Thoth – Rider-Waite

Knight of Swords: The Idealistic, Intelligent Martyr

The Knight of Swords. In the Rider-Waite tradition, this is the King of Swords. This card represents the personality that results from the meeting of Fire and Air; this card is then the Fiery aspect of Air. It is the fiery, passionate ideology that can consume one’s entire personality; the card that results from Cruelty and leads toRuin and martyrdom. This card represents the personality associated with a passionate ideologue.

The person who exemplifies the Knight of Swords is Intelligent, Clever, andSubtle; he is a Manipulator. He is at the same time Delicate and also veryFierce when his positions are challenged. He is Skillful, and is constantly moving forward; he represents Violent and Managed Motion; he fights for drastic changes that are heavily monitored. He is a proponent of Science and Logic. At times, though, he can be Incapable (reality can often shatter a philosopher’s ability to function capably when his ideas do not work) and Indecisive – he has a general plan, but the details aren’t fleshed out. He deals with and isDriven by Ideologies, not practicalities. He is willing to give his all to his cause, and so is prone to Martyrdom. His is the world where action meets thought; he has a vision of the world as it should be, and he seeks to make it that way.

The Rider-Waite art shows a King sitting on his throne. He has the detached air of someone prone to deep thought, yet also seems ready to act; he is a thinker who will act on his beliefs when necessary. His face is stern and appears to be willing to pass judgment on others. The Thoth art has a more dynamic image; a swiftly moving man with dragonfly wings on a steed, flying amongst the birds graces this image. He has a thin sword held forward; he pinpoints a problem and tries to fix it. He is also focused on his one issue of thought, and ignores what else is around him. This card in particular captures the idea of violent and managed motion. he also has the air of one leading a charge to his inevitable doom, reflecting the theme of martyrdom.

In a reading, this card asks you to examine the role that this personality may play in your life. Do you know anyone devoted to their ideology, who will do anything to promote it, and isn’t above manipulating others to get things to be the way they feel things should be? Are they clever and crafty, moving swiftly but in a very methodical and organized manner? Do they see themselves as a martyr? Reversed, this card’s personality is twisted or hidden somehow; perhaps they long to be like the Knight of Swords, but reality stops them. Maybe they are trying to be an ideologically driven person, or perhaps they are being prevented from being a martyr.

Thoth – Rider-Waite

Ruin: Excessive Abstraction, Downfall, and Martyrdom

The Ten of Swords. Ruin. Ungrounded Logic. Fantasies of Thought. Excessive Abstraction. Downfall. Loss. Shun. Mirage. Martyrdom. Victim Mentality. Stifling. Bottoming Out. The Ten of Swords corresponds to the Sefirot of Malkuth: Reality, the Root, the Sum, and the Origin. The Ten of Swords represents the final stage of the transformation of the energy of the Suit of Swords when it finally reaches reality and the material world. The theme if disconnect, disillusion, and despair have been themes throughout the Suit, and the Ten brings them all together and amplifies them. This card represents the ultimate disconnect between the abstract Swords and the Material Malkuth.

This card represents Excessive Abstraction, Ungrounded Logic, and Fantasies of Thought; being too lost in one’s own ideals and ponderings, and failing to see the reality before you. This card represents the state of one’s mind being lost on a different plane of thought and totally disconnected from what is going on in the ‘real” world. And what does this bring? Ruin. Downfall. Loss. Being Shunned by the sheeples of society who don’t understand. You are Stifled by the limited possibilities the world offers you. You believe yourself the Victim of the Cruelty of the world (though sometimes you may be overdramatic). You give in to the despair that the Nine of Swords brought to you, and so fall into Ruin.

The Suit of Swords can also intersect with reality in another way; if one has their head in the clouds and is devoted completely to their ideals and ideologies, they may be willing to sacrifice themselves to help others; the logical extension of some of the self-injury of the Nine of Swords. This, in turn, leads to the idea ofMartyrdom; martyrs are people whose thoughts are with abstract ideals of Truth and Justice, and when their minds interact with the world, they care not for their fleshy bodies, and will die for what they believe in.

