ACE OF SWORDS (upright)

The card of mental (intellectual) revelation and empowerment.

Opening of new cycles regarding thinking, communication, interactions, attitudes, and routines.

Clarity. Discernment. Discrimination. Objectivity. Reason. Acuity. Intelligence. Foresight. Brilliance. Accuracy. Genius. We discard outmoded beliefs and attitudes. Revelations which part the clouds of ignorance and self-delusion. Thinking unemotionally. Clear judgments and sound advice. Being one's own counsel. Attention to details. Order and organization. New approaches to old problems. Decisions made with firmness and conviction. Honesty. A certain mind. A period of testing and matriculation. Science. Teaching. The objects of thoughts, choices and decisions.

A return to the truth of ourselves. Renewed belief in our own decisions and ideas. We speak our minds and make others clear on what we know or believe. Complete self-reliance. Other people can not thwart our progress or ideas. We are our own guides, counselors and decision-makers. Emotions do not interfere with our choices and decisions.

Negatively - Cunning, ruthless and without emotion. Chronic objectivity. Being cold and critical. Manipulation. The mind used as a weapon. Obsessive ideas, opinions, and attitudes. Disregard of emotional needs and humanitarian concerns. Evil.
 

ACE OF SWORDS (reversed)

Denial. Wrong decisions. Bad judgments. Disagreements. Misunderstandings. Quarreling. Animosity. Poor communication. Failure to heed advice. Avoidance of the truth. Over-emotionality. Subjectivity. Irrational behavior. Idiotic ideas. Lack of applied common sense. Disorder. Chaos of mind. Incorrect perspectives. Rules of conduct unheeded. Impaired thinking. Paranoia. Insanity. Lies. Deceit. Plagiarization. Theft. Manipulation. Depression. Fatigue. Ideas and plans come to nothing. New starts missed. New opportunities sabotaged. Greater need for objectivity and discernment. Poor scheduling.

Note - This card is associated with the infamous Ace of Spades, in the exoteric playing decks. The suit of Spades is the equivalent of Swords. The Ace of Spades is, therefore, not a symbol of death particularly, only of an extremely bad choice or decision that we are making or are about to make that leads to an undesirable outcome. This is the same meaning of the Ace of Swords, though only in its reversed position. Reversed Aces are usually portents of serious hazards and threats to our welfare and not necessarily the cards of the Major Arcana that have seemingly unsettling images or names. Return

Positive - Agreements made without emotional interference. Temporary partnerships. Clear and excellent choices and decisions. Deciding in which of two directions to go. Expertly dealing with difficult decisions. Making the best of limited choices. Discovery of our strength in a given situation. Awaiting final verdicts and judgments. Detachment. Concentration. Patience.

Mental brilliance. Profound intelligence. Impartiality. Fair dealings. Objectivity. Seeing both sides of an argument. Not taking sides. Developing new perspectives. Thinking or communicating in new ways. A short interim between unresolved conflicts. A tentative agreement pending further developments. Waiting. Getting or giving advice. Studying a situation from afar. Remaining detached. Testing the strength of a rival. Give and take. Fair play. Receiving our due. Stating our case clearly and honestly.

Negative - Stalemate. Showmanship. The chronic exaggeration of intellectual prowess. Coldness. Lack of an emotional rapport. Vacillation. Perpetual ambivalence. Taking one side and then another. Refusal to make a stand. Inability to act spontaneously. Demanding assurances. No spirit of compromise. Irreconcilable differences. Conflict of interest. Fundamental incompatibilities. Irrational ideas that lead nowhere. Fixity. Rigidity. Stagnation. Partial understanding. Knowledge without wisdom. Thinking too much on things. Needing proof for everything. Disregarding the obvious. Argumentation without purpose. A futile course of action.
 

Positive - Cessation of a period of stalemate, incompatibility, conflict and indecision.

