In the Thoth Tarot’s Suit of Swords, the ten cards from Ace to Ten depict the complete spectrum of mental consciousness — from the peak of clarity and inspiration, through the depths of doubt, fear, sorrow, and self-criticism, to the wisdom of peace, objectivity, and integration. These ten landscapes are the mental journey each of us takes every single day.
Ace: The Peak of Clarity, Creativity, and Inspiration
The Ace of Swords represents mental clarity, inventiveness, and originality. This is a sword piercing a crown — the crown symbolizes expanded awareness, representing the “aha” moment, the instant when the mind gains new insight and new awareness. This is the mind that has come out of the clouds of doubt and confusion, totally into the light and clarity. In metaphorical terms, this is the mind that is like the clear blue sky. From a Tibetan Buddhist point of view, this is the state of mind referred to as “diamond consciousness.”
The Ace of Swords is associated with the air sign months: Libra, Aquarius, and Gemini. All Aces represent a year’s time, so when you draw this card, this is the year to utilize the qualities of the creative, innovative, inspired clear mind. The Ace of Swords represents a good year to implement an original idea or an important dream or purpose. This symbol supports writing, editing, and all forms of research.
The Ace of Swords represents the mind that has no doubt. The green sword represents creative thinking. The crescent moons on the handle represent the balanced and receptive mind. The two suns on the handle represent the creative mind’s willingness to express itself dynamically. The snake on the handle represents the mind’s constant renewal and regeneration of itself.
Two: The Peaceful Mind — The Meditative and Integrated Mind
The Two of Swords represents peace — peace of mind. It is a picture of the meditative mind, or the mind that has made a choice between two issues, two situations, or two people — represented by the two swords piercing the blue lotus blossom of wisdom. This is the choice or decision made in the mind that generates peace, satisfaction, and clarity.
The four pinwheels in the background indicate that this peace pervades all levels of consciousness: mental, emotional, spiritual, and physical. The angels on the sword handles represent peace experienced throughout the entire system. The handles are shaped like Scorpio, representing peace that goes to a deep and substantial level. Scorpio is the sign most associated with transformation, so this is a transformative peace of mind — what might be called a “vivid peace.”
The astrological aspect is Moon in Libra. The crescent moon indicates that at a deep subconscious place, there exists a sense of balance and peace. The yellow on the card represents peace that goes to a deep spiritual place; the green represents peace that is renewing and regenerating.
When you draw this card, it indicates that a decision has been made. Within the next two weeks or two months, this decision will manifest as peace of mind and resolution. The Two of Swords is a portrait of the meditative mind — the mind that can bring two or more issues together into a state of resolution.
Three: The Sorrowful Mind — Past Heartache and Triangular Relationships
The Three of Swords represents sorrow. This is sorrow held in the mind, or reworked in the mind — specifically, negative thinking about the past, particularly the parts of the past that have produced sorrow. The Three of Swords represents events or sorrow that have pierced our nature to the core — symbolized by the swords piercing the lotus blossom to its center, with petals falling from its stem.
The Three of Swords reflects the mind’s tendency to rework the old bones of the past, especially the parts that contain sorrow or negativity. This sorrow may have resurfaced in the last three months, or may go back to three years ago, or even to when you were three years old. This may also be the first sorrow experienced within the family — the number 3 is associated with the original triangle: father, mother, and child. How we handled that first triangle will determine how we handle subsequent triangles, whether friend-colleague-friend or friend-partner-partner.
The Three of Swords reminds us to break family patterns and release the mind’s tendency to hold grudges or rework hurtful and destructive parts of the past. This symbol reflects the need to remove oneself from triangles that produce sorrow. The triangulation is shown by the two swords at the top being bent by the entry of a third sword — reflecting that something needs to be resolved between three people.
When you draw this card, it indicates that within the next three weeks or three months, you are ready to change your perspective on the past by eliminating negative thinking that constantly reworks it. You may be making conscious choices to remove yourself from triangular relationships that produce sorrow or from situations that are not constructive learning experiences.
Four: The Truce-Making Mind — Negotiation, Conflict Resolution, and Mediation
The Four of Swords represents the negotiating mind, the conflict-resolution mind, or the mediating mind. For any negotiation to be successful, one must be open and flexible like Jupiter at the top of this card, and committed to staying balanced and non-positional — represented by Libra at the bottom.
Truce-making is a fourfold process, represented by the four swords and the four tiers of the lotus blossom. This process is experienced on all four levels of consciousness: mental, emotional, spiritual, and physical. Truce is an opportunity to move through conflictual issues — represented by the webbing and states of complexity in the background.
