f Air, and with the intellect, as well as with strife and conflict.
Ace/One - Using your mental powers, overcoming adversity, seeking justice.
Two - Emotional denial, avoiding the truth, sitting on the fence.
Three - Experiencing heartbreak, betrayal, or loneliness.
Four - Taking a break, being contemplative, tying up loose ends.
Five - Think only of yourself, experiencing hostility, letting the end justify
the means.
Six - Being morose, picking up the pieces, going on a journey.
Seven - Taking the easy way out, being a loner. Being manipulative and devious.
Eight - Feeling confused, powerless and hemmed-in.
Nine - Suffering anxiety, and anguish. A feeling of self-guilt.
Ten - Being at a low point, feeling victimised.
Page (11) - Analysing the problem, expressing honesty and justice, facing
problems head-on.
Knight (12) - Being blunt and tactless, highly opinionated, clinical and
overbearing.
Queen (13) - Forthright, honest, astute and witty, "been there, done
that".
King (14) - Intellectual, articulate, analytical.
The Ace of Swords represents the onset of new ideas, new ways of looking at things. This often results in conflict, as the old order is threatened. The Ace of Swords represents a mental breakthrough of some sort. The sword is breaking through the clouds of negative thought and achieves a clear understanding of the matter. The querent has all the inner strength and power to meet the challenge and be victorious. It is like a whole new way of thinking has dawned on the querent. An example is when you break up with someone, no matter how long or short you were with them for, there's a patch where all your feelings are all over the place. But there's always that one point where you think, no, I'm over him/her. I know what went wrong, and I am now going to move over that. It's the point where you suddenly realise that. You succeed over everything. Nothing can make you think differently, and no-one can put you down. It's a feeling of victory.It's about superior thinking. Positive thoughts that you keep you happy for the whole day!
The ace of swords is kind of the AHA! card. The mental light bulb. It does signify clear minded victory, indeed. but that victory is the direct result of an internal realization or understanding. It is mind over matter in its purest form.
The six of wands is also victory--but it is more the victory based on a turn of events or the actions of others that make you look good. Like, for example, if you do a really *fine* research project for your boss--and your boss uses your material to base a presentation on--he looks great, but he looks great and is victorious because of your work. The other thing about the six of wands that is different is that although it represents a victory--things going your way--it is very ephemeral. Enjoy the energy--cuz it won't last.
But the Ace of swords is a sword in your hand. You created it, you control it.
courageous beginning against odds, initiating necessary conflict, turmoil,
intense feelings
Reversed, this card can indicate that one is submerging his or her views in an effort to conform, or to avoid rocking the boat.
The querent has
experienced a huge defeat and is dealing
with
someone/thing that has much more power.
The forces are working against the
querent. Plans have come to a stand
still and are delayed. You will just
have to wait until the little Ace of
Swords flips over and is upright until
things get back on track!
too forceful, pushing
too hard to start something, unnecessary stirring up of conflict
Two
(This card usually depicts a blind-folded figure holding a pair of crossed swords.)
locking horns, stalemate, truce, competitive, challenging, abrasive relationship
The 2 shows a woman in a grey gown sitting on
a grey bench in front of an ocean beach with rocks in the water.
She is blindfolded and holds 2 crossed swords, point upwards. The moon in
the sky is waxing.
First, I'll deal with the symbology. The woman is blindfolded, showing that she is confused about her situation. She cannot see the problem or the solution clearly. The swords are perfectly balanced, showing a balanced and stable mind. The water signifies emotions, and the rocks show tension.
One of the divinatory meanings of this card is tension in a relationship, needing a cool head to solve the problem. A need to look at both sides of the situation. The waxing moon shows a new beginning arising out of the solutions found for this problem. The preponderance of grey shows a need to be neutral, and to look at both sides of the situation. (The balanced crossed swords signify the same thing). Crossed swords, in Native symbology, is a symbol of truce. A truce needs to be called, and the problem needs to be resolved using logic (the suit of swords deals with logic and the use of the intellect). Both sides of the situation need to be addressed.
The Two of Swords is a card of tense balance. There is a refusal to face conflict, a deliberate blinding of oneself to problems, usually in the hopes that they will go away.
Reversed, this card can indicate problems brewing that the Querent may not be aware of on a conscious level. They still need to be faced and dealt with.
resolution of conflict
between forces, reconciliation, joining forces with the competition, deadlock
removed
Three
(This card usually depicts a heart with three swords through it.)
triangle
relationship causing pain, separation, divorce, heartbreak, intense attachment
3 of swords is a painful card, it gives that "twang" in your heart: loss, sorrow, mourning that loss. You know something painful has happened or surfaced from the past and that it needs to be cleansed. It is a wintery card: this needs being taken care of before you can go on. It is no use starting on new projects, just as it is no use to plant seeds in the winter.
Whilst mourning your loss / feeling it, you can release yourself. It often indicates a whoooole lotta tears, cleansing goes hand in hand with tears. Tears are purification.
