Tarot Edition Glossary
THE SWORDS
AIR. INTELLECT.
ACE OF SWORDS
Breakthrough / Confusion
Upright
Look at things from a new perspective. Be open to new information that may come in sudden or unexpected ways. Expand your thought process or belief in what is possible. The potential is here for new opportunities or exciting projects. Communicate your needs to others. Trust your inspired ideas.
Reverse
Confusion or doubt makes it challenging to see the path ahead. Plans may not be developing as smoothly as desired. This is creating a pessimistic outlook. Reestablish faith in yourself and your support system. It is perfectly okay to hold on to an idea until it is fleshed out. Keeping information from naysayers is wise.
2 of Swords
Crossroad / Stalemate
Upright
Two paths are before you and there is uncertainty around which way to go. You feel blinded by the decision that needs to be made. Ask more questions if you need more clarity. It is okay to need help and support. Relax and trust your intuition. Being at a stalemate cannot last forever. A choice must be made.
Reverse
There is too much pressure on the decisions before you. Anxiety is leaving you feeling stuck. Remove the blindfold. Inner conflict is holding you back. You may feel you are being pulled into matters that should not involve you. Speak your truth one way or the other.
3 of Swords
Heartache / Forgiveness
Upright
Pain and disappointment are enveloping your mind. You may feel betrayed and torn apart. Unrequited love. Sorrow from loss. This is a time of heavy energy and grief. Your pride may be wounded or ego bruised. Heartache is a natural part of life. This moment in time will pass. Be compassionate with yourself and take it one day at a time.
Reverse
Notice how you speak to yourself, aloud and silently. Are you overly critical or putting yourself down? Inner pain could still exist from past trauma. Focus on healing the relationship with yourself. Painful trials or loss are now behind you. Your healing has begun. Keep releasing the past. Mourn a loved one lost, but find solace in the fact that they are always with you.
4 of Swords
Rest / Exhaustion
Upright
Take a moment to recharge and regroup before continuing forward. Pause and reflect on what you have accomplished thus far. Mentally build a strategy for your future. Take time to meditate. You need to refuel. Disconnect from other people, to-do lists, social media and other perceived demands. Being in silence is needed.
Reverse
You could be feeling stagnant. Release frustration and surrender mental burdens. You need a break. Pushing ahead despite Universe’s nudge for you to stop could cause an unfortunate outcome. Ground excessive energy.
5 of Swords
Conflict / Amends
Upright
There has been a conflict that has resulted in no true winner because both sides have paid a hefty price. Things have been said that one may wish they could take back. There is a sense of resentment, heaviness and separation. You desire to be right or to have your way, but at what cost? Think before ruthlessly charging ahead. Competing with others to feel “on top” can sometimes leave you isolated.
Reverse
Releasing grudges, anger and bickering to move on and heal. There is no winner in the matter. Things have gotten out of hand and stressful in a disagreement and the exhaustion makes you want to call a truce. Let it go, it is not worth carrying this bitterness forward. Harboring old resentment is creating a wound that can be unexpectedly triggered.
6 of Swords
Transition / Resistance
Upright
It is time to move forward. There is a heaviness and sadness from leaving something or someone behind. A new chapter requires you to close the door on another. Past loves or desires that did not serve you. Releasing what once was in order to grow and evolve spiritually. Emotionally moving away from something that was once familiar. Moving to a new location and releasing attachments to a past home.
Reverse
Attachment to the past. An inability to simply let go of what once was. Not allowing the Universe to replace what is not working with something better. Not trusting the inner nudge to grow. Hoarding. Emotionally and mentally holding baggage. Feeling trapped.
7 of Swords
Betrayal / Confession
Upright
Something deceptive or sneaky is happening behind the scenes. There is a breach of trust. You may be tempted to cross the line. There has been an act of betrayal. Getting away with something at the expense of another. Attempting to escape without facing consequences. Cheating within a relationship.
