Suit of Swords Tarot
Suit Name: Swords, Blades, Epees, Daggers
Keyword: Intention
Element: Air 💨
Zodiac signs: Gemini ♊, Libra ♎, Aquarius ♒
Moon Phase: Waxing Gibbous 🌔
Season: Winter ❄️
Time interval: Month
Main card: Knight
The suit of Swords is a very controversial group in the Tarot deck. On the one hand, it shows intelligence, a sharp mind, the presence of willpower. This is a fast transfer of information, high technology, accuracy and attention to detail. But at the same time, most cards, even in the upright position, indicate painful experiences, unpleasant events. In the opposite form, the Arcana become even more sinister and cruel. The suit of Swords represents all the darkest things in a person’s life. It’s a double-edged blade that cuts easily. But if you learn how to use it, you can climb to the top of fame. The Air group also symbolizes power and great prospects.
Symbolism and Key Ideas of the Swords in Tarot
On all the Arcana of the group of the suit of Swords in the Rider-Waite Tarot there is an image of blades. Visualization of cards is sustained in cold shades. The sky is often gray-blue, there are many clouds. The whole dramatic story of the murder is shown here – from Ten to Ace. If in the group of Wands the heroes created something, then the Swords illustrate the process of destruction. The King and Queen don’t even look at each other. This couple is not focused on feelings and love. Another symbol of loneliness is Three. A broken heart is the main motive of all the Arcana of the Blades group. Almost all cards show some kind of drama. There are no smiling faces here – only a smirk and a sly squint.
On the Four, Pamela Smith generally depicted a knight’s crypt with a man made of stone. All this speaks of closeness, the primacy of reason over feelings. The suit of Swords symbolizes intelligence, strength and power. Ace has a crown with palm and olive branches – this is the apotheosis of the human mind. This group symbolically shows the acceptance of the inevitable, the dark side of life. Judging by the kill on the Ten and the girl with the blades on the Two, the energy is transforming, becoming hard and inaccessible. If the heroine on the Nine cries bitterly, then later she turns into an “iron” lady. You can draw a parallel and assume that the same girl is shown on the Two, only now with black hair. This color denotes mourning, widowhood.
Meaning of the suit of Swords in spreads
In any spread, the appearance of a card of the suit of Swords signals difficult events, life lessons. The Arcana of the Blades belong to the element Air. Their energy is very cold and impassive. But here, too, there are advantages. In the upright position, the cards show the liberation or necessary care that will grant the querent freedom. It is also a forced manifestation of rigidity, strong will, unshakable spirit. Fate seems to be testing the questioning person for strength. If he proudly passes all the lessons, he will be generously rewarded. The royal couple shows the highest manifestation of wisdom and fortitude. Both women and men can achieve respect, become teachers for others.
But in the opposite form, the meaning of the suit of Swords changes. Now the cards show the base manifestations of people – slander, hatred, envy and selfishness. The Five and the Seven vividly illustrate these vices. These cards in the reversed meaning speak of betrayal, lies and appropriation of someone else’s. Now the same energy becomes destructive, sweeping away all life in its path. The desire to gain power pushes a person down a slippery slope. This road will make a person completely forget about his own soul and heart.
Love and Relationships
In the context of love, the suit of Swords shows a dispassionate relationship. People can love each other, but do not show their feelings openly. Rather, mutual respect prevails here. Each person in a couple can self-actualize, does not depend on his partner. At the same time, the Arcana also speaks of rich experience behind your back. Beloved have experienced a lot, so now they are philosophical about love. The cards show fidelity, persistent overcoming of obstacles, but at the same time, a focus on oneself, preservation of individuality.
In the reversed form, the suit of Swords symbolizes abusive relationships, breaks, heartaches. Sometimes it is widowhood, the loss of a loved one. Often reversed Arcana fall on betrayal, betrayal, lies. You can’t rely on a partner. The querent was disappointed in love and can now take revenge on others for his own heart wounds. Depression after a breakup is also possible. Melancholy turns into a constant companion for a fortuneteller. But if in the upright position she announced a new period, now it turns into black melancholy.