Negative - Agreements overturned and sabotaged. Chronic subjectivity. Lack of perspective. No objectively or detachment. Irrational behavior. Arrested intellect. Inability to communicate effectively. Failure to mediate. Erroneous conclusions. Chronic partiality. Loss of poise and equilibrium. Indecision. Contradiction. Adverse judgments. Seeing things as we want to see them rather than as they are. Deluded and misguided. Refusal to face the truth. Failure to heed good advise. Failure to heed our intuition. Inability to think for ourselves. Emotions out of control. Emotion dominates logic. Resistance. Impulsive decisions later regretted. Argumentation. Failure to communicate to others what we feel or need. Compromises not reached. Not getting the help we requested or deserve. Neglect. Adverse verdicts. Lies and deceit. Finding ourselves swayed by others. Apathy. Lack of surety. Failure to develop new perspectives. No belief in our own abilities. Actions which are immoral, illogical and contrary to our best interests. Return
 

A card representing conscience. We experience a period of profound anxiety. A time of suffering. We are compelled to act in a manner befitting the short-term good. Decisions made that are against our best interest but which must be made. Fortitude during a difficult time. Emotional upheaval. Hardship and sorrow. Outcomes do not afford peace or prosperity. An emotionally satisfactory outcome unattained due to unavoidable circumstances.

Along with the Two and Four of Swords, this is a card of psychotherapy. It concerns addressing emotional and psychological syndromes. It concerns the pain and the negative emotions that arise while we are on the path of self-discovery. It can indicate that there is no positive result from the meeting of two mindsets, view-points or personalities.

Communication problems. Irreconcilable differences. Repressed or introjected emotions. Disturbing memories. Worries. Inhibitions. Guilt. Recriminations against the self over past deeds or errors. The inability to know what will bring us peace and contentment.

Negatively - Emotional pain. Hidden emotional and mental issues. Fear of emotional displays. Masochism. Jealousy. Enmity. Morbidity. Lack of human empathy. Judgmentalism. Conditional love. Blackmail. Falling out with friends. Deep mistrust. Remorse. Forced separation. Inability to reach a compromise. Holding onto hurts. Vendettas. Grudges. Inability to see the lighter side. a morose or pessimistic attitude. Self-destructive urges. Advertising our hurt. Soliciting sympathy.
 

Positively - we make decisions that improve our lot. We make positive decisions that benefit us emotionally. The end of inner turmoil. Past tribulations no longer impede progress. Painful memories and experience subside. The end of worry. Breaking through difficult syndromes. We cease being the cause of conflict or oppression.

Negatively - We avoid doing the right for selfish reasons. Cowardice. Weakness. Avoidance of necessary suffering. Lack of psychological insight or higher intelligence. Lack of psychological fortitude. Moral weakness. Superficiality. Return
 

Academic study. Psychological analysis. Research. Investigation. Diagnosis. Attention to detail. Close observation. Meticulousness. Great knowledge. Precocious intelligence. Diplomacy. Mastery. Finesse. Etiquette. A situation seen without distortion or prejudice. Seeing beneath the surface. Schools, colleges, institutes. Learning. Instruction. Education. Scientific studies. Period of withdrawal. Seclusion. Introspection. Privacy. Retreat. Contemplation. Insight.

A period of waiting and non-involvement. Discretion. Forbearance. Formality. Preparation. Organization. Order. Good judgments and verdicts. Patience. A true and rational philosophy. Rules are observed. We operate formally and decisively. We conform to the accepted protocol. We observe the rules and do the right thing. We proceed without unnecessary resistance or complaint. A new way opens. The solution to a complex problem is found. A potentially troublesome episode is avoided.  The ending of inner conflict. Tensions are released.

Negatively - Boredom. Mental stagnation. Commonplace ideas and notions. Conservatism. Traditionalism. Provincialism. Intellectual rigidity. Failure to adjust to new situations. Rigidity in routines and schedules. Maintenance of the status quo. Not making waves. The facade of composure. Secrets. Secret contacts, agreements, pacts, promises and allegiances. Hidden agendas. Lies. Deception.

