What does the Knight of Swords card mean in Tarot?

Knight of Swords tarot card Knight of Swords tarot card
Knight of Swords, Minor Arcana, Swords XII

The Knight of Swords shows a fierce, well-dressed, ironclad, ready-for-any-fight type of knight with a raised sword, darting into the heart of action on his equally fierce horse. There are unshapely clouds in the sky, and given the way the trees in the background look, we can be sure there’s a lot of wind.


The card symbolizes the type of masculine energy that is ready for some big action. He is motivated and driven, heading right into the core of a problem. He is either going to war, or he is on his way to save a damsel in distress.


Even though his courage and drive are truly impressive, the windy background suggests that things aren’t going to be so easy for him. Most likely, he hasn’t spent much time planning out his next steps. If he is en route to saving a damsel, chances are he has never even seen a fire-spitting dragon!


As such, the Knight of Swords represents a person who’s right in the middle of heading into action, i.e. a legal battle, a big business meeting, moving to a new town, making an important purchase, planning a wedding etc. It could be you or a person who’s very close to you, depending on the other cards in your reading. What matters is that this person needs to stop and review his plans before signing any contracts, making further plans, or making promises to other people about the outcomes.


If your reading is about your career and finances, the Knight of Swords might mean you aren’t being thorough. If you just got offered a new job, make sure you negotiate the terms in detail. Don’t be quick to sign the contract. Take the time to understand every clause; talk to a lawyer if you can. If this is about starting a new business, a merger or an acquisition, take the extra time to understand the details – both written and implied. Study the market, talk to employees, and make sure you’re getting into a worthy endeavor.


If you want to open a savings account, start a retirement plan etc., study what the banks or private financial institutions are offering you. There’s some fine print in there that’s likely to affect the interest you earn.



What does the Knight of Swords Tarot card mean for love?

For singles, having the Knight of Swords in your reading might mean you’re rushing into relationships too soon. Maybe you hate being alone, and you really enjoy being in a relationship, but whom you’re in a relationship with is more important than whether you’re in a relationship or not. Sometimes being single is okay!


Next time you date someone, take the time to really get to know them. Don’t be in a hurry to be their boyfriend or girlfriend. Pay attention to the small details, such as the way they talk to waitstaff, how much they tip, or how often they connect with you between dates. Ask questions to discover details about them, spend a long enough time to get a sense of who they are before proclaiming to the world that you’re together.


For couples, the Knight of Swords might be showing the snowballing existence of arguments and exaggerated drama in your relationship. Every little fight gets blown out of proportion, every word said is used as a weapon against the other. You both are too willing and ready to be annoyed! You probably need some distance, some alone time, to miss each other. To understand how much love there is between you. To realize that your relationship is worth it.


What does Knight of Swords reversed in Tarot mean?

Knight of Swords reversed might mean you are now finding yourself in the middle of a mess, because you didn’t take the time to plan things in the past. You either made rash decisions, or you didn’t realize details could be so important.


It’s okay, whatever happened, happened. You might not be able to solve the issue right away or at all. It might end up being one of those things people call a failure. But that’s okay, too, as even the most famed and successful ones amongst us have erred in the past. No inventor invents something new overnight – it always takes trial and error, and many failed attempts. Have heart. Things will be fine.


Astrological association

Sword cards – all 14 of them – in Tarot’s Minor Arcana are associated with the air element, which is associated with the astrological signs of Libra, Gemini, and Aquarius. The Knight of Swords, specifically, shows male Gemini energy.


The Knight is a Court card. In the Minor Arcana, the 16 court cards are: Knights, Queens, and Kings. There are four of each, e.g. Page of Swords, Knight of Swords, Queen of Swords, and King of Swords. Court carts tend to represent our deepest soulful qualities that’s coming to the surface, or a very important person in our lives – depending on where the card appears in the spread. Your psychic Tarot reader would be able to tell you this, based on the other cards in your reading.


If this card is about a Gemini male in your life, notice if the card is upright or reversed. If it’s upright, this Gemini is rushing to get things done and you’re not going to like the results. Slow him down and help him to sort things out. He might not be able to get things on his own this time.


If the card is reversed, this Gemini has already caused some chaos in your life. Maybe he is your assistant and he looked up your vacation dates wrong and you missed an expensive flight and an important meeting. Maybe he is your accountant and he made a mistake in your taxes. He is your boyfriend and he got you the wrong ring (after you told him a hundred times you like the princess cut!). Or, he is your fiancé and he got catering all wrong for your wedding! It wasn’t on purpose on their part, but you should still convey your frustration to him to avoid future problems.







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