SWORDS:

• represented by the element of AIR
• communication, truth, intellect, thoughts
• intangible and unseen, but also in constant movement
• can be still and unnoticed, to becoming a breeze or a fierce wind
• powerful yet refreshing and cleansing
• symbolically, element relates to knowledge, action, power and change
• masculine energy that can lead by force and power, even though it remains unseen
• often deal with mental level of consciousness centered around the mind and intellect
• mirror the quality of mind present in your thoughts, attitudes and beliefs
• often double-edged in this way - symbolizes fine balance between intellect and power, and how those two elements can only be used for good or evil
• Swords must be balanced by spirit (Wands) and feeling (Cups) to have the most positive effect associated with action, change, force, power, oppression, ambition, courage and conflict
• actions can be constructive and/or destructive
• negative aspects include anger, guilt, harsh judgement, a lack of compassion and verbal and mental abuse
• generally, Swords people are intelligent, thoughtful, rational, logical and excellent communicators
• rational beings that like to experience the world by understanding and analyzing what is occuring around them
• on the flipside, they can be ruthless, domineering, confrontational and rigid
• corresponds to SPADES in a deck of playing cards

ACE OF SWORDS

UPRIGHT:

• truth
• power, victory, clarity
• breakthroughs, new ideas, metal clarity, success, mind over matter
• having fortitude
• overcoming adversity, facing problems, resolving a situation, finding the strength to overcome, surmounting obstacles, being undaunted by setbacks
• seeking justice
• righting a wrong, championing a cause, doing what is right, establishing the truth, accepting responsibility, wanting what is fair
• proceeding with truth
• dispelling doubts, cutting through confusion, seeing through illusions, having clear understanding, being honest, finding out what is real

REVERSED:

• confusion and chaos
• inner clarity, re-thinking an idea, clouded judgement
• restraint and patience
• writer’s block

TWO OF SWORDS

UPRIGHT:

• avoidance
• choice, stalemate
• difficult decisions, weighing up options, an impasse, avoidance
• blocking emotions
• denying true feelings, stifling a natural response, keeping another at arm's length, hiding distress, turning a deaf ear, being defensive, maintaining your cool
• avoiding the truth
• refusing to look at facts, pretending everything's fine, ignoring the warning signs, closing your eyes to what's going on, avoiding an unpleasantness, choosing not to know
• being at a stalemate
• feeling afraid to act, reaching an impasse, staying stuck, refusing to decide, being unwilling to rock the boat, staying on the fence

REVERSED:

• being ready to make a decision but there’s no right choice. confusion
• indecision, confusion, information overload, stalemate
• being torn in two directions
• a victim of lies, betrayal and duplicity

THREE OF SWORDS

UPRIGHT:

• heartbreak
• separation, grief
• emotional pain, sorrow
• feeling heartbreak
• causing heartbreak, suffering emotional pain, hurting inside, being disappointed, getting some unsettling news, having your feelings hurt, hurting someone's feelings, receiving little solace
• feeling lonely
• being separated, wandering far from home, being spurned or rejected, feeling isolated from those you love, being deserted in time of need, feeling lost
• experiencing betrayal
• discovering a painful truth, finding your trust misplaced, being let down, letting someone down, getting stabbed in the back, turning against someone, breaking your word, acting against

REVERSED:

• restlessness, feeling burnt out
• negative self-talk, releasing pain, optimism, forgiveness
• hiding the true extent of your pain

FOUR OF SWORDS

UPRIGHT:

• rest
• recuperation, passivity
• rest, relaxation, meditation, contemplation, recuperation
• resting
• taking a break, giving your body time to heal, avoiding overexertion, finding peace and quiet, relaxing body and soul, taking life easy
• contemplating
• gaining a better perspective, listening for your Inner Voice, taking time alone to think, standing back from the situation, examining your motivations, reviewing where you are
• quietly preparing
• consolidating inner resources, making sure your base is secure, getting ready for the future, coming to terms with what is, tying up loose ends, stabilizing

REVERSED:

• recovery and moving on
• exhaustion, burn-out, deep contemplation, stagnation
• unwanted isolation
• insomnia
• lack of self-care
• strange dreams, an out of body experience

FIVE OF SWORDS

UPRIGHT:

