SUIT OF SWORDS
The cards in the Suite of Swords are associated with the element of air. The zodiac signs of this suit are Gemini, Libra, and Aquarius. These cards point to new ideas and intellectual expansion. When you get a card from the Suite of Swords, it suggests that you need to take action, or that you will face illness, trouble, or a battle of some kind. The cards in this suite suggest for you to be decisive, and when trouble cannot be avoided, you need to address problems promptly - with the aid of professional help if necessary. If you fail to take action when a Sword is drawn, it will cause you to feel entrapped and unhappy. Accountants, attorneys, doctors, and other kind of professionals are often referred to by Sword cards.
ACE OF SWORDS
Positive meaning:
All Aces signify a new start, and the Ace of Swords indicates that new ideas and projects are likely. When this card is drawn, it suggests mental clarity and objective reasoning – even though the clarity may not be obvious quite yet. The seeds of the truth have been planted. This can mean a sudden realization or understanding, or it can come from an outside source as a gift or a new opportunity. It is time to take control of a situation, make decisions, and make things happen. If you have been treated unjustly, things will be corrected. You will have to stand firm and be alert. Avoid getting angry. This Ace can also indicate a medical or dental problem that will be solved by a surgery.
Negative meaning:
The reversed reading suggests that the truth is being obscured, and it is hard if not impossible to see what really is going on. You need to dig deeper to find the truth. When you draw this card reversed, take your time and then some to examine all the details. Ask a lot of questions, and be suspicious of the truth that is apparent or given to you.
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TWO OF SWORDS
Positive meaning:
A stalemate situation exists, and this applies to those of you who desperately want things to change just as much as to those who are keen for things to remain just as they are. A peace treaty, an apology, or a settlement may occur, but nothing will really change. Self-deception and self protection by building a wall around one’s self is likely. A part of you wants to keep going and pretend that everything is good, even when all evidence suggests that this is not the case. This card often relates to avoidance and the denial of emotion as a form of self-protection. The stalemate can only be broken if both parties will be honest and willing to listen. This card often brings a lot of emotional work. Facts have to be faced in order to work out a solution.
Negative meaning:
This card reversed relates to a time where emotions are high, and playing a main role in decision making. Don’t try to deny facts and logic. In a relationship, this card often indicates that the parties are too emotional to really see the situation, and to be able to work out a reasonable solution. Balance is needed. Step back and calm down. Take a good look at the situation at hand. Think with your brain, not with your heart. This card can also mean that someone may travel away soon. If that is the case, the leaving of the person will leave you feeling relieved and released.
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THREE OF SWORDS
Positive meaning:
When the Three of Swords is drawn, it relates to an unpleasant surprise that has occurred or is about to occur. This can be anything from being stabbed in the back in a business related matter or by a friend, to finding a significant other in bed with someone else. You feel like somebody pulled the rug from underneath you. This can be something that you are already aware of on a certain level, but have refused to face the facts for some time. There will be losses, heartache and sadness, and you might end up dealing with rejection. You need to be strong, even though you might feel that everything is falling apart. Another meaning for this card is illness for you or for someone around. This could be anything from a heart problem to even an operation in the near future.
Negative meaning:
This card reversed suggests that you suspect that a heartbreak or betrayal has occurred, but in fact, it has not. Investigate the situation thoroughly before coming into a conclusion – the situation probably appears to be something totally different than what it is. Take time to ask questions and to search for the truth. Another meaning of this card suggests that a minor surgical procedure is possible, or that you will have to attend a funeral.
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FOUR OF SWORDS
Positive meaning:
When the Four of Swords is present, it is time to stop and smell the roses! Take some time alone to think and get balanced. This card reminds us that it is important to pause and reflect, rather than be on a constant move. Focus inward, and take the time to think. Try meditation or some other practice that helps you focus. This card also can tell you that it is time to tie up loose ends, and make plans for the future. Wrap up old projects and move on. Any unfinished issues in relationships might also be the topic. Seek for resolution and peace. If you have been ill, you will recover soon. If you have been overdoing things, you will be able to rest and relax. If a loved one is sick, they will recover soon.
Negative meaning:
Something or somebody is in the way, making it difficult for you to find balance. Try to determine what it is, and find a solution to the problem. Whether you have to fight to achieve something, or if your fight is against an illness, it will take time for this to be resolved.