Career and Finance
As a significator of activity, the suit of Swords shows the areas – medicine, jurisprudence, science. The querent focuses on precise knowledge, laws and restrictions. Discipline, an integrated approach to solving problems are important to him. Such people can sacrifice a lot for the sake of a career. Often they are left alone, but they reach the heights of skill. In the context of the situation, the cards fall on a difficult period of life. The fortuneteller will have to study a lot, gain experience. Also, the questioner needs to prove his competence in front of colleagues, employees.
Reversed cards of the suit of Swords fall on various troubles in terms of work. The querent may face misunderstanding on the part of the team. Detractors, enemies or rivals will appear. The position of the Arcana speaks of high risks of losing a position, becoming a victim of circumstances. The fortuneteller does not have the right to relax for a second – any extra word or action will work against him. The financial situation is extremely unfavorable. Loss of property, debts, problems with the law – all this has already been lost, or will begin in the near future.
Health and Spirit
In the context of health, the suit of Swords shows excellent brain function, fine motor skills and the movement of oxygen through the body. In the upright position, the cards symbolize lightness in the body, mobility, and rapid assimilation of information. Most often, the Arcana falls on tall thin people. In terms of the psyche, the group shows a hardened character and willpower. The man has been through a lot. This experience gives the individual a sober view of things. The querent is only getting stronger, can give good advice to others.
In the opposite sense, the suit of Swords denotes health problems. The body is depleted, there is an iron deficiency, vitamin deficiency. An exacerbation of a chronic disease is possible. Also, various surgical interventions are carried out in the reversed position. Some organs can be replaced with artificial implants. The mental state is depressed. The person is depressed, he is visited by thoughts of suicide. The personality cannot cope with the increasing emotional load, frequent tantrums and breakdowns can occur.
Situations and Questions
In terms of spirituality, the suit of Swords symbolizes the stage of Nigredo – the very beginning of the path of philosophers. This stage is characterized by disidentification with the past life. The seeker strives forward, wants to cognize higher matters. At the same time, he is ready to part with something. The cards also indicate the season of winter, the growing moon. The Arcana show the beginning, the first impulse, the birth of a plan. In terms of the time interval, symbolize the month. Before a thought materializes in reality, a short period of time must pass. Ruler planets: Mercury, Uranus.
In the reversed position, the suit of Swords shows the wrong path, self-destruction. The seeker is given cold weapons, but he uses them to harm himself and others. The process of degradation is always mutual. Anyone who does bad things to other people is absolutely unhappy himself. Often, according to the position of the cards, dark cults pass, sacrifices for the sake of some benefit. At the same time, the traveler slowly loses his human appearance. He forgets about the soul, humanity and love. To keep power, he will go to any steps.
What kind of people do Swords represent?
Also, the suit of Swords falls as a significator of a person. The cards show intellectuals, book lovers or scientists. Such people are very fond of mathematics, physics. For them, the analysis of everything and everything is important. In this case, the sphere of relations may suffer. Such a person is more oriented towards knowledge than love. A classic example is Grigory Perelman. The Arcana personify some geniuses, people of direct mind. If we consider the appearance, then the suit of the Blades shows high growth, a toned body. Such people may not go in for sports, but always stay in shape.
In the opposite form, the suit of Swords symbolizes traitors. Such people have no conscience, they are strong, but ruthless. Lack of empathy allows them to hurt the closest person. Herod, Brutus, Cain – this trinity became famous for its dishonor. Such individuals can be considered moral invalids. They will never be happy. All that remains for them is only to interfere with others, to intrigue. Also, often reversed cards fall on criminals, werewolves in uniform. The concept of honor is not close to such people. In terms of appearance, the Arcana in the opposite form shows the cyanosis of the face, the presence of low-quality tattoos, and painful thinness.
