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2.2 Ace, Two, Three

Activity

Spend time with each of the Swords below to generate your “tarot encyclopedia” notecard for each. I recommend the following process, which only takes ~10 minutes per card. You do not need to complete all (or any) card in a single sitting.

  1. Look at the image on the card and examine its details.
  2. Read the page in the companion book for that card.
  3. Read the description provided here.
  4. OPTIONAL: Read other descriptions of that card online or in other books.
  5. Reflect on the questions posed.
  6. Write down the details of the image that have meaning to you and the 2 or 3 interpretations (perhaps 1 heavenly, 1 upright earthly, and 1 reversed earthly) that resonate most strongly for you. Feel free to write down your own interpretations based on what comes to you!

Ace of Swords

Name: Intellectual source

Astrological Correspondence: The Season of Winter. (Capricorn, Aquarius, Pisces)

Position on The Tree: Air of Neptune. Crown in the Formative World.

Notes to Consider: The sword is double-edged and gripped to be wielded by a right hand emerging from the left. It points up, indicating mental activity directed toward positive and constructive contributions. Even so, it is the vehicle for both the palm branch of suffering and the olive branch of peace. Six fiery tongues connect the mental functions to the Will of the higher self. The whirling force of thought patterns is consciously applied to bridge the Creative World and the Active.

Inspiration, ideas, truth, clarity. Capacity for righteous justice and punitive punishment.

Can you sense how intellect is both a blessing and a burden?
Contemplate these lines:

Mind is the forerunner of all action.
All deeds are led by mind, created by mind.
If one speaks or acts from a corrupt mind, suffering follows.
….
if one speaks or acts with a serene mind, happiness follows.

The Dhammapada, Early teachings of the Buddha

Two of Swords

Name: Peace

Astrological Correspondence: Moon in Libra

Position on The Tree: Air of Uranus. Wisdom in the Formative World.

Notes to Consider: This blindfolded woman in white sits on a pedestal very similar to the one seen in the Princess card of this suit. Peace only prevails in times of conflict. Synthesizing new solutions requires reconciling multiple factors. When we don’t do this, we feel conflicted and confused, prejudiced. When we do, we are able to protect our highest values and exercise good, balanced judgment.

Is her blindfold there to represent ignorance and unwillingness to look, or impartiality and objectivity?

Are the swords crossed to protect her, or at the ready to protect others?

Three of Swords

Name: Sorrow

Astrological Correspondence: Saturn in Libra.

Position on The Tree: Air of Saturn. Understanding in the Formative World.

Notes to Consider: The downward-pointing swords (mental activity arising to deal with challenging life circumstances) are piercing a heart-shaped rose (our spiritual nature.) The psycho-emotional suffering we go through in these bodies is designed to teach us lessons and support our growth. Pain, heartbreak, and difficulty lead to empowerment, enlightenment, rebalanced priorities, and greater joy.

What happens in our lives, long-term, when we seek to avoid sorrow and pain?
What are we capable of when we seek to protect ourselves instead of letting our hearts break open?