Element - Air
Direction - East
Astrological sign(s) - Gemini, Libra, Aquarius
Planet(s) - Mercury, Uranus, Saturn
Mineral(s) - Blue tourmaline, blue kyanite, sodalite, lapis lazuli, labradorite, amethyst
Season - Autumn
Chakra(s) - Crown, throat and third eye
Major Arcana - 0/22, The Fool; 1, The Magician; 6, The Lovers; 17, The Star; 20, Judgement
Overall Theme/Correlation: Communication. Mental energy, rationality and reason, speaking/seeing truth, fearlessness, freedom, harsh reality; can indicate aggressiveness, lack of emotion.
This suit has always seemed to me the most difficult as I am by nature a very positive person. Some of the cards appear to depict violence and/or very negative energy because such are harsh realities of life. So for me, the challenge of reading swords is to first understand that it always seems darkest just before the dawn, acknowledge the truth of that darkness without getting bogged down in it, and then find the way to the light. That said, the suit does have some inherently positive aspects; one just has to look harder to find them.
Pip and court cards of the Suit of Swords:
Ace: Gift or *Crown - Powerful intellect, cutting through the abstract to the truth. Double edged sword of emotion vs. rationality; clarity of thinking, commitment to truth. Planning, goal setting, high principles.
Two: Balance or *Wisdom - Conflict in communication; avoidance of conflict or communication; defensiveness; closing off outside stimulation so as to seek ones own truth.
Three: Synergy or *Understanding - Knowledge and contemplation of deep sorrow. Understanding and/or acceptance of sorrow. Working through pain or trauma; healing.
Four: Stability or *Love - Preconceptions, isolation or hiding from pain, sorrow or something that does not fit preconceived ideas. Thinking inside the box; need to open ones mind, open to healing and/or need to withdraw in order to process new ideas, thoughts and/or to heal.
Five: Opportunity or *Judgement - Dealing with defeat or humiliation; need to recover, rethink, regroup and rebuild to fight again with renewed perspective. Need to cease negative self talk.
Six: Peak Experience or *Beauty - Science/knowledge/discovery illuminates connectedness of all life; freedom of thought; joy of discovery. Gaining strength through trauma. Forward motion in spite of carrying a burden or secret.
Seven: Inner Work or *Victory - Called to service; need for fearlessness or boldness in order to achieve victory; strategizing a win-win; a scheme, manipulation or trickery proving futile; recklessness for excitement and thrills.
Eight: Change or *Glory - Confusion preventing forward motion or achievement; possibilities not realized; bound by thoughts or ideas only. Finding inner strength to push forward; nothing holding one back except the self.
Nine: Completion or *Foundation - Extreme pain, anguish; situation that can no longer be ignored or denied; need for change. Facing fears with intellect in order to turn them into assets.
Ten: Fulfillment/New beginnings or *Kingdom - Extreme conflict and mental difficulty. The mind has gone as far as it can go; release rationality and look to the heart or universe for answers.
Page/Princess/Prince/Child: Childlike energy - Vigilance, quickness, intelligence, success through love, dedication and courage.
Knight: Adolescent Energy - Bravest of Knights; stand up and express beliefs; fearlessness; may indicate thoughtless or foolish action; Think before you act.
Queen: Maturity, thoughtfulness, expression of power, inspiration, gratitude - Queen of sorrow; total lack of self pity; believer and seeker of truth and justice; total honesty; expressing hearts desire and helping others do the same.
King: Wisdom, Maturity, Responsibility for the greater good - High intellect, clarity and spiritual insight; judgement, forcefulness. Strong minded, overwhelming person. Idealistic; fair. Above all, rational; little regard for emotions.
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*From Kaballah - Each pip card in the minor arcana is represented by a number. I've included the numerical meaning (consistent for all suits) before the card meanings in this listing. The first overall numerical association is the more traditional one. I will be looking at origins more closely later, so simply a reference.
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