STOP Fearing the Swords! (They're Not the Villain!)

 

Three of Swords. Five of Swords. Seven, eight, nine, and ten of Swords! Ugh! One or more of these Swords cards appeared in your tarot reading. You go into a tizzy over the interpretations other readers have said about these cards. Such as heartbreak, arguments & conflict, cheating & manipulation, playing the victim, nightmares, betrayal. All doom and gloom. But let me tell you. I am not a tarot reader or client who isn't afraid of Swords cards (or the Tower, the Devil, or Death cards but that's for another time). 

Many have misinterpreted the suit of Swords, "professional" and amateur tarot readers. To them, Swords equals chaos, conflict, and doom. But that's just one way to read 'em.

I view the Swords suit as dealing with our thoughts, our mental health, our ideas, and communication. The Swords are the suit of air. The air element can represent thoughts, beliefs, ideas, and communication. It is quick-acting, but not as fast as the fire element, but faster than water and earth elements.

I have developed positive and neutral meanings to the Swords suit you can refer to in your readings if you feel stuck or you don't want to focus on the doom and gloom. This is NOT sugar coating. This is just another way of looking at the Swords cards. And its meaning isn't complete (unless you do a one-card pull) without looking at the position the card is in and the cards surrounding it.

Ace of Swords = The Ace of Swords can represent clarity. You're finally seeing things for what they are, not what you want them to be. The Ace of Swords can also signify that you possess a new idea, thought, or belief. It is the seed that begins, the spark, that gumption. It is up to you either to accept the idea and bring it to fruition or to reject the thought or belief.

Two of Swords = The Two of Swords can represent not seeing things clearly and needing more information. It's not just about making decisions. It's also about acquiring information with logic and intuition combined. The Two of Swords can represent balancing both, reason and emotion. You know when you need to reason, and when to let your emotions guide the way.

Three of Swords = I recently came to a new perspective on the Three of Swords through the Tarot Logic YouTube channel and I highly recommend you watch and listen to Paul's take. Typically, this card gets a bad rep, especially when it appears in relationship tarot readings. The Three of Swords can represent heartbreak, disappointment, and grief. But it can also represent holding on to past heartbreak, disappointment, or grief, and the energy is lingering. It doesn't always signify that your significant other is going to dump you. Sometimes, it can represent you're hurting from something or someone in recent past or holding onto some form of loss in your life. 

Four of Swords = The Four of Swords to me is my illness card. Whenever this card shows up in a yearly or monthly reading, I always get a cold or flu. The Four of Swords encourages rest. Take it easy before you make yourself sick, either physically or mentally. This is a pretty easy card to interpret. The Four of Swords says, "Make time for rest or make time for your illness".

Five of Swords = This is the card of hollow victories. Yeah, you won, but at what cost? Did you lose a friend along the way? Did you sell out your values or belief system just so you could make it to the top? The Five of Swords doesn't always represent fighting and conflicts. It can simply mean you fought your way to the top, but it cost you peace or something valuable.

Six of Swords = I honestly love and identify with this card. The Six of Swords is pretty easy to interpret as well. You're sailing away from trouble onto calmer shores. You're doing the inner work. You're healing from the inside, and it radiates outward eventually. It's not just about walking away from abusive and toxic relationships. Sometimes this is a card to remind you to be gentle with your thoughts and do some self-care or shadow work or make that doctor's or therapy appointment.

Seven of Swords = Another yuck card 🤮. However, I learned from a fellow Instagram tarot reader years ago that the Seven of Swords can simply mean taking your power back. You strategize how to get out of a situation. You take risks. You're cunning. You're bold. The Seven of Swords doesn't always mean cheating, but it can represent (good) manipulation just as well, depending on the cards position and other cards surrounding it . If you draw this card in your daily draw, this shows you need to strategize and make a plan. Take that risk. Be bold. Be cunning.

Eight of Swords = The Eight of Swords interpretation is usually confinement, stickiness, negative thoughts and beliefs. This card is clear and direct. You can feel trapped or stuck or even have some imposter syndrome or stuck in negative thought loops. You, however, can break free from this. The rope? It's loose! The Swords? Not blocking your way. This card is saying, "You're not your thoughts. You're not as stuck or confined as you believe."

Nine of Swords = This is the nightmare card. People typically interpret it as experiencing insomnia, having literal nightmares, anxiety, doubts, and worries. This card can also mean you're confronting what's bothering you. You're facing fears. You're examining your shadow. Your mind is doing a purge. It can also mean you're finally ready to face these fears and troubles head-on. This card also signifies that you're close to a breakthrough moment. You're building awareness for healing. This is also a gentle reminder to ask for help. If this card is in a positive position, then it can mean that you aren't letting doubt, anxiety, and worry overcome you.

Ten of Swords = The Ten of Swords isn't just about betrayal. It can literally mean something has come to an end and there is relief in sight. You've been through the worst of things. Now it is time to rest and prepare for the new beginning. This card is welcoming as ten represents endings AND new beginnings. Whatever dies, will be reborn and you can begin again.

Page of Swords = She gets a rep for being the busy-body who's always up in everyone's business. She's probably a part of the neighborhood watch and alerts everyone as to what is going on in the neighborhood. But she is also an enthusiastic student, curious about her surroundings, and is ready for new beginnings. She loves learning and has an appetite for knowledge. She is a good communicator or a good writer or public speaker. She could be the annoying little sister, or the young adult who flourishes in the academia setting. She's smart, she's bright, she's optimistic.

Knight of Swords = He is feisty and energetic. He probably has ADHD and autism (disclaimer: this is a metaphor and not a diagnosis. Please don't diagnose people with tarot cards!) He's brash, he's honest to a fault, and he's impulsive and gets angry easily. However, he is also one to not sit on his ideas and go towards them, putting the idea from the Ace of Swords into action. He may also have a short attention span and may not complete the project, however. He's got a fire in his belly and is ready! He could be the young adult who excels in team sports, gains energy from a one hour workout session, and doesn't like to read anything but comics.

Queen of Swords = She's seen as bitchy, aloof, untrustworthy, and mysterious. But really, she is brutally honest, logical and intuitive, and knows where she stands, whether you admit it. She sticks to her values and her beliefs and believes in justice and fairness for all. She doesn't waver in her values for anyone. She isn't aloof; she just prefers her peace. Peace of mind is important to this queen. She can be charming but has seen great sorrow and trouble in her life. She is the single friend who isn't afraid to hold you accountable when you want to text that pesky ex of yours. She is the woman who works two jobs just to make sure her kids can go to college. She is street smart and book smart.

King of Swords = This guy is usually read as a narcissist (can we please stop calling everyone who hurts us a narcissist?). But really, he is deeply logical and is swayed only by the facts. He treasures his values and beliefs and doesn't waver for anyone, like the Queen of Swords. He can be a hard worker and very focused. He doesn't let distractions get in his way. He is also intelligent and may be more book smartthan street smart. He relies highly on reason rather than emotion to make a decision. He is stoic. He is the computer/IT nerd. Numbers are his game. He trusts his brain more than his heart.

I want to hear from you. What is your take on the Swords suit? What Swords card do you connect with the most and why? Share your thoughts below so we can create a balanced view of this suit!