As Signs governed by the element of air, GEMINI, LIBRA and AQUARIUS are also associated with the Tarot Deck's Suit of Swords which belongs to the Minor Aracana. This Suit is sometimes referred to as Spades and its elemental ruler is air. The season linked to the Suit of Swords is Autumn and its direction is East. This Suit governs intellectual activity and is essentially male in character. It is the Root of the Powers of the Air...a picture of the intellect in its best and most controlled aspect. The Zodiac Signs associated with Swords are progressive, often given to eccentricity and flights of fancy. The Ace of Swords symbolizes the beginning of clear and creative thought. It is the Suit of mental perception with an awareness that appears to be beyond the understanding of general society. It cuts away oumoded patterns, clearing the path toward new ideas. However, the cutting away of the past and rebelling against acceptable thought can bring about situations of conflict. Thus, it is necessary for analytical and logical thought to give way to spirit, so that resolution of the highest order may be achieved. Swords are primarily concerned with thought and communication. Unfortunately, they are also often associated with emotional turmoil and contain more cards that are deemed to be "bad" than another other Suit of the Tarot. The Ace of Swords is a particularly decisive card and one of powerful energy, denoting clearness of vision and freedom from confusion. It enables personal understanding and the ability to understand others. In a spiritual sense, this card often marks a turning point or breakthrough into new clarity and wisdom. The Ace of Swords, in essence, is a sweeping and whirling energy...a breath of fresh air which blows away the cobwebs and washes away the red herrings. The Aces of the Tarot represent new beginnings, strength, speed and energy. In short, the life force in its true essence. They are the beginning of the growth process, whether that growth be physical, mental or spiritual. Aces also symbolize the growth of an idea, concept or belief, in addition to being indicative of new careers, new relationships and changes of residence. Each Ace represents the beginning of some type of journey.

The symbol of the crown depicted on this card represents enlightenment, complete with twelve points for the Twelve Signs of the Zodiac. The sword itself indicates creative thinking and kingship, while the inscription upon the weapon is Greek for "clarity." With regard to the sword's symbols, the snake indicates rebirth, the three Sun symbols indicate awareness of mind, body and spirit while the two Moon symbols denote intuition and acknowledgment of spirit. The expanse of sky behind the image of the sword represents the element of air.

In a Tarot reading, this card indicates new and aggressive beginnings...victory, success, triumph and the conquering of enemies and obstacles. It may also indicate a complete change of mind and/or lifestyle. Reversed, it is an indication of destruction, violence or the misuse of power. It also suggests lack of communication and irritation through letters or messages. It may also be an indication of death...dependent upon the surrounding cards.

"I see clearly to the far horizon."

Within the Suit of Swords, the card associated with GEMINI is the Knight (sometimes also referred to as the Lord of the Winds and the Breezes and/or King of the Spirits of Air). This card belongs to the Court Cards of the Tarot and is known to be The Decider. It is the fiery part of air...the winds and the storms...the violent power of motion applied to a manageable element. The Knight of Swords is skillful, clever, decisive, fierce and courageous, possessed with a swift and bright energy. The individual represented by this card will be fair-minded, considering all relevant points of view and unswayable once the decision has been made as to the best course of action. Here, goals will be pursued with a single-minded purpose. This card is indicative of goal-oriented activity. Such an individual will have his or her feet planted firmly upon the ground. Inherent in this character is the knowledge of realizing exactly what is wanted and there will be no rest until such is achieved. To the Knight of Swords, ideas come like bolts of lightning from the heavens. This is a personality who tempers goal-oriented mentality with emotional awareness. When called for, passion is lent to set goals and this makes for not only a single-minded nature but also one which can be fanatical at times. Of all the cards found within the Suit of Swords, it is the Knight which possesses the greatest undercurrent of duality. The Knights of the Tarot represent some type of release from the past. This release may be from a relationship, employment or residence, for example. Thus, Knights are symbolic of "clean breaks." Each one appears upon a steed and bears a symbol of the Suit he represents. The Knight is a defender of his Queen.

The propellers depicted on this card symbolize intellectual freedom. The Knight's oneness with his steed is indicative of single-mindedness, decisiveness and focused consideration. The three birds represent harmony between the three aspects of man (body, mind and spirit), while the swords themselves are symbolic of the dualities of the world, indicative of the totality of the individual. The gold-green color of the armor worn by the figure is representative of the creative nature of intellectual activity.

In a Tarot reading, this card indicates ambition, flexibility, passion and excellent intellectual powers. It may suggest the end of a training period or the beginning of new career. It also denotes a relocation or some other change in lifestyle and the ability to overcome any strife or obstacles. Reversed, it is an indication of obstinacy or a calculating and temperamental personality. There is also a strong suggestion of maliciousness and cruelty, coupled with the inclination toward negative thinking. In classical mythology and lore, the Knight of Swords is associated with The Dioscuri, also known as Castor and Pollux...the heavenly twins represented by the Zodiac Sign of Gemini.

"Every problem contains the seed of its own resolution."

