Astrological correspondences in the suit of Swords;

The suit of Swords of humanity’s great power: logical thinking, the intellect. And this is also evidenced by planets and signs of airy energy in astrology. In astrology, air symbolises clarity of thought, mentality, rational thinking, the ability to connect easily to people through speech and to establish relationships too. In the Tarot, the air energy in the suit of Swords tells, however, a specific kind of story, depicting the consequences of such power when misused.

It is not a coincidence that airy cards usually come up to people who are somewhat unusual or are at an especial kind of mental state or intention. It indicates that there are high ambitions and aspirations that the Seeker wants to achieve, because, somehow, they want to see their thoughts manifested in the real world.

i. Ace of Swords: Air.

The Ace of Swords is the start of an airy journey. Therefore, it describes the start of a project that will bring some kind of victory or triumph over something. Air is clear, certain, sharp, logical and decisive, and it produces three astrological signs: Gemini, Libra and Aquarius.

ii. Two of Swords: Moon in Libra.

Even though this is the suit of Swords, the Moon and sea energy in this card brings a lot of emotional features in this interpretation. This is a card that describes a time of being blinded or tied up. There is a general feeling of indecision and of “having no choice” because all potential paths are equally good and bad, a feeling which is often present in people who were born under a Moon in Libra, since they’re usually found being more thoughtful towards others, coming into conflict with themselves in this process. The advice here, as in Moon in Libra, is to be at peace with oneself and, through that peace, find the right path to take, considering it is necessary to make a choice. The individual must follow their intuition in order to discover what they truly want to do, and, only then, proceed with the logical action with their deadly double swords.

iii. Three of Swords: Saturn in Libra.

Saturn is exalted in Libra, for this is an energy in which he can easily put to use his need for boundaries, clarity and justice. Naturally, the Saturn in Libra card depicts a time where there is a restriction or deception of sorts, and thus the card describes heartbreak. A previous or current relationship (Libra) has been tainted with dark clouds of indecision, confusion, negligence or unresolved conflicts that are now shaking the relationship’s base and threatening the stability of things (Saturn). There is fear to move on, and intense emotions impair a more logical decision. Thoughts and ideals of the individual are coming into conflict with another’s own. The individual must have this clear concept in mind. The advice is to understand the root of the problem, for there lies the only solution possible. Because this is Saturn in Libra, there is a transparent, fair decision that the individual must make in order to move on.

iv. Four of Swords: Jupiter in Libra.

This is a peaceful, tranquil energy that suggests that now is the time to rest and recuperate from the battles fought so far. Close your eyes and let the fresh air (Jupiter in Libra) take you. Feel your worries scaping like water through your fingers. This doesn’t mean all problems are solved. This is rather a reminder that there must also be space and time for joy and recovery. Focus on yourself and what you must do to regain your energies and motivation. Enjoy this time to work on your clarity of mind and spirit. Cast away the dark clouds of doubt. Have faith in fate and find confidence in yourself. Find calmness, tranquility. Nothing happens by chance.

v. Five of Swords: Venus in Aquarius.

This is a complex card and energy, but, in general, they depict scenes of a time when balance and confidence in oneself is lost. The individual is focusing their ambitions on a projection (Venus) of the idealised future they dream (Aquarius) for themselves. However, the card indicates that they don’t truly believe they are capable of ever achieving that ideal or dream by themselves. In fear of loss and defeat, the individual then may proceed into cunning ways in which means justify ends. There is a fear of being humiliated or being taken advantage of. Simultaneously, this card is suggesting that the individual must be careful not to humiliate or take advantage of others for this very reason. There may also be a sense of jealousy, which implies dissatisfaction with one’s own possessions. Illustrations of this card often depict friendship or alliances lost, and this may happen when Venus in Aquarius isn’t being fair in their true feelings and relationships. The advice is to recognize that “idealised future” that the individual dreams of. It usually will involve some idea in which the individual participates and is accepted in a group or collective. The individual must understand this desire and realise that some of their actions may be distancing them from that. Feel the fear. Embrace the cold. You’ll be free (Aquarius) when you do.

vi. Six of Swords: Mercury in Aquarius.

Mercury in Aquarius is one of my personal favourite placements. It symbolises a sort of complete understanding of things. In the Five of Swords, there was fear. In the Six of Swords, the individual has recognized that fear and now understands how it all comes into play in the bigger picture, combining their past traumas and experiences with the current clear understanding of how events operate in their lives. Not only the individual has understood the origins of their behaviour and of the events that they couldn’t comprehend, but they can now communicate this (Mercury) in some way. The individual broke free (Aquarius), and is probably now travelling (Mercury) somewhere else. The Rider-Waite cards depict a boat that separates troubled waters of the past from tranquil ones, symbolising the troubled past and the a more clear perspective. The individual has acquired some sort of new way of thinking, and must now use that in order to change their environment and relationships.

vii. Seven of Swords: Moon in Aquarius.