There is no other way than move through it, then you can let go. In this way it is in a odd way a "fruitful" (3) card: it allows you to move on.
The Haindl-card shows 3 swords hanging in the air, against a sort of grey/brownish cloth. There are 2 swords to the left and 1 to the right. In between those there is a big tear coming out of what seems to be a rip in the cloth. It is as if it has been scraped and the skin has broken. There is some blood to be seen, but the tear flowing from it is thicker. I read this as follows. It may be that the emotions are bigger/stronger than the actual fact/cause itself. It is the coming to terms with it that takes precedence. It also shows the person seeing nothing else in their life besides this loss.
I use reverse cards as well and in that case I read it as someone not willing to face the loss, and thus prolonging the pain. Denial of what is happening, so they need to turn the card around and deal with it.
From:Sunraven
The Three of Swords is a card of conflicts breaking out into the open, often resulting in a separation. Painful though this may be, it's necessary, like the breaking of an abcess so that a wound can heal. This card forces you to look at the conflict that was ignored in the Two of Swords.
Reversed, this card can indicate that, although some conflicts have erupted, the real issue has not been uncovered and is still festering, which will lead to further difficulties.
pain going away,
recovery from triangle or emotionally painful relationship
Four
(This card usually depicts a prone figure with three swords on the wall above him, and one on the dais he is laying on.)
need
for recuperation from stress, sickness, inactivity, rest from conflict,
calm, quiet healing, rest and recuperation
The Four of Swords indicates that it is time to retreat and regroup. Step back from the battle for a moment, take time to center yourself, get your head on straight, and regather your strength to face the world.
Reversed, this card can indicate feelings of isolation. Healing is over,
ready for activity, restoration of health, recuperation complete
Five
(This card usually depicts one person doing battle with four others.)
gloating
enemy, unfaithful lover, jealous vindictive enemy, vicious gossip, betrayal,
lack of forgiveness
The Five of Swords indicates that you may have bitten off more than you can chew. It's time to swallow your pride, face your limits, and back off a bit, learning to live and act within your capabilities.
Reversed, this card can indicate that you are choosing to fight battles that you cannot win, or that are not worth the price.
vindication and
triumph over enemy and over gossip and betrayal, forgiveness
Six
(This card usually depicts a boat with 6 swords in it. In some decks, there is a lone figure in the boat, and in others, there is a ghostly figure standing behind the person, poling the boat.)
Something will be taken from you by stealth. It may be material goods, or things less tangible like your reputation, credit for a job well done, or someone's faith in you. Not all will be taken or damaged - just enough so that it's obvious that you've been robbed. The perpetrator's attitude is, "That'll show her!" This is a vindictive robbery, not one done only for the sake of financial (or other) gain.
helpful
assistance in strife, turmoil subsiding, problems can be worked out, bridge
over troubled waters, travel over water
The Six of Swords indicates a period of difficulty and anxiety. There is a need to look beneath the surface of the situation, to see what is truly driving it -- the insight thus gained will ease the situation.
Reversed, Reversed: The swords clatter to the ground, alerting all to the
thief's actions. He/she will be caught red-handed. If you were falsely
accused of something, you will be vindicated and the real culprit revealed.
heading for trouble
again, no immediate solution, help not accepted
this card can indicate letting emotion rule your reactions to a problem, responding to the surface issue rather than attempting to understand the hidden aspects of the situation.
Seven
(This card usually depicts a solitary figure with an armload of swords, sneaking away from a building.)
The Seven of Swords indicates that it is time to use some seemingly underhanded tactics to gain your objectives, rather than a frontal assault. This may seem to lack integrity, but sometimes life demands it.
theft,
bitterness over rip off, feeling like a loser in contest, victimized, mistrust
Reversed, this card can indicate needing to learn to speak up when necessary.
return of stolen
property or person, unexpected triumph after a loss
Eight
(This card usually depicts a figure, bound and blindfolded, fenced in by eight swords.)
restriction
and limitation, no understanding of blocks to freedom, refusal to break
chains
This is a card about hopelessness, restriction and lack of options. but it isn't. Not really. If you look at the Ryder Waite deck, you see a woman, tied from the waist up in such a way that she cannot move her arms, and blindfolded. She stands between 8 swords--and there is a featureless background. It would seem that she can't go anywhere--that she is imprisoned.
However, keep in mind that this deck, as did many of the older decks, portrayed the negative meaning and implied the positive. So, let's consider our tied up lady. First of all--there is *nothing* in front of her. She could just walk straight ahead, if she so chose--blindfold or not. But she does not choose to do so. She seems to be waiting for rescue.
Now. Let's consider the nature of the Swords. They represent the mental world--our conscious minds and what they do and how they work. In terms of our thought process, this is typical of the times when we *think* we are trapped--have not options--and must depend on the kindness of others. but--is that *ever* the case? We *always* have options--but those options may or may not be acceptable to us. This is fine--so long as we acknowledge that we have them. If we don't, it doesn't take us long to drift into victim mode. And that is where our lady is at the moment.