Within the Suit of Swords, the card associated with LIBRA is the Queen (sometimes also referred to as the Queen of the Throne of Air). This card belongs to the Court Cards of the Tarot and is known to be The Crystallizer or The Judgment. It is the watery quality of air, representative of its elasticity and transmissive power...it cuts through the masks and securities of the old world. The vision of this card is far-sighted and cannot be trapped by the illusions of the present. The Queen of Swords is symbolic of risk-taking by the acceptance of new roles and the breaking of old habits. In doing so, lies the promise of understanding and liberation. The individual represented by this card is constantly attempting to separate from old roles and habits. However, since there is an acute personal awareness of this individual's position in family, friendships and society as a whole, such a separation will not be achieved without pain...nevertheless, the rewards will prove to be worth the suffering. There is an accurate perception here of the world and its people, coupled with a razor-sharp ability to get to the heart of any given situation. The Queen of Swords is a private person, unwilling to allow others to get too close until she is satisfied that she thoroughly understands their motivations. Once won as a friend, however, this card is indicative of unfailing loyalty, honesty and a character who will always lend support. The Queen of Swords is intelligent with a dry sense of humor. She has strong powers of observation, passionate individuality and confidence in her actions. On the negative side, however, this card can indicate coldness, a judgmental nature, cynicism and sharp tongue. Of all the cards found within the Suit of Swords, it is the Queen which is most concerned with right thinking and justice. The Queens of the Tarot represent not only women but anyone...male or female...who has reached a level of growth and maturity on both the spiritual and material paths. Queens are representative of power, authority, fulfillment and competency. They are the highest of the Court Cards having attained the loftiest of qualities symbolized within the Major Aracana. Each Queen is depicted seated upon a throne which bears the emblem of her respective Suit.

The sword depicted on this card is symbolic of slicing through the masks of illusion while the crystals indicate new clarity and understanding. The severed head in the hand is representative of old habits which have been cut away and the head of a youth upon the helmet is representative of the emergence of the child of innocence. The position of the figure, high above the clouds, signifies far-sightedness and awareness...the ability to see things from different perspectives.

In a Tarot reading, this card indicates intelligence, complexity and perceptiveness, indicative of strength in communcation. It also suggests an aggressive, hard-working and capable character...one who is able to lead a different lifestyle without being threatened by others. Reversed, it indicates deceipt, cunning, narrow-mindedenss and intolerance. It suggest danger of insecurity, neurosis and even possible sexual dysfuncation. In classical mythology and lore, the Queen of Swords is associated with Atalanta, the gifted huntress and athletic heroine of Greek legend who went to great lengths in order to avoid marriage, challenging each potential suitor to outpace her in a foot race. Atalanta and her eventual victorious bridegroom were both turned into lions by Zeus on the night of their nuptials for consummating their union within a shrine sacred to the God.

"My life is a constant and glorious exploration."

Within the Suit of Swords, the card associated with AQUARIUS is the King (sometimes also referred to as the Prince of the Chariot of the Winds). This card belongs to the Court Cards of the Tarot and is known to be The Thinker. It is the airy quality of air, typifiying the intellect and ruling over intuition and creative thought. The individual represented by this card is full of ideas, but they are ideas often unrelated to practicality. An intensely clever, rational and stable character, but often lacking in committment to anything...not even personal ideas. Thus, this is illustrative of the qualities of the typical Aquarian who charts a new course for others to follow, stirs the hearts of the rebellious and then stands aside allowing others to finish the task. In order to achieve such a degree of intellectual committment, this individual must be totally free and unrestricted. Therefore, anything which suggests attachments or ties is shunned...anything that seeks to bind is forcefully cut loose, be it a person, place, belief or emotion. The King of Swords is a private person who defends inner space with determination. This will be a character who is difficult to get to know...in fact, he or she may never be fully known. Here, there is unprecedented independence and a personality which can appear to be unemotional and cold. Nevertheless, the King of Swords is highly intellectual and well-educated with a rapid-fire mind and tremendous capacity for abstract thinking. This is a character who is challenging, entertaining, stimulating and totally exhuasting. Of all the cards found within the Suit of Swords, it is the King which is the most progressive and the most erratic. The Kings of the Tarot (sometimes also referred to as Princes) are symbolic of passion, intensity and focus of concentration. Kings are essentially single-minded in purpose. The purpose of such focus will be related to the element which rules the specific Suit. Each of the Kings is shown in a chariot and bears a tool representative of his Suit.

The green armor worn by the figure depicted on this card is symbolic of creativity, while the armor itself represents a readiness for battle against all that stands opposed to free thought. The many crystals in the design of the card indicate a multitude of ideas and personality characteristics. The chariot symbolizes forceful revolution while the sword represents the destruction of old ways and beliefs. The three small figures which draw the large chariot are indicative of outdated ideas, restrictive thought and limiting relationships.

In a Tarot reading, this card indicates swiftly moving events, intuition, creative thinking and clear perception. It also suggests the removal of all restrictive ties and bonds. Reversed, it indicates thoughts of a negative nature, together with an unwillingness and inability to defend opinions. In this position, there are suggestions of overwhelming pressure and strife or even actual arguments and quarrels. In classical mythology and lore, the King of Swords is associated with Odysseus (known to the Romans as Ulysses), King of Ithaca and one of the the Greek leaders who took part in the Trojan War. Odysseus is believed to have been the one who came up with the idea of the Wooden Horse of Troy which was overwhelmingly instrumental in the fall of that city, assuring the Greeks of victory.

"I look within and grow to understand myself."

Much of the tarot information found on this page is taken from
"The Royal Road," a manual authored by Lady Shyra and used with
permission provided such credit is given

All featured tarot card designs are from "The Book of Thoth" deck
designed by Aleister Crowley and painted by Lady Frieda Harris