Delays. Postponements. A period of hospitalization. Diagnosis. Therapy. Recuperation.
 

Crudity. Lack of finesse. Insensitivity. Impracticality. Superficiality. Inability to express oneself in a sophisticated manner. Lack of composure. Refusal to look within. Indiscretion. Lack of patience. Impulsiveness. Learning little for our experiences. Scatteredness. Disorganized affairs. Lack of care or detail. Lack of mastery. Lack of education.  Lack of natural aptitude. Shallow attitudes. Poor reasoning. Useless advise. Purposeless criticism. A morbid, fossilized, fear-bound state. A prosaic character. Conventionality. Retardation. Infatuation with the lives and affairs of other people. Loss of privacy. Avoidance of solitude. Perpetual activity. Extroversion. Failure to heed good advice. Misdiagnosis. Lack of spontaneity.

Avoidance of looking at an aspect of the self. The need to cultivate reserve. Need for contemplation or rest. Need for objectivity and deeper understanding. Need for greater self-knowledge. Need for discipline and patience.

We become more open and less detached, reserved and passive. We become more spontaneous and direct in our communication. We overcome being too suspicious, hesitant and wary. Return
 

Being defeated due to lack of preparation, or other incapacity. Being unfairly attacked or admonished. Fallout and confrontation. Breakdown in friendships. Jealousy and enmity between persons. Taking things personally. Misunderstandings. Blackmail. Exploitation. Deceit, slander, quarrels. Grudges, rumors, gossip. Disputes. Mind darkened by negative thoughts. Interference. Suspicions. Crudity. Having things done behind our back. Denotes lies, misleading information, perjury. Disinformation. Stealing the thoughts or ideas of others. Misuse of power. Comparison. Acute worry or mental stress. Being overly opinionated. Justifications regarding habits and mistakes. Not seeing a way forward. Self-recrimination. Insomnia.

Occurs when we endlessly compare ourselves with others leading to low self-esteem and guilt. Utterly futile imbroglios and arguments. Confrontations. Chronic judgmentalism. We may be spending too much energy trying to harmonize incompatible realities, ideas or opinions. Occurs when we are constantly misunderstood. Bad schedules and job-descriptions. Frustrating communications.
 

FIVE OF SWORDS (reversed)

We are coming from a good place. We avoid quarrels and disagreements. We overcome  hurts and seek healing. We overcome harangues and worries despite fatigue and lingering doubt. We avoid confrontations. We make a clean breast of things and speak honestly. We come clean. We face our wrongdoings or mistakes and make amends. We remain detached and avoid vexatious confrontations. We watch our own tongue. A cessation of hostilities and antagonistic attitudes. 

Our communications with other improve somewhat. Calm returns. We  overcome defeatist attitudes and negative thinking, We end complaints and avoid suspicion and condemnation. Return
 

Positive mental and attitudinal change. We progress beyond oppressive environs, situations, or people. Problems find good solutions. Tensions are released and hostilities overcome. We receive good advise and enlist the help of intelligent people. Professional aid. Specialists and experts. A time for communicating our problems to others. Other people of good intention show us the way to proceed. Learning as we go. Exchange of services and assistance. Networking. Synthesis. Sharing knowledge, ideas and experience. Proving our case. Confirmation received.

Science. Exactness. Precision. Education. Study. Detection. Discovery. Ingenuity. Inquisitiveness. Curiosity. New ideas. Invention. Genius. Penetrating to the truth of a thing. Clear strategies. Musical or technical skills. Avant-garde projects. Humanitarian attitudes and causes. Technical or musical skill. Mastery with computers, machines, tools, and instruments. Large public projects.

Control of our emotions.

Negatively - Hyper-individuality.  Self-absorption. Narcissism. Seeking the limelight when it is not deserved. Seeking glory. Lack of emotion. Indifference and detachment. Extroversion and disarray. Purposeful meddling. Manipulation.
 