The Rider-Waite art shows a man lying dead on the beach with ten swords on his back; the swords above his bed have fallen and killed him. He could not cope with the Cruelty of the world. In the distance, the sun rises, though, signalling that this is not the end, but only part of a cycle – which can be taken either as delegitimizing the man’s death or foretelling that life goes on. The Thoth art has ten swords all pointed relatively downwards, their blades twisted horribly out of shape around each others at the ends. The keen blade of intellect has been warped by excessive contact with reality, and the swords are all crashing down to the ground, which is already red with the blood of the world’s victims.

In a reading, this card asks you to examine the meeting place of your thoughts and the realities of life. Do they match up? Are you alienated from your own existence? Are you teetering on the bring of ruin? Have you been ruined recently? Reversed, this card’s energies are hidden or twisted somehow; perhaps your life has been thrown into shambles but you haven’t yet accepted it, or you are so far into your own fantasy that the disconnect between it and reality isn’t visible.

Thoth – Rider-Waite

Cruelty: The Curse of Enlightenment, Anguish, and an Uncaring World

The Nine of Swords. Cruelty. Guilt. Anguish. Worry. Fear. Self-injury. Degenerate. Sadism. Despair. Uncaring. Implacable Fate. Heartless Passion. The Nine of Swords corresponds to the Sefirot of Yesod: Crystallization and the Essence of Being. The Nine, in most Suits, represents the best that the Suit of has to offer, representing the crystallization of all that is good within the suit, and the resolving of the weaknesses of Netzach and Hod. In the case of the Suit of Swords, a bleak message is sent: the best that the Suit has to offer is Cruelty. Many of the cards in the Suit of Swords are negative, and this negativity is manifested in the Nine. The Nine of Swords is very close to the Ten, which represents Swords manifested in reality. The Suit of Swords is the realm of the abstract, of thought and reason. As the Suit of Swords approaches the gates of reality, the disconnect between the material and abstract becomes ever greater, which is why the positive Swords cards tend to be earlier on, while the later cards tend to be more negative.

The Nine of Swords still does resolve the weaknesses of Seven and Eight, but not in a positive way; Futility is resolved by succumbing to the material influences of the world, and Interference is resolved in much the same way. Rather than consciously “fixing” the weaknesses above, the despair seen throughout the Suit of Swords continues into the Nine, where the mind finally gives in (the body gives in at the Ten) and surrenders to the cruelty of the world. This card represents the true and final realization that the world is imperfect, and the consequences of said realization. This card symbolizes also the emotions and mental state that lead later to the physical fall depicted in the Ten of Swords.

The Nine of Swords portrays the world as uncaring and full of heartless passion; it exists and continues to exist, but has little regard for individuals. At its heart, the world is degenerate and rife with evil and inequality. The principles of the Suit of Swords do not belong in the material world, and are incompatible with it. There is a sense of Guilt when those who come to the realization see that they cannot fix the world, and they begin to Despair about what will happen. The helplessness of Futility and Interference manifest in the more powerful idea of Implacable Fate; one man cannot usually change the world or its nature. “Enlightened” people torment themselves over their existence, and turn to self-injury. They see the Sadistic nature of the world,and they cannot stand it. The world is a Cruel place.

The Rider-Waite art emphasizes the ideas of despair, worry, guilt, and anguish. A man sits up with his head in his hands in the middle of the night, his slumber tormented by inner daemons, while swords hang over his bed; an unsafe move indicative of a lack of caring and self-injury (these swords will fall on him in the Ten of Swords). He is alone in the night, kept awake by the realization of the cruelty of the world.  The Thoth art shows nine swords, all pointed downwards, glowing red. They are surrounded by what appear to be drops of fiery blood, indicating both passion and despair; but passion of a very melancholy sort, as the drops are not rising, but fallen, and are the result of a mortal wound of the mind. The blood that falls is from the injury of realization. These swords are falling, and someone at the bottom is going to be hurt.

