SECOND EDITION
Follow Red Magician's Tarot on:
THE CARDS / SWORDS
The Minor Arcana
Swords
The Realm of Intellect
Element: Air
Season: Spring
Direction: East
Ace of Swords
New Idea, Strong Mind
It's been known for millennia that the power of the mind is one of humanity's greatest strengths. Knowledge is power and wisdom is priceless. An educated, keen intellect can slice through the fog of confusion and deception. A clear mind, focused on a purpose, is a powerful force for manifestation. And an open mind can be fertile ground for exciting possibilities.
King of Swords
Prepared, Strategic, Stubborn
Always planning, always ready. Thinking of every possible scenario and preparing accordingly. The King is a master tactician but has difficulty thinking on his feet. He thinks he knows how things should be and doesn’t understand why others can’t see things his way. While he has a track record of success, he sometimes has trouble taking even minor criticism.
Queen of Cups
Stern but Fair, Straight to the Point
Time is of the essence and she cannot abide wasting it. Her straight to the point personality may ruffle feathers but she’s not being malicious. However, The Queen does not suffer fools. She has high expectations for herself and others which may not always be realistic. But she strives to be the best she can be and encourages others to do the same.
Prince of Swords
Arrogant, Knowitall, Belligerent
Most would call him a spoiled brat. The Prince has much to learn about the world. Arrogant, entitled, self-centered and solipsistic to a fault, he must learn empathy and to see others' points of view. The Prince has so much potential for personal growth if he could overcome his selfishness and learn some humility.
Princess of Swords
Pensive, Deliberate, Calculating
A stoic facade belies a racing mind. The Princess is sharp as a whip and known both for her academic and street smarts. She may appear unassuming but she’s already two moves ahead, and could easily scam the scammer if she wanted to. Her mind is her greatest weapon but sometimes she can impale herself on her own sword due to overthinking
2 of Swords
Taking Stock, Gathering Thoughts
It's time to slow down and think about things. Reflect on how you got here and where you're going. Do you even want to reach the destination anymore? Examine the situation from multiple angles, perhaps there's something you've missed.
3 of Swords
Pain, Heartache
It feels like the pain will never end. Sometimes it seems like death would be preferable to the heartache that never subsides. You can't avoid it but perhaps it can be mitigated if you understand it's only temporary. How long the pain lasts depends on how much you feed it.
4 of Swords
Compromise, Discourse
You can't always have it your way. Humanity didn't survive thing long without understanding the art of compromise. It's time to put your ego aside and learn to play well with others. You don't know everything and, if you're being stubborn, you may be ignoring helpful advice or assistance. It's time to open your ears and open your mind.
5 of Swords
Defeated, Letting Go of Pain
Despite your best efforts, sometimes failure happens. It's natural to feel defeated and the sting of shame that comes along with it. Some things can't be salvaged, some wrongs can't be made right. If you've given your all, if you've done your best to sincerely make amends, then that's all you can do. Don't wallow in self-pity, forgive yourself and let go of the pain. Life goes on.
6 of Swords
Binary Perspective, Objectivity
Sometimes things really are black and white, whether you like it or not. But if you can remain objective, and don't allow emotion to cloud your judgement, you will likely make the best choice.
7 of Swords
Self-Sabotage, Stress
One's inner critic knows how to cut devastatingly deep. It knows what to say to make you feel small, incompetent, and unworthy. But the more credence you give to it the more it will dominate not only your mind but emotions as well. You will become your own worst enemy and unable to deal with all manners of stress - whether from outside or self-imposed. So take it easy on yourself.
8 of Swords
Confusion
You just don't know what to think. There's too much going on and too much information to sift through. Miscommunication is causing issues and nothing makes sense when it should! If you're feeling confused, step back and take time to examine and reflect. Maybe even seek an objective party to help you talk things through. Sometimes an outsider's perspective can help when you're in the thick of it.
9 of Swords
Self-Preservation, Self-Reliance
Sometimes it feels like the whole world is against you. It's probably not but maybe some of it is. You're entitled to put yourself first and to do what's best for you in this situation. No one is going to save you but yourself.
10 of Swords
Victimhood, Self-Pity, Unwilling
Sometimes the most difficult prison to escape is the one inside your head. The only thing holding you back is probably you. If you have a victim mentality, suffer low esteem or aren't confident in your own abilities then you become your own jailer. Remove the blindfold and see if it's really iron bars that are confining you or just self-defeating thoughts.