The Connolly deck shows this a bit differently. First of all, the main character is a male--and in that deck, all men represent the conscious mind. Next, he's in indigo--the color of healing and the sixth chakra--or clear-sightedness. Third, he's standing behind his window. He can look out at the snow, where 8 swords stand--abandonned by his enemies.. Notice that the points are in the ground.
One gets the feeling that his room is warm and safe--and that he will come out as soon as the snow melts. Which he will, BTW.
So this is really a card about gathering mental resources. Biding one's time. Doing nothing for the moment--not because you *can't* but because inaction
may well be the appropriate action.
However, watch this card when combined with other negative cards. It can be one of the indicators of depression, and it can indicate a feeling of being trapped in a dead-end situation, and unable to get out.
The Eight of Swords can be called "Dilemma." There is a sense of being unable to act due to fear of consequences, of feeling trapped and unable to see a way out. This situation is usually self-created, due to avoiding making decisions or taking action in the past.
Reversed, this card can indicate either that you are still blinding yourself to the problem, or refusing to look for alternative solutions.
breaking out of
prison, unblocking fear of independence, seeing path to escape, overcoming
outside restriction
Nine
(This card usually depicts a lone figure with nine swords pointing down at them, or hanging in the background.)
worry
and anxiety over worsening problems, heavy grief or depression, fear
The Nine of Swords indicates a feeling of anxiety and foreboding about the future, sometimes due to feelings of guilt about the past.
Reversed, this card can indicate that the querent is making mountains out of molehills -- either things aren't as bleak as they seem, or the Querent is worrying about the wrong things.
release of tension
and worry, sunshine after storm
Ten
(This card usually depicts a figure lying face down, with ten swords protruding from his body.)
The Ten of Swords indicates a final ending to a difficult situation. This ending may not be what you wanted, and it may be painful, but at least it is over and you can start over with a fresh outlook and more experience.
utterly
crushed and defeated by situation, divorce, bankruptcy, forced to start
over
Reversed, this card can indicate that the end is near, although it may drag on painfully until the Querent puts it out of its misery.
having survived
the worst that can happen, recovery from disaster, getting back on feet
again
Page
(This card usually depicts a young person holding an upraised sword. Often there are storm clouds brewing in the background.)
The Page of Swords is a card of intellectual curiosity, independent thought, and diverging ideas, all of which can lead to conflict. It helps to think of this card as a young adolescent, beginning to form his or her own ideas of the world, most of which put him in conflict with the parent. On a more practical level, this card often indicates malicious gossip, or someone causing trouble for the Querent.
upsetting message, sharp words, forceful communication, person under 25
who is intelligent and outspoken
Reversed, this card can indicate trouble that is brewing. It may not have erupted yet, but someone does not have your best interests at heart -- be careful who you confide in.
misunderstanding,
angry words, argument, belligerent young person
Knight
(This card usually depicts an armored knight charging forward with sword in hand.)
The Knight of Swords is best described as "Chaos." This card heralds sudden change that breaks apart the ordinary patterns of life -- go with them and enjoy the trip. It often indicates a young person, intelligent and energetic, who drags you out of your rut and gets you moving in new directions. He can be somewhat exhausting, but is never dull. Whichever this card indicates in a reading, a person or a situation, the indication is the same...hang on, and ride the winds of change.
taking assertive, courageous action; outspoken strong-willed
man (25-40)
Reversed, this card can indicate trying to avoid change. "Resistance is useless" -- change is a part of life, so let yourself grow.
acting too pushy,
conflict with an aggressive troublemaker (25-40)
Queen
(This card usually depicts a woman holding a sword in one hand, while pouring water onto the ground from a pitcher with the other.)
woman who is no-nonsense, stern strong-willed, dominating, take charge
The Queen of Swords can seem like an Ice Queen. She is idealistic, aloof, and intelligent. She is very much a perfectionist, and is equally demanding of herself as she is others. As symbolized by the pouring away of water, she is not comfortable with her emotions, which may make her seem cold. Primarily, however, all of this is armor against the fear of being hurt.
Reversed, this card can indicate someone who is a shrew. She may demand that others live up to her high expectations, but rarely pushes herself to meet them.
vindictive, jealous,
petty, unforgiving, demanding woman
King
(This card usually depicts a man with a sword. There is often an eagle in the picture.)
lawyer, doctor, good mind, verbal skills, quick wit, perceptive but don't
cross him, man over 40
The King of Swords is characterized by authority. He often has a great deal of authority in his professional life (which often involves law enforcement, the court system, or the military) and he carries this over into his personal life as well. He has a strong sense of fairness and of right and wrong, but can be somewhat unbending.
Reversed, this card can indicate someone who is a tyrant -- it is his way or no way. The Reversed King of Swords can also be abusive...mentally, emotionally, or physically.
verbal manipulator,
uses people, harsh and merciless, ruthless for power
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