In a reading, this card asks you to examine the role that the realization of cruelty play in your life. Have you been unhappy lately? Worried or feeling guilty about something? Feel like you are being moved along in your life while you have no agency of your own? Are you alone in a cruel world that makes you despair? These questions are prompted by the Nine of Swords. Reversed, this card’s energies are hidden or twisted; perhaps you are denying yourself this cold realization and living purposefully in a dreamlike state, retreating to the energy of Cups for safety.

Thoth – Rider-Waite

Interference: Confusion, Obstacles, and Frustration 

The Eight of Swords. Interference. Frustration. Annoyance. The Odds Stacked Against You. Helplessness. Restriction. Confusion. Obstacles. Hassles. The Eight of Sword corresponds to the Sefirot of Hod: the response to the weakness of Netzach that results in a weakness itself, of Thought, Knowledge, and Intellect. The energies of the Suit of Swords react strongly to the degenerate weakness ofFutility – giving in to surrender – and instead go in the opposite direction, overcompensating. Instead of surrendering, the energy continues on and attempts to fight on as much as it can – but that fight isn’t always easy, and when one does not even allow oneself to rest and tries too hard, obstacles will get in one’s way, and hassles will make progress difficult. Tjis card represents those obstacles and hassles and their effects; frustration, a sense of helplessness and a feeling that the odds are stacked against you. You may be confused (this could also be a source of these obstacles), and feel restricted. Doubtless you will become annoyed at everything that gets in your way as well. This card represents all of the things that impair your growth – mostly intellectually and morally, but in other areas as well. This card represents all of those little things that get in your way adding up to drive you crazy.

The Rider-Waite art depicts a tied up and blindfolded woman surrounded by swords. This art emphasizes the ideas of helplessness, restriction, and the odds being stacked against you, as she is all of these things. The Thoth art shows two straight swords with several less-than-straight swords running across them, literally interfering with them. Each of the interfering swords is different, representing the idea of lots of small annoyances adding up to cause a big problem.

In a reading, this card simply asks you to examine the role of annoyances, hassles, and frustrations in your life. Have you lately felt that everything was working against you and you couldn’t get anything done? Have you been irritable and felt restricted lately? Reversed, this card’s energies are twisted or hidden somehow; perhaps the reason you’ve been unhappy lately is because of these small hassles, or maybe the things interfering with you are not what you would expect.

Thoth – Rider-Waite

Futility: Defeatism, Hopelessness, and Shame

The Seven of Swords. Futility. Hopelessness. Defeatism. Unfairness. Being Alone. Shame. Surrender. Appeasement. Shame. Running Away. The Seven of Swords corresponds to the Sefirot of Netzach. Bliss and the degenerate weakness of the suit of Swords. The Seven is the weak aspect of the Six that manifests itself in degenerate qualities. In many ways this card is similar to Defeat, but is different in its tone. While the Five of Swords also has a relationship the ideas of surrender and appeasement, the Five’s relationship with them takes place after a struggle to maintain the Truce has already been made. Futility’s surrender and appeasement, on the other hand, is given without a fight; it is wanton appeasement and quick surrender, with no semblance of standing up for what you believe in – the antithesis of the Suit of Swords. In those aspects, this card represents the failure of the energy of Swords.

This card also indicates hopelessness and unfairness – the sense that the world is against you. When one contemplates the realities of the world – as the Suit of Swords urges us to do – it can easily make one rather pessimistic and make them believe that their whole existence is futile, and that is also what this card is about. In this way it is similar to Sorrow, but instead of despair and a sense of betrayal, this card’s energies correspond more to a resigned surrender and a sense of shame at letting yourself just give in.

The Rider-Waite art shows a man seemingly stealing a collection of swords from a group of pavilions. He is alone and set apart, and is shaming himself by stealing swords. The Thoth art shows a single sword, with six other swords all pointed down at it. The large sword in the middle is not only beneath the other swords, but is being threatened by the others. The whole world is against it, and it is pointless for it to resist; it is all by itself in a cruel world.

In a reading, this card advises you to look at how defeatist attitudes play a role in your life. Are you ashamed for not standing up for someone? Have you just given up fighting for what you believe in? Does it feel like you’re all alone in a cruel world? Reversed, this card’s energies are blocked or hidden somehow; perhaps you are doing something that is in reality an act of surrender or giving up, but you don’t realize it. Maybe you have already given up on life but you just don’t know it yet.