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FIVE OF SWORDS
Positive meaning:
Karma plays a big role when this card comes up. Trying to get ahead in life, work, or other situation can cause you to lose the big picture of what is happening, at the expense of other people. Beware of stepping on others to reach your goals – it might work and help you at the moment, but in the long run you will reap what you sow – it will come back to haunt you later. Sometimes, this card reminds us that it is important to put yourself first if you are in a difficult situation, being abused or hurt buy another person. If that is the case, you need to step up, and do what ever necessary to stop the abuse, emotional, verbal, or physical. This card suggests arguments and even violence. Stand up for yourself or remove yourself from the situation. It is important to keep yourself safe - even if it means leaving somebody behind who is close to you.
Negative meaning:
This is similar to the positive meaning of this card, but it indicates that the storm clouds are passing away. This card also can suggest that you are focusing on the large picture and missing the details. Step back and examine what is going on, and don’t close your eyes from the small details.
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SIX OF SWORDS
Positive meaning:
Six of Swords relates often to apathy of some kind. Nothing seems to be wrong, but nothing is quite right either. You feel depressed, like an outsider from the rest of the world, locked inside an everlasting blues. It takes a lot of energy just to get through the day, and it is hard to focus and get anything accomplished. The positive meaning of this card is recovery, moving forward after a heavy emotional hurt. This card also suggests travel, crossing water, moving from one place to another. In some cases, the movement is metaphoric in that you stay where you are but move on mentally or emotionally – out of the depressed state of mind back to being a part of the outside world. There may be visits from distant friends or relatives. You are beginning to heal.
Negative meaning:
This card reversed often relates to slow, steady movement. No major problems to deal with. Everyday life is nice and steady. Smooth sailing in the near future. If you travel, expect for delays or disappointments. Furthermore, be careful with your belongings; this card often suggests loss of property due to carelessness.
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SEVEN OF SWORDS
Positive meaning:
When the Seven of Swords is drawn, it suggests the need for isolation, independence and solitude. Be careful – separating yourself from other people can lead to not getting the support you need. It is not good to close out the people who can help you. Also, look inside to see if your need for independency is in reality just procrastination, or avoiding unpleasant matters that need to be addressed. This isolation can also mean that you are working too hard, or that all your time is involved in a love relationship, or other major responsibility causing you to isolate yourself from people that are important to you. Another meaning of this card warns you to watch out for robbers and swindlers. You might soon be moving into a new environment, leaving something or someone behind while taking with you what you will need.
Negative meaning:
Again, two meanings, the first being to look out for thieves, and the second meaning suggests that you might be seeking for solutions for your problems from outside sources, when you in fact should be looking within. Do not place too much weight on other people’s opinions.
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EIGHT OF SWORDS
Positive meaning:
This card relates to the feeling that everything is out of control, and the more you try to control the situation, the more limiting it seems to be. For some people this card indicates a time in prison! More likely, you will feel tied down and unable to break out and make changes. It seems like every move you make is a wrong one, or you just can’t see clearly enough to make the right move and to break out of the situation. You feel like you don’t have any choices, but everything is restricted somehow. You feel confused and frustrated. The odd thing is that you may well be able to make the break, but you may lack the strength or the courage to do so. You may not have enough reason, or your financial situation is not strong enough to make a move right now. You don’t have to make the changes immediately. You might want to just let some time go by and see if solutions will be more clear in the future.
Negative meaning:
Solutions to your situation are available, even if you feel that you don’t have any choices. Take the time to discover the right course of action. Restrictions will lift but depression, hardship, and maybe a battle will have to be fought first. This card reversed can also mean illness, accidents, a prison sentence, or even a death in your circle.
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NINE OF SWORDS
Positive meaning:
This is a classic card of sleepless nights and worry. Overwhelming worry, doubt and fear makes it difficult to do anything to correct the situation. The fear and worry becomes ever worsening self-torture. I have often found that the problems are within – and not something caused by an outside source. It can be an attitude that is based on imagery – that the facts of the problem are not clear, or they are being distorted in some way. Your own imagination is the source of the problem, and the fear and anxiety are making the situation worse by day. Once you take a good look at the situation, you will feel better, and you will be able to make the corrections needed. I have often found this card also to relate to a mother worrying about her children.
Negative meaning:
Worry and sleeplessness will pass and everything will be going smoothly soon. The pieces of the puzzle are all there, and you are almost over this difficult situation. Another meaning for this card reversed is that someone may be spreading rumors about you.