Reverse
A secret has been revealed. Someone’s hidden intentions have been discovered, despite the actions taken to remain in the dark. A confession has been given. Rebuilding trust after infidelity. Dishonesty has been exposed.
8 of Swords
Restriction / Freedom
Upright
Bound by one’s own fears. Thoughts that lead to anxiety and feelings of entrapment. You may feel that there is no way out. Remove the blindfold; you will realize that things are not as bad as they seem. Worry is making you freeze and feel helpless. Release control and the solutions will come to you.
Reverse
You are regaining your confidence and your vision for the future is becoming clearer. You realize that there is a solution for your concern. Fears are no longer holding you back. You are gaining better perspective and feeling less clouded. Feelings of disempowerment are subsiding.
9 of Swords
Anxiety / Release
Upright
Your mind is getting the best of you. Persistent negative thoughts are haunting you. An inability to sleep or rest your mind due to anxiety. Recurring nightmares or deeply rooted fears. Extreme worry that stems from past trauma. Shame and guilt that has taken over your thoughts. Obsessively regretting how an experience has played out in your life.
Reverse
There are issues from your past that you need to confront or they will continue to terrorize your mind. Crippled by your fears. Experiencing deep insecurity or anxiety inwardly and refusing to tell another. Realizing that your worries and insecurities need to be healed so that you can move forward in a relationship. Maybe things are not as horrible as you made them out to be in your mind.
10 of Swords
Betrayal / Acceptance
Upright
You feel stabbed in the back. You feel let down and completely defeated. This is a true low point for you. A horrible ending to a relationship. A tragedy. Someone exaggerating their pain and stepping into a martyr role. Infidelity. A complete mental and emotional breakdown.
Reverse
The worst of it has passed and you are slowly beginning to heal. Coming out of a painful breakup or divorce. Surviving a bad accident. Finding the ability to trust others again after being betrayed. Overcoming the extreme negativity others may have projected towards you.
Page of Swords
Inspiration / Scattered
Upright
New plans or ideas for the future. You feel creatively inspired. Receiving unexpected communication. Being curious and having a quick mind that loves learning. Feeling a bit nervous in communicating with others. Learning a new skill-set from another.
Reverse
Using the mind to create mischievous plans. Manipulative in communication. Forgetful or flighty. Great ideas lacking the proper planning. Talking a big game with little follow through. Scattered thoughts and unclear communication.
Knight of Swords
Action-Oriented / Impulsive
Upright
Determined to accomplish goals. Visionary and ambitious. Taking action quickly without much planning. Hastily moving forward with an idea. Quick communication or reactions. Debating with another; feeling intellectually confident about a matter. Feeling energized and ready to build grand plans for the future.
Reverse
Feeling blocked by external circumstances; unable to move forward with a plan in the way you desire. Scattered thoughts or an idea gone rouge. Expressing impulsivity. A jumbled mind. Pushing yourself too hard to achieve a goal. A risk taker that may take things too far. Speaking out of turn or lacking tact.
Queen of Swords
Direct / Bitchy
Upright
Expressing clear, balanced, and unemotional communication. You are able to lead with a clear mind in challenging times. Speaking up for what you believe in. Confident, capable and wise. Able to diffuse an argument with class. Intelligent and very perceptive. You are able to cut through the clutter and get to the root of the matter.
Reverse
Blunt and intimidating. Speaking without regard for the other person’s feelings. May come off as cruel and ruthless. You could appear to be cold or emotionally detached. Feelings of resentment may consume you. Controlling in a matter. Leading with your heart instead of logic.
King of Swords
Truth / Manipulation
Upright
Respected, authoritative and wise. You are trusted by those around you to lead. You offer an objective point of view. You communicate with strength and intellect. An expert on a matter. A resource for knowledge. Stern and composed. You understand the value of emotional detachment. Having high standards and expectations.
Reverse
Self serving. Imbalanced in expression. You may be intense or aggressive in communication. May be manipulative or desire to dominate others intellectually. Power-hungry and arrogant. Not in touch with deep, genuine emotions. Overly guarded or defensive.