Swords - Air - Thoughts, Conflict, Challenges

• If the suit of swords, laid from Ace to King, represented your emotional forecast for the next two weeks, what would it be saying?

Ace, showing new conquest with great potential, indicated by the crown. However the card's foundation is rocky - it is still merely potential at this point.

Two shows a feminine figure, blindfolded, crossing two swords across her chest. A deep body of water and the moon is behind them, indicating deep intuition/emotion, but they connot see what lies before them, which is why they remain guarded.

Three indicates terrible sorrow and heartbreak. Three swords, plunging through a heart; the heavy rain pouring down behind a further reflection of the situation at hand.

Four shows a potential result of 3's heartbreak. He appears to be made of stone and are lying in quiet contemplation and hands as if praying. The swords surrounding him represent his current situation; in his detached state, he is also failing to see what is being shown to him in the stained glass window - someone recieving aid after having called for it.

Five reminds me of betrayal, or deceit. One main, all swords in his posession, carries a smug expression and looks back at two figures, each cast off separately - alone, devastated. 

Six shows a family unit - husband, wife and child. They are turning their backs on the hardships/strife they have been experiencing. There is a deep body of water that must be crossed before reaching solid ground, indicating an emotional journey.

Seven is most definitely up to something; he appears to be sneaking away from a fair, circus or marketplace (or similar) with swords in his posession. Something I find quite interesting is that he is the only figure amongst all the sword cards who is holding their sword by the blade and not the hilt. A forewarning, for sure! 
Eight shows someone blindfolded and tied up with rope, representing a situation that is likely consuming them. They fail to see the sources of aid around them - civilization in the distance, many swords surrounding them. Some creative thinking could likely help remove their bindings.

Nine shows someone lying in bed, grief-ridden. It's interesting to note the star signs on the bedspread, the situation could be out of their control.

Ten indicates terrible hardship - a red blanket covering up spilt blood. Oddly though, the body of water is completely still, indicating a degree of acceptance despite the overwhelming sorrow.

Court Cards

The Page holds a sword in front of them, but looks behind at what they have just faced. They have seemingly let go of what once burdened them, but the fact that they are looking back at the previous cards of the suit means they may still be a little weary, or hesitant.

The Knight is ready to face strife and hardship head on - charging towards the number cards to face those challenges directly, becase he now has the resources and allies to help solve them.

The Queen reveals only a part of herself - she is reserved. However her throne is adornes with butterflies and a cherub. There is much more to what's on on the surface with this queen, she posesses a gentle kindness within. The direction she faces indicates that she is focused on what is coming ahead.

The King holds a stern expression, ready to face the challenges before him. Similar to the queen, butterflies adorn his throne as well. Despite his stony exterior, he strives to protect beauty and grace.

As I looked through the suit and collected my thoughts, I asked myself:

• What adventure is unfolding? Does the fire indicate passion or destruction?

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Ace shows a fresh wand being held straight into the air - indicative of new opportunities.

Two shows a man in a castle, overlooking the community and land that surrounds him - he also (literally) holds the world in his hands, a little more definitive feeling than the feeling of new opportunity in the ace.

Three's figure has made plans that have already been set in motion - he is left to observe and see how things fall. Patience is key - he is overlooking 3 boats in a large body of water. It's interesting to note the connection to water here.

Four is a clear display of celebration - there are many people around, as well as a bountiful harvest. The are not focused on what it coming next - they are simply enjoying the moment.

Five shows 5 men amidst an active conflict - perhaps the celebration seen in 4 was premature. No headway is being made because they can only focus on their own wand, as well as what is getting in it's way. Noone is focusing on taking a step back to untangle the situation from a different perspective!

Six shows someone sat atop a horse, a crowd of people standing before him. They are holding their wands in the air as a group. They seem to be rallying in support of the figure on the horse, although it is unclear if the figure is coming or going; this is up for interpretation.

Seven has six of it's wands placed firmly in the ground, and there is a figure holding the other. Perhaps they are taking it out of the ground, preparing to launch it and set it in motion. The time for action is now.

