Page of Swords as advice

[November]

Hello, I was wondering how the Page of Swords could be interpreted as advice..

Could it mean you need to change your perspective/way of thinking? 

 

What do you think?

Thanks a lot. 

[Raggydoll]

It depends on the question and the situation. For example, if the querent has a page of swords personality, then the advice wouldn’t be to change their ways but rather the opposite. And it could also represent a person that holds the key to the situation. But if it is general advice then I would say it recommends a curious and eager approach; it encourages you to gather information and keep exploring. If the querent is contemplating a new path/idea, then the advice could be to go ahead and to not hesitate. 

[November]

Thank you so much for sharing your point of view @Raggydoll, I agree with your take. 

[Misterei]

I usually see it as an uncomfortable but honest conversation that needs to happen ... Do you need to get something off your chest but haven't been saying it?

Of course Context is King.

 

Everything @Raggydoll mentioned might apply depending the situation.

[November]

Thank you @Misterei.

 

Well, the context is the querent perceives themselves negatively, I mean they're too harsh towards themselves, so the Page of Swords came out as advice about this matter. That's why I thought about "change of perspective". 

Edited October 4, 2023 by November

[DanielJUK]

Let's go back to the imagery of it, gonna use RWS as the example but most decks have a similar imagery. The Page stands on a higher part of land with their Sword in the air, they are ready for action and to defend! The land is barren and the skies have all those clouds like a storm is coming. There is a strong wind, we can see this from the trees in the background and the Page's hair. There is a lot of energy in this card, from the landscape, from the weather and from the wind and that Page looks like they are ready for anything! It's funny how some things you learn burns into your memory from books, I always think of "tumultuous energy" from the setting of this card. This isn't a passive card, it's jumping into it and eager, like @Raggydoll said. Plus this is the suit of intellectual, mental and logical things.

 

However this is a childlike Page, this might be the first time they have ever held up a Sword. They have little to no experience in the Sword Suit. Like they pick up the sword and drop it, they swing it and hit a tree! They are naive and inexperienced but they have such enthusiasm! This is like when you share a secret with someone but you shouldn't have trusted them and they tell everyone! or you want to have a discussion or a debate but you don't back up your points with evidence and can't argue your point. Maybe you are going to email someone and send the email and then realise you said the part that you didn't want to them to know and you cannot unsend! 😱

 

So as advice, it is about being active and doing something. However, this is definitely not about being spontaneous! This card is a little warning to think of the long-term consequences and consider what you are going to do. For example, you might not have enough evidence or information to do what you want to do, you might need to spend time researching or brainstorming before pressing ahead. You might need to write a draft of an email but save it in drafts till the next morning when you can read through with a clear and less sleepy head, to avoid making a huge mistake. Be careful in how you are coming across and consider your actions. It's like going on a date and having nice conversation but don't bring up politics and all your nerdy hobbies on the first one, don't reveal everything 😉 . Their weakness or inexperience, is they speak or do without analysing and so that is the advice that often comes up with this card.

 

 

[Grizabella]

I'd see one meaning as "don't overthink things".  We all know the old saying "out of the mouths of babes."  The "babes" tend to just blurt things out without much forethought.  

[November]

Hi @DanielJUK, I think your analysis is very exhaustive, thank you for sharing it, it helps to understand better the Page of Swords for sure.

 

Hi @Grizabella, I think you hit the nail for my situation, it's the advice I was looking for. Thank you. 

[Chariot]

@DanielJUK and @Grizabella - I like both of your perspectives on this Page of Swords card.  Grizabella figures the main problem associated with this Page is over-analysis, while Daniel points to problems cause by under-analysis, or acting on impulse.

Would either of these being more appropriate for a reversed card, rather than the upright position?  If so, which one?  I suppose it all boils down to the image on the card.  Does the Page look eager, or alert but cautious?  Hmmm....  

Edited October 7, 2023 by Chariot

[Grizabella]

I've found that, if you don't choose to use actual physically reversed cards, the easiest way to know if a card would be read as reversed is to assign a reversed meaning to one of your positions.  For instance:

 

What should I do in this situation?

 

What should I NOT do in this situation?  

 

It's best to be specific and concise when doing your spread.  If you're vague and loose with the questions, then it's going to leave you having to grope around guessing for your answers and you won't feel you've definitely gotten your answer from the cards once your reading is done.  

 

Tarot is like a language with 78 words.  Some people draw clarifiers, saying that the clarifier card says the same thing only in a different way, but I don't find that to be true.  With only 78 words in your whole language, why would any one of them mean the same as any other?  That's not even reasonable to my way of thinking.  So, be concise in your position names and make a reversed position for anything you may want a negative aspect on.  Tarot can tell you anything you want to know, but only if you know how to ask the questions. Once you get comfortable with asking your questions, reading the answers becomes a whole lot easier.