Swords!

The Swords are probably the most difficult suit of the tarot.  They represent conflict, strife, and often times devastation and grief.  There is also a great deal of beauty in the Swords.  They represent intelligence and deep wisdom, they represent the logic we can use to create structure and order in the world in order to manifest a society where we try to make things fair. 

King of Swords/Father of Air

The King of Swords is very much aligned with the Justice card.  This is a powerful figure that uses clear thinking, logic, and language to speak the truth.  He promotes positive change through intellectual power and authority and has the smarts to get the job done.  He’s capable of moving through intense mental processes and the ideas that form are transcendent.  This is global thinking, not local – these ideas are transforming the world.

Knight of Cups/Brother of Water

The Knights are some of the most helpful cards in the deck.  When we have specific questions we’re asking the deck, the knights give us direction about where to go, how to get there and help us understand how to relate to particular situations.  The Knight of Cups is often romanticized as a messenger of love.  That’s selling him a bit short, however.  The Knight of Cups is more complex than simply a knight in shining armor.  His dual elements of air and water are a perfect balance of intellect and emotion – he’s touching enlightenment.  He’s got grace and beauty and often comes up when we’re feeling unbalanced.  He’s a reminder to be gentle with ourselves.