For successful negotiation or conflict resolution, there are four peaceful principles from native traditions, called the “fourfold way” : first, show up; second, pay attention; third, tell the truth; and fourth, not be attached to outcome. When one can do these four things, the results are renewal and regeneration — symbolized by the green (renewal) and yellow (deep spiritual place) on the card.
When you draw this card, it may indicate that within the next four weeks or four months, there is opportunity for truce-making, conflict resolution, and negotiation with important issues or people in your life. You have the flexibility and expansiveness of Jupiter, and the centeredness and balance of Libra, to accomplish resolution.
Five: The Fear-of-Defeat Mind — Past Memories of Failure and Fear of New Directions
The Five of Swords represents fear of defeat, or memory of defeat. Here we have five bent swords, one with a handkerchief dripping with blood — representing negative thinking that opens an old wound, resulting in the experience of fear. Fear has one function: to constrict. All the twisted lines in the background show fear’s function — to constrict, distort, and bend one’s perspective or way of thinking. This is fear that history might repeat itself, or fear that one will be hurt again.
The astrological aspect is Venus in Aquarius. Two fears are held in the mind: first, fear that a new relationship may not work out; second, fear of moving in new directions that are emotionally important to you.
The red handkerchief dripping with blood represents an old fear tied with the past. The Pisces fish on the sword handle also symbolizes this fear — Pisces represents the past, the Piscean age, or that which is old yet memorable. Fear’s function is distortion, based on unknown events or past experience. When we enter states of fear, nothing is renewed or regenerated (the sleeping snake on the sword handle), and we are unable to move in new directions (Aries the Ram on another sword).
When you draw this card, it indicates that within the next five weeks or five months, you are determined to release negative thinking that produces fear of defeat about either new relationships or heartfelt new directions. Five is the number of the Hierophant and the family — you are no longer willing to be the lineage bearer of family fears of defeat held in the mind.
Six: The Objective Mind — Science of Mind, the Fair-Witnessing Mind
The Six of Swords represents science of mind, the objective mind, or the fair-witnessing mind. This is the very focused, intentional mind — represented by the six swords coming to the center of the Rosicrucian Cross, a miniature representation of the cross on the back of all Tarot cards.
This is the mind that considers the whole — represented by the circular crystalline shape — as well as the creative mind — represented by the diamond surrounding the crystalline shape. The focused, intentional mind is represented by the six swords coming to the center. The cross itself is a universal symbol of integration, synthesis, and blessing, so the Six of Swords represents the integrated mind that recognizes sources of inspiration that are sometimes unexplainable.
The astrological aspect is Mercury in Aquarius. Mercury is the planet of communication. Aquarius is the sign most associated with originality, innovation, and pioneering work. Mercury in Aquarius indicates the ability to communicate new things so objectively that they can be received and heard. Objective communication is the ability to communicate in a non-threatening way that allows people to consider new ideas from perspectives they had not previously considered.
When you draw this card, it indicates that within the next six weeks or six months, it is important to see things as they are rather than as you want them to be. It is also important to communicate new ideas or decisions so objectively that they can be received and heard. This is the focused, creative, integrated mind willing to see the whole.
Seven: The Futile Mind — The Self-Sabotaging Mind and the “Yes, But…”
The Seven of Swords represents futility, or the sense of helplessness, hopelessness, or “what’s the use?” This state of mind is knowing mentally what you want (represented by the central sword), and then telling yourself all the reasons why it won’t work (represented by the six swords coming in at the central sword). This is negative thinking — the self-sabotaging mind that sabotages what you really want. This is the “yes, but…” tape in the mind.
The Seven of Swords is Sun and Moon in Aquarius. The six ways we sabotage what we want are revealed by the astrological symbols on the sword handles:
Saturn’s negative aspect tells us “too much red tape” or “too many details.” Mercury’s negative self-talk uses words like “I can’t… if only… someday I’ll… wish I’d a…” Jupiter’s negative self-talk says “I’m not lucky… it’s too constricted, too limiting.” Mars’ negative self-talk says “I don’t have enough energy… I’m exhausted, burned out… it’s dull, boring.” Venus’ negative self-talk says “I really don’t care… it doesn’t mean anything to me anyway.” The Sun and Moon’s negative aspect is consciously and subconsciously sabotaging yourself out of doing what you want to do.
When you draw this card, it indicates that within the next seven weeks or seven months, you are no longer willing to sabotage what you truly want. The number 7 is associated with the Chariot — the generator and motivator of change, the number of movement. You are no longer willing to be the lineage bearer of family futility patterns or sabotaging patterns held in the mind.