Eight defends seven's theory - all eight wants are soaring through the air, at a downward trajectory. The end is near, but there is still time for the winds of change to influence the wands' course.

Nine shows a man who is wearily guarding the wands which stand behind him. His expression is fairly ambiguous, although it is clear that he is guarded and anxious. 

Ten shows a figure who has put their head down - bearing an enormous load - and is simply moving forward and getting the work done. 

Court Cards

The Page, continued from ten, perhaps suggests that the figure has let go of the enormous load they once bore and are looking forward to the future. Their wand is held firmly in their hand, perhaps like the opportunity that lies ahead of them.

The Knight charges toward the page, away from the Queen and King. The background is considerably more dry and barren than the rest of the suit, but they are undeterred by what surrounds them and instead charges forward towards the remainder of the wand cards, ready to assist.

The Queen holds her wand in one hand, and a sunflower in the other. Her throne is adorned by flowers and images of lions. A black cat sits obediently at her feet. She is looking at what beholds the court from an alternate perspective. She looks guarded, and a bit suspicious, although she is governed by courage and beauty.

The King observes the rest of his suit straight on, a salamander at his feet (and ones adorning his throne). He is confident and intuitive, but only because he has earned it on a long and dutiful journey.

Other Notes

• When laid out sequentially in a line, noone addresses anyone else across cards. Except for two characters which do appear to be observing the rest of the suit - the Knight and the King. Even the figures in 5 are not looking at each other - they are focused on the wands.
• This is much less linear than what is seen in the suit of cups, however I see more direct payoff in the court cards, perhaps indicating comfort and success through experience/overcoming challenges.

That's all for this suit!

I recently picked up a copy of Theresa Reed's "Tarot: No Questions Asked" and I am really enjoying the thought-provoking and informative content in easily digestible and easy-to-read chunks. She suggests placing a suit in a line and observing them through the lens of what the suit represents. I've decided to write these observations down, as it will be a great resource to come back to in the future to track my growth.

I thought I'd share my observations with you all for the suit of cups. I'd love to hear what you think - whether it is feedback or simply observations of your own. It's all exciting to me!

I'm using my RWS deck, Weiser Tarot.

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Ace signifies peaceful prosperity - a full cup, willing to share (signified by it's fountainlike quality). 

Two shows two individuals, who appear to be equals in how they meet each other's gaze - close friendships; the power of alliance.

Three shows three women celebrating amongst a lush harvest - they are content socially, but are also satisfied in what they are able to share with one another. 

Four is where I can start to see a more obvious progression in the suit's journey - the cloud on the left offering 3's bounty, but the figure is ignoring it, deep in contemplation. The specific emotion is ambiguous, but I think that's on purpose.

Five shows, perhaps, the result of 4's contemplation. Now a figure, head bowed almost as if in mourning. They are ignoring the two cups behind them, and instead focusing on the three that have been spilt. I think there is an interesting connection to the two/three of cups here. 

Six moves on from this - an old figure in the back taking their exit, while two children share in one another's happiness regarding the growth and possibility that is abundant around them. 

Seven shows how the possibilities abundant in six, can grow into an even larger variety of opportunities - both positive and negative.

Eight reminds us that eventually, you need to move past the variety of opportunity present toward us move on, and commit to one path.

Nine shows someone content with what they have - proudly presented behind them while they look forward.  It's unclear whether the figure is smug, or simply content.

Ten shows that there is much more to life than simply being content with what you have - being able to share what you have with family/loved ones so that you may look forward with hope and share in opportunity.

Court Cards

The Page seems oddly detached from the remainder of the court, focused on what is going in inside their cup 

The Knight, in contrast, holds their cup firmly forward while they look straight ahead as if offering their cup to the queen in front of them. The knight's horse mimics this action, bowing.

The Queen appears to be in deep reflection or contemplation, observing her unique and ornate cup. Her seat is at a complementary angle to the king, allowing for a large field of view over the ocean when working together.

The King confidently holds two cups as he gazes forward, unphased by (or perhaps commanding) the ships in the distance behind him.