Meaning of the cards of the suit of Swords
The dropped cards of the suit of Swords in divination on any topic are mostly read negatively. Even if difficult events affect changes in a person’s character. Freedom will come with sweat and blood. The Arcana predict a difficult period. There will be tension in the air. It will not work to relax – the querent should keep his nose to the wind. Dagger cards may indicate a catch, a danger. Inverted, they promise emotional experiences that will drag on indefinitely. The only way to influence what is happening is to be guided by common sense, not to let people get close.
Ace of Swords
The Ace of the suit of Swords represents both entry and exit. This is the raising of an acute topic, the beginning of the battle. The card shows the first thought, the birth of desire. The unit means a sharp mind, a hanging tongue, strength on the side of the querent. The questioner has every chance to win, to take a well-deserved prize. Inverted, Ace shows a pause, a missed opportunity. The person answers “no”, refuses something. Perhaps he does not want to show aggression, hides true emotions under the guise of calmness. It is also a defeat, ignorance, period. A certain stage of life is coming to an end.
Two of Swords
The Two of the suit of Swords denotes closeness, coldness, lack of feelings. A person is immersed in himself, does not want to open up to anyone. In the context of the situation, the Two falls on difficult circumstances. This is the rock of fate, the inability to change anything. The querent cannot get something, achieve something. The upright position shows closed doors, lack of perspective. In the opposite sense, the Two of Blades represents the opening of Pandora’s box. Now the questioner will face unpleasant events. He brought trouble on himself, not even suspecting the consequences. The reversed card speaks of an attempt to escape in the closet when the whole house is on fire with a blue flame.
Three of Swords
The Three of the suit of Swords falls on heart wounds, painful events. This may be a betrayal of loved ones, a break with a loved one. Now the questioner is going through a difficult time. There are constant tears, memories of the past. Often the card means treason, a knife in the back. In the reversed position of the Arcana, the Three of Swords suit changes its meaning. Now it says that the querent himself broke someone’s heart. A person suffers because of his behavior. Sometimes the Arcana in the opposite form speaks of an attempt to take revenge. The fortuneteller can change the second half in response, intrigue, spread gossip. All this happens because of internal pain, unwillingness to come to terms with what is happening.
Four of Swords
The Four of the suit of Swords shows complete stagnation, a stop. The meaning is read as ignoring, lack of further development prospects. Something is over, there is no point in riding a dead horse. Also, the Arcana symbolizes the memory of the past, gloomy aesthetics, melancholy. In the upright position, this is a bright melancholy. However, in the reversed form, the Arcana denotes unsuccessful attempts to resurrect something. It can be feelings, relationships, unused opportunities. The train has left, but the fortuneteller is unable to realize the fait accompli. Also, the reversed Four shows depressing memories, ghosts of the past.
Five of Swords
The Five of Swords symbolizes a Pyrrhic victory. The desired was not worth it, but the querent lost the entire resource. These are senseless battles, attempts to prove something to others. The battle can be won, but the war is not. The card shows the joy of someone else’s grief, unethical behavior. In the opposite position, the Five of Air is read as a complete defeat. The questioner was left with nothing and forced to leave the battlefield. Whether it’s personal life, career or training – everywhere the fortuneteller will be haunted by failures. The position of the card indicates the absence of forces, competencies. The querent lowered his hands. Its internal state affects the results of actions.
Six of Swords
The Six of the suit of Swords is a card of departure, parting. The questioning person will leave somewhere. It can be a move, a long journey or a break with a partner. In any case, the fortuneteller’s heart will be out of place. It is hard to part with the past, to leave without looking back. Also, the Arcana speaks of the loss of illusions, the acceptance of the bitter truth. In the opposite sense, the Six is read as an unwillingness to leave. The querent understands everything, but simply cannot move. He will run in circles, making the same mistakes over and over again. This is labor at an unloved job, life with a hated person under one roof.
Seven of Swords
The Seven of the suit of Swords symbolizes cunning and wit. The card shows non-standard ways to solve the problem. Also, these are actions behind the back of the querent. In a positive aspect, the Arcana speaks of the presence of extraordinary abilities, the ability to steer the most difficult situations. But in the opposite form, the Seven signals a deception. Someone is lying to the questioner, trying to wishful thinking. This is a concealment of the true state of affairs, theft of material or intellectual values. The reversed position can be played as a trick, sitting up, or a double game. Now you should not trust even the closest.
