Tarot Basics - The Swords

Tarot Swords Defined
The Tarot archetypes are simply pictures representing life and the stages and experiences we all go Energy Light from birth until death.  They are symbols of all life cycles.  The Swords archetypes are those of Air and of Thinking.  The nature of the swords is that of Spirit maturing to master the challenges of illusion, polarity, duality,  and opposites.  Keywords for Swords include:  intellect, thought, reason, justice, truth, mental clarity,  courage,  rationality, ethical principles, and development of wisdom.

As we travel Energy Light the cycles of life, we use different parts of our being, the personality or spirit.  Those personality functions are pictured by archetype in the 56 cards in the four suits of the Tarot, (Wands, Swords, Cups, and Pentacles).  We also encounter events and people who fit the symbolic archetypes.  Carl Jung described the archetypes as:

• Wands - Fire - Intuition

• Swords - Air - Thinking

• Cups - Water - Feeling

• Pentacles - Earth - Sensing

• Major Arcana = One's Life Journey

• Minor Arcana = People and Events along the way (Wands, Pentacles, Swords, Cups in the card decks)

The cards are laid in a spread to answer a question (a reading) usually on the topics of love, relationships, family, wealth and money, stress, problems, life decisions, health, careers and work, meditation, daily guidance, prayer, and personal growth.  Order Your Personal Tarot Reading Today

Archetype Meanings & Keywords of the Swords in Tarot Cards

Swords represent  the problems of life. We all, at one time or other have problems.  Problem time is testing time. Problems test our philosophy and check our tenacity and emotional development.  When problems strike they come from our own making, or as a reaction from others. No matter from what direction they come, how we handle then is important.

Represents pure mind, thinking, speaking. Best known for representing problems and troubles especially those relating to communications or bad press, but really about anything to do with either words and/or thoughts. Brilliant thoughts as well as nightmares; sharp ideas or a sharp tongue. This is the suit of scientists and analysts, of thinking things Energy Light or thinking/saying too much. Ideas breeze into your mind, words are given breath, written letters and messages fly on the wind.

The sword symbology will show how you are handling the problems. We have to confront our problems and handle then as they appear, as represented by the Ace of Swords, and not ignore them, as represented in the two of swords. They will show if we are feeling sorry for ourselves, as represented by the nine of swords.  Although we do not want to see sword symbology, they are not something to run from, but to look squarely at.  By bringing your emotions under control, you can decide your course of action and follow it by later bringing in the wands where you get new thoughts to help you grow above the situation and lighten the pathway of your life.  But meanwhile you learn to fight the sword in your path with swords you develop internally and externally.

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Ace of Swords

Keywords: Beginning - new thinking
a letter, a word - thought, ideas
mental forces - truth & justice
fortitude, strength
Problems present to be overcome.
This is a call to rise above a challenge, a problem, with a new thought or idea, confronting the issue with strength and focused clarity of thinking.  Thinking, not feeling, will help here.  Find a new way. A call for new thinking.

Two of Swords

Keywords: Avoidance - choices
stalemate - impasse
balance of forces
truce, discussion
making no choices
Not accepting realities or what is obvious. Lay down the fighting swords and defenses and remove the blindfolds.  Look and sense around. This is a call for clear vision, clear thinking, not avoidance or denial. Tolerance and balance is needed.

Three of Swords

Keywords: Broken heart
betrayal - separation
triangle, loneliness - sorrow and tears
strife & conflict
Disappointment and heartbreak
Suffering from heartbreak and emotional upset, due to disappointments in life. To grieve will not help any situation. They must  take hold of their emotions and  rise above the pain, realizing there are better days ahead.

Four of Swords

Keywords: Rest is needed - repose
quiet planning - meditation - retreat
replenish strength
tired & peaceful
The answer lies within. Do not ignore challenges of thoughts and beliefs.
Listen to the inner voice within of the self.  Go to silence and quite.  Inside oneself is the answer to the problem.  The call is to listen, be silent.  Only in silence can one hear. Travel in sleep to new ideas and power.

