Minor Arcana - Swords

Question 1

Sdrows fo Eca

Answer 1

Confusion, difficulty thinking clearly. Possibly a strong mind that can be manipulative.

Question 2

Two of Swords

Answer 2

Someone who doesn’t want to see something or who closes off emotions. Isolation from people in your life. Alternatively (especially with the High Priestess or Hermit), turning toward a spiritual path or putting all your energy into a task.

Question 3

Sdrows fo Owt

Answer 3

Becoming involved with others. Dropping defenses. Possibly lack of focus in spiritual or practical goals.

Question 4

Three of Swords

Answer 4

Sorrow, heartbreak, a deep sadness. Calm acceptance that allows us to go beyond grief and find healing.

Question 5

Sdrows fo Eerht

Answer 5

Recovery from sorrow, release of pain. Alternatively, trying to avoid suffering. Denial or closing off emotions. Which way it goes depends on the reading and the cards around it.

Question 6

Ace of Swords

Answer 6

The gift of clear thought, spiritual truth, and higher values, even if these can bring sorrow. Singleness of mind and purpose. Possibly a challenge to act justly.

Question 7

Four of Swords

Answer 7

Rest, withdrawal from struggle, inner peace. Meditation or some other spiritual practice that involves turning attention inward to awaken our deeper senses. Possibly isolation or closing down emotionally to avoid pain.

Question 8

Sdrows fo Ruof

Answer 8

A return to activity. Renewed energy. Could be a healing, physically or emotionally.

Question 9

Five of Swords

Answer 9

Defeat or possibly an unprincipled victory. Alternatively, choosing to walk away from a fight you cannot win. Stormy situations, possibly family quarrels.

Question 10

Sdrows fo Evif

Answer 10

Moving beyond some disturbing loss or defeat. A new beginning. Communication may replace hostility.

Question 11

Seven of Swords

Answer 11

Trickiness, cleverness, a plan that seems exciting but may not lead to long- term solutions. Impulsive action, especially done on your own. Possibly an affair.

Question 12

Sdrows fo Neves

Answer 12

Willingness to consult with others before taking action. Getting advice. Caution; thinking twice before doing something. Resisting temptation. Possibly the end of an affair.

Question 13

Six of Swords

Answer 13

Waite’s “journey by water” remains a simple fortunetelling possibility. More subtly, people (especially families) who carry pain or secrets in their lives and do not share them. Silence; things hidden.

Question 14

Sdrows fo Xiss

Answer 14

Speaking up, revealing family secrets. Disrupting some long- standing situation. This can produce conflict or anxiety but ultimately lead to freedom, especially from the past.

Question 15

Eight of Swords

Answer 15

Helplessness, confusion. Feeling blocked, oppressed. Manipulation that convinces someone she or he has no options. Alternatively, some intense spiritual practice to move attention inward.

Question 16

Sdrows fo Thgie

Answer 16

Discovering you have more possibilities than you thought. Clarity; seeing things in perspective. First steps to free yourself from a hard situation.

Question 17

Nine of Swords

Answer 17

Sorrow, anxiety, depression. What wakes us up in the middle of the night, including dreams or bad news. On a lighter note, insomnia.

Question 18

Sdrows fo Enin

Answer 18

Beginnings of a recovery. Climbing out of a low point, especially facing a difficult truth.

Question 19

Ten of Swords

Answer 19

Extreme mental states, but also the possibility that someone’s fears or worries are exaggerated. Intense meditation to overcome ego. Possibly a rejection of religious authority. Medically, back problems, maybe acupuncture. With supporting cards, addiction.

Question 20

Sdrows fo Net

Answer 20

Relief from suffering, as if the swords literally fall away. Waite describes any “advantage” as “not permanent,” so the person needs to make real changes. Relief from physical pain.

Question 21

Page of Swords

Answer 21

Theme: Caution, wariness

Caution, wariness. Looking backward, perhaps nervously. Tension before a fight. Someone who spies or investigates.

Question 22

Sdrows fo Egap

Answer 22

Learning to relax, to trust people. Alternatively, the exact opposite: becoming more anxious, more aggressive. Other cards can suggest which way it goes.

Question 23

Knight of Swords

Answer 23

Theme: Courage

Courage, swiftness, daring. Battle can be suggested, and whoever takes up this sword needs to make sure he or she fights for justice. The intellect at a pure level (Air of Air). Brilliant ideas. A fast- moving mind.

Question 24

Sdrows fo Thgink

Answer 24

The danger of fighting for its own sake, for the thrill of battle. With all the Swords court cards, the reversed can tend toward corruption, and the Knight can become aggressive, overbearing. More simply, he can take on a wild or reckless quality.

Question 25

Queen of Swords

Answer 25

Theme: Wisdom, sorrow

Possibly sorrow, even widowhood or some other difficulty that can leave someone alone yet wise. Commitment to truth both in thought and speech, though her speech can be harsh, as she refuses to sugarcoat her honesty. Possibly an intellectual, a writer.

Question 26

Sdrows fo Neeuq

Answer 26

As with the other Swords court cards, reversed can slide toward corruption— that powerful mind and personality turned more toward manipulation and control. Another (happier) interpretation would see her as leaving her high, lonely place and becoming more involved in life, possibly in a relationship.

Question 27

King of Swords

Answer 27

Theme: Authority

Someone in a position of authority who is comfortable making decisions and being in command. As well as a person, the King of Swords can signify the very idea of a wise decision, especially for the common good.

Question 28

Sdrows fo Gnik

Answer 28

A powerful mind and personality serving itself rather than society. Possibly a corrupt boss or other authority figure. More benignly, putting off an important decision.