Thoth – Rider-Waite

Science: (The Search for) Truth, Progress, and Unity

The Six of Swords. Science. Progress. Unity. Achievement. Truth. Logic. Discovery. Order. Moral and Mental Balance. The Six of Swords corresponds to the Sefirot of Tiphareth: Experience and the Conscious Harmony. Science resolves the conflict between Chesed and Geburah, and restabilizes the energy of the Suit of Swords. The Truth is restored from the effects of Defeat, and Peace is restored, allowing for the furthering of Science. Science is the best that the Suit of Swords has to offer, and represents the balanced energy of the Suit. It is the ultimate of the conscious harmonies, as this card represents the hunt for the truth of the universe, guided from above by the influence of Kether. It is the ultimate positive manifestation of the ideals of the Suit of Swords: the intellectual pursuit of Truth to be used in the name of Justice. It is the ultimate in abstract thought.

This card, then, represents the discovery and progress associated with Science, as well as the unity that comes with throwing off the shackles of defeat and re-achieving Peace. It represents the intellectual achievements that lead to the world becoming a better place, often attained through the application of Logic. This card represents also the balance between morality and one’s mental state; the two both must be in prime condition to effectively pursue Science.

The Rider-Waite art shows a man rowing a cloaked woman and her child to a far shore on a boat filled with swords. She is leaving behind the falseness of her previous life and moving on to the land of truth, though the experience may be painful. The Thoth art shows six swords – all straight, as befits the “positive” Swords cards – all pointed together at a cross with a hole in the center, attempting to complete the cross as a symbol of formal knowledge and learning (from medieval symbolism, of course). The background is filled with well-ordered geometric designs, indicating the logic of it all.

In a reading, this card asks you to examine the role of scientific rationale and thought in your life. Have you been on a quest recently to discover the truth of something? Are you or someone you know extremely logical? How has progress or discovery impacted you? Reversed, this card’s energies are hidden or twisted somehow; perhaps the search for truth and justice is present on the surface, but the real motive of the questing individual is something far different and perhaps more cynical. Maybe the heart of the problem is a lack of this search, and it needs to be done to solve the issue at hand. Perhaps you are too focused on progress, and need to scale things back a bit.

Thoth – Rider-Waite

Defeat: Dishonor, Selfishness, and Surrender

The Five of Swords. Defeat. Loss. Fall. Discord. Dishonor. Selfishness. Disgust. Ineffectuality. Surrender. Pacifism. The Five of Swords corresponds to the Sefirot of Geburah; the destabilizing motion that upsets the stability of Chesed. The Truce is broken by Discord and Selfishness leading to some form of conflict, and inevitably one is defeated. This card represents both the conflict that leads to the “defeat” of truce and the defeat of an individual. This card is in many ways the unstable version of Truce; instead of a ceasefire on equal terms, this card represents a Surrender on unequal terms. Both cards imply an end to a conflict, but in different ways.

This defeat is brought on by Selfishness and Ineffectuality, with perhaps a lack of will to fight and a sort of Pacifism when you need to stand up and fight, which when combined with Discord, lead a most Dishonorable loss. It is not in the interest of the being who exemplifies the Suit of Swords to give up on his position of Truth and Justice easily, and when he does, he is Dishonored by his inability to do what he believes right, and also by his own Selfishness. This card also can represent the ideals of the Suit of Swords again meeting the world, but this time in the form of greed; and so the ideals of Swords are betrayed and the Swordbearer is defeated.

The Rider-Waite art shows a man in the foreground with a smug, cruelly satisfied look on his face, picking up swords from the ground, presumably dropped by his two comrades, one of whom appears to be grieving. Yet the central figure cares not for his two comrades, and continues to selfishly gather swords. He is thus dishonored and morally defeated in this way. This card also could be read as the central figure having defeated the other two. Either way, there is certainly some sort of discord between the three figures. The Thoth art shows five swords, their points all together and pushing at each other. The swords are bent, indicating great force and conflict as the swords push each other. Around the swords is an inverted pentagram; the balance has been upset. The haphazard lines behind the swords also are reminiscent of broken glass, reinforcing the air of loss and defeat in the card.

