Tarot 101: The Suit of Swords
Another night of storms, poor sleep, and a morning of meetings. Rather than work on a specific card today, let’s review the suit of Swords.
The General Meaning
The suit of Swords in Tarot represents the realm of the mind, intellect, knowledge, wisdom, communication, ideas, conflict, and sometimes beliefs (more on that in a minute). It embodies the power of thought, decision-making, analysis, and the challenges we face in both our mental and emotional lives. The suit of Swords is associated with the element of air, which symbolizes intellectual energy, clarity, and the ability to recognize truth. In the Major Arcana, the suit of Swords is ruled over by The Emperor, who shares in the traits of logical discipline, rigidity, and blatant truth.
Swords cards often indicate situations involving psychological tension, debates, communication breakdowns, or struggles with conflicts and having to make difficult choices. I’ve always felt that the suit of Swords and the suit of Cups are tightly intermingled, and I think that’s because it can sometimes be difficult to find the balance between the mind and the heart, as trying to “outsmart” a feeling or being too logical can lead to a general detachment from emotions and relationships. Or, like my ex once told me, it makes you a “cold bitch.”
The suit of Swords can also reflect our mental state, psychological struggles, and the power of our words and thoughts to shape our reality. It encourages us to examine our beliefs, biases, thought patterns, and communication styles to form healthy relationships and instigate personal growth.
I mentioned that the suit of Swords can sometimes represent beliefs. Beliefs are also represented by the suit of Wands. Beliefs, in a general sense, are really just our personal thoughts, perceptions, and convictions about ourselves and the world we live in. The suit of Swords can provide insight into the experiences and ideologies that shape our beliefs. It can help map out how our thoughts and ideas influence our perception of reality and the decisions we make.
When working with Swords cards in relation to beliefs, it is important to consider the overall context of the reading (the story of the spread, the intention) — perhaps more so when doing personal readings with the goal of expansion and self-improvement. The suit of Swords can shed light on the logical aspects of our belief systems, how they were formed, and how they impact our lives. With that being said, the suit of Wands is generally more closely associated with beliefs and spirituality. How you choose to work and interpret beliefs in Tarot is entirely your choice.
Zodiac References
The suit of Swords is associated with the zodiac signs of Gemini, Libra, and Aquarius.
Gemini (May 21 — June 20) is associated with intellectual curiosity, communication skills, and adaptability. These traits align with the themes of the Swords suit, suggesting mental agility and the power of communication.
Libra (September 23 — October 22) is associated with balance, justice, and diplomacy. The Swords suit resonates with Libra’s emphasis on fairness, rational thinking, and the general desire for harmony through clear communication and logical decision-making.
Aquarius (January 20 — February 18) is associated with innovation and intellectual independence. These qualities correspond to the intellectual aspects of the Swords suit, emphasizing the pursuit of truth, unique perspectives, and forward-thinking ideas.
Symbolism of the Sword
The sword, the symbol of the suit of Swords, represents intellect, conflict, and the power of the mind. Its sharpness signifies mental clarity and the ability to cut through illusions, lies, and limiting beliefs (see, beliefs again!). The sword’s dual nature embodies the possibility of both constructive and destructive outcomes, depending on how it is wielded; you could either be the hero or the villain.
In Tarot, swords are often depicted as straight-edged blades or double-edged swords, representing the duality of thought and the choices we make. It can also represent light and shade, positive and negative. They are often shown surrounded by stormy weather, representing the challenges, conflicts, and turmoil we so often encounter on our path to betterment.
The Brief History of the Sword in Tarot
In historical Tarot decks, the suit of Swords has been present since the early days of Tarot when it was still known as Tarochii. Its association with conflicts, power struggles, and intellectual pursuits reflects the social and cultural contexts of the period in which they were created. Swords were the most common weapons during those “darker” times — so much war and conflict (and SO much of it in the name of religious belief) — making them a fitting symbol to represent the mental and emotional challenges faced by individuals.
Today, the suit of Swords continues to represent the realm of the mind, thoughts, communication, and conflicts in Tarot readings, and the general meanings persist. Of course, modern decks may choose to use other objects in place of the sword. I’ve seen the use of owls, needles, and the element of air — but by and large, especially compared to other suits, most decks I’ve seen tend to stick with Swords.
Originally posted on Pixel-Tarot.com on April 27, 2023.
