Knight of Swords At A Glance
Keywords: Assertive, direct, focused, mentally agile, adaptive, ambitious, perfectionist, rigid, blunt, arrogant
Season: Spring
Element: Air (thoughts, ideas and communication)
Knight of Swords Tarot Card Description
The Knight of Swords is the twelfth card in the minor arcana suit of Swords within tarot. The traditional art work for this card features a bold knight atop a white horse galloping towards our view point at full speed. He wears full plated armor so we can be fairly certain he is riding into battle at full force.
The white color of his horse symbolizes purity of intention. This reveals that the knight is totally certain of his convictions enough to fight for them. Storm clouds and winds blow in the background further adding to the feeling of speed and power. It is as if nature itself is spurring him on and aiding him because we cannot deny the overpowering force of nature or try to stop it.
Knight of Swords Upright Meaning
When we see the Knight of Swords upright it is a good sign that we are on the track with our goals and dreams. The Knight of Swords is a court card which means it not only depicts the highs and lows of our lives as all tarot cards do but it also represents real people in our lives. Which people it represents can be ascertained by combining the energies of their status (Pages, Knights, Queens or Kings) with their suit.
Knights represent quick decisive though, bold action, fighting and protecting. Swords are the suit connected to the element of Air, thoughts, communication, ideas and internal processes not seen by the eye. So when we put these together we get a person who is very direct and able to communicate their thoughts and ideas effectively. Speaking might be a big part of their job role and they are not afraid to defend and debate what they believe in.
They may have strong political, religious or other opinions. This combined with a sharp mind and a quick tongue helps them communicate these beliefs. The Knight of Swords card says we should either speak to this person at this time or lean on these attributes we hold within us.
“It is hard to fail, but it is worse never to have tried to succeed.” - Theodore Roosevelt
Knight of Swords Reversed Meaning
However when reversed all is not quite so smooth and charming. The sharp mind of the knight could easily be used to manipulate or be overly forceful in their convictions. The actions could be ruthless in the pursuit of their goals. Ambition could turn in to stepping on others to get ahead.
When we receive this card reversed it says the person it is referring to may not be the solution to our problem but they would perhaps make it worse, if not be the direct cause of it in the first place. It can also suggest that we have these attributes within us and we need to ease off a little bit and act from a more grounded and heart-felt space.
“There is a big difference between motion and action. Just because you get out of bed doesn't mean you are making progress. Taking action requires decisiveness, dedication, and clear direction.” - Farshad Asl
Knight of Swords: Yes or No
The Knight of Swords can generally be seen as a yes card. It implies there will be hard work to do however we are up to the task. We will have to stay focused and exercise self-discipline for the duration of the opportunity.
If reversed then it is a no. It suggests we would be too heavy-handed and smother the opportunity, squashing it and losing any of the rewards it could have brought us.
Let’s Break Down the Knight of Swords In Our Lives
How the Knight of Swords answers more specific questions about different areas of our lives.
Knight of Swords In Love
If we’re single and receive any knight card then it is a hint that a new prospective lover could be on the scene. Someone who shows the bold, intellectual and assertive qualities of the Knight of Swords. If we’re in a relationship it can suggest our partner is showing these attributes more than usual or that we should express these traits more to allow the relationship to continue to thrive.
Reversed it can suggest someone in the relationship is overly assertive and the other person feels the need to pull back and close off from the extremes they are seeing. If single it can mean clashing heads in a new or potential relationship caused by a difference of opinions or beliefs where neither person feels they can compromise.
Knight of Swords With Money
When we receive the Knight of Swords after asking questions about money matters it can suggest the answer to our situation is to put more mental energy into swiftly accomplishing the tasks needed in order to advance. It is a great card to receive because it is saying we already have everything we need to succeed inside us already and all we have to do is work on the steps to bring it into reality.
Reversed we unfortunately see all the mental energy and intellect of the Knight of Swords in someone else being put to use in a harmful way and we are the target. This can look like scams, fraud or otherwise using cohesion to try and part us from our cash. The Knight of Swords reversed asks us to stay vigilant and do our research.
Knight of Swords At Work
When we ask questions about our careers and receive the Knight of Swords it is asking us to maximize our efficiency and work on the big picture. Eliminate busy work as much as possible so that more of our energy can be spent advancing in our chosen field.
Reversed the Knight of Swords warns us that someone’s ambitions have grown so strongly that they wouldn’t blink before stepping over others in the most ruthless way to further their own career. This could be someone at our place of work or it could be a warning that this is within us.
Knight of Swords With Others
The Knight of Swords in answer to social queries suggests that soon we may realize that we are an integral part of the conversation within our local community or social groups. A small matter shows us that our contribution to those communities is not only valued but crucially needed. We turn our eager mind and motivated action to the task, helping others and receiving joy for this.
Reversed it can mean that our mind frame is chaotic and though we want to help others we aren’t in a place where we can. At this time we should resist the temptation to take over and control a situation to try and fix an issue someone is having. We should listen more than speak and allow the person to decide what help they need from us and let them handle their situation themselves.
Knight of Swords With Self
To receive the Knight of Swords regarding questions about the self is a sure sign that our self-betterment journey is going in the right direction. We must keep going with the healing actions and habits we have created and not slack because the problems ease off a little. This is a commitment to ourselves for the duration of our lives.
Reversed the Knight of Swords can mean we are living life with a glass half-empty view. Our rigid mind frame and intelligence have combined to create the perfect mental trap we can’t see to escape. The problem is not outside in the world but actually in us with how we perceive the world. But hope is not lost: we can learn to change our perception overtime.
Knight of Swords As Feelings
The Knight of Swords feels like complete conviction in our views and beliefs. Fighting for and protecting the values we hold dear and applying action to raise awareness and incite change.