Eight of Swords
The Eight of the suit of Swords traditionally shows fears and phobias. A person has limited himself, does not see a way out of the situation. Eight personifies immersion in the inner world, unwillingness to move and develop in the context of society. This is a snail that hid in its own shell. But in the reversed form, the Eight of Epees means the real presence of restrictions. It can be both physical and psychological control of the questioner. Perhaps the person is in custody, in prison. Sometimes it will be manipulation by relatives. In this case, the fortuneteller does not allow the presence of limiting beliefs to move.
Nine of Swords
The Nine of the suit of Swords is a kind of wailing wall. The Arcana symbolizes strong experiences, painful events. The person is going through a difficult period. Suffering is possible due to any failures, illnesses, problems. Indirectly, the card indicates loneliness and lack of support from the outside. In the reversed position, the Nine speaks of being stuck in a similar state. The questioner cannot control himself. He feels broken, misunderstood. Sometimes the position of the card shows the presence of an undeveloped psychotrauma, which still affects the life of a fortuneteller. Often the reversed card speaks of nightmares.
Ten of Swords
The Ten of the suit of Swords shows a disappointing result. This is a complete defeat, the collapse of plans and hopes. In some cases, the card symbolizes the death of a person. But most often the Arcana falls as a mark of failure. If he fell out in a scenario on any sphere, this is a clear sign of failure. It’s best not to do this at all. In the end, the questioner will be disappointed. The reversed Ten shows strong aggression, cruelty, mania. This is a huge store of energy that needs to be thrown out. In this case, the position of the card indicates that the querent directs forces in a negative direction. Scandals, assault, squabbles – all this is just a consequence of the accumulated discontent.
Page of Swords
The Page of the suit of Swords symbolizes a child or teenager. He has dark hair and a slim build. In terms of intelligence, these are very smart people. They love to learn and discover new things. In the context of the situation, the card may indicate the arrival of news. The decisions made need to be revised and revised. The reversed Jack of Blades represents difficult teenagers, naughty children. Also, the position of the Page speaks of a negative answer, sad news. Sometimes it can mean gossip, talking behind the back of the querent. The reversed Page promises small problems, delays.
Knight of Swords
The Knight of the suit of Swords is the main card of the entire Air group. By suit and rank belongs to the same element. Foremost, the Arcana denotes young intellectuals. These are specialists who show great promise in their field. In terms of astrological correspondence – Gemini. Also, the Arcana lays down as a characteristic of the situation. He talks about the very rapid development of some business, enterprise. An unexpected turn of events may occur. Reversed Knight shows haste, which will lead to failure. A person did something without thinking, and now he is disentangling the consequences. The position of the Arcana sometimes symbolizes the attacks of enemies, the machinations of enemies.
Queen of Swords
The Queen of the suit of Swords shows wise women in their years. They are excellent doctors, judges, teachers. They are stingy with emotions, but well-mannered and fair. In astrology, it corresponds to the zodiac sign Libra. Sometimes the Lady personifies single girls, those who get divorced. In terms of the situation, the Arcana speaks of the patronage of a certain lady. It is worth listening to her advice, act wisely. Reversed Queen of Blades shows widows. Often these are embittered women. They try to assert themselves by humiliating other people. It is very difficult to communicate with them, to try to find contact. Also, the position of the card indicates the presence of a similar lady-rival. She puts spokes in the wheels, gives problems to the questioner.
King of Swords
The King of the suit of Swords falls on born politicians, doctors, researchers. These are strict men, guided only by the voice of reason. For them, intellectual development is important, rather than a warm relationship. Such people always strive for power, they want to influence the minds of large masses. Astrological correspondence – Aquarius. The King of Swords in the opposite form shows criminals, aggressors and despots. These are the ones who have crossed the line of the law. Such people are bloodthirsty, very evil, but at the same time strong and influential. Maniacal desire to get the reins of power turns them into real beasts.