Eight: The Doubting Mind — Doubt, Distrust, and Over-Analysis
The Eight of Swords represents the doubting, non-trusting, over-analytical mind. It is the mind that considers two options, two issues, two situations, or two people, and then goes back and forth on which would be the better choice.
When you draw this card, it is a reminder that when you are in states of doubt, confusion, or interference, it is a time to wait, not a time to act. The Eight of Swords represents that within the next eight weeks or eight months, there will be more clarity. The work to be done at this time is to trust and wait, rather than to over-analyze in an attempt to control situations or to such a degree that it creates doubt, confusion, and interference.
The Eight of Swords also represents that you may be considering ways to bring two issues, situations, or people together to create a greater whole, rather than feeling you need to choose between them.
The astrological aspect is Jupiter in Gemini. Jupiter is the planet that requires growth, expansion, and weighing different possibilities. During this time, it is important to consider different options and to wait on making decisions if you are experiencing doubt or confusion.
Nine: The Self-Cruel Mind — Self-Critical and Self-Judging Mind
The Nine of Swords represents mental self-cruelty — the tendency to mentally put oneself down. This is the self-critical mind or the self-judging mind. This symbol reflects the mind that actively wounds the self through thought — symbolized by the bleeding swords. The spirit weeps in the background, wondering why you are being so hard on yourself — represented by the white tears.
The astrological aspect is Mars in Gemini. Mars is the planet of energy, vitality, and assertion, so this is self-criticalness that has vitality and assertiveness to it. Gemini indicates a tendency to rework things, to go back and forth — particularly self-critical things.
When you draw this card, within the next nine weeks or nine months, you are determined to release negative thinking and self-criticalness held in the mind. Nine is the number of completion, associated with the Hermit archetype. The Hermit is the major archetype of completion, introspection, and self-reflection — a source of energy that can be drawn upon for guidance and support as you work through self-criticalness in the mind.
Ten: The Fear-of-Ruin Mind — Despair, Fear, and Conscious Decision-Making
The Ten of Swords represents fear of ruin. This is a state of mental despair, or fear held in the mind to such a point that you have consciously decided that things are not going to work out in two areas of your life — either in an emotional relationship (symbolized by the pierced heart) or about finances (symbolized by the scales at the top of the card).
The astrological aspect is Sun in Gemini. Individuals with Sun in Gemini are mentally gifted in synthesizing polarities, oppositions, and paradox. Because they have this ability, they can look at all aspects of a situation — the positive as well as the negative. In their facility to do this, sometimes they see things that produce fear within their nature, especially concerning matters of the heart, finances, or the practical implementation of creative ideas.
When you draw this card, it may indicate that within the next ten weeks or ten months, you will want to resolve negative thinking that produces fear of ruin about your relationships with Gemini people, or about financial situations, or about emotional relationships important to you at this time.
The number 10 is associated with an aspect of the Wheel of Fortune — this is fear that is moving, or an attempt in the mind to turn things in a more fortunate, positive direction. The Wheel of Fortune card can be drawn upon for visual support in turning the situation toward more positive results. This symbol reminds us not to make statements like “It’s not going to work” or “I know it’s not going to work” — which is consciously deciding that things will not work.
A Complete Map of the Mind
From Ace to Ten, the Sword Suit leads us through the complete spectrum of mental consciousness:
The Ace is the peak of clarity and inspiration — diamond consciousness emerging from confusion. The Two is the peaceful and integrated mind — vivid peace pervading all levels after a choice is made. The Three is the sorrowful mind of the past — needing to break family patterns and triangular relationships. The Four is the negotiating and truce-making mind — renewal and regeneration through the fourfold way. The Five is the fear-of-defeat mind — fear whose function is to constrict and distort. The Six is the objective and integrated mind — communicating non-threateningly so new ideas can be received and heard. The Seven is the futile and self-sabotaging mind — using every reason to negate what you truly want. The Eight is the doubting and over-analytical mind — needing to wait rather than act. The Nine is the self-critical and self-judging mind — needing to release negative thinking and family critical patterns. The Ten is the fear-of-ruin mind — consciously deciding things will not work, needing to turn fear toward more fortunate, positive directions.
These ten landscapes are not destinations to be reached once and for all. They are states that each of us experiences daily. Sometimes we stand at the peak of Ace’s clarity, sometimes we fall into Nine’s self-criticism, sometimes we spin in Seven’s futility, sometimes we arrive at Six’s objectivity and integration. The mind is not a beast to be tamed, but an ocean of consciousness that continually flows, transforms, and moves toward wholeness.
References
Arrien, A. (1997). The Tarot handbook: Practical applications of ancient visual symbols. Tarcher.