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TEN OF SWORDS
Positive meaning:
The Ten of Swords suggests for you to take a good look at your attitude. Somebody might stab you in the back, or a project is causing you headaches. However, if you feel that the whole world is against you, the problem probably is within – you have what it takes to get yourself out of the situation and fix the problems. Self-pity and “poor me” attitude will not help. What ever satisfaction you imagine gaining from the pity of other people around you – you will feel much better once you take charge and responsibility of and solve the problems rather than feel helpless and sorry for yourself. There are plenty of martyrs in the history. You do not need to be one of them.
Negative meaning:
Minor disappointments, and people who cannot fulfill all that they promise to you. Hard times are coming to an end, and recovery from illness is promised. To achieve that, you need to address your feelings of guilt or loss in a healthy way. Focus on doing rather than feeling. Seek for balance.
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PAGE OF SWORDS
Positive meaning:
Pages are often children or young people, and in the case of the Page of Swords the youngster is intelligent, quick and sporty. As a situation, this card often brings challenges in your way, challenges you might not choose to take on. There are solutions, and a healthy, confident, head-on attitude is best when you draw this card. Use the strengths represented by this card; strength, honesty, integrity, and reason. Be fair, and don’t get discouraged. You can overcome these challenges with logical thinking, and by not giving up. You have the energy and strength to do what is necessary. Believe in yourself.
Negative meaning:
An intelligent but difficult young person may make your life tough for a while. Indecision and immaturity play a role when this card is drawn reversed – either yours, or the intelligent, difficult youngish person’s in your circle. This card suggests that the challenges can be overcome by dealing with one’s underlying fears.
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KNIGHT OF SWORDS
Positive meaning:
Knights in Tarot have a dual meaning. This card can relate to positive or negative news, depending on the situation and circumstances. The Knights are usually youngish men but the age and the gender can be flexible. In this case, the person is tough, outspoken, courageous and intelligent – or he can be tactless and lacking discretion. He is likely to be authoritative, firm, and command attention – or he can be bossy and domineering. He is intelligent and logical – or he can be sarcastic, mean, and intolerant of others opinions. This card suggests for you to do some self-examination; this can either represent qualities that you possess, or it can relate to an actual person. Knowing which one this card suggests can be challenging at best. If this card relates to an actual person, he will rush into your life and have a catalytic effect – but not actually become a major factor or a long-term partner.
Negative meaning:
A sarcastic, chaotic, or even violent man may enter your life now. Guard against being sucked into criminal or self-destructive behavior. This person’s motives are obvious if you are at guard.
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QUEEN OF SWORDS
Positive meaning:
This is a mature woman who is intelligent, honest, outspoken, and in command of her circumstances. She can be intense, intolerant and arrogant, but she recognizes those qualities in herself, and avoids situations where those traits would take over. However, her sharp tongue can make enemies for her. She is unbiased and very difficult to fool. Drawing this card often suggests for one to look inward – to emulate those qualities, to think and feel as she would. When you get this card, you might ask yourself if you are honest, fair, logical, and ethical, or do you allow yourself to be judgmental, easily swayed, and unsympathetic. When this card relates to a person, it is likely to point to an intelligent professional or personal advisor, and in some cases a good friend who possesses these traits. This woman may be a widow, divorcee or simply alone by choice.
Negative meaning:
This card reversed relates to a person who seems to have integrity and honesty. Once you get to know her, you realize that nothing could be further from the truth. This person is sharp, unpleasant and hurtful and can be an adversary in your business or personal life. This lady can be cruel and malicious. Be careful when dealing with her.
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KING OF SWORDS
Positive meaning:
This card possesses the traits of the Swords – authoritative, honorable, honest, and outspoken. This suggests a mature man who is intelligent, knowledgeable and reasonable. As with the Queen of Swords, this card prompts you to emulate those qualities – to think and act like he would. Look inward and see if you see yourself as logical, reasonable, honorable, or do you allow yourself to be unreasonable and judgmental. When this card relates to an actual person, he is honest, outspoken, reliable, and honorable. However, he can be a bit cold-hearted. If you need professional advice, there is no-one better to give you that. If this person is your lover, he might be too logical, cool and insensitive to live with for long. As a work colleague, especially in the fields of science or research, he is dependable. If you need a doctor or a lawyer, this is a good card to draw.
Negative meaning:
This man can be a nasty piece of work – he is likely to speak of honor, but he does not act with it. This person can simply be working against you - especially so if you are involved in any kind of legal battle. This man will use his intelligence against you, and he may take money from you, or otherwise let you down. If you need a doctor or other professional person, make sure the one you choose is competent. Be careful.