Five of Swords

Keywords: Empty victory - verbal battle
self-interest - mental tension
discord, dishonor
defeat and loss - loss of friends
Conflict. One becomes  involved in a conflict of thoughts and words. 
Although one person appears to have won, is it really a victory? To be left with all  the swords means one has been left with the problems.  Beware of the need to be right no matter what and yet lose everything.

Six of Swords

Keywords: Travel over water - journey to recover
move to peace
alone, dejected - feeling blue
overcoming
problems or troubles which will soon be ended.  The call is to do the correct thing when burdened with troubles: balance the swords, balance thoughts, ideas, concepts, beliefs and do not allow unwanted thoughts to pierce Energy Light the container in which you live. Journey within to find the thinking and ideas to survive troubled times. Calm and clear water is ahead.

Seven of Swords

Keywords: Running away - sneaky, dishonest
distractions - hidden enemies
aloof, go it alone - creating problems
check motives and intentions
Creating problems for yourself by taking on the thoughts and ideas of others, instead of developing one's own clear thinking.  Theft of the thoughts of others will burden oneself.  The call is to not take on that which is not your clear thinking.  You will only become burdened, alone, distracted and confused.  Check the gain from "borrowing."

Eight of Swords

Keywords: Bondage, restriction
confusion, fear - unsafe foundation
powerless feeling - mental unhappiness
thoughts blind self - Temporary problems
One at times thinks nothing will work, that one is alone, blind, bound, and without resources. It is a temporary time, the bonds are loose, and can soon be undone.  The bondage is ones own thinking, beliefs ideas to the exclusion of others. The call is to remove the blindfold and see the goal.  It is truly within sight.

Nine of Swords

Keywords: Despair, depression - guilt, worry
mental anguish, fear - loss, delays
illness or crisis - nightmare - bad dreams - night terrors
Feeling sorry for oneself - exaggerated tragedy
The call is to go past one's own thinking, even though one has been hurt or is in pain.  Too many ideas, thoughts, words, or problems can bring one to tears and confusion.  Crying about it instead of going back into life is not the answer.  It is a bad dream, and often one of one's own making.  Trouble is real, but exaggerating it will not help.

Ten of Swords

Keywords: Trapped - imprisoned
overcome - victim or martyr
the lowest point - negative cycle
the worst is past - let go completely - total surrender
End Of problems. The life condition is definitely coming to an end.  There is just a short while to go before it’s all over. As life is all cycles, with an ending comes a beginning.  Look forward to the new day, and  forget the troublesome end of  this present one.  The call is to surrender. The call is not to become overcome by one's own thinking.

Page of Swords

Keywords: Message challenge:
use your mind - be truthful
be just - have fortitude
To be on the defensive and to become aggressive in  defense. 
The call is to not ignore the message of new thoughts and ideas learned on the path. Learn to control  hostility and temper because one cannot win the battle of life that way.  At the same time defend that which is truth and just.  Learn to discern that which needs set free and what needs retained. Think and listen.

Knight of Swords

Keywords: Direct, blunt - logical, unfeeling
incisive, cutting capacity, bravery
authoritative - aggressiveness
Note when you are going too fast . Slow down and think. 
Develop clarity of thoughts to help you with clarity of feelings on the next life path.  Fight for your thoughts and words and the freedom to use them, but the fight can distort the truth of the words, hiding behind the act of not elevating one's thoughts ideas and words to serve others, serving only oneself.

Queen of  Swords

Keywords: Perceptive, articulate and witty
astute & honest - bold, strong willed
intelligent - experienced
mature woman - Watch out for defensive thoughts.
Although giving the outward appearance of love and kindness, inside is a cold heart.  This could be due to loss, hurt, grief, or denial.  Over intellectualizing is the challenge.  The call is to know that the right facts will not fix the problem.  Warmth and compassion with a listening ear are needed here. The need to know may outweigh common sense.

King of  Swords

Keywords: Authority & power
fair & honorable - analytical - intellectual
mental dexterity - mature man
Defensive and stubborn. One has worked hard to be in charge and in charge he intends to stay. Although seeming cold and aloof, charm and wit are seen when words, thoughts, and tales are used to convey kindness, information, and loyalty.  The call is to make oneself open to suggestion and be more approachable.  Sticking with facts, instead of having feelings, is the greatest challenge here.

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