In a reading, this card asks you to examine the role of selfishness, dishonor, discord, and even defeat or a refusal to fight when you need to in your life. It asks you to examine your relationship with others; have you been getting along? Are you not standing up for yourself? Have you been selfish? Have you been bested lately? Reversed, this card’s energies are hidden somehow; selfish intentions may be disguised as good ones, or perhaps a defeat is really a victory (or vice-versa). Perhaps one has been dishonored in the face of society, but you still hold your own personal sense of honor high.

Thoth – Rider-Waite

Truce: Temporary Relief, Contemplation, and Rest

The Four of Swords. Truce. Temporary Relief. Appeasement. Reassessment. Contemplation. Withdrawal. Rest. Cessation of Hostilities. The Four of Swords corresponds to the Sefirot of Chesed – stability, condensation, and the appearance of matter. The Four of Swords represents the energy of swords becoming stable after the dissatisfaction of the Three, the the calming of the initial heartbreak associated with the realization that the world is not perfect. This is achieved through contemplation and withdrawal; meditation that allows you to accept calmly the fact that the world is not perfect, and lets you move on with your life. However, this card does not represent a permanent and lasting arrangement; it is instead a Temporary Relief from the sorrow of the Three of Swords, and indeed, the next card in the suit is Defeat. The energy of the Suit of Swords has become stable, if only for a little while (emphasizing the transient nature of Chesed; as it is quickly upset by Geburah). This card is a return to the Peace of Binah for a short period of time, and allows one to withdraw from open conflict and contemplate on the causes of said conflict. This card represent’s the philosopher’s pondering and self-analysis, where he comes to terms with his own emotions (analyzing them logically), and may even take some time to Rest. This card can also signify a break from active fighting, in terms of appeasement andceasefire. For example, the pre-WWII satisfying of Hitler’s demands is represented in part by this card, as granting those appeasement provided temporary relief, but did nothing to solve the real cause of conflict in the end.

The Rider-Waite illustration shows a man either sleeping or being dead, lying in a Church – which is a santuary – with the weapons of war hanging unused above and below him. He is clearly a warrior, but for the moment he is resting peacefully in either sleep or death, his conflict not troubling him. The Thoth art shows four swords all pointing at each other, above the flower of peace, which is blooming. The fact that the flower is blooming indicates that the process of peace has not finished, and is in progress; a Truce can be the first step to it. The swords are also not crossed like in Peace, but are not bent as in Sorrow; there is now force bending the blades. The swords are at rest, but have not laid themselves down completely – they were ready to move again the instant they need to, and are still pointed at each other.

In a reading, this card asks you to consider the effects that a period of withdrawal and contemplation may have on you. It encourages a cessation of hostilities, a short break, or a re-assessment of yourself. Reversed, this card’s energies are hidden or twisted; it could indicate that you are weighed down by something that does not allow you to take a break, or are so caught up in your conflicts that you cannot bring yourself to end them.

Thoth – Rider-Waite

Sorrow: Betrayal, Inner Turmoil, and Loneliness

The Three of Swords. Sorrow. Sadness. Secrecy. Heartbreak. Betrayal. Loneliness. Inner turmoil. Chaos. Disillusionment. Perversion. The Three of Swords corresponds to the Sefirot of Binah; stability, the birthing ground, and the plane. Binah is where the energy of the Suit begins to take form and gain potential. In most of the suits, this position is positive, but the Three of Swords has a distinctly negative connotation. In many ways, the Three of Swords is like Geburah (chaos of motion) come early. In the realm of the abstract, corruption and morally evil things come to the fore much more readily than in the realm of the physical: and so when the pure ideas of Swords finally reach the place where they can be born, they suffer negativity much more quickly. The abstract does not mix well with any notion of the material, and its potential, while great, is easily sullied by perversions of the mind.