Failure to aid others during times of need. Selfishness. Unreliable behavior. Making things harder for others. Needless complexity. Obstacles. Resistance to change. Lack of objectivity. Recalcitrance. Clinging to old worthless patterns. Backsliding. Not acting on what we know to be right. Allowing emotions to run riot. Muddle-headedness. Lack of optimism. Lack of strategy.

Hopelessness. Refusing to believe we can change things for the better. Refusal to admit the existence of problems. Being without positive expectation. False hope. Not heeding advice. Expecting conditions when there are none. Rejecting the aid of others. Not applying good advice. Resistance. Getting or giving poor advice. Telling lies. Acting in secret. Irrationally thinking we can go it alone.

Failure to apply new techniques. Parochialism. Closed-mindedness. Boredom. Lack of curiosity. Lack of humanity. Postponed journeys. Delays. Incompetent advice. Useless assistance. Return
 

Positively - Uniqueness of personality, behavior, thinking and ability. Important lessons learned. Understanding. An enhanced sense of individual purpose. Taking the roads less traveled. Enhanced self-expression.

Negatively - Experiences occur that reveal the futility of our attitudes. Emotions negatively prevent clear thinking. Indecision. Incapacity. Incompetence. A half-hearted commitment. Illogical methods of activity. Inability to comprehend data received. Acting upon invalid and useless information. Penchant for inconsequential trivia and gossip. Shallowness and superficiality. Holding to outmoded beliefs despite evidence to the contrary. A facade of intelligence and uniqueness. Resolve impeded by futile imbroglios and irrational fears. Making more work for oneself. Overlooking the obvious.

Poorly organized schedules and routines. Work in progress without plan or strategy. Knowledge insufficient for a task. Hindrances. Tasks uncompleted. Having information kept from us. Working with others but with private agendas and intentions which may become known due to carelessness. Pretending to go along with others. Hidden agendas, intrigues, surreptitious activities. Connivance behind the scenes. Profiting from the genius or reputation of others. Appropriation of the ideas of others. Dabbling. Secrets. Plagiarization. Kleptomania. Psychological manipulation. Hypocrisy. Criminal intent. Deceit. Envy.

Social ineptitude. Retardation. Mental incompetence. Communication problems. Eccentric behavior. Thinking not congruent with prevailing mores and attitudes. Emotions interfere with clear thinking. Drawing wrong conclusions. Inability to say what one wishes. Inhibitions. An irrational manner of doing things. Self-esteem issues. Feelings of incompetence and incongruence. Self-defeating thinking. Over reliance upon the leadership of others. Hesitancy. Needless vacillation. Sabotage.
 

Positively - Mental and attitudinal transformation. We accept shortcomings and take action to make a change for the better. Emotion no longer blocks or sabotages our plans and purpose. A period of confusion or manipulation ends. Speaking our mind despite resistance. Overcoming futility and fear. Greater self-reliance. Greater sense of personal empowerment. Greater feeling of competence. Greater openness and receptivity. The ending of purely private agendas.

Learning to be discreet, circumspect and careful. We go our own way and resist conformity. Return
 

We are unaware of our own needs. Slavery to the needs of others. Our path is blocked by others. Tyranny. Cruelty. Domination. Verbal threat or abuse. Inhibition and fear. Incompatibility with others. Negative environs and persons. Being caught by tradition. Physical entrapment. Wrongful imprisonment. Disempowerment. Suppression of creativity and self-expression. Guilt. Fears. Anxiety. Apprehension. Fear of the future. Fear of what other people will think of us. Severe communication problems. No sense of personal power. Limited self-esteem. Inhibition. Friends are few and trust limited. Focus on the past. Old hurts and harangues preoccupy. Chronic syndromes and disorders. Phobias. Hypochondria. Chemical imbalance. Invalidism. Morbidity. 