• self-interest
• conflict, tension and defeat
• conflict, disagreements, competition, defeat, winning at all costs
• acting in your own self-interest
• setting aside the concerns of others, looking out for number one, thinking of your own needs, knowing you must concentrate on yourself, encountering selfishness, indulging in power plays, gloating, going for the win-lose result
• experiencing discord
• being in a hostile environment, feeling people are set against each other, choosing to battle, having an "us-against-them" mentality, creating ill will, experiencing conflict
• witnessing open dishonor
• losing your moral compass, letting ends justify means, sacrificing integrity, losing sight of what is right, achieving a dubious victory, knowing of criminal activity

REVERSED:

• desire to reconcile and forgive
• reconciliation, making amends, getting past resentment
• a funeral - mourning for situations or individuals

SIX OF SWORDS

UPRIGHT:

• recovery
• transition, change, rite of passage, releasing baggage
• feeling the blues
• experiencing a low-level sadness, just keeping your head above water, working to get through the day, feeling somewhat depressed, avoiding the lows, but also the highs, feeling listless, functioning, but not much more
• recovering
• dealing with the effects of trauma, getting over a tough time, picking up the pieces, starting to cope, beginning to get your health back, heading toward a more positive place, feeling hope again
• traveling
• changing location, moving from one place to another, taking a trip, experiencing a change of scene, being uprooted, going on a journey, entering into a new frame of mind

REVERSED:

• emotional baggage
• personal transition, resistance to change, unfinished business
• wanting to leave, but you are somehow unable/li>
• travel delays or cancellations
• floods, storms, power outages

SEVEN OF SWORDS

UPRIGHT:

• running away
• betrayal, deception, getting away with something, acting strategically
• running away
• shirking responsibility, sneaking off, leaving, avoiding obligations, being afraid to face the music, taking the easy way out, hiding from the truth, procrastinating
• being a lone wolf
• feeling you don't need anyone else, wanting independence, deciding not to help, keeping something to yourself, preferring solitude, staying aloof, wanting to go it alone, holding people at arm's length
• choosing hidden dishonor
• deceiving or being deceived, covering your tracks, maneuvering behind the scenes, being two-faced, controlling without appearing to, avoiding a shameful secret, lying or stealing

REVERSED

• rethinking your approach, coming clean
• imposter syndrome, self-deceit, keeping secrets
• shame after trying to steal or deceive
• returning things that don’t belong to you
• community service - giving back, paying it forward

EIGHT OF SWORDS

UPRIGHT:

• confusion
• isolation, imprisonment
• negative thoughts, self-imposed restriction, imprisonment, victim mentality
• feeling restricted
• being fenced in by obstacles, staying in a limited situation, feeling trapped by circumstances, experiencing few options, being blind to freedom, feeling persecuted
• feeling confused
• being unsure which way to turn, feeling at a loss, lacking direction, feeling overwhelmed, floundering around, needing guidance and clarity, not understanding what is happening
• feeling powerless
• waiting for outside rescue, doubting anything you do will help, avoiding responsibility, looking for a white knight, feeling victimized, accepting inaction

REVERSED:

• self acceptance, freedom
• self-limiting beliefs, inner critic, releasing negative thoughts, being open to new perspectives
• a new vision for the future
• being able to see a way forward
• hard but rewarding work

NINE OF SWORDS

UPRIGHT:

• guilt
• depression, anxiety and despair
• anxiety, worry, fear, depression, nightmares
• worrying
• doubting all will go well, brooding, making yourself sick over your troubles, going over and over an issue, feeling anxious and tense, getting worked up
• feeling guilty
• regretting some offense, refusing to forgive yourself, wanting to turn back the clock, focusing on your "sins", being hard on yourself, denying that you did your best, getting overwhelmed by remorse
• suffering anguish
• despairing, feeling you've reached your limits, having sleepless nights, feeling depressed, going through a dark night of the soul, forgetting joy, wanting to cry

REVERSED:

• hope, despair, reaching out
• inner turmoil, deep-seated fears, secrets, releasing worry
• recovery from depression
• being open to new ideas and ready to explore different possibilities

TEN OF SWORDS

UPRIGHT:

• victim mentality
• defeat, loss and crisis
• painful endings, deep wounds, betrayal, loss, crisis
• bottoming out
• having nowhere to go but up, knowing it's darkest before the dawn, being at the lowest point, feeling things can't get worse, preparing for an upturn, reaching the pits
• feeling like a victim
• bemoaning your fate, feeling powerless, seeing life as hostile, suffering from an attack, wondering "Why me?", feeling self-pity, being on the receiving
• being a martyr
• putting your own interests last, being self-deprecating, feeling like a doormat, taking a back seat, letting others go first, sacrificing

