Associated with the element of Air and the aspect of the mind, the sword in the Tarot is often feared and misunderstood.
Many of these cards are intense, challenging, or difficult to process, forcing us to examine our thinking or step away from something we want. And yet, as we take a closer look at this pack, we can find real clarity and power in these cards, opportunities to more authentically understand the world around us, as well as the ideas and instincts that live within us.
Keep an open mind and you will find this becomes one of your favorite suits rather than one you dread working with.
Basics of Swords
The suit of swords is one of the four suits in the Minor Arcana and contains numbered cards ranging from ace to ten and four court cards. These cards are connected to the astrological element of Air, which means that this suit is also linked to the three constellations of Air: Gemini, Libra and Aquarius.
Each of the four minor arcana suits is associated with an aspect of our humanity.
Swords represent the mind, while cups represent the heart, pentacles represent the body and wands represent the soul. Swords help us understand how we receive, process and use information and how we solve problems and interact with the world around us.
Besides Air and the mind, the take swords also represents truth, clarity, knowledge, communication, cooperation, expansion and logical thinking.
Like the astrological element of Air, here we explore intelligence and facts, rationality, quick movements, collective action, curiosity, innovation and practical solutions. As we move through the sword, we follow a powerful new insight or idea, watch it expand and evolve, find ways to harness movement and growth, and grapple with the ways our minds can mislead or ensnare us in one specific situation. perspective.
When working with cards in the Sword suit, it is important to remember that these cards often ask us to think about where we come from and how we think about a situation or challenge:
- Which biases do we include in our analysis?
- What mental pitfalls are we in?
- How can we expand our understanding of something and open ourselves to new truths?
The dots (or numbered cards) in the sword show us different ways to think about this energy, from protecting our minds with peace, to distancing ourselves from harmful ideas, to understanding where we feed our own fears, or to reach agreement. with ways in which we can block our own progress.
On the other hand, the court cards represent individuals learning how to best use the energy of the swords. The page is a child and student, someone just starting their journey with curiosity and interest; the knight is an adolescent who wants to prove his talent and skill with actions; the queen is a master and ruler who teaches others how to use this element internally, and the king is a master and ruler who teaches others how to use this element externally.
These cards can represent the querent, a person in the querent’s life, or can give advice on how to harness the energy of the sword for themselves.
Descriptions of the Suit of Swords Tarot Card
Below I provide some simple interpretations of each of the fourteen cards in the sword pack. You can combine these with your own research or intuitive ideas to develop a personal, powerful understanding of each of these cards, but this will give you a place to start.
Ace of Swords
Ace of Swords: A new realization or insight, a big idea, a truth that shifts your perspective in a way that cannot be undone. A racing mind, a new intellectual journey, mental clarity. The full potential of air, the mind and the sword.
2 of swords
2 of swords: A mental block or important decision, a crossroads, a choice that needs to be made. The feeling of being stuck or unsure, inactivity, blocked vision – a call to action.
3 of Swords
3 of swords: A truth that catches us off guard, a shift in our understanding of a relationship, situation or challenge that can cause us pain or frustration. Harsh words, hurt feelings and paranoia are confirmed.
4 of Swords
4 of swords: A call for peace, setting mental boundaries, protecting the mind. Taking a step back from movement or building to prioritize personal healing. Recovery, restoration, reflection.
5 of Swords
5 of Swords: Unnecessary conflict, fighting for the sake of fighting, restless frustration. A determination to win a battle without remembering the greater goal. Overlooking the consequences of our actions and the ways in which we can harm others.
6 of Swords
6 of swords: Moving on, leaving a bad situation behind, making the best of it. Travel, escape, a new start on a new path. We leave our problems behind us. Finding freedom and purpose after a difficult period.
Then read this article: Can tarot cards be wrong?
7 of Swords
7 of Swords: Secrecy, lack of information, something not yet revealed. Uncertainty, hesitation, waiting for more details or insights before acting. Separating self from others, worrying about who is trustworthy.
8 of Swords
8 of Swords: Mental pitfalls, being locked into one perspective, feeling like you have no options. Making a choice to stay stuck instead of trying different solutions. Focusing on what is not possible. Giving up your power.
9 of Swords
9 of Swords: The darkest parts of the mind. Terror, insomnia, nightmares, fear, fear of the unknown. Our worries consume us. The need to take action or ask for help. Let untruths or distorted perspectives get out of hand.
10 of Swords
10 of Swords: A victim mentality. All time low. A desire to give up, an unwillingness to look at a situation from a perspective other than your own. Being consumed with anger, fear or sadness. There’s nowhere to go but up.
Page with swords
Page with swords: A child of Air with a beginner’s mind, intellectual curiosity and playful eagerness. An energetic researcher of ideas and theories. Youth, courage and the ability to think outside the box and challenge existing structures.
Knight of Swords
Knight of Swords: An adolescent of Air with strong beliefs, brilliant insights and a desire to prove their worth and intelligence. Focused, obsessive, analytical, devoted to logic, sometimes at the expense of other things. Looking for balance. Fast movement, confidence, determination.
Queen of swords
Queen of Swords: A ruler of Air with the ability to cut through the confusion, prioritize the truth and set the necessary boundaries. Insightful and smart, wise and witty. Discernment, honesty, trusting the courage of one’s convictions. Personal wisdom, not hiding from reality, intensely observant.
King of Swords
King of Swords: A ruler of Air with keen judgment and fair decision-making. Hard-working problem solver, calculating, deliberately aloof. Values intelligence and logic above all else. Can see all sides of a situation. Stands firm in his own authority.
Working with the sword suit
Working with the sword can be overwhelming as the themes and issues they can bring up in readings are very real and very serious. But the mind is an important part of who we are. These cards give us the space to recognize where we are limiting our imagination, viewing things through too narrow a lens, or getting caught up in an illogical concern.
Spend some time studying these cards and consider how they can provide insight and encouragement rather than just fear.
Which cards in this suit make you feel the most uncomfortable, and why? When has the sword helped you find true clarity? How can readings with cards from this series prompt you to reexamine something you may have taken for granted?
Related article: A tarot card for quick and easy insight
