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The Suit of Swords: An Overview/Brief intro

Here’s the brief overview of the suit of swords and its cards. Stay tuned for more free Tarot lessons and as we go along I’ll compile them into a more orderly form

Swords are the cards of movement, taking action, cutting away or sacrifice that leads to improvements. Many swords within the same spread indicate a call to action or that many things are going to be happening and a lot of activity will be in progress. Reversed swords can tend to indicate areas where one should do more or consider their actions, it can also speak of hasty, not well-planned actions.

Below is a chart with brief descriptions of each of the Swords cards.

• Card: Ace of Swords
• Simple Interpretation: Ace’s speak of new beginnings and fresh starts, this particular ace speaks of cutting away or pruning back so that new life (or potential) can be brought forth. This card indicates cutting away all that no longer serves ones growth.

• Card: Two of Swords
• Simple Interpretation: Difficult decision, feeling “between a rock and a hard place”, not seeing things clearly or unable to make a wise choice at this time. feeling trapped.

• Card: Three of Swords
• Simple Interpretation: This is the card of grief and pains of the heart. It represents anguish, grief, remorse, any of the emotions that weigh heavily on a person. It also reminds us that grief is a healing cycle and as we move through it we become stronger. A very challenging card indeed.

• Card: Four of Swords
• Simple Interpretation: Resting, waiting for the right moment to act, meditating on the subject before moving ahead. Out of balance it can point to procrastination or perhaps even laziness.

• Card: Five of Swords
• Simple Interpretation: temptation to manipulate a situation to your advantage or do something sneaky otherwise out of character, fear of loss may cause you to engage in questionable behavior, recheck your motives when this card comes up.

• Card: Six of Swords
• Simple Interpretation: Difficult, but ultimately rewarding transition, a journey into the unknown, leaving the past behind, travel by water or physical distance between two people.

• Card: Seven of Swords
• Simple Interpretation: Deception, hidden agendas, uncertain motives by oneself or another close to the situation. Cunning, trickery, cleverness, a need to be objective.

• Card: Eight of Swords
• Simple Interpretation: Not seeing a solution, feeling trapped by circumstances, ones fears take over and surround them, a need to shift focus from challenges to solutions.

• Card: Nine of Swords
• Simple Interpretation: Awakening, seeing something as it truly is, moving beyond a struggle, conquering fears, feeling weary but able to see the truth in a situation.

• Card: Ten of Swords
• Simple Interpretation: An end to a cycle, karmic release, the worst is over, physical impairment or handicap (depending on the context of the reading and other cards around it) the ability to overcome defeats.

• Card: Page of Swords
• Simple Interpretation: youthful, enthusiastic, daring, sometimes impulsive if his moods/emotions are not controlled, passionate, driven, longing for new adventure, wanting to prove oneself. Personality Traits hardworking, loyal to a cause, passionate, self-motivated, sometimes headstrong and impatient.

• Card: Knight of Swords
• Simple Interpretation: Sudden activity, a call to take action right now, a need to seize an opportunity before it passes you by. Personality Traits: risk taker, active or athletic, competitive, sometimes domineering or aggressive.

• Card: Queen of Swords
• Simple Interpretation: Leadership, discipline, cutting away all that no longer serves your growth, taking charge. Personality Traits: compassionate but not sentimental, authoritative, a “strict parent”, a problem solver, ambitious.

• Card: King of Swords
• Simple Interpretation: Authority figure, strong, take charge attitude, one who takes determined action, a need for more discipline or to be more serious at this time. Personality Traits: Stern, controlled, very ambitious, sometimes moody or aggressive in their speech, Serious nature.