This is the more anxious manifestation of Moon in Aquarius. The individual has already acquired a clear understanding of things (Six of Swords/Mercury in Aquarius). They have learned something new and have understood what they must do in order to grow and become successful. In this sense, the Moon in Aquarius and the Seven of Swords introduce the concept of what anxious thoughts can do to an otherwise clear mind. Insecurities trouble the individual. They don’t think of themselves as good enough. They don’t think they have the time needed to do what they must. They don’t think themselves as worthy. They don’t think themselves as capable, and may even proceed with indecisive or evasive behaviour in an endeavour or relationship that was almost successfully complete or generally satisfactory. There are trust issues and lies. The individual feels “too different”; an outcast, which is a common feeling among Aquarius Moons. But this feeling has become too great, as the individual now does as they please; they have really embodied the more negative role of the outcast. The advice is that being different and a sort of outcast is one of your strengths and talents, but not like this. Your perception of reality is exclusively yours. This means that your fears and anxieties do not exist outside of yourself. Things and people are operating differently than what you are feeling that they do. Find peace within yourself, for you already have all you need to achieve your dreams. You have your originality.

viii. Eight of Swords: Jupiter in Gemini; Mercury in Sagittarius;

The individual feels captured and restrained by the environmental conditions and circumstances. The astrological placements suggest that the individual is trying to find a logical solution, but there is none, for they are being faced with choices that are, again, equally good and bad. The individual has thought and thought to no avail, for the more they think, the more they become entrapped inside of their mind. The cards often depict a blinded figure, but, in reality, the individual has probably blinded themselves. This “hopeless” state of mind is, more than anything, a state of mind. There are fears and insecurities impairing a fairer judgment of things. Jupiter in Gemini and Mercury in Sagittarius are uncomfortable, because they are being forced to move at different paces than they usually do. Jupiter in Gemini is faster than he’d like, and Mercury in Sagittarius is moving too slow. The advice, in this context, is to resist the anxiety. Don’t try to fight. Hold you ground. Wait. Take some time for yourself and try not to think about it. It’ll probably solve itself or, rather, once you regain clarity, you’ll be able to make a decision that pleases you. Your rational thinking (Mercury and Gemini) is coming into conflict with fate, the uncontrollable (Jupiter and Sagittarius). So let yourself be driven by the current of things a bit. Watch calmly as your life unravels before you. Find peace in that.

ix. Nine of Swords: Mars in Gemini.

The individual affected by this energy is usually being tormented by their own thoughts, which are, generally, of anxious nature. There is the sense that the individual is drawing their violent and masculine energies (Mars) inwards (Gemini), thus hurting themselves with mean thoughts. Mars in Gemini symbolises an individual that can operate in a variety of perspectives and points of view, but in this card these points of view are fighting one another in the mind, producing a terrible storm of wants and desires that cancel each other, but still hurt the individual deeply. Because of this, the individual with this energy is often found playing some kind of victimized role. They are afraid of taking a chance and making a final decision about something, since they can’t stand they own negative thoughts. For what if they make the wrong move?… The advice is to find confidence in yourself. Love yourself and respect not only the person you were in the past but also the many potential people you may come to be in the future, depending of the choices you make. And that’s okay.

x. Ten of Swords: Sun and Moon in Gemini.

The Ten of Swords depicts the natural evolution of the suit of Swords, which, up until now, has described the effect of negative thinking and anxiety. The cards usually depict a tragic scene. There is too much violence, too much suffering, too much pain; death; chaos; defeat. The greatest lesson of the suit of Swords is that thoughts hold power, and when this power is misused, wicked things can happen in literally any field of life. This is clearly indicated by the astrological correspondence to the Sun and Moon in Gemini, placements that describe that both heart and spirit have been put to the mind’s uncarefully violent and sharp thoughts. The result is failure, loss; and a feeling of being destroyed, vanquished. There has been excessful use of force, especially mental one. The card may also depict what happens when you appear to be too powerful and successful: others may act out of jealousy and try to bring you down.

— Page of Swords: Earth + Air.

The Page of Swords is enthusiastic and smart. They are very intelligent, but still haven’t specialized themselves in any particular kind of knowledge or else have a more broad understanding of things. This allows them to view things from a different, wider perspective. They understand difficult concepts and nevertheless have a quick and young mind to come up with fresh solutions for problems and indecisions. They are dreamy, but they dream specifically about ideas and how they can be applied in a world that is real and tangible. Because of this, there is ambition in this individual, which can be yourself or someone in your life of any air sign energy (Gemini, Libra and Aquarius). From ambitions, rise confrontational feelings and strong disappointments when things don’t go one’s way.

— Knight of Swords: Air + Air.

The combination of air with air produces the most powerful and forceful of all knights. With this knight there is no stagnation, no holding back, no mercy. This may be an event or person or part of yourself that pushes forward with strength. There is only thought here, so actions are planned, but they don’t consider other people’s feelings. This is the knight that shows no compassion: he does as he must, whatever it is, and quick. And despite these more violent traits, the Knight of Swords is loyal to his allies, because he holds the power to discern true from false, and thus serve only the fair and holy. There is forward, immediate movement.

— Queen of Swords: Water + Air.

The Queen of Swords is a fair Queen. She was probably, in the past, quite sensitive and insecure, but has grown to be a judge of sorts. Like the Knight of Swords, she does what must be done, not giving in to feelings even though she very well experiences them. She is a diplomatic figure, someone who was stripped bare of their personal traits, embodying and executing only divine and holy messages of what is true and just and right. Because of this, and because she has already suffered so much, this Queen can appear to be cold and distant, for she must play the part of the strong one for things to go right — or so she believes.

— King of Swords: Fire + Air.

The King of Swords is an analytical individual above all. He is always in touch with the heart of the matters, always casting away the curtains of doubt and emotion in order to see things clearly. He is less an executioner than her Queen, though, and thus acts more like a mentor or leader in the sense that he orders people and orients them, indicating the best, or the rightest way of doing things. This King represents the importance of institutions, laws, protocols and orders of any kind.

Detail: Guido Reni, “Michael tramples Satan”; 1636.

(…) in the Major Arcana;

(…) in the suit of Wands;

(…) in the suit of Cups;