Tarot · Minor Arcana · Swords

Knight of Swords

  • momentum
  • plain speaking
  • determination
  • tempering

Key facts

Arcana
Minor Arcana
Suit
Swords
Number
12
Element
Air of Air.
Keywords
momentum, plain speaking, determination, tempering

Knight of Swords upright

The Knight of Swords charges ahead, mind clear and words direct, carried by an idea he wants to defend right away. There’s that energy in you that wants to say things plainly and move without dithering. It’s precious when a knot needs cutting or when someone has to name what everyone is avoiding. Just take care not to gallop so fast that you forget to notice who’s walking beside you.

Knight of Swords reversed

Reversed, the Knight of Swords speaks of a momentum running wild, words thrown out too loud or too fast, a haste that wounds without meaning to. Maybe you feel impatient, ready to charge before you’ve weighed your words. The way out is to catch your breath, let the flare pass, then speak from the calm. Your strength has everything to gain from being guided by patience rather than fire.

A question to sit with

Where would it serve you to slow your momentum so you can choose your words better?

Frequently asked questions about Knight of Swords

What does Knight of Swords mean upright?
The Knight of Swords charges ahead, mind clear and words direct, carried by an idea he wants to defend right away. There’s that energy in you that wants to say things plainly and move without dithering. It’s precious when a knot needs cutting or when someone has to name what everyone is avoiding. Just take care not to gallop so fast that you forget to notice who’s walking beside you.
What does Knight of Swords mean reversed?
Reversed, the Knight of Swords speaks of a momentum running wild, words thrown out too loud or too fast, a haste that wounds without meaning to. Maybe you feel impatient, ready to charge before you’ve weighed your words. The way out is to catch your breath, let the flare pass, then speak from the calm. Your strength has everything to gain from being guided by patience rather than fire.

Sources

  • Arthur Edward Waite, The Pictorial Key to the Tarot, William Rider & Son, 1911.
  • Rachel Pollack, Seventy-Eight Degrees of Wisdom, Weiser Books, 1980.