Suit of Swords
Swords read like bad news. They are rarely comforting, encouraging, or inviting. However, they often show us something we need to see in order to help ourselves. At times they show us that we in fact wield the power needed to change our circumstances. At other times they show us someone else is abusing their power. From here, we can take the information and hopefully change the outcome through setting boundaries, fighting for what we believe, or reframing the scenario.
This suit comes as a warning to practice ideas and philosophies with caution - really think about what agenda you are putting forward, whom it might effect, and how it could be used against you. Don’t point a finger without first examining your own actions.
I like to think of each of the suits as a story arc. The Swords story arc is one about an idea that gets away from the idea-haver, eventually betraying them in the end. Spoiler alert: the story in this arc is always choosing the wrong side of things.
Here’s a breakdown of the story arc of Swords:
Ace of Swords: As Aces always represent the beginning of a cycle, Swords representing a new idea or perspective, bringing Power to its bearer. However, this comes double-edged, meaning there is great responsibility. Use wisely and for good. Don’t let the power go to your head. Now would be a time to ask many questions, get to know the Sword you wield, the good and the bad of what it might represent.
Two of Swords: The Sword wielder in this card is seated and blind-folded, they must make a decision with no more information than what their intuition is providing. It is important to note here that again, power can be tricky, listening to outside opinions when figuring out which path to take might be manipulated for others gain. Follow your intuition and do not hesitate when you figure out what that is.
Three of Swords: Oof, seems as though we didn’t choose correctly in the last card, or if we did, it hurt very badly. The actions leading up to this card have left the querent beyond heart-broken. Three swords stab into the sacred heart as something has been sacrificed or lost. This is an early lesson of the power of what the sword represents. What causes pain here may come back in real ways if not dealt with. This is the pain caused by naive action. Will you learn and grow from this? Or will you continue old patterns that will amplify this outcome further down the line? Be cognizant that this is the first broken heart that sets the tone for all future endeavors.
Four of Swords: This card represents a moment of rest. We’ve gotten over the heartbreak of the last card and we must go back into battle, forging ahead on the path chosen at the Two of Swords. This is a strategic card, we need to take what we learned in the last card and carefully approach the next part of the plan. We don’t want the pain of the Three of Swords to make our next actions come from a place of bitterness or hostility. Cooler heads always prevail. This card is providing that space to sit quietly and reflect before moving on.
Five of Swords: Best described as a cheap win. The reflection in the last card wasn’t enough perhaps we didn’t get the right takeaway from the Three, or going back to the Two - not sure we choose the right path. This card has the feeling of an argument you may have “won” but it didn’t feel good, cheap shots were taken and the other side walks away with a chip on their shoulder - will they come back to avenge the loss better armed? However, truth still lies in the win. Extract out the useful parts, examine why it was a cheap win, because we’ll be moving on in the next card.
Six of Swords: This card shows three people leaving via boat, depicting a letting go of the past. Learning from mistakes and evolving. Moving on. The people in this card could be either party from the Five, where the battle was won perhaps unfairly. Both parties have lessons to learn. Rather than a retreating this is a letting go. There is strong water symbology with this sword, showing being in touch with emotions, perhaps for the first time, in this journey of Swords. Five and Six are a matured version of Three and Four, where in Four, reflection is done to go back into battle, here Six is walking away.
Seven of Swords: Sneaky, sneaky! We’ve gone rouge in here, heisting swords away from camp. The person on the card looks back to see if they’ve been spotted, with a subtle grin suggesting they haven’t. It doesn’t mean they won’t! This card suggests that there’s more than meets the eye. We are being tricky or someone else is being tricky with us. It could also be that strategy is required here. Perhaps we have to be a little sneaky to accomplish our goal, whether that be because people with bad intentions stand in the way or the situation itself is tricky more akin to a game of chess then checkers.
Eight of Swords: This card shows a blindfolded person standing in a trap of swords. What they don’t realize is that they could take a single step forward to remove themselves from the trap. This suggests it is a trap of their own mind - limited thinking or insecurities - or perhaps another person put in enough work to make them think they were trapped. This card is asking for trust and belief that moving forward will be okay. In some ways this card is like the Fool, taking the leap of faith, but unlike the carefree Fool, this person has seen the dangers ahead and moves cautiously, perhaps too cautiously. This card ties back to the last card in that it may be from past actions that we’re afraid someone or something is coming for us.
Nine of Swords: Paranoia steps in. This card represents the nightmares and anxieties that haunt us in our sleep. It suggests it might be in our heads. It also suggests that perhaps we have done something that needs to be resolved to move forward. Definite Tell-Tale Heart vibes.
Ten of Swords: This is where our story sees its bitter end. All of the running, scheming, and betraying has caught up with us. If we look to the beginning of the Swords story arc, it may be our own undoing. This marks a new day, but one that is only new because of a definite end, one we probably didn’t choose.
Page of Swords: The Page of Swords is much like a young philosopher or activist, soaking in ideas, perhaps naively and without a full understanding of the language. Parroting ideas from deeper thinkers without the knowledge or experience to understand the depth or consequence of the message. Or they might be very eager to learn. The Page is young traveler, seeing the world for the first time and marveling at the vastness of culture and worldviews.
Knight of Swords: The Knight takes what the Page learned and goes full throttle. The boldness in their actions may be warranted, but like the Page, the Knight can be truly reckless. This card has early college grad vibes, a know-it-all punk who’s mouth may get them in trouble or on the opposite end, could be a revolutionary in the making. The passion is there with the Knight.
Queen of Swords: The Queen shows up as a somber reminder that experience often comes with emotional pain. She is seemingly cold but this is because she is hardened by the grit it took to become a ruler. She handles affairs logically and fairly. It may feel like she’s unemotional for this reason but she understands the bigger picture and won’t be swayed by the momentary discomfort emotion brings. She is a long-term planner.
King of Swords: The King is much like the Queen in this suit. We might imagine they both went through the cycle of the suit many times prior to being in the leadership position they are currently in. The King comes with integrity because he knows what happens when integrity is lost. He rules with authority and fairness. There is no mincing words with this King.