REVERSED:

• total and complete failure
• recovery, regeneration, resisting an inevitable end
• rebirth, recovery and relief
• the ending was not as bad as it seemed
• new horizons

PAGE OF SWORDS

UPRIGHT:

• energetic curiosity
• new ideas, curiosity, thirst for knowledge, new ways of communicating
• reflects an abundance of energy, passion and enthusiasm
• you can’t wait to get started on a new project or idea, and to share that with others
• you will start all new projects, ventures and journeys with a huge amount of energy and excitement
• the challenges is keepin it up
• as with all Pages, the beginning always looks promising, but something else is needed to maintain the peace
• almost like a green light to say “go for it”.
• always going to be challenges with whatever you choose, and not everyone is going to be happy with your choices, but when it comes down to it you need to follow your passions and go where your true energy lies
• encourages you to move forward and get the wheels in motion despite any challenges or setbacks that may potentially stand in the way

REVERSED:

• inaction and deception
• self-expression, all talk no action, haphazard action, haste
• slanderous gossip
• a difficult childhood

KNIGHT OF SWORDS

UPRIGHT:

• someone opinionated and hasty
• ambitious, action-oriented, driven to succeed, fast thinking
• a powerful figure of life and energy who needs to be balanced with a realization of responsibility and compassion
• once he has set forth on his journey, there is no stopping him
• does not see, nor care about, any upcoming challenges, risks or dangers, and instead moves forward with his strong intent to succeed and win
• on the positive side, shows great ambition, determination and strength to succeed no matter what
• on the negative side, he can be blind to potential challenges and consequences of his actions and may charge forth into a dangerous territory without any foresight or preparation
• may also neglect to understand the needs of others as he fervently pursues his own goals
• often reflects a time when you’re embarking on a new project or idea and there is no stopping you
• you have had this sudden burst of energy that is propelling you forward and inspiring you to take quick action to manifest your goals
• you are ready to overcome any problem, challenge or obstacle that is in your path

REVERSED:

• someone unpredictable with a total disregard for the consequences
• restless, unfocused, impulsive, burn-out
• a fanatic fundamentalist
• cruelty
• bad news arriving

QUEEN OF SWORDS

UPRIGHT:

• a perceptive quick-thinker
• independent, unbiased judgement, clear boundaries, direct communication
• a sign you need to be independent in thought and judgement
• you must use your unbiased intelligence to make a judgement of a particular situation, drawing upon every piece of info and fact you have gathered along the way
• empathy or compassion towards others may distract you from the task at hand, so it is important that you think with your head and not with your heart at this particular time
• don’t let emotion get in the way
• rather, use fact and logic to make your decisions
• also has an innate ability to tell it like it is
• a quick-thinker, and highly perceptive
• as such, she can cut through the noise and confusion to get straight to the point
• no “beating around the bush” or “softening” her comments, opinions and thoughts
• upfront and honest about her opinions, and expects the same from others
• the best way to interact with the Queen of Swords is to remain as impartial as possible, and to present your thoughts and opinions concisely and honestly

REVERSED:

• someone cold-hearted and bitter
• overly-emotional, easily influenced, cold-hearted
• someone manipulative and self-centered
• narrow-mindedness, bigotry and intolerance

KING OF SWORDS

UPRIGHT:

• a clear-thinking intellectual
• mental clarity, intellectual power, authority, truth
• a symbol of intellectual power and authority, has the courage and intellect to accomplish all that he desires
• represents judgment, command and rulership
• character indicates the stern leadership of a judge or lawyer whose emotions must be kept in check under the pressure of battle
• related to an event, he asks you to remain detached and objective in a specific situation in order to ascertain the truth and seek out only the facts
• you need to use your intellect to prove your point and succeed
• your education and experience are important, but so are your day-to-day observations and thoughts
• you can also solve problems by using history, rules, laws and diplomacy

REVERSED:

• someone cruel and manipulative
• quiet power, inner truth, misuse of power, manipulative
• someone dangerous and ill-intentioned
• controlling and manipulative
• sadistic, perverse and inhumane