Contempt for knowledge. Arrested mental or emotional development. Ignorance. Lack of discernment. Repression. Inability to see the consequences of our thinking. Immorality. Bigotry. Materialism. Avoidance. Moribund philosophies. Refusal to alter limited beliefs, attitudes and opinions. Provincialism. Mentally entrenched. Intractability. Incompatibility. Lack of dependability. Failure to apply what we know. Refusal to heed warnings.
 

The overturning of injustice. Ending of a painful period. Clarity returns. Freedom from oppression and tyranny. Catharsis. Return of self-esteem. Return of harmony. Freer communication. Impediments removed. Greater acuity. Greater creativity. Many foibles overcome. Return

Chronic guilt and fear. Intense pain over loss. Cruelty. Oppression. . Extreme worry, depression and anxiety. Despair. Loneliness. Estrangement. Death of optimism. Abandonment. Tribulation. Ennui. Abnormal events. Difficulty carrying on in the usual manner. Mental fatigue. Melancholia. Neurosis. Paranoia. Masochism. Self-torment. A bad conscience. Fearing the worst. Premonition. Regret. Receiving bad news. Becoming aware of hurtful facts. Predicting worst case scenarios. Manifesting negative outcomes. Blind to possibilities. Internal psychic maladies. Eccentricity. Morbid interests. Troubled by forthcoming actions we would rather avoid. Concern with problems beyond our control. Feelings of futility and hopelessness.

Dissatisfaction with worldly existence. Identification with the lowly. Seeing through illusions. Ending of immaturity. Spiritual awakening. Deeper insight. Facing the worst. Facing pain. Undergoing a purge. An "Underworld" traversal. Self-analysis. Understanding how thinking affects reality.
 

Lack of conscience and humanity. Lack of empathy. No concern for the plight of others. Callousness. Refusal to look into important matters deeply. Lack of emotional or psychological development. Avoidance of the truth. Denial.  Not accepting that problems exist. Misdiagnosing the reasons for predicaments. Not learning from mistakes. No change even after trauma.

Positively - No longer dwelling in negative thought patterns, Overcoming personal quandaries. Overcoming negative expectations. Overcoming worries. Cessation of pain and anxiety. Cessation of self-accusation. Greater openness. Discovering the causes for unhappiness and discontent. Return
 

Positive - A period of harangue, sorrow, and loss approaches its end. Challenging ourselves and going through a hard but cathartic process. The painful obliteration of an old, false persona. The wilful ending of outmoded personas of illusions.

Being deeply wounded. Bearing intense pain or cruelty. Suffering from betrayal. Destructive relationships. Negative conclusion to a relationship. Hopes and expectations dashed. Conspiring enemies.

Negative - Troubles and tribulations presently beyond our control. Outside help needed.

Ruination.  Imminent breakdown. Mental corruption. Mind exalted over spirit. Chronic superficiality. Inability to identify with others. Extreme inflexibility. Being our own worst enemy. Bringing the worst upon ourselves. Lessons learned too late. Failure to seek aid. Hostility. Lack of trust. Defensiveness. Hostility to the sacred. Inability to see deeply. Self-destructive urges. Physical harm. Impending danger. Violence. Attack. Injury. Imprisonment.  

Being unable to raise consciousness without first descending further. Suppression of the emotions. Lack of humanity. Deceit. Manipulation. Collapse. Psychic crisis. Calamity. Confrontation. Having to face the consequences of falsehood and wrongdoings.
 

Positive - A narrow escape from betrayal, calamity, or self-destructive behavior. The cessation of negative thinking attained through inner work. Improved periods ahead. Ending of calamities. Being easy on ourselves. Forgiveness and spirituality, a deeper understanding of the nature of things.

Negative - Dangers and warnings go unheeded. Lack of control over impending calamity. Failing to learn important lessons from past mistakes. Repeating negative habits.

Precautions necessary. Calmness and composure required. Must cease overbearing behavior. Problems caused from judgmentalism, defensiveness, and negative thinking. Return