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2.4 Seven, Eight, Nine

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!

Seven of Swords

Name: Unstable Effort

Astrological Correspondence: Moon in Aquarius

Position on The Tree: Air of Venus. Victory in the Formative World.

Notes to Consider: Whoops! He dropped the swords. Is he stealing them, starting out on an adventure? Why is he so distracted? To me, the energy of this card is sloppy and easily distracted; the feeling of not quite seeing the job done because some new shiny thing grabs the attention. There’s an incoherence here and, by extension, perhaps a difficulty with the truth. Straighten up!

What do you think this person would say to someone who catches him? Would he tell the truth?
Is he taking the swords for a good reason, perhaps like Robin Hood?

Eight of Swords

Name: Shortened Force

Astrological Correspondence: Jupiter in Gemini

Position on The Tree: Air of Mercury. Splendor in the Formative World

Notes to Consider: The blindfolded person’s legs aren’t bound nor fully surrounded by swords. In fact, the binding itself looks like it’s already half-falling off. The whole scene isn’t as convincing as it seems at first. Self-imposed restriction due to internal conflict and an unwillingness to look at the situation. Analysis paralysis and fear inhibit the positive impact the person may be inclined to make. Not putting effort into the right places. Staying in a bad situation.

Sometimes things can get sticky – in those moments, isn’t it important to take advantage of bursts of clarity?

Nine of Swords

Name: Despair & Cruelty

Astrological Correspondence: Mars in Gemini

Position on The Tree: Air of Moon. Foundation in the Formative World

Notes to Consider: The mind runs rampant and destroys its host. In the 7, things got shaky. In the 8, things started looking bad. In the 9, there’s a real problem. The continuing pile-on has only one end in sight. Depression and anxiety remain unchecked. While the cards tend to depict a negative and conflicting image, some positive aspects should be considered. Sometimes, we are overwhelmed in a devastating way because we are over-invested in great and exciting things. Such pressures can be used as fuel to examine our priorities and gain new skills. We can learn that we are not our thoughts, there is no real danger, just choices, and gain remarkable freedom.

What does this person need to do to feel better?