~ “There is nothing so disobedient as an undisciplined mind, and there is nothing so obedient as a disciplined mind.” ~
–Gautama Buddha
The Suit of Swords is associated with the element of Air. Swords represent the qualities necessary to survive the constant struggles we face in life. It also is a suit of mental energies, reason, logic, and judgment – all things that stand separate and distinct from our emotions. A desire for truth and a need for discrimination and intellectual analysis are often indicated by this suit. Within a reading, an excess of Swords could represent things like detachment, emotional-coldness, anxiety, restlessness; as well as, insomnia, hyper-metabolism, and insensitivity. A lack or absence of Swords could represent listlessness, fatigue, dullness, stagnation, blocked communication, as well as, an inability to express oneself.
The following are a list of keywords for the suit of Swords. These keywords are not to be relied on as crutches, but as creative springboards for us to develop our own interpretation and understanding of not just each card, but the suit of Cups on its whole.
- SWORDS:
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- Alternative Titles: Blades, Spades, Knives, Scimitars, Arrows, Feathers.
- Element: Air
- Signs: Libra, Aquarius, Gemini.
- Planets: Mercury, Uranus.
- Style: Storming, Freezing, Striving, Communicating, Cutting, Confronting
- Jungian Function: Thinking
- Colors: Sky-Blue, Grey, White.
- Season: Spring (some sources say autumn as it represents the sign of Libra)
- Direction: East
- Time of Day: Dawn
- Feudal Class: Nobility, Warrior, and Political class.
- Keywords: Strife. Tension. Conflict. Struggle. Communication. Travel. Powerful. Intelligence. Foresight. Boldness. Reason. Logic. Sarcasm. Threats. Legal Actions. Surgery. Cutting. Accidents. Justice. Truth. Detachments. Separations. Moving On. Mental Activity.
- ACE OF SWORDS
The Root of the Powers of Air
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- Astrology: The Capricorn/Aquarius/Pisces Quadrant of the Zodiac.
- Chart Position: 0 Capricorn to 30 Pisces
- Dates: December 22nd to March 21st
- Qabalah: Kether (Crown) in Yetzirah (Mind)
- Positive Keywords: Power. Courage. Fresh Ideas. Authority
- Negative Keywords: Threats. Sarcasm. Pessimism. Cynicism.
- Affirmation: I am a channel of Divine Expression. It is my birthright to live life fully and communicate freely. I now take charge of my life.
- TWO OF SWORDS
Lord of Peace Restored
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- Astrology: Moon in Libra
- Chart Position: 0 Libra to 10 Libra
- Dates: September 23rd to October 2nd
- Qabalah: Chokmah (Wisdom) in Yetzirah (Mind)
- Positive Keywords: Making Peace. Compromise. Equilibrium. Self-Protective.
- Negative Keywords: Blocked Emotions. Uncertainty. Procrastination. Delays.
- Affirmation: I am in perfect harmony and balance with myself and the world around me. I am safe and secure within my skin.
- THREE OF SWORDS
Lord of Sorrow
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- Astrology: Saturn in Libra
- Chart Position: 10 Libra to 20 Libra
- Dates: October 2nd to October 12th
- Qabalah: Binah (Understanding) in Yetzirah (Mind)
- Positive Keywords: Recovery. Karmic Lessons. Wisdom from Pain. Coming to Terms.
- Negative Keywords: Heartbreak. Disharmony. Rejection. Mourning.
- Affirmation: I dissolve all past problems with ease. Only love is real.
- FOUR OF SWORDS
Lord of Rest from Strife
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- Astrology: Jupiter in Libra
- Chart Position: 20 Libra to 30 Libra
- Dates: October 13th to October 22nd
- Qabalah: Chesed (Mercy) in Yetzirah (Mind)
- Positive Keywords: Recuperation. Introspection. Healing. Meditation.
- Negative Keywords: Isolation. Discontent. Banishments. Detention.
- Affirmation: This moment is filled with joy. I now choose to experience the sweetness of today.
- FIVE OF SWORDS
Lord of Defeat
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- Astrology: Venus in Aquarius
- Chart Position: 0 Aquarius to 10 Aquarius
- Dates: January 20th to January 29th
- Qabalah: Geburah (Severity) in Yetzirah (Mind)
- Positive Keywords: Letting Go. End of Attacks. Treachery Revealed. Detachment from Negativity.
- Negative Keywords: Malice. Ridicule. False Pride. Negativity.
- Affirmation: It is safe for me to experience joy in every area of my life. I love life.