And so, then, we have Sorrow. The abstract ideals of the mind, when realized, often fall far short of reality, and so then we give ourselves in to sorrow. Binah represents also duality, and when this duality is combined with the energy of Swords and its principles, is not what one expects; so the duality is betrayed, andheartbreak comes to the fore. This card is the sorrow that comes with the realization that the world is not perfect. Life is imperfect, and often brings despair. That is what this card stands for; the sadness that results from the realization that great principles cannot be applied effectively to the realities of the world, and so its potential is thwarted.

The duality betrayed leads not only to heartbreak, but to loneliness andsecrecy as well; in this way this card represents the feelings one has when one’s ideal notions of a relationship are shattered. There is a sense of betrayal that accompanies the Three of Swords as well; the world (or other person) has wronged you somehow, and not lived up to your expectations; the Peace has been shattered, and Sorrow has taken its place. No more is there the inner tranquility and calm of the Two of Swords; the inner spirit is now in turmoil, and the calm has become grief.

The Rider-Waite illustration shows a heart being pierced by three swords, while rain pours down from dark clouds. This artwork very clearly illustrates the idea of heartbreak and betrayal, as well as sadness and dreariness. The Thoth art shows three swords, not crossed to defend the peace as in the Two of Swords, but rather all points at the same target: a flower. The flower of peace is being threatened, and the geometrical designs of the Two of Swords are now less regular and more curved. Dark stormclouds loom in the background. The flower is wilting and losing its petals; it is dying slowly. This card strongly gives off the idea that the universe has betrayed the ideals of peace; the world is imperfect.

In a reading, this card asks you to examine the roles of loneliness, sorrow, heartbreak, and other dismal states of mind in your life. Does it seem like the world is out to get you? Do things never go right? Are you in anguish inside? How have secrets been affecting you? Reversed, it asks you to look for this card in ways you might not expect; it reinforces the idea of Inner turmoil, maybe hidden from the outside. Is someone’s sorrow contained within them? Is your own sorrow hidden from yourself?

Thoth – Rider-Waite

Peace: Inner Tranquility, Putting Aside Differences and Conflict to Improve the Future, and Blocking Emotions

The Two of Swords. Peace. Calm. Inner Tranquility. Putting Aside Differences. Avoiding Conflict. Blocking Emotions. The Two of Swords corresponds to the Sefirot of Chokmah; the first manifestation of the seed of Kether, and the original harmony and power of creation. It is the energy and idea of the Suit of Swords given original harmonious form; it is the first appearance of logic and abstract thought and ideals. What better way to express abstract ideals of truth and justice than through the idea of Peace? By putting aside differences and avoiding conflict, thinkers can come together and help build the world, making it a better place. Peace allows for thought to grow, and is the result of the application of the principles associated with the Suit of Swords.

The card’s association with inner tranquility also is the representative card of the philosopher and thinker; those individuals who commonly exemplify the Suit of Swords. These logical thinkers must block out the influence of their emotions of their thought is to be true, and so often this tranquility is emotionless. This card embodies the mental state – the abstract ideas – associated with the suit of Swords with regards to oneself, and so is the mental harmony of Swords: that is, Peace.

The Rider-Waite illustration shows a woman sitting on a stone bench, blindfolded and holding two swords across her chest defensively. She is blocking herself from others, and is focused on herself and not her environment, as is seen from the blindfold. She is peaceful and calm, and also alone – she does not let her surroundings disturb her sense of calm. Behind her is the sea, which is also extremely calm. The Thoth art shows two crossed swords piercing the center of a flower and keeping it suspended and stable, while not actually breaking or destroying it; the background shows many angular geometrical patterns, emphasizing the stability and logicality of it all. Below and above this central motif are smaller swords. This card emphasizes the idea of calmness and tranquility, and self-examination and lack of conflict; the swords are not locked together to fight, but to make peace.

In a reading, this card asks you to examine your own mental state; are you calm internally? Are you blocking your emotions? It also asks you to look at your environment; is it free of conflict? Should you put aside your differences and work together with someone else to build a better future? Reversed, this card’s energies are present but hidden or twisted in some way; does a particularly rambunctious individual actually know internally where he stands? Is the banter and apparent conflict at your workplace really actually signs of putting aside differences and peace and well-being?