Swords

The Suite of Swords

The suite of Swords is associated with the element of air and we see this in the image above. A sword that cuts through the upper air and the clouds. Like the sword, thoughts and ideas are often our sharpest weapon. They are also the blade that can create the largest wound in others during day-to-day life.

Air and thought are symbolically intertwined. In alchemy and some ancient philosophies (such as astrology), air represents the mind because air represents ‘the breath of life’ that creates consciousness. This breath is often given by the Gods themselves in creation myths.

Air is also seen as the medium of communication and thought. Like air, thoughts have no weight nor physical appearance but their results literally flow around us.

Swords in a Reading

In readings the suite of swords often relates to thoughts that lead to actions, behaviors and consequences. The suite of swords has a somewhat bad reputation as it contains the most negative cards. Some might even suggest that Tarot tends to favor intuition over conscious decisions so the bad reputation is intentional!

But which would you rather know in advance if you knew you have a chance to change the future? Would it be the good news or bad news? A sword in any reading means it is time to listen – you are literally being given a chance to avoid a falling dagger and turn it into something positive.

Reversed, the suite can often point to ruthlessness or the dangers of negative or unclear thinking. Again not exactly a bundle of laughs or positivity, but this suite gives you the clearest messages and the best warnings.

The exemplar card

There is always a court card that epitomizes the archetype of the suite. The king in all suites represents air and ruling with the mind so the King of Swords represents air in the suite of air, or pure air.

We see the king sat on a throne in the clouds. He is dressed In blue, the color associated with air. His sword signifies his intellectual powers. A butterfly (an ancient symbol of transformation and the mind) sits on the blade. The king sits in judgement, basing his decisions on rational and fair arguments. He is a just ruler and takes responsibility for his actions

The reversed king can be controlling and manipulative, using his intellect and communication skills to serve his own ends.

The Journey

The Major Arcana in this deck are based on the Hero’s journey/monomyth, as noted here. Although the Minor Arcana is less concerned about an overall arc and more concerned with day-to-day events and people, there is still an overall message that runs through each suite. The story for the suite of Wands looks like this:

A person forms a revolutionary new idea with the potential to change the world (ace). This leads to difficult choices needed to effect major change (two) that becomes a cause of anguish and loss as the existing hierarchy fights back (three) by suppressing of the idea and forcing its creator to physically step back and recover (four). A second attempt to bring the idea to attention through force and cunning (five) also fails, leading to a move away for a fresh start (six), but the wily agents of the hierarchy follow and build a deceptive counter argument (seven). This frames those associated with the idea, causing them great grief (nine). The idea finally wins through, creating true change... but at what cost? The originator of the idea lies dead on the battlefield (ten)… but the idea lives on because the arduous battle was won.

Out ideas are one part of us that is truly immortal because they can cause change that lives on well after we (and those we have loved) have departed. Hopes and desires are transient and riches will fade but ideas are immortal.

If you value your own thoughts then your ideas must be worth fighting for.

If you value your own thoughts then your ideas must be worth fighting for.