The Suit of Swords

So Saturday was a bit crap for me. Today less so. So what better way to commemorate a dark mood than a dark theme? In episode 30 of the InsideOutcast I touched briefly on the suit of swords in the tarot. The suit of swords in divination contain many of the least auspicious cards outside the major arcana. The minor arcana reflect several castes within society. The swords represent, of course, the military class. Less obviously, the suit of swords identify royalty. Conflict is the central theme of the suit. Each suit corresponds to on of the four elements, the swords corresponding to air. Each suit also corresponds to some aspect of human nature. Swords reflect cognition. The appearance of a sword card in a reading could indicate some mental process. In the Osho Zen Tarot, swords are replaced with clouds. Clouds, like thoughts, are fleeting. They may darken your day, but will blow away over time. In the WIlliam Blake Tarot, swords are swapped for the suit of science. Science uncompromisingly displays the thought process. And with the general information now out of the way, let us consider the individual cards.

THE ACE OF SWORDS

By far the most positive of the sword cards is the ace. The ace of swords suggests action and initiative, like the drawing of a sword. Other meanings include mental acumen, a resolution to a problem, fairness in dealings, and uncovering the truth.

TWO OF SWORDS

When two swords cross, you have a stalemate. Evenly matched, neither dares make the first move. When progress is blocked so, too, is the path to truth. When faced with an opponent on equal terms, one shows no emotion lest it belie one's true intent.

THREE OF SWORDS

Three is a crowd. When three gather, surely two will engage in conversation leaving out the third. As such, this card embodies loneliness, heartbreak, and betrayal. The betrayal aspect can go either way, suggesting the subject of the reading may be a traitor.

FOUR OF SWORDS

Four is a lovely and sound, Greek number. It is uniform and solid as a square. This mathematical harmony finds its way into the meaning of this card. The four of swords is one of the few positive meanings, a period of repose. In U.S. Military terms, the four of swords suggests a period of R and R, rest and relaxation. It also reflects a time of quiet reflection and preparation.

FIVE OF SWORDS

The fifth in the series is like the second, only more complicated. The card suggests discord. In a military sense, the card reflects dishonor. In a more general sense, the five of swords suggests the very worst of acting in one's own self-interest.

SIX OF SWORDS

The sixth card usually has a neutral meaning, one of travel. If there is a negative connotation, it is one of the sadness at departure. In a positive sense, the six of swords can mean a recovery, particularly from injury, illness, or some other trauma. The meaning of this card depends greatly on the nature of the reading and the influence of the other cards.

SEVEN OF SWORDS

The seventh card is another that reflects the military nature of the suit. Seven of swords suggests cowardice, more specifically that of abandoning one's post. In a broader sense, the card illustrates the shirking of responsibility or the abandonment of a project. Other meanings include independence and isolation or acts of deception.

EIGHT OF SWORDS

The eighth card suggests impotence. The general meaning is one of powerlessness, a feeling of being restricted or oppressed. Often the card depicts a damsel blindfolded and tied to a mast or a stake, surrounded by eight swords.

NINE OF SWORDS

The ninth card illustrates the mental aspect of the suit. Doubt, worry, anguish, and guilt are the grim phantoms of the mind. The mind can be the greatest enemy, a host for anxiety and depression. In truth, mental stress only adds insult to injury.

TEN OF SWORDS

The tenth card is by far the least auspicious, suggesting desolation. Loss it total, defeat absolute. In this situation it is only natural that one feel sorry for oneself, that one feel victimized. However, there is one positive spin of the ten of swords, when you have lost everything there is nothing left to lose. Any change will be an improvement.

The royalty cards generally reflect actual people in a reading. The suit of swords indicate people of fair hair and light colored eyes. In a sense, caucasians with with blonde hair and blue eyes. As always, the suggested meaning does not always fit, so one must use judgement in determining the correct divination. There are four royal cards in each suit, each illustrating different characteristics. Multiple royal cards form pairs, illustrating relationships or doubling the influence of a certain aspect.

THE PAGE OF SWORDS

The page is often a young child or someone less experienced. Frequently the page is viewed as feminine. The page of swords represents a messenger, an envoy. Like the pages of old, she brings word of a challenge. The page is honest, analytical, forthright, and dependent. Just beware as news of any kind rarely bodes well.

THE KNIGHT OF SWORDS

The knight most often reflects a young, adult male - a teenager. The knight of swords represents direction, movement, and penetration. Depicted as a knight atop a charging horse, the card suggests sense of purpose and progression. This knight embodies the aspects of the sword. He is unfeeling, directed, uncompromising, adept, and precise.

THE QUEEN OF SWORDS

The queen is a woman of maturity. The queen of swords is usually depicted as a widow. She holds the truth above all else. As such, she has no patience for lies and no tolerance for deceivers. This queen has a sharp wit, a bright mind, and a clarity of judgement. She has a way of rooting out fools and cutting through the flak.

THE KING OF SWORDS

The king is a man of experience. The royal aspect of the suit is clear. This king reflects positive and broad sweeping influence. He is wise, fair, and eloquent. The king of swords brings order to chaos and makes sense of nonsense. He embodies those elements we regard as kingly.