The Circle

Issue date: 10/29/09 Section: Features

Media Credit: From the Gilded Tarot

Swords are generally seen as a very powerful suit. It could mean universal power, danger, or action. The Knight of Swords is known as the "Prototypical hero of romantic chivalry" or they're "Clean of heart."

When this comes up in a reading, it usually means that either you need to slow down, or someone around you is causing stress and anger in your life. The Knight of Swords is always illustrated as a very strong symbol. As shown in the Gilded Tarot, the Knight if drawn very aggressively charging towards his goals into the unknown. He is charging towards some goal ready to take on anyone or anything that might get in his way. His intensions are almost always confrontational because he seeks to prove out his own point. He wants everybody to agree with him and will not ever stand down. He believes that everybody else's opinions are foolish. Seems like a very arrogant fellow doesn't he?

Now, before you decide that you have nothing to do with this Knight, he also represents our own "rush to judgment" of others whether if it is in our thoughts or if it is spoken. The Knight of Swords is described in a book by Paul Quinn, Tarot for Life, as the "bullying trial lawyer, the religious fanatic hellbent for heaven, and the friend who turns conversations into lectures." I found this particularly amusing because we all have encountered people like this in our lives at some point. I worked with someone that turned every conversation we had into lectures and it irritated me so much. But anyways, what this is basically saying is that this Knight will easily fall victim for our distrust.

I know so far that I have only said very negative things about this Knight whether this represents you or a person you know. But keep in mind that this is a very important figure. This Knight represents the battle you are facing right now no matter what it may be. There is an upside to this Knight and that is if he is effectively taken into gratitude, he can be productive in our lives and serve as a great amount of inspiration. He can also serve as a very mature human being and be the one to politely correct something that we found absurd.

But there is a point when the Knight becomes exhausted and decides to put down his sword. When we come to our breaking point, all we want at this time is peace. And the only way of getting this is by stop trying to prove your point and actually listen to what others have to say. Yes, this Knight can be courageous and aggressive towards things that he wants, and most of all he loves to win an argument. But we must also pay attention to the always "shadow" side.


When the Knight of Swords is aggravated in the wrong way, he becomes vengeful and tries to convince others of his own beliefs without taking into consideration what they have to say (again, the not listening part). This Knight is almost like a vicious dog that just needs to be trained right. With the right trainer and effort put into whatever that is being argued, eventually the dog will listen and the problem will be settled. The only advice that this Knight would give you is "Before you charge in, listen."

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