fall into the depletion and wasting they so feared by many men contemplating their Elder years. When the Elder wears the mask of the King as a survival role, he often attempts to hide the shadow of the Tyrant within.When the loving and benevolent King shows his authentic soul, he, those he loves, and the inner kingdom flourish.