Cards of the Minor Arcana: Swords

This suit generally represents anything forceful -- arguments, going after something, etc.

Ace of Swords
The strong beginnings of something; going after something new with gusto. Reversed: Not choosing to take action on something you really want to do; suggests cowardice.

2 of Swords
Represents balancing two strong ideas; being caught in the middle of the storm. Reversed: Loss of balance; not knowing what to do next; confusion.

3 of Swords
Three swords piercing a heart. Represents a loss; someone hurting or who has hurt the querent. Reversed: Recovery form a loss.

4 of Swords
A resting figure surrounded by four swords. Represents peacefulness and serenity. Can also mean contemplation. Reversed: Unrestfulness; nervousness. Unable to concentrate on the task at hand.

5 of Swords
A man looking back at the group of people leaving him. Represents Childishness or pettiness. Reversed: Willingness to overcome jealousy or childish behavior.

6 of Swords
A man on a boat ferrying passengers. Generally is associated with travel; a change of location. Reversed: Staying in one place; could mean stagnation in a broader sense. Not going anywhere physically.

7 of Swords
A man stealing swords away from an encampment. Represents someone taking something from the querent; can also mean revealing secrets the querent doesn't want anyone to know about. Reversed: Exposing fraud or someone who has lied to the querent.

8 of Swords
A woman bound and surrounded by eight swords. Means helplessness, inablility to control the current situation and having to just let things happen. Reversed: release from feelings of helplessness; being able to take action on a situation after not being able to do so.

9 of Swords
A person weeping in a bed with eight swords hanging over them. Represents feelings of doom and failure, possibly guilt as well. Reversed: still some feelings of shame or doom, but not as severe.

10 of Swords
A person lying dead from being stabbed with ten swords. Pretty powerful image; represents someone stabbing you in the back; can also mean a tragic end to a situation. Reversed: Freeing yourself from torment over something. Ability to survive in hard times.

Page of Sowrds
A young person who is very fiery and vigorous. Tends to be active all the time. Reversed: Someone who doesn't pay attention to things for very long; has an inability to control their temper.

Knight of Swords
This card often shows up representing the "Knight in Shining Armor". Represents a young man with a fiery spirit who tends to sweep people off of their feet. Reversed: A young man who's moods are often extremes; tends to be happy one instant and angry in the next.

Queen of Swords
A woman who is assertive and knows how to lead. Tends to act on what she wants in life. Reversed: A woman who has mood swings and tends to lose her temper easily.

King of Swords
An assertive, authoritarian man who is a natural leader. Reversed: A man who tends anger easily and loses self-control.

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