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Knight of Swords - An Exploration of Tarot

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I'm doing a new series of my own personal exploration of Tarot cards. These views are a combination of the more popular interpretations, my decks that slightly differ, and my own personal 30+ years of reading and learning Divination and Tarot.

It's been my experience that reading cards is a mix of natural inclination, practiced skill, intuitive art, and understanding perception and how it works. It's with this opinion that I interrupt cards and dive into their meaning.

While tarot cards of give multiple interpretations and explanations to one card. This doesn’t mean that everytime every single word applies. This is where intuitive art comes in. It's the ability to feel the cards and situation to determine which meaning is actually being conveyed through the card.

I will not being going in a specific order with these cards because when you read - they don't fall in order. And I feel certain cards take priority over others as there are a few that are most commonly either misunderstood or misinterpreted.

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The knight of swords can be good or bad as with all cards. There's a confidence and ambition that comes with this interpretation. But also impatience and a warning you may be too quick to fight. 'Winning at any cost' is typically the overtone. So it really depends on what you're willing to lose in exchange for a victory that decides whether or not this card is a good or bad omen. This card also speaks to skills and vast potential.

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Keywords:

UPRIGHT: Ambitious, action-oriented, driven to succeed, fast-thinking

REVERSED: Restless, unfocused, impulsive, burn-out

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Labyrinthos

What a rush we see this Knight in! The Knight of Swords card depicts a young man who is dressed in his armor and rides a strong white horse into the midst of a battle. The white color of his horse is a reference to the overall purity and intellectual energy which motivates this young rider. The sky behind him holds stormy clouds as well as trees which are tossed wildly around by the strong winds. The horse’s harness is also decorated with images of birds and butterflies. The cape of the knight is also decorated with those same birds.

When we are thoroughly obsessed by a certain idea and strongly wish to manifest it, we are oftentimes so blinded by the actual desire for its fulfillment that we fail to note the difficulties which we may come across, or the actions and consequences that it could bring. The Knight of Swords is a very powerful figure that is full of life as well as energy. This needs to be balanced with a proper and actual realization of comion and responsibility.

Once the knight sets forth towards his goals, there is absolutely no stopping him. He doesn’t see - and he doesn’t care - about any challenges. He is filled with sheer ambition, strength and determination to succeed with his quest no matter what. However, this determination could also blind him to see the potential consequences of his actions on others as he makes his way to success. He may charge forth into a very dangerous territory without preparation or actual foresight, and this could lead him to great danger.

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Rider - Waite/Biddy Tarot

As with all Knights of the Tarot deck, the Knight of Swords is a man (or woman) on a mission – once he has his mind set on something, nothing is stopping him. And as a Swords card, this Knight actively uses the power of his intellect to achieve his goals.

When the Knight of Swords appears in a Tarot reading, it is a sign that you are highly driven, ambitious and action-oriented. You are so highly motivated to succeed that you will stop at nothing to pursue your dreams. The challenges, difficulties and obstacles on the path ahead don't phase you because you know where you want to go. Move forward with sheer strength and determination to make things happen.

The Knight of Swords suggests that you are quick to take action and tend not to plan ahead, instead preferring to dive right in. You thrive on high levels of energy that propel you forward and inspire you to take action to manifest your goals.

The Knight of Swords reminds you to be assertive in getting what you want. He doesn’t hang back and wait for something to happen. He is always making the first move and actively pursuing his goals. You can harness this energy in your life too by being proactive and forward-thinking. See yourself as the creator of your future and be ready to take the necessary steps to make it happen.

The downside of the fast-thinking, quick-acting Knight of Swords is that sometimes you act too quickly and haven’t thoroughly thought things through. You may be unaware of potential challenges and issues that will stand in your way, or the unintended consequences of your actions. You may be prone to rushing things or cutting corners to get a job done. Or, you may pursue a specific goal, thinking it is what you want, but later realise that it’s out of alignment or a dead-end. Sometimes a little planning and preparation can go a long way.

The Knight of Swords also represents your need to understand the world from an intellectual point of view. You have well-developed communication skills and can easily form solid arguments and opinions on current affairs and important matters. You love to engage with others who have similar skills so that you can share your ideas and develop new points of view. You may be best suited to discussion groups with like-minded individuals where you can fire each other up and motivate one another.

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The Enchanted Forest Tarot

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Steampunk Tarot

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A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words

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Now that we have covered the multiple interpretations and the variable uses thereof. Let's look at the cards themselves. In tarot. Each card contains symbolism. And it's important to not only understand the symbolism. But how to apply it as well.

Here are a few examples:

Celtic Tarot

A close to traditional depiction here. A strong ambitious warrior charging into battle sword in hand. But look closely. What is he charging into? An uncontrollable lightening storm? A battle he may not win. Moreover - where is his armor? He's clearly not well equipped for the battle at hand yet he still charges. This can be interpreted as a warning to not be overly ambitious. Or even a suggestion to allow yourself to be lead by divine forces hence - no need for armor at all... It would certainly explain the confidence. As lightening can be viewed as a menacing disruptive force. It's also symbolism for gods such as Zeus, Taranas, and Thor. So it's important to fully align your energy to the question and the circumstances surrounding this card in order to properly interpret.

The Enchanted Forest Tarot

Here we have a much different depiction and almost entirely different interpretation. This is a good example of when the deck your using in itself comes into play. Here your have a black knight ready to go to war and properly prepared. This night exudes aggression and has no intention of backing down. On his shield bares a symbol most synonymous with death in battle. Eluding to a warning of either what fate he will meet on the battle field. Or the fates of those who cross him. This is what I refer to as the 'war' card. As it indicates all talks have broken down. Sides have been chosen. And war is imminent. Again. Here's where perceptions come in to play. Is war in fact imminent? Or is it simply how the inner self currently perceives the situation. You can easily turn away and not engage the knight at all. There's always more than 1 path in a forest.

Steampunk Tarot

Here we have another close to traditional depiction. With the same elements at play as are in the Celtic deck. But look closely at her hands. More precisely. The one clinching the blade itself. Suggesting she's so eager to the fight. She's become careless. And more likely to injure herself than anyone else.

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When interpreting cards. It's important to understand not only every aspect of the cards and interpretations themselves. But also the perception of the situation at hand. Often times cards are misinterpreted because the perception of the one inquiring isn't fully being understood or seen. When reading cards it's important to understand that each card is made to have multiple meanings so that they may be interpreted according to individual situations. And that the same meaning doesn't apply to every single situation in the same way. I hope this helped! :grinning:

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Sources & Links

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Rider - Waite/Biddy Tarot Source

Labyrinthos Source

Celtic Tarot

Steampunk Tarot

Enchanted Forest Tarot