keyword 'cut' and implying a forceful cutting out of something -and therefore marking an abrupt change.  Often the person will not go back to a situation and there will often be a certain amount of loss.  The change will often require some guts and will make the person insecure, but often the person will console themselves in the decision/change because there were elements of the old situation that were insufferable.

It will often be the initial step that is thrust out to those around us, to prove ourselves, and say something like 'there, now what do you think of that!'  - in an almost goading manner, like 'just try me - I am dead serious'.  And somewhere amongst it all is some fairly heated emotion coming from someone.


Other associations, can be about taking right action even though it may appear to be a bit extreme.  Also, 'sting', 'spike', 'claw', and, 'something unexpected'- like the 'tower' card in some ways.

Other imagery, an elevator that will only go to the floor it wants to go to - in otherwords, an express tool of communication that leaves no room for argument and ultimately decides in our best interests (although this will take time to see it that way).

Hi Astynome,

I view the different suits in an archeival manner as to their "powers that be"

Swords--Aristocracy,
Cups--Clergy,
Pentacles--Traders,
Wands--Serfs or "slave class".

This is not to be critical about a person's social standing, but the way in which they prove themselves and how they reach their goals or ambitions.

Therefore when I look at the Swords, i associate everything with "force", but also "mind" ---Sharpness of mind, force of will, forced captivity, forced control, unbalanced scales, etc...

My Interpritation of the Ace of Swords;

Symbolism:
Golden Crown:  Victory, attainment.
Roses: Spiritual righteousness.
Upturned Sword: Conviction to truth, confidence.
Six Yods: Falling to the ground symbolising the start or spark of a unlimited and not yet manifestation of reality in the third dimension.

Element: Air                                                                             Direction: North.
Season: Winter.                                                                     Zodiac: Second quarter of Aries, ruled by: THE MAGICIAN
Comparative to THE EMPEROR.

Card description.
A single broadsword gripped firmly by a hand extending from a cloud, in some decks a fertile landscape with hills are also displayed, there are also drops of rain falling to the ground symbolizing the beginning of growth
Meaning: “By my might, I did it!!
This victory card stands for triumph and conquest by force, physically and intellectually. Physically you won the battle over obstacles; intellectually you outsmarted those around you. Your mind is sharper and clearer, giving you tremendous power in all areas of your life. Force of will, force of position or circumstances. This victory can be in any area of your life, profession, love and money. You attained that high position and you are or will soon taste that euphoria in whichever endeavor you were engaged in. In the suit of Swords it seems as if you started where others have finished. Everything linked to this card can be seen as in the excessive degree.

Upright:                                                                                                This card stands for triumph, prosperity, conquest, fertility. Intellectual fulfillment. The birth of a new idea or a new Endeavour. Tremendous power now available, or used. May also indicate the birth of a child.

You have really pushed and shoved hard, used your force of will and influence to get to where you are now, you made sure that you employed your common sense to determine, not only your, but also other peoples lives in a positive way. You have the edge and conviction to use your new found power in a righteous way. Now is the best time also to start that new idea you are or were pondering.

The reader must put the card meanings in context with the spread regarding past, present and future!!

Reversed:                                                                                            Disastrous results to your victory, you have still won, but soon or if not already, you whish you never won, now is the time where you are going to enter into, or already have, very tense relations, and emotional conflicts with yourself and with others. Over confidence. Self destruction.

Your victory is premature and spells disaster for you, you most definitely abused the power given to you and the affects has already or will start showing soon. You rushed in with too much confidence and dotted here and there, you will start seeing the flaws. Your common sense has let you down because you did not consider the consequences correctly. Your action has brought strife and negative factors into your professional and personal life. The opposing forces within yourself will now be evident; care must be taken to at least maintain your dignity. This card also foretells sickness of you or someone close to you.

Then again,
In most books I read on Tarot, the author implies that it is important for Tarot students to find their own set of "interpritations", I agree, this is the only way in which the cards will truly "speak" to you!

I have a number of Tarot decks, no matter which one I use, my original interpritations is what I stick to. Sometimes your querant finds one deck, or the images more to their liking. So, in this, i give my querant the opportunity to work with me, in that what they see as synonomous to themselves. The basic RW deck, contains the original imagery, all other decks are derivatives, me personally, will in any event pack the RW next to the other cards. This makes it so much easier to link the cards in the proper fashion, and also derive a meaningfull answer.

Blessed be.

I cannot add anything more that has already been said about the Ace of Swords, for the simple fact that is strength of the mind, ability to pass on your ideas with conviction and that sword pointing upwards is the ability to conquer all difficulties that may come in your path - almost like cutting edge, dispersing all obstacles in front of you.

As to how do we know that these abilities or this gift is bestowed upon us, because such qualities are felt from within rather than a physical sensation of an object; it is that feeling when you think you can do almost anything. That is why I also think of any Ace as a gift from heaven. However, we may sometimes look at it and not take those gifts......  Free will is a wonderful and a funny thing sometimes... eh?

Hello there, Payewacker, I think you are right.  I also agree with Cedars and others on this card.

Personally, I don't like the card, and I think this is to do with my nature.  I find the forcefulness disconcerting.  When I operate with these qualities I feel like I am putting myself before others too much and the scales are unbalanced.  

The card can be associated with Justice as well but I think this is a forced justice, and not the equity and fairness type of justice.  When the card is an event I feel unprepared and usually have a 'but!' or a whine because I don't like the black and whiteness, and intensity of the will for a particular outcome.

I am pentacles, mutable earth, Virgo, but I also have Uranus conjunct my Sun, a Gemini moon, and an Aquarian ascendant.  These latter three are swords related.  So I in many ways understand the principles of this type of mental orientation, however, my sun sign takes precedence.  The ace of swords can leave me sulking with no room to barter(pentacles).

Aha, good comments Astynome, BUT... there is always a 'but, eh?
If you were down in the dumps, depressed, weak, taken advantage of in a certain period of your life, wouldn't you (or anyone else for that matter) welcome a state of the Ace of Swords? I think those who have been going through a bad batch and suffering injustice, it will be such a welcome relief to be greeted by gift of the Ace of Swords. I also believe it it should not get to our head; live by the sword, die by the sword