Keywords & phrases

• Driven
• Ambitious
• Independent
• Highly intelligent
• Intense, restless, relentless
• Impulsive, impetuous
• Unbending, self-righteous
• Angry
• Hasty
• Ruthless

First impressions

Another Knight in shining armour. This time he’s leading the charge into the wind and into the action. You can almost hear the battle cry and the thunder of hooves.

What is happening in the card?

Similar to the Knight of Cups, here we see the ambitious Knight of Swords in shining armour upon a white stallion.

This knight is racing in the opposite direction to his counterpart from the Court of Cups; into the battle at full gallop with his sword raised to the sky, the red plume on his helmet and red cloak flying in the wind.

His intense expression is one of righteous wrath and determination. He bears his sword, not as a symbol or a gift or a token, but as the weapon it is.

How can we relate to this card?

Knights of Tarot are ruled by The Chariot from the Major Arcana. They represent the action heroes of the Tarot Court, riding out into the world carrying with them the action and energy of their suit.

They are the bold and the beautiful, the travellers and explorers. Agents of change.

If the Knight of Cups is on a quest for love, the Knight of Swords is on a mission to find or prove the truth. He is unwavering and unbending in that pursuit. Driven, single-minded, at times hasty with not just a little hint of arrogance. He may use his intellect as a weapon.

The Knight of Swords is the archetypal ‘angry young man’. He represents the fiery aspect of Air, a highly combustible combination and a little tricky to handle at times.

As with the other court cards, he may highlight an aspect of your personality that you need to be aware of or he could point to someone in your life who brings the energy described above.

Whoever or whatever he represents, be warned that up on his high horse, the Knight of Swords is not above riding roughshod over those who would challenge his worldview or stand in his path.

Other associations

Tree of life:
*Knights may be associated with the realm of Atzilut – the world of emanation, Spirit and intuition.

Thoth:
Prince of Swords, Mercury in Gemini

Golden Dawn title:
Prince of the Chariots of the Winds

Elemental association:
Fire of Air

Astrological association:
Aquarius (fixed sign of the element of Air)

Major Arcana:
Associated with The Chariot VII

*Tree of Life associations do differ depending on what system you go with.

Message & affirmations

Today, and every day, I step out into the world with honesty and integrity in my thoughts, words and actions. In the pursuit to find my truth and achieve my goals I respect the right of others’ to pursue their own.

My personal experiences of this card

I’ve known my fair share of Knights of the suit of Swords. Highly intelligent, innovative, uncompromising, unforgiving… exciting to be with (quick, witty, funny, sharp) and someone you’d want to have in your corner. Not someone you want for an enemy. They are not likely to change their opinion of you once they’ve formed it, so take care.

It can be exhausting though – being with someone who is so uncompromising and often angry. Their anger, when it’s being expressed, can wear you down even when it’s not being directed at you.  Being around someone who operates at this level of righteous conviction and outrage is hard work, like trying to take a walk in a gale. Their energy is like a strong, relentless wind. And sometimes you just want to get out of the wind, right?

When I see this card I usually take it as a reminder to check how I’m expressing myself to others – am I calm and patient or hasty and quick to anger?

However, I do sometimes recognise the Knight of Swords as a supporting energy when I need to be a bit more assertive than I naturally am. Sometimes situations and people require a little push to get them going in the right direction.

Events, situations & readings

In a relationship spread:
The Knight of Swords in a love and relationships spread could represent a lover or yourself within a relationship… intense, impulsive, angry. Do you recognise this energy?

In a work/career spread:
The Knight of Swords is a fighter not a lover. He represents ruthless ambition in business or the workplace. Does that sounds like you or someone else in your situation?

It’s good to be ambitious, but who are you prepared to ride over on your way to the top?

Reversed:
When reversed, the Knight of Swords may be a warning to keep any anger or aggression that you might be expressing in check. Unchecked it can be toxic for you and those around you.

People & interaction with other cards

In reading with other Knights, you may have travel or a journey on your mind. 

With The Chariot we can see the Knight of Swords as ‘a man on a mission’. Someone who is so intensely focused on their goal that others may get trampled underfoot.

When he appears with the 5 of Swords or the 7 of Swords, beware the ruthless ambitions of others or look to temper your own. The ends don’t always justify the means.

Questions, prompts & insights

How are you expressing your ambition? What effect is it having on others? 

What energy am I bringing in my relationships and in pursuit of my goals? Do I need to dial it down?

In what situation might you need to be a bit more pushy?

Featured decks:
Main image from The Rider Waite Tarot.