- SIX OF SWORDS
Lord of Earned Success
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- Astrology: Mercury in Aquarius
- Chart Position: 10 Aquarius to 20 Aquarius
- Dates: January 30th to February 8th
- Qabalah: Tiphareth (Beauty) in Yetzirah (Mind)
- Positive Keywords: Moving on. Smooth Sailing. Beneficial Changes. Travel.
- Negative Keywords: Tentative. Fearful. Standstill. Postponements.
- Affirmation: I open my heart and create only loving communication. I am safe. I am well.
- SEVEN OF SWORDS
Lord of Unstable Effort
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- Astrology: Moon in Aquarius
- Chart Position: 20 Aquarius to 30 Aquarius
- Dates: February 9th to February 18th
- Qabalah: Netzach (Victory) in Yetzirah (Mind)
- Positive Keywords: Apology. Constructive Criticism. Wit. ‘Coming Out’.
- Negative Keywords: Guile. Thievery. Futility. Deception.
- Affirmation: I am true to others. I am true to myself. I now lead a life of truth and authenticity. The truth sets me free.
- EIGHT OF SWORDS
Lord of Shortened Force
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- Astrology: Jupiter in Gemini
- Chart Position: 0 Gemini to 10 Gemini
- Dates: May 21st to May 31st
- Qabalah: Hod (Splendor) in Yetzirah (Mind)
- Positive Keywords: Transcending Destiny. Overcoming Obstacles through hard work. Release.
- Negative Keywords: Interference. Entrapment. Blockage. Viscous Circle.
- Affirmation: I have the capacity to take in the fullness of Life. I lovingly live life to the fullest.
- NINE OF SWORDS
Lord of Despair and Cruelty
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- Astrology: Mars in Gemini
- Chart Position: 10 Gemini to 20 Gemini
- Dates: June 1st to June 10th
- Qabalah: Yesod (Foundation) in Yetzirah (Mind)
- Positive Keywords: Soul-Searching. Shadow-Work. Prayer. Mind-Healing.
- Negative Keywords: Nightmares. Guilt. Suffering. Depression.
- Affirmation: I declare peace and harmony within me and around me. All is well.
- TEN OF SWORDS
Lord of Ruin
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- Astrology: Sun in Gemini
- Chart Position: 20 Gemini to 30 Gemini
- Dates: June 11th to June 20th
- Qabalah: Malkuth (Kingdom) in Yetzirah (Mind)
- Positive Keywords: New Beginnings. Rebirth. Liberation. Silver-Lining.
- Negative Keywords: Failure. Hitting Rock-Bottom. Affliction. Back-Stabbing
- Affirmation: As I love and approve of myself, I create a joyful, peaceful world to live in.
All card images are from The Archeon Tarot by Tim Lantz. Pleace click HERE to purchase this hauntingly lovely deck.
Love and Blessings
Zorian
I love the suit of Swords. I prize its virtues of analysis, cutting through crap, intellect, higher wisdom, detachment and knowledge. They are not that fashionable in this day and age – we want the passion and the emotion… but they are important qualities, when balanced with passion and emotion. They certainly help to temper my over-emotional, over-passionate nature! (I have a dominance of water and fire). If you take the 3 of Swords – such a great card! How else can we understand the pain and move past it? How else can we build a strong mental image, that will give way to a new reality, new invention or new emotional life? This is the Empress at her most intellectually creative. And there are similar virtues in all the swords cards.
A great suit.
Thanks Sophie. I too love the suit of Swords. I believe that this is one suit that tells it like it is without any sugar coating at all. The Swords cut through all the minutiae and get straight to the core of the issue, without wasting anytime. Not many people are a fan of this suit, but then again, as the old saying goes, “A sword is only meant for the strong-hearted. A sword is only mastered by the strong-minded”. And yes, the 3 of Swords is a truly powerful card. I love it because even though the imagery is so ‘drastic’, it represents how pain and sorrow always lead us to acquire great wisdom and insight about life, thus enabling us to move on from the worst possible situations and celebrate the goodness life has to offer! This is the Empress showing us ‘tough love’ :D.
Your insights are absolutely brilliant, I’m so thankful for you to share them with me (and all of us here).
Thank you so much for your love and support
xoxo
Z
Another blinder of a post, ZiZi!
Loving the affirmation for the 7 of Swords 😉 xox
Thanks Lisa, am glad you enjoyed the post :D. I was thinking of you when I wrote the 7 of Swords affirmation 😉
Thank you for your love and support
xoxo
Z
I highly enjoyed reading this blogpost, keep on writing such interesting stuff!
Thanks VirtDrito, am happy you enjoyed the post. Hope to hear more from you